A
reminder! If you have a summer/winter home or for some
reason want a second address to be maintained by REPA
then please contact Jerry Frost with the address and
approximate dates you will be going back and forth…
We are very, very hopeful that this will cut down on
all the Temporary Away Notices (and thus trashed magazines)
that we have been receiving for the past five years…
Remember that only your primary address and contact
information will be in the REPA Roster…
Also your entries in the REPA Database can be changed
or updated at any time and as many times as you wish!
Just let Jerry Frost or me know!
ATLANTA:
Folks….
We
had a very good turnout yesterday for the August 10th
Atlanta REPA Luncheon… Good but hot weather probably
helped but surely the main reason was our Guest Speaker,
retired Eastern Captain and noted writer Robin McClary…
Robin had scheduled his appearance at our luncheon to
coincide with a visit with his family, who live locally.
Robin
bought a box load of his book, Ionosphere Blues,
which is a “memoir in poetry and short stories”,
mainly about his time at Eastern Air Lines. After a
“reading” of selected stories (mostly humorous
and all very well received!!!!) Robin announced that
he had an agreement with his publisher… That being
the publisher would not give any books away and in return
Robin would not sell any books! He then proceeded to
autograph the free books for the attendees however those
at the end of the line were disappointed as the box
was soon emptied… However Robin wrote down their
addresses and promised to mail each a copy…

Robin
signs Penny Sweezey's new book!
We
had one guest, that being Myron Ramsdell, who came with
Steve Holder (who we had not seen in quite a while)…
Steve reminded us that the last time he came to a REPA
Luncheon he had flown in from a job in California but
in that luncheon report we mentioned that the person
who travelled the furtherest to attend drove over from
Alabama, considerably closer than California! This time,
no doubt, setting aside the Guest Speaker, Steve travelled
the longest distance, as he and Myron drove down from
Hartwell, GA… They claimed they left before daylight
but not many believed them! Others attending who we
had not seen in a while were Vic Honore and Larry Nichols
along with Dave and Marianne Ingle…
We
had another of REPA Affiliate Jim Whitlock’s painting
as a Door Prize…. Again it was a Convair 440 but
this one was in the original colorful paint scheme Eastern
was using at the time the 440 joined the fleet…
The 440 last month was in the Hockey Stick style…
The one yesterday was claimed by Larry Nichols…

Larry
Nichols shows us his new prize as Jim Williams looks
on....
Winning
the cash door prizes were Doctor David Millett who won
$20 and immediately used it to purchase more copies
of the summer issue of REPArtee, Jay Allen
grabbed the $15 prize and Keith Crosby used his $10
winning to help pay for the B-727 decal that he had
asked Jim Whitlock to bring to this luncheon…
Bud Robbins paid $20 for the other B-727 decal…
As Jim had announced last month he donates half of the
cost of the decals to REPA so $20 was added to our treasury
as a result of Keith and Bud’s purchases….
Again,
a very well attended REPA Luncheon with a fine program!
Jim
Holder
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The
Atlanta Base has been very active (even moreso than
usual) the last 3-4 years. We have had many interesting
Guest Speakers at our Monthly Luncheons with more in
the pipeline! Even when we don't have a Guest Speaker
we have a great time as the Members usually have some
good jokes and stories to relate. Remember, we meet
the second Tuesday of each month at the Pickadilly Cafeteria
on Godby Road just off Old National Highway SW of the
Atlanta Airport. For more information please contact
Virgil Tedder at 404-351-4960.
ARIZONA:
Dont
Miss it!
The telephones and computers have been playing tricks
on our lines of communications, so we have resorted
to the newsletter for the luncheon announcement. Wash
the car, put on your best socks, come on over, we'll
see you at Dillon's Restaurant on Tuesday, November
20th at 11:30 AM, for a great meal and vivid recollections
of when we flew airplanes with propellers and sometimes
set them on fire when starting.
Two
long time families of our Arizona REPA Group are under
the weather and we would like you to remember them in
your thoughts and prayers. Perhaps you could drop them
a line of encouragement.
Johnne
Gustafafson is home bound with Gus as her caregiver.
