FlisKits 2nd Birthday Party, Tewksbury Mass, with CMASS!

Happy Birthday FlisKits!

I was truly humbled on this very special day.  Over 6 months ago I approached Bill Spadafora about moving their (CMASS) Tewksbury launch one weekend so that it would fall closer to our anniversary date.  I explained that we wanted to celebrate two years of operation with CMASS' help.  FlisKits agreed to sponsor the launch (an annual event now, I believe) and we set things in motion.

But how do we celebrate?  WHAT do we celebrate?  Do we celebrate mere "existence"?  We've "existed" for two years.  Not to sound crass, but "Big Whoop", we've existed for two years.  So, just what *are* we celebrating?  I pondered that question all year long and came to the conclusion that we are celebrating "Surviving" in a very tight market place that is already dominated by two very large and very well known companies.  We've established our place in this market and have continued to grow and expand during our two years of operation.  We are clearly successful and have a very bright future ahead of us.  THAT is what we are celebrating and that is what we set our plans on.

Man, did I miss the boat on THAT one.  We (FlisKits) are all of those things that I mentioned above, but that isn't what we were celebrating on this windy but sunny and bright September afternoon.  I attended a launch that had more kids than grown ups.  I attended a launch where dozens and DOZENS and dozens of kids came up to me and said "Mr. Flis, my first rocket was a FlisKits"...   ..."my first rocket was a FlisKits."   ...Somebody pick me up off of the ground.  This just *floors* me.  The sense of pride, the sense of accomplishment.  To see all of these happy, smiling faces and knowing that we helped to introduce them to this hobby.  To see the tide ebb and shift and see more of "them" (kids) than "us" (old farts).   We celebrated a new growth in rocketry.  A growth that FlisKits has played a part in.  How much of a part?  Well, only time will tell but to even be a **part** of that has totally overwhelmed me.  I just don't know what to say.

Scores of people, young and old alike, stopped by to congratulate us and to thank us.  Well, you are very welcome, but more than that I would like to thank YOU.  Thank you for your enthusiasm, support, excitement and confidence.  I have said from the start that FlisKits is YOUR company, help it grow and watch it grow.  Well you are doing just that.  You compliment us on our wonderful quality, selection and service.  We're simply doing what YOU want, because it is your company.

FlisKits had a birthday party this day.  Well, YOU had a birthday party this day.  By the looks of things out in Tewksbury this afternoon, I would say that we were all celebrating a new re-birth of this hobby.  Fresh blood, fresh enthusiasm and fresh ideas on what this hobby should be.  Thank you for helping us be a part of all the fun and excitement.

What will the future bring?   We will be discussing this in greater detail as the future unfolds, but mark my words...  ...we have many new and exciting designs yet to be released.  Fun designs, projects and plans.  You will see them unfold over time and, with your help, we will grow to fill the void that this hobby has survived for so many years.

The photo album at the left is but a sampling of the fun we had.  You should've been there, you really should have.   Now, let's PARTY!

Jim Flis, Brian McCarthy, Kathy Flis