On October 1, 2022 Checkerboard RC Club celebrated its 50th Anniversary, a milestone not often attained. The purpose of the celebration was not only to acknowledge this momentous occasion but also to give thanks to the thousands of members, families and friends who helped grow the organization from a small group of radio control flying enthusiasts to one of the preeminent RC Clubs in the country.
Checkerboard was founded in 1972 by the late Harold (Hal) Parenti, the late Charlie Bauer, the late Paul Harvey (the radio broadcaster), Ray Carlson, and Vladimir Holis to name a few. Vladimir was able to attend and made the celebration that much more meaningful. These gentlemen were not only accomplished RC pilots but also aeronautics engineers who conceived, designed and built model planes of all shapes and sizes.
The event started off with Brent Litzer, president, giving a history of the Checkerboard club. Gary Parenti, Hal’s son, then talked about his experiences and memories of the club dating back to 1972 when he was only 12 years old and what the club has meant to him.
A beautiful blue sky was the perfect setting for the attendees to be treated to an air show, second to none. The skilled Checkerboard pilots demonstrated RC flying; a gas powered plane streaming smoke across the sky, a plane doing acrobatic maneuvers and flying inverted low to the ground, a 10” drone racing above the field with a streamer trailing behind it, a thrilling helicopter 3D flight and drones flying through the race course among other RC demonstrations. There was even an air tunnel constructed and demonstrated. Checkerboard might be the only RC club in the country that has one.
Following the air show, the grill was lit and burgers and hot dogs were served with side dishes, cookies and cake. To top off the day, raffle tickets were given to the 90+ attendees and the raffle began. The prizes ranged from cash, to gift cards to area restaurants, to Bears apparel and several RC related prizes.
It was a grand occasion. Checkerboard has much to be proud of and it was evident by the number of members, families and friends that came out to celebrate with us.
