On 2/3/2016 6:13 AM, wrote:
Major snip

Great response Eric, thank you. I have contributed articles in the past
and I know it does take effort, for example I am currently into my third
year of writing a book about my soaring experiences. I follow many people
on the various media sites and they report on their efforts. With a little
expansion many of those reports could be Soaring articles. I would
encourage those "reporters" from the Williams, CA site at the Hollister
group as well as Avenal reporters to give it a shot. I certainly enjoy
reading all of their reports on the sites and I am sure others would like
them as well in the Mag.

gary kemp "NK"

Right on, Gary K!

Other than RAS, I'm not a regular imbiber of "electronic media" as a means of
maintaining ties to regional or national groups (of any kind, not just
soaring). Life's too short; when it comes to research and self-informing, I
fall into the "relatively focused" category. That's not to knock (say) the
Facebooks of the world and what can be found on them...but the world remains a
big place regardless of communications ease and speed. How much have our minds
- as distinct from what's inside them - changed in (say) the last 10,000
years? Point being, I'm generally "Facebook ignorant" (by contented choice).

That said, I completely agree that (not only) FB contains (very many!)
"diamonds in the rough" quite suitable, after - maybe even minor, in some
cases - massaging, for "Soaring" magazine. Probably a valid observation for
every country with a national print magazine.

Key to helping this sort of cross-pollination happen is - unavoidably, IMO -
"SOMEone(s)" at multiple local levels to take a bit in their teeth by
providing suitable nudging/encouragement/support/whatever to the original
poster. As noted elsewhere in this thread, there's no reason "Joe Someone"
can't be the face looking back from the mirror every time you happen to glance
at one. Doesn't mean your commitment needs to be overwhelming or everlasting.
A one-time effort upon recognizing a certain local posting that you think
others beyond your local geographic circle might similarly enjoy, that
eventually (with your supportive effort) sees "national print space" (woo
hoo!) will've measurably enriched "Soaring"...and maybe even "soaring" in
general. Philosophic "global selflessness" aside, imagine how warm and fuzzy
seeing the final printed product will make everyone involved with birthing
each such article feel! Ah self-interest - not a thing wrong with it when done
in "golden rule" proportions...

I look forward to such contributions!!!

Bob W.

P.S. Gary - you likely don't remember it, but "some teacher from California"
was one of "those XC soaring gods" upon whom I gazed in mild awe in several
early seasons of soaring my 1-26 from Heber City in early/mid '70s. I may have
even helped pull you from a field post-midnight near (Richfield?)...can't
remember whether it was Gary K. or Gary F.