Their address is:
3702
E. Dartmouth St
Mesa, AZ 85205-6115
Phone:480-396-6793
Bob
Kaye, our 1995 President of REPA, is recovering from
surgery and preparing for chemotherapy. Wife, Pat, is
his care partner.
3696
N. Hogan Dr
Goodyear, AZ 85338-8544
Phone: 623-935-6656
If
you know of others under the weather, please let us
know.
Don
Witt
PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW ADDRESS
Now we will be found at 10724 Tropicana Circle North, still in Sun City,
85351, and the phone is the same 623-972-6788.
The Arizona Bunch meets periodically at Dillon's Restaurant
located at 8706 W. Thunderbird. This is located on
the northwest corner of Thunderbird and Loop 101 on
the west side. Please call to confirm: Don at (623)
972-6788. If you can't attend, please mail your dues,,,,,$5
plus $5 for the Flower Fund. Postage is going up again!
Meetings are held November, January, and March. Because
many EAL pilots have vacation homes and away during
the summer months they try to get together during
the months above and usually have good attendance.
Call Don Witt, Chairman (623) 972-6788 for time and
location.
Charlotte:
Jim,
First
let me apologize for the time between updates and for
the delay in publishing the change in our meeting date.
We are back to meeting on the first Wednesday of the
month.
Today
being the first Wednesday of February we had our monthly
meeting. We had 12 regulars plus two guests. We had
a little snow and some ice last night with a very cold
temperature today. A couple of our regulars were not
able to attend due to the weather conditions. Hank &
Gail Shook try to escape the cold in February by spending
the month in Florida and playing golf but I think the
last couple of days they have needed heavy coats on
the course.
We
had guests today and what a great treat it was to have
Fred & Doris Safrit in attendance. As many of you
know Fred was a flight attendant and was based in CLT
when Darrel Hudspeth started and that was a long time
ago! Fred & Doris are from this area and Fred promises
they will visit with us again; soon, I hope!!
I
have said before that we might have a small group but
what a group. Everyone really makes an effort to come
and we normally spend about 2 1/2 hours together. It
is really like a family reunion every month. Talk about
effort, Levada Hudspeth had a hip replacement two months
ago and after only two days in the hospital she stopped
by the restaurant on the way home, just amazing. Jack
Washam, a very young 91, still driving to the meetings
had surgery on his throat, had I believe some cancerous
lymph nodes removed. Jack is scheduled to have cataract
surgery on Tuesday. John Deyton is at home convalescing
and seems to be doing OK. Talked with John yesterday
and visited with him maybe three weeks back and he misses
our meetings. We all hope that John and Sandy will be
able to attend a meeting very soon. Wayne Hagler was
with us a couple of months back and he is doing much
better. Wayne has had a struggle for a couple of years
but now that he is doing so well we all hope that he
will attend more of our meetings.
We
would love to have you visit with us!
Bill
Tumlin

We
meet at the Golden Corral, 120 Gallery Center Dr. Mooresville,
NC. Directions from CLT, take I-77 N. to exit 36 (about
20 miles N of I-85), then a left to first light, take
a right to second road on the right. If you are in the
Charlotte area on the first Wednesday of the month give
Hank Shook a call at 704-664-1222 for additional directions
and info.
CHICAGO O'HARE PILOTS ASSOCIATION:
May 20, 2009
Dear
Eastern Airline Pilots, Flight Attendants, Crew Schedulers
and families,
It
sure was a long winter, but springtime is here again,
the temperature is 83 degrees Fahrenheit. Once again,
a great spring for making maple syrup. We duplicated
last year’s record of 1,200 gallons of maple syrup.
We have had so much rain this spring and are way behind
schedule for planting corn and soybeans. We have about
2,000 acres to plant.
I
want to take this time to thank all the people that
made last year’s convention a real success. Captain
Denis Shortal, Captain Larry Nieman, Captain Jack Mumaw
and Captain Jerry Gerndt were last year’s officers
and did a great job. There are others like Captain and
Mrs. Bob Shipner and Captain and Mrs. Tom Helms and
many others that gave valuable input to the convention
as well as helping out in the “Party Room”.
