Hi Folks,
   We have lots of actions going on, and I hope that I don't miss any of them. You have no doubt seen the new impound area - I thank you for using that, and ask that you continue to encourage others to use it also. Safety is everyone's concern, and together we can be safe.  You will also note that some of the safety fence has been removed. That is so that two different city-led actions can take place. The first of these is the large plane pad being poured between the existing pits and the west-most chain link safety fence. The city currently has that project out for bid (at an estimated cost of $3200), and I have been told this will happen "soon". The second major project is the re-direction of water flow around the pilot stations and the re-grading of the field to better accommodate monsoon water. This project is also a "soon" project, and is contingent upon the large plane pad being poured first. The next project is the new safety fence, and this one is being funded by the club, and led by Tommy Fenn. This project is contingent upon the field being re-graded by the city.
   I need to say a sad good bye to Jerry Mingo, who is retiring from federal service and taking a one year contract position at Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo. I appreciate all that Jerry did for the club, and I will miss him. Flying on Libby Field won't be the same without him.
   As you know, Father's Day is rapidly coming upon us, and our contest director for the Father's Day Fun Fly is still in Iraq. To make matters worse, there is a rumor that he will be sent to Fort Hood for several weeks as soon as he gets back from Iraq (his cat may just leave home). These actions will most likely leave us without a contest director or an event for Father's Day. We will be discussing options and making plans at this month's club meeting.
   I found the following article to be both interesting and timely:

    Spring is here and summer is coming. Everybody wants to be out at the field, including all kinds of potentially dangerous insects. Chances are that every time you are at the field, insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, or even wasps will bite you.
    For most of us, being bitten or stung means pain and discomfort, generally lasting only a few hours. Symptoms may include redness, swelling, and itching at the site of the sting. However, some people are allergic to insect stings. Transient, localized hives are more of a nuisance than a serious problem. 
   Occasionally a severe skin infection develops and needs to be examined further. Allergies are also a problem. Allergies can involve not only the skin, but also the airway.
    What’s the difference between a bite and a sting? The differences are due to the nature of the bite or sting. Venomous insects attack as a defense mechanism, injecting painful, toxic venom through their stingers to punish you so you’ll stay away next time. 
   Non-venomous insects bite and usually inject anti-coagulant saliva in order to feed on your blood. Although local irritation and allergic reactions do occur from nonvenomous bites, severe reactions such as anaphylactic shock only happen from venom stings.

Facts on stinging insects

1) The majority of insect stings in the U.S. come from yellow jackets, hornets, wasps, bees, and fire ants. These insects occur throughout the United States except fire ants, which are found only in the Southeastern states.
2) More than 2 million Americans are allergic to stinging insects.
3) More than 500,000 people enter hospital emergency rooms every year suffering from insect stings and 40-150 people die as a result of an allergic reaction to these stings.
4) An allergic reaction to an insect sting can occur immediately, within minutes, or even hours after the sting (although never more than 24 hours). Such a reaction is characterized by hives, itchiness, and swelling in areas other than the sting site, difficulty in breathing, dizziness or a sharp drop in blood pressure, nausea, cramps or diarrhea, unconsciousness, and cardiac arrest.
5) Patients who have experienced a systemic allergic reaction to an insect sting have a 60% chance of a similar (or worse) reaction if stung again.
6) An allergic reaction in progress can be stopped with epinephrine, either self-injected or administered by a doctor. People who carry these sting kits must keep them close at hand wherever they go and remember that one dose is not always enough to stop a reaction. If you are stung, seek medical attention immediately.
7) A person suffering from insect sting allergy can have this condition treated with venom immunotherapy (VIT), a 97% effective desensitization therapy administered by an allergist.
8) Stinging insects are most active during the summer and early fall when nest populations can exceed 60,000 insects.
9) These insects are most dangerous in the vicinity of their nests. A passerby is viewed as a threat to the safety of their home and is often chased out of the area by a sting(s).
10) Yellow jackets, hornets, and wasps can sting repeatedly. Honeybees have barbed stingers which are left behind in their victims’ skin. These stingers are best removed by a scraping action rather than a pulling motion which actually squeezes more venom into the skin.
11) Stinging insects are especially attracted to sweet fragrances (perfumes, colognes, and hair sprays), picnic food, open soda and beer containers, and garbage areas. Avoiding these attractants will lessen a person’s chance of being stung.
12) One in every 250 people is highly allergic to insect stings. More people die from insect allergies than from snake bites.

