In a city like Columbus, there must be at least one quality club. Have you checked www.modelaircraft.org's club search feature? Use the Zip code search. It's more accurate.

Alpha? Who sells them? I think I've heard of ALFA, which is a German or Austrian company I believe. They make much more detailed, high-dollar models if it's the company I'm thinking of. Great Planes is more "sport scale" and a little more budget-minded comparatively speaking, when you're talking about park flyers.

If you're rusty, a warbird might not be the best thing to get reacquainted on, though...