For
those of you that attended last year, you know what
a beautiful location it is. The view overlooking the
Mississippi from the restaurant is breathtaking. Once
again, my thanks for a job well done for all of you
that participated in making the 2008 convention a great
success.
Since
our convention last year at Chestnut Mountain Resort,
that facility has been sold and now it has a major renovation
going on. It should only make that resort that much
nicer.
We
had the largest turn out of Eastern employees in the
last ten years. When in the restaurant or the party
room, there was a different sound. It was the sound
of ladies laughing and talking and having a great time.
It was like the sound of robins in the springtime in
Indiana. I hope that all the Flight Attendants that
were at Galena in 2008 will once again be there in 2009.
And please call your Flight Attendant friends; it sure
added eloquence to the convention. And how great to
see the Crew Schedulers once again, so good to see you
and hope you can make the 2009 convention.
As
I have said before, I miss flying the beautiful aircrafts
of Eastern Airlines, but what made “Eastern”
a great airline was it’s people. I got to fly
with the best pilots in the business. Not only were
they professional and safe, they were just plain and
simply great human beings. I count my blessings every
day for the great Pilots and Flight Attendants that
kept our passengers happy and to the Crew Schedulers
who tried to keep both Pilots and Flight Attendants
happy. To the Eastern employees that so enriched my
life, may God bless you and thank you for letting me
be part of the Eastern Airline family.
Since
last year’s convention, two of our great Captains
have gone west. Captain Fred Fosterling and Captain
Chuck Wolter. I had the honor to be able to fly with
both of these gentlemen. Captain Fosterling always had
a great smile, was an excellent pilot and loved his
airline. Captain Wolter lived only about 50 miles from
me in Michigan. Captain Wolter also loved his airline
and was every bit a professional. Myself along with
Flight Attendant Linda Larmar, Captain Vic Voras, Captain
John Knepper attended a memorial service several weeks
ago for Captain Wolter. Condolence goes out to the families
of Captain Wolter and Captain Fosterling from the entire
Eastern Family.
I
hope to see all of you at Galena, Illinois this October.
I know we all can find excuses not to be there but believe
me, you’ll thank yourself a thousand times for
being there.
God
Bless You All,
James
W. Cobb
From time to time, a part of
our group gets together for an informal lunch at Chinn's
restaurant in Wheeling, Illinois. There is no specific
date as it is spontaneous. Someone will get on the phone
and call some of the guys and we have lunch.
CONNECTICUT:
Except for the Winter months,
Luncheons are held at Manero's Restaurant in Greenwich,
CT; exit 3 off I-95. Call Frank Funk, for more information,
at (203) 938-3426
Additionally Frank advises that he would prefer someone
else to step forward and take over as Chairman of the
Connecticut group. If interested please call him at
the above telephone number.
DAYTONA BEACH:
Orlando
Blowout
QB Meeting, 14 January 2008
Fellow QB...
Orlando and Daytona Beach Hangars are co-hosting the
traditional January Spaghetti Dinner, honoring our founders
who met at Marta's Restaurant in the Big Apple all those
many years ago. All Florida Hangars (20) have been invited!
We're going to congregate at the (by Orlando QB Bill
Lowery) completely renovated Cheyenne Saloon and Opera
House at 128 West Church St. in downtown Orlando, one
night before the establishment will open to the public.
Rumor has it the establishment is going to put on a
dress rehearsal just for us!!! Not sure what but rumors
of Rockettes, dancing bears and a Gunfight at the AC/DC
Corral abound. Doors open at 17:30 hrs, Gone West at
19:00 hrs.
Prizes and cash draw. The bite is $30.00 for dinner
which includes complimentary wine. Open bar for the
drunks.
Our elves are working on parking directions for the
Saloon, a break on hotel rates with a nearby establishment,
nearby RV locations and a heads-up for the (recommended)
Showalter FBO at Executive Airport (Bob Showalter is
an ORL QB). Stay tuned to this web site for this and
other info. BUT GUYS, WE NEED A HEAD COUNT BY DEC. 20.
