RE: Engines
What the others have said. We fly year round here, winter temps can be 0 - 10 degrees at noon. The engines can be hard to start and a little more problematic in the winter, but no one has ruined their engine because of the cold. Just use a good fuel with the correct oil for your engine and allow it to warm up before you fly and you'll be fine. Your hobby dealer is doing you a dis-service.
Paul