Gene & Peggy Abston, Warren Adams, Steve & Joanne Alcorn, Don & Sally Apple, Jim Austin, Maija Baynes, David Berelsman, John Bernache, Roland Bernier, Bill Berry, Duke Bledsoe, Dick Creswell, Walt Dix, Ray Edmiston, Ron & Linda Ferraiuolo, Palmer Gehring, Bob Gerber, Bob Hagerman, Joyce Herbert, Ralph Kimberlin, Bill & Diane Lloyd, Don & Paula Lounsbury, Jeff Matejka, Mickey Matison, Lucky McLuckie, Jim Newman, Bill Nolen, Bob Park, Bob Parker, Joe & Beverly Perrucci, Dee Phillips, Dan Roth, Jack Sellet, Dave Shotsberger & Linda, Bill Smith, Tim Sweeney, Bernice Williams, Ev Williston made a group of 46 members that showed up for the last meeting in 2011. There are some new names on the list and maybe if we see these people more often we will get to know them. ----------------------------
Bernice reported a balance of 80 stamps. In spite of the bad economy, we are holding our own compared to last year.----------------------
Bernice also asked if anyone had suggestions about our members only BBQ that we have in early March. If they would like to see some changes, now is the time discuss it.------------------
The GIF special Sat. fuel price is for GIF renters only.-------------------------
Any time we want to meet in a large space, we should contact Debby Murphy. Space may be available at the Terminal.------------------------------------
Palmer Gehring said that the Airport Committee has not given up on the idea of finding a way to lower hangar rents. The Committee is due to meet 3PM Jan 5th in the Jack Brown room at the terminal. We are welcome to attend.-------------------------
Dave Berelsman brought 3 others with him from Kissimmee. He mentioned that they have hangars for rent, a very active EAA group and he is part of a Recreational Committee that the airport might be interested in. Bernice thought he might like to contact our EAA group and Debbie Murphy about these interests.---------------------------------
Bernice is making a list of WWII Veterans that may want to be on hand for the third week in January when the Collins Foundation planes will be here.
THE NEXT MEETING OF THE WINTER HAVEN PILOTS ASSOCIATION WILL BE HELD
JANUARY 28, 2012 10 A.M. AT TAILWHEELS ETC. FLIGHT SCHOOL
Fly out to Sebring for lunch after the meeting.
December 21st Charles Townsend/John Hughes, Jim Thompson, Jack Sellet/Jim Beisner, Dick Creswell, Bernice Williams, Bill & Diane Lloyd, Ron Ferraiuolo, Warren & Diane Adams, Palmer Gehring/John Bernache, Earle Richardson (he was not last) Tony Lewis, flew to Deland for lunch. The Gin Mill has terrific hamburgers. They are so good it is worth dodging falling bodies and the bumpy ride, we had, getting there. The Gin Mill has made some changes since we were there last. New furniture outside and more sitting room inside. While there we saw members Pete Putnam & Ollie Washburn from Loves landing. They fly to Deland every Wed. We also got to meet soon to be member Keith??? From GIF.---------------------------
December 28th was another great day to fly, so Flagler County was the destination. Dick Creswell, Tony Lewis, Ron Ferraiuolo, Palmer Gehring/Jack Sellet, Earle Richardson/Bev Lerner/Guest, and Chuck Smith enjoyed a good lunch. Service must have been good as Dick was home before 1:25. The tower had a problem with a rogue student that did not understand instructions. As a result Chuck took a tour over the water just to stay out of the way and Dick had to do a 360 while the controller worked with the student. And you guys wonder why Bernice doesn’t like towers! Lucky McLuckie had a GPS problem and by the time he found Flagler he just landed and came back home.-------------------------------
Dec. 31st, since the restaurant in Sebring was closed, 10 planes flew to River Ranch for lunch. Dick Creswell, Ron & Linda Ferraiuolo, Jim Newman/Burnt?, Bill & Diane Lloyd, Sally & Don Apple, Jack Sellet/Jim Beisner, Palmer Gehring, Lucky & Shirley McLuckie, Gene & Peggy Abston, Ed Shultz/Elaine Lemieux all enjoyed the good flying weather for the last trip of 2011. The restaurant was very busy but food was good..-----------------------------
Jan. 4th was cold but crystal clear for out first trip of the year. The destination was Venice and because we expected a bunch of people we chose the Honoluana for lunch. Bernice called ahead, she only got an answering machine, but she left a message to prepare them for about 20 people. When we got into the restaurant we found one waitress and one cook. Jack & Sandy Madden, Lucky & Shirley McLuckie, Warren & Diane Adams, Ed Shultz/Elaine Lemieux, Earle Richardson/Bev Lerner, Bill & Diane Lloyd, Dick Creswell, Palmer Gehring, Bernice Williams, Ron Ferraiuolo/Jack Sellet, Stan & Susan Segalla, last and new to our fly out’s, Ray Edminston, made up the group that had to be served. Considering that the one waitress had her regular lunch people to take care of, and also acted as bar tender for the regulars, she did a very good job. We got out of there in two hours, so had plenty of time to visit with each other. The hot food was lukewarm by the time it came from the upstairs kitchen to us downstairs in the bar area. From now on we will only fly to Venice when we know the crowd will not be too large for the restaurant in the terminal. Ray is from Colorado and had never flown over the water before this trip. If he goes with us often enough, he will soon get used to Florida flying. ------------------