Governors/Key Men, please forward your best estimate
of attendees to George Kirby at: george.kirby@macpapers.com/
See you next year!!
Jim Grady-Governor
Gary Ransom-Key Man
The
Daytona Beach REPA Luncheon will resume in the month
of October. Contact Al Brillaud (386) 761-6409 or on
the web at EALRET@aol.com for dates and locations.
Al Brillaud
________________________________________________________________
FLORIDA PANHANDLE:
Here
are two pics from our lunch today (May 12, 2009) at
McGuire's:

1. l to r: George Smith, Jim Barousse. Bill Schulz,
Curt Whaley and Howard Tyson. Roy Wren is the picture
taker.

2.
l to r: Jan Smith, Lynn Schulz and Nila Wren
We
are down to 11 in the area now - smaller and smaller!
CU in September.
Bill
We meet informally the second
Tuesday of November, February and May at McGuires Irish
Pub in Pensacola, FL at 12 noon. Address is 600 E. Gregory
Street. No programs, just talking over old times.
Bill Schulz, Chairman... (850) 932-7313
FLORIDA SPACE COAST:
Wednesday,
April 8 will be the regular lunch gathering of the SPACE
COAST LUNCH BUNCH at the usual place: The RED LOBSTER
RESTAURANT on US 192, New Haven Avenue in MELBOURNE,
FLORIDA.
Gathering for attitude adjustment and name calling @1100
in the bar area and seating at noon for lunch.
This will be the last meeting scheduled until the Autumn
season beginning in October. Y'all come!
Carl Holtman 321-452-7922 or C 321-258-5163
ps. Nancy and I will have to miss this one because of
a previous commitment over in the Tampa area for the
week. We wish you all a good meeting and a safe and
happy Summer until we see you all again before the snow
flies or the snowbirds arrive. ch.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
(If you are new or just visiting in our area, the restaurant
is located just two miles east of Interstate 95 on US
Route 192) Y'all come!)
The Florida Space Coast REPA group
meets for lunch on the SECOND THURSDAY of each month,
September through May, 1100 hours at the Red Lobster
Restaurant, 2355 W. New Haven Avenue, West Melbourne,
Florida. The Restaurant is located just West of the
Melbourne Mall, and only about 1 mile East of Interstate
95. New Haven Avenue is also shown on maps as Florida
Rt 192.Our meeting is VERY informal, open to friends
and guests and other interested folks. For more information,
contact Carl Holtman at 321-452-7922.
_________________________________________________
FT. LAUDERDALE:
Monthly luncheons. Olive Garden,
5550 N. Federal Hwy; 11:30 AM; 2nd Tuesday.
GAINESVILLE,
FLORIDA
Yippeee!!!
It's that time again for REPA GNV lunch at la Fiesta.
Exit 390 off I-75. Take seats at 1130 Monday August
30.
Steve
_____________________________________________________________
GAINESVILLE, GEORGIA:
Breakfast every Friday morning;
Lorettas, 9:00 AM; Wives Invited! Mick Hudson, Chairman
(770) 531-0291
HIGHLANDS, NORTH CAROLINA:
Monthly luncheons May through October;
Wolfgang Greene's Hildegard's Restaurant; 12:00 noon;
1st Thursday. Chairman is L. D. Smith at (828) 743-5543.
Also Ken Sorensen at (828) 526-2272
MIAMI:
The Miami Lunch group is getting
smaller every year. When I took chairman in '93 we had
at least 70 in attendance every month. Now, due to members
moving away and dying, we are lucky to get 20. Oh Well...
Life goes on. Our luncheon in August was cancelled due
to Hurricane Fay: first cancellation in 15 years. We
invite all Repans to our luncheons on the third Monday
of the month at the Miami Springs Country Club, 11:30
to 1:00. Come and enjoy "Gene's jokes" and
good fellowship of Eastern Pilots. Hope to see you soon.
Gene
Stevens, Chairman
Bob Mills, Treasurer
Us
fellows do not have to diet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
____________________________________________________
NEW HAMPSHIRE:
We have our Monthly Luncheons
at Love's Quay Restaurant on Mill Street in Wolfboro,
NH at 12:00 noon on the 1st Wednesday of each month.