Symptoms of severe reactions

   For a small number of people with severe venom allergy, stings may be life-threatening. Severe allergic reactions to insect stings can involve many body organs and may develop rapidly. This reaction is called anaphylaxis. 
   Symptoms of anaphylaxis may include itching and hives over large areas of the body, swelling in the throat or tongue, difficulty breathing, dizziness, stomach cramps, nausea, or diarrhea. In severe cases, a rapid fall in blood pressure may result in shock and loss of consciousness. 
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency, and may be fatal. If you or anyone else experiences any of these symptoms after an insect sting, obtain emergency medical treatment immediately. After your symptoms are treated in the emergency room, you should also obtain referral to an allergist to learn about treatment options.

Treating stings

   If you are stung by a honey bee that has left its stinger (and attached venom sac) in yourskin, remove the stinger within 30 seconds to avoid receiving more venom. A quick scrape of a fingernail removes the stinger and sac. Avoid squeezing the sac, this forces more venom through the stinger and into the skin. Hornets, wasps, and yellow jackets do not usually leave their stingers. 
   Try to remain calm, and brush these insects from the skin promptly, with deliberate movements to prevent additional stings. Then, quietly and immediately leave the area.
If fire ants sting you, carefully brush them off to prevent repeated stings and leave the area. Fire ant stings cause a reaction in almost all their victims. An itchy, localized hive at the sting site forms and then usually subsides within 30 to 60 minutes. Within four hours, a small blister forms at the site of each sting; a sterile sore with pus forms in eight to 24 hours. This sore then ruptures and scars in 48 to 72 hours. Stings must be monitored for secondary bacterial infection. 
   Diabetics and others with circulatory disorders, including varicose veins and phlebitis, can be particularly at risk for complications, and should see a physician to monitor their condition after being stung. 
   Up to 50% of patients develop large local reactions at the site of fire ant stings. Swelling may last for several days and may be accompanied by itching, redness, and pain.

Taking the following steps can help in treating local reactions to insect stings:

    Elevate the affected arm or leg and apply ice or a cold compress to reduce swelling and pain.
    Gently clean blisters with soap and water to prevent secondary infections;  do not break blisters.
    Use topical steroid ointments or oral antihistamines to relieve itching.
    See your doctor if swelling progresses or if the sting site seems infected.

   If you are severely insect-allergic and have had prior reactions, try to avoid being outdoors alone in insect weather in case you require prompt emergency treatment. Carry an auto-injectable epinephrine (adrenalin) device, a short-term treatment for severe allergic reactions. Learn how to self-administer the epinephrine according to your allergist’s instructions.

   Remember that injectable epinephrine is rescue medication only, and you must still have someone take you to an emergency room immediately if you are stung. Additional medical 
treatment may be necessary.

   Those with severe allergies may want to consider wearing a special bracelet or necklace that identifies the wearer as having severe allergies and supplies other important medical information. If you have had anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) following an insect bite, carry an anaphylaxis kit.

Avoiding stinging insects

    Don’t wear perfume or scented lotions.
    Control odors at picnics, garbage areas, etc.
    Avoid brightly colored clothing outdoors.
    Destroy or relocate all known hives or nests near your home. Avoiding mosquitoes, chiggers, and ticks
    Cover as much of your skin as possible with clothing, hats, socks, etc.
    Pay special attention to cuff areas at ankles, wrists, and neck.
    Avoid swamps(mosquitoes), dense woods, fields, and brush (ticks, chiggers).
    Examine exposed skin and scalp areas for clinging ticks after returning from hikes.
    Use insect repellent.

from The Super Glitch
Renato Sanchez, editor
Tulsa Glue Dobbers
Tulsa OK 

   The fathers’ day fun fly is scheduled for Saturday June 19 (final date will be decided at the meeting) . I thought we could do a Potluck lunch. Everyone who wishes to bring a dish will eat for free and those who don't will pay $5.  All proceeds, as usual going towards the Christmas party.

   Let us know what dish you will bring and how many to attend. If you are not bringing a dish, let us know so we can plan for enough food.

Thanks   Mick

      The next meeting of the MMRCC is scheduled for June 3, 2004 at 7:00 P.M. The meeting will be held at the Northrop Grumman facility Personnel are required to sign-in and sign out for security purposes.