Jan. 7th turned out to be foggy but by around 0900 it lifted to about 4 miles visibility so we flew to Avon park for breakfast. There is nothing like a foggy morning for smooth flying. Ed Shultz led the way with passengers Elaine Lemieux/ Annette Manning and Roy Glaze. Gene & Peggy Abston, Ron & Linda Ferraiuolo, Bernice Williams followed Ed. Bob Park/Jim Newman, Dan & Judy Duran and Don & Helen Watson took off later. George Eschenbach was there serving food. Dan says every where he flies he sees fellow WHPA members. We had a good chance to eat and visit and we left there in bright sunshine. It was still a little misty at GIF.----------------
Jan.12th since the 11th was not a great day to fly Dick Creswell, Palmer Gehring, Ron Ferraiuolo/Jim Thompson, Ed Shultz/Elaine Lemieux, decided to fly to Venice for lunch at the restaurant in the terminal. Stan Segalla gave them a heads up but with only 6 they wouldn’t need it. Still we are thankful for Stan’s presence as he can keep us posted about weather and airport conditions when we plan to fly out to his neighborhood. All must have gone well as we didn’t hear any complaints.-----------------
Jan. 14th dawned cold and windy but Jack & Sandy Madden, Palmer Gehring/Jack Sellet, Tony Lewis, Ron & Linda Ferraiuolo, Roy Glaze, Bernice Williams, Ed Shultz/Elaine Lemieux, Marvin Herrera/Gerard, Ernie Colbert/Don Watson still found their way to River Ranch for lunch. Roy had never been there before so this was a new experience for him. Ernie and Don showed up just as we were leaving. Of all days, the 6 passenger golf cart got a flat tire (right under where Bernice was sitting) so we didn’t go far before we had to get out and walk. Roy stayed behind with limping Bernice in case she needed help but she thumbed a golf cart that had 4 people on it and the guy that was driving put two of his friends off and picked up Roy and Bernice. See if you stick with a white haired limping old lady, all kinds of good things come your way! The guys that picked them up were fun to talk to. When it came time to take off, Palmer noticed that Ed wasn’t getting started so he stayed back to help. They finally hand propped the plane and every one got home in one piece. The wind at 2RR was right down 34.
NEW MEMBERS:
Marc Gau is from Apopka. He flies many different planes but right now his favorite is the Cessna Skycatcher. He is another of our younger members that we are sure will be moving on to bigger and better things in aviation. In the meantime we hope he will be an active part of the group.-----------------------
Keith Asonoff keeps his plane here at GIF. He joined us at Deland when he flew in with the Loves Landing group. Haven’t seen him since. Hope he gets to fly out with us.----------------
Joseph & Norma Gray live in Vero Beach but we see Joe often when we fly out. He is retired Navy and has flown many Classic planes as well as the sport Tecnam P92. He now owns the 415C Ercoupe previously owned by Philip Beeson. We often see him with member Gene Gagliardi at Valkaria. We are sure we will see more of him at our Fly Outs.
IN MEMORY: Bob Williams had been undergoing cancer treatments for some time, but still kept coming to our events. He has been a good and active member for the past eleven years. Bob made many contributions to anything that was going on at the airport in fact Bernice had a hard time convincing him that he did not have to contribute postage to mail his newsletter. He went his quiet way and was an active pilot until he could no longer keep his medical. Even then he hoped for the best and kept his plane until it was obvious that he would not be flying again. Bob was 87 and had a good life. He will be missed by those that knew him.
HAVE YOU CHECKED THE WEB SITE TUWHA.ORG LATELY? That stands for Tenants and Users of Winter Haven Airport. At this site you can express your opinion on anything pertaining to GIF. You will also be able to read the latest news on any subject pertaining to the airport. This covers ALL the tenants, not just WHPA members. It should be used to get out news and views about the airport. A useful tool for Debby Murphy, HOVA, the EAA and WHPA.
FEBRUARY EVENTS
4TH AVON PARK BREAKFAST 0830-1100
11TH EAA BREAKFAST AT SEBRING 0830-1100
also BREAKFAST AT TITUSVILLE (VAC) WARBIRD MUSEUM 0800-1100 PRICE $8 INCLLUDES
ADMISSION TO THE MUSEUM . This will be the second Sat. of every month.
18TH VALKARIA ANNUAL FLY IN
25TH WHPA MEETING AT 1000 AND MEMBERS ONLY BBQ AT 1130
WATCH YOUR E MAIL FOR OTHER EVENTS.
SEE ‘YA