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Hello, Everyone!
We are quickly sliding through winter, staying beneath the radar as far
as really bad weather is concerned. For those who are hoping for a
little snow, there's still time. But the later it comes, the shorter the
time it will be able to hang around and become a big nuisance. Let's
take advantage of that to get our hangar done, so we can really enjoy it
when the open-door time of year arrives. There is a small group of
people who have been dogged in their efforts to finish it, but we need
more help, more materials, more money. On the more money part, the
Treasurer's report at the last meeting would have you think the bank
balance is big, but it's not. Remember that Ron White had been holding a
lot of expenses in "escrow" until the tax-deductible number was
received, and they added up to over $7,000, which doesn't leave much. We
think that now is a good time to start highlighting those people who
have really put a lot of themselves into this project, just because they
really believe in it—to the benefit of all of us.
Dues & Directory…
Another thing that has been sliding is the collection of Chapter dues.
Come on, members, get it done! So few had paid by the deadline of
January 31, that I couldn't do the directory for 2006. So it will wait
another month while you all quit procrastinating. Yes, you got your
newsletter this month, but next month you won't if we don't hear from
you. Send dues to Gene Pascoe, HCR 79, Box 3010, Dora, MO 65637. Most of
you who aren't on the paid list got an e-mail from me about it, and some
have already replied; but a few of you don't have e-mail, so this is
your reminder. If you were a new member in 2005, and joined late in the
year, talk to Gene about prorating your dues.
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Gene Pascoe was busy collecting dues before the
meeting, but still... |
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Photograph by Sue Kalhoefer |
Winter Flying
Have you been flying? I hope so. Winter is
no reason not to fly. I've been to Bolivar and Lebanon in the last week.
In fact, the Lebanon trip was my first Young Eagle. She is a young lady
from church who has an appointment to the Naval Academy at Annapolis
next fall. She had a lot of questions about learning to fly. It was
really a fun and special day for me. Now I want to fly more Young
Eagles, and the time of year for flying them is rapidly approaching.
Sun 'n Fun Planning
The dates are Monday, April 4 through Monday, April 10. So far, Fred and
I, and Bill Newton with Jerry Luna, are planning to go. It will be a
flight of two, but it COULD become a gaggle if anybody else is
interested. We will probably start out during the weekend if the weather
is good, and take our time. Our tentative (intended initially) route is
from here to Savannah, TN (SNH) to Talladega, AL (ASN) to Moultrie, GA
(MGR) to Lakeland, FL (LAL) or wherever you find it convenient to stay.
Moultrie is where the Maule factory is located. Who knows… if there are
enough of us, we might wheedle a tour. People who have been to Sun 'n
Fun often say they like it better than Oshkosh.
We hear Len Ahrnsbrak will also be going to Sun 'n Fun in a Bonanza with
some other friends.
The January Meeting
Our last meeting was held Saturday morning,
January 14 at Ron's hangar right after breakfast. It was followed by a
hangar work day. At the meeting, I made a motion to name our library
after the donor, The Ted Businger Aviation Library, and that proposal
was accepted by the membership. Think about books, magazines, and other
aviation materials you have stuck in drawers, closets, sheds (bad place
for 'em), and hangars—to name a few—that you wouldn't want to become
unusable or thrown away someday. Give them to the library where everyone
can use them. We are certain to find an able librarian among the
membership to organize, reclaim, and catalog everything. Hopefully it
will be someone who is not already doing a major job in the Chapter,
because this is a big job in itself, we know. Once you make yourself
known, it will not be hard to find helpers, I'm sure. Guys, this is not
necessarily a woman's job—you are most likely to understand the
importance of materials received, and how they should be classified.
We found out we have another Wright Brothers Master Pilot award
recipient. It is Clint Allen. Clint showed us the certificate and pin he
received. Marge received a pin, too. Marge goes everywhere in the
airplane with Clint. That is just fantastic, Clint! Congratulations!
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Clint Allen, Wright Brothers
Master Pilot |
Jim Evertsen won it—then gave it
back! |
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Photographs by Sue Kalhoefer |
The Vision of Eagles jacket raffle brought in over $1,000. It was won by
Jim Evertsen, and then donated back to the Chapter to be sold for the
promised $500, all of which is to be used for the Chapter hangar.
New members, Dwight and Pat Daugherty, joined the Chapter at the
meeting. Welcome, Dwight and Pat, were are glad to have you among us.
February Meeting
The next meeting will be Saturday, February 11, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. at
Ron's hangar after breakfast. Members are invited to bring "breakfasty"
side dishes such as fruit or fruit salads, sweet rolls, or whatever, to
complement Ron and Tom's biscuits and gravy, eggs and bacon.
Once again, we will plan to work on the hangar after the meeting. There
are still fixtures to install, and painting to be done, plus lots of
other details. You might call Ron or John Smith to find out exactly what
you should bring in the way of tools.
Why Does He Do It?
John Smith has been the de facto mover and shaker in getting work
organized and problems thought out on the Chapter hangar. We know he has
the experience and expertise to do it, but WHY does he do it? This is a
lot of work, and he has also contributed materials and money to the
successful completion of the project. He has probably set aside at least
two days a week for several months now working on the hangar. We try to
get him to say something, but he's a little modest about his reasons.
One thing I do know is that he once said to me, "EAA's your first love,
right?" It was an imperative more than a question. So maybe that means
it's his first love (among aviation-related activities, that is). And
it's obvious he likes to keep busy. John has put his all into the
project.
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In one day, John will be busy working on the
building with Jim Vokac, and solving a minute problem with Mike
White where theory and practicality diverge. During a short break,
he reviews the work with Wayne Casey. |
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Photographs by Sue Kalhoefer |
Another member who has had major input into the building of the hangar
is Benny Butler. All of the concrete work, and the steel that went into
the framework, was contributed by Benny. He drew up the plans, and
brought the equipment for pouring the floor and putting up the trusses.
For him, it is time away from his business, since he is not retired. But
WHY does he do it?
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At the first
meeting of the building committee, Benny presented the plans for the
hangar. Later, he supervises the pouring of the floor. |
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Photographs by Sue Kalhoefer |
Other dedicated members, whom we will highlight in coming issues, have
also put much time, labor and material into the Chapter hangar. We can
all contribute something to the project, can't we? Once you have worked
on the hangar, once you have contributed, you will understand WHY. We
will all soon be enjoying the fruits of our own and everyone else's work
on this, our "home away from home."
We Celebrate
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February and early March
Birthdays
February 15: Berlin Batesel
February 17: Ron White
Anniversaries
February 14: Bob & Janet
Brantley
February 18: John & Jean Zook
February 21: Bill & Margaret Ghan
March 6: Jim & Tina Evertsen
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Buzz Thunderbee by Squawk
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