Public invited to watch Tri-County Rocketeers' launches Sunday

[April 22, 2014]  ARMINGTON — The March 15 meeting of the Tri-County Rocketeers marked the beginning of the second year for the club. Tri-County Rocketeers is a 4-H SPIN club, a special interest club serving children ages 8-18 in Tazewell and surrounding counties. As may be guessed from the name of the club, the area of interest is model rocketry.

Club meetings consist of construction of models, study of building techniques and demonstrations, as well as overviews in aeronautics and DC electricity for launching the rockets. At the March 15 meeting, members completed an Estes Alpha rocket as well as a Courier egg-lofting rocket.

Meetings are usually the third Saturday of each month at the Armington Park District meeting room, beside the former Armington High School gym. Due to the Easter holiday, the next meeting will be on April 26 instead. Weather permitting, the group will shoot their newly created models at the old Armington ball fields from 1 to 3 p.m. The group will meet briefly at the normal location before moving to the field for launch. The public is invited to watch or participate.

Participants will need to supply their own models and launch supplies. A pad and launcher will be available if needed. Please note: NAR guidelines will need to be followed for construction, recovery systems and launching. No engines over "E" will be permitted.

If your child would have an interest in joining Tri-County Rocketeers, contact Mike Rodman at 309-392-2676 or [e-mail].

[Text from file received from Lisa Kramer]