AFTER WATCHING "Mr. Holland's Opus" recently as it played on television and considering Mark Bundick's editorial in the Model Rocketeer, I was reminded of a teacher who really inspired me. Mr. Kayl Craig was our counselor in junior high school. His background was teaching science, and he really loved kids. He took on the task of leading a school rocket building class.

There are two proposed rule changes in the NAR contest "Pink Book" that were just published in the NAR "The Model Rocketeer" Newsletter (June 1999). These two rule changes would have a vast impact on model rocketry, far more than they will have on competition rocketry. So I am urging people to get out and vote "NO" on them.

RETAILERS ARE SCARED. Not just in the hobby industry, but in almost every industry, all over the world. They're scared because communication advances and fast, inexpensive shipping have steadily eroded their place in the distribution chain.  In the 1800's, the retailer was supreme, challenged only by the Sears & Roebuck catalog, and even then the sale was usually made through a local general store.

ALL THE LATEST UPROAR over BATF involvement has got me (and no doubt many others) thinking about alternate forms of propulsion. Let's face it, no matter what the outcome of the NPRM that is coming, I think we are in for a dramatic increase in the cost of AP based rocket motors. Either licensing and regulations will drive up the prices, or many casual fliers will be driven from the hobby, which will also cause a price increase for those serious enough to stick with it.

ORANGEBURG, SC REMAINS A FABULOUS PLACE to fly rockets, and the TRA local prefect, Jim Conn, a wonderful host. The recent "Small Balls" was a small, chummy launch, certainly not more than 50 people. Reminded me of high power rocketry 10 years ago, when everyone knew everyone else and the big question was, would your motor work right?

I AM QUENTIN T. WILSON, of the book "Rocket Boys" and the subsequent movie, "October Sky". I fear, as a consequence of the book and movie, that many youngsters will try the imitate the Rocket Boys and construct home-built rockets. Most will lack our cautiousness, and many will fail to have our luck.

ONE THING that seems clear from the rather fruitless "HPR Summit" that took place recently in Washinton is that, be it a case of governmental buck-passing by BATF, or a legitimate conflict between what they'd like to do and what the Congress has mandated they do, changes in legislation will eventually (probably sooner rather than later) be a necessary part of lightening the crushing load of current hobby regulation.