Up in the sky, so high

Aug. 20—EAGLE POINT — Although its members are humble about their skills, the Rogue Eagles RC Club put on quite a show at Agate Skyways for members of the public Saturday.

It began with red, white and blue remote-controlled planes rolling and zipping against clear skies as Ray Charles' rendition of "America the Beautiful" played. Later, to the tune of circus music, yellow-winged planes sporting a pink underbelly did some synchronous acrobatics (even if there was one collision); and then, a remote-controlled helicopter took flight during Foo Fighters' "Learn to Fly."

For Eagle Point resident Brian Bowman, who used to fly the same planes and is teaching his grandkids about them, the air show wasn't just a little fun; it was "a lot of fun."

"I'm feeling like a kid again," Bowman said.

It was the first day of the air show, an annual event organized by the Rogue Eagles meant to benefit the Children's Miracle Network, an arm of the Asante Foundation.

To date, the air show, now in its eleventh year, has brought in more than $25,000 to Children's Miracle Network, which goes to women's and children's services at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center.

"It's groups like them ... that keep these programs here locally, so that kids and families, when they need care, can stay close to home," said Desirae Myers, manager of communications and marketing for Asante Foundation.

Rob Merriman, a spokesman for Rogue Eagles, admits it is a challenge to choose one community organization over another that could benefit from the airshow. Historically, Children's Miracle Network has been the recipient.

"We just like the fact that it is very local, and we really liked the story of what the Children's Miracle Network is able to do to help facilitate families, who are obviously at that point in a significant crisis," Merriman said.

He then noted the hospital's expansion, which will allow Asante to bring all women's and children's services together under one roof.

"Now, with the additions that they're making in their complex, they're going to be making a real commitment to ... help families that are dealing with some pretty heavy stuff. We support that," Merriman said.

Turning his attention to the airshow, Merriman called it "a long tradition" that brings generations of families together each year.

"We are excited we're finally able to have a show again after a four-year layoff due to both COVID-19 and smoke from wildfires," he said. "The club looks forward to this every year. It's an opportunity to show a really wide variety of aircraft and skills that are represented by the club. I think people are going to be pleasantly surprised at the sophistication of the models that we have. There will be something for everyone."

He then noted the summer camp the club held earlier this year to teach kids how to fly remote-controlled aircraft. Likewise, the airshow will offer kids a chance to fly remote-controlled planes; adults will also be able to try — all under the airshow 2022 theme, "Time to Fly."

"I think the intent there is we really want people to know that if they have an interest, we can make that available," Merriman said.

Matthew Wilson, 14, was one of the many youths interested in flying remote-controlled planes who turned out to the airshow Saturday. He graciously accepted a Styrofoam plane he won from a raffle.

"I think this is totally going to fly better than the paper plate ones I make," said Wilson, whose goal is to get a remote-controlled plane after trying his hand at one during the Rogue Eagles summer camp.

"It was better than I thought it would be, and I really did have high expectations," he said.

Tony Hess is trying to get his child, at 6 years old, interested in flying remote-controlled planes.

"I've always enjoyed it. 'Top Gun' was the big thing for me, so I watched that as a kid, got into rockets, and then — when I could afford it — (got) into remote-control airplanes," Hess said. "He's big into it now, too."

Max Hess told the newspaper he's into remote control because they "look really fun and are not too hard and not too easy."

Unlike the Hess family, Cynthia Jones and her son, Cooper Freeman, have never flown an unmanned aircraft and just came to the air show to have fun.

"I love it. I love the opportunity we have to come see this stuff," Jones said. "They're really fun to watch, and I think it probably takes a lot of skill to be able to do the things they do."

Freeman thinks it's "pretty cool" Rogue Eagles are able to fly these types of planes and they defy his expectations.

"A lot of stuff I haven't seen before except in war movies and CGI stuff," Freeman said. "It was cool to see the helicopter fly up and down."

Jones was unaware that the Rogue Eagles would allow her and other members of the public to actually fly some of their remote-controlled planes.

"I'll have to think about that, but maybe (I'll try)," she said.

For Sunday's show, held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Agate Skyways, 888 E. Antelope Road, admission is a suggested donation of $5 for adults or $10 for a car with more than one adult. Kids' admission is free, and so is parking. Proceeds will again be donated to Children's Miracle Network.

Kona-Ice sold refreshments Saturday while Toasted Cheese will offer food sales Sunday. Raffles are scheduled for both days.

See rogue-eagles.org for directions and more information.

Reach reporter Kevin Opsahl at 541-776-4476 or kopsahl@rosebudmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KevJourno.