We usually have 12-24 attendees and welcome all retired
pilots. We even have a Guest Membership which includes
United/ Delta pilots and even a Navy Aviator! This is
strictly a social group that enjoys hangar flying and
swapping somewhat exaggerated old stories.
NEW JERSEY:
The
largest gathering of REPA was begun with a Happy Hour
on September 8, 2008, at Sky Manor Airport (N-40). Co-chairs
Richard Sollner and Jack Sharp greeted the guys and
their mates. The hour was followed with a luncheon served
up by Chef Marty. The following Captains and guests
were: Captains Richard Sollner and Karina, Jack and
Elizabeth Sharp, Hank Finelli, Bud Burke, Bill Baxter,
Don and Marianne Spruck, Bud and Carolyn Leppard, Bob
and Barbara Frister, George and son Russ Cleveland,
Jim Hamilton, Bob Moser, Donald and Peg Grosman, Ron
Krantz, Jim Queen, Jim Culligan, Bob Frohlich, Tom Mast,
Harry Trauger, Bill and Gladys Watkinson, JJ Sweeney,
David Beltz, William R. Marx, By and Jake Arner, Gene
and Lyn Arnold, Agent Art Hornung, Donna Williams. The
next meeting will be at N-40 in April 2009. The company
can’t be matched, so join us. Jack Sharp
Jack L. Sharp
963 New Brunswick Ave.
Phillipsburg, N.J. 08865
908-454-8349
Richard F. Sollner
77 Harmony School Road
Flemington, N.J. 08822
908-782-6731
OCALA:
Monthly luncheons held at the
Red Lobster Restaurant as of December, 2000. The Red
Lobster is on State Rd. 200, near I-75; 11:45 am; 2nd
Wednesday each month. Bill Nelson, Chairman (352) 236-1605
ORLANDO:
Orlando
Blowout
QB Meeting, 14 January 2008
Fellow QB...
Orlando and Daytona Beach Hangars are co-hosting the
traditional January Spaghetti Dinner, honoring our founders
who met at Marta's Restaurant in the Big Apple all those
many years ago. All Florida Hangars (20) have been invited!
We're going to congregate at the (by Orlando QB Bill
Lowery) completely renovated Cheyenne Saloon and Opera
House at 128 West Church St. in downtown Orlando, one
night before the establishment will open to the public.
Rumor has it the establishment is going to put on a
dress rehearsal just for us!!! Not sure what but rumors
of Rockettes, dancing bears and a Gunfight at the AC/DC
Corral abound. Doors open at 17:30 hrs, Gone West at
19:00 hrs.
Prizes and cash draw. The bite is $30.00 for dinner
which includes complimentary wine. Open bar for the
drunks.
Our elves are working on parking directions for the
Saloon, a break on hotel rates with a nearby establishment,
nearby RV locations and a heads-up for the (recommended)
Showalter FBO at Executive Airport (Bob Showalter is
an ORL QB). Stay tuned to this web site for this and
other info. BUT GUYS, WE NEED A HEAD COUNT BY DEC. 20.
Governors/Key Men, please forward your best estimate
of attendees to George Kirby at: george.kirby@macpapers.com/
See you next year!!
Jim Grady-Governor
Gary Ransom-Key Man
Monthly
Luncheons at Steak & Ale, 234 W. State Road 436
(Semoran Blvd.), Altamonte Springs. 11:30 AM 2nd Tuesday
of each month. Wives and widows welcomed. Joe Simonds
(407) 644-1891.
SARASOTA:
Below
photo taken at their December 3, 2009 Luncheon!

Back
Row: Jim Morin*, Bob Starnes, John Debaun, Bill Thompson,
Don Sharp, Chuck Wilson, Dennis Rawls, Grady Perry*,
John Strong*
*Not in uniform
Front
Row: Dave Whitman, Bob Gorman,
Emile Greenway, Phil Bowman, Bob Mast
Chairman,
Bob Mast (941) 922-0424
____________________________________________
STUART:
Hi
Jim,
We wanted to advise you that about 20 retired EAL pilots
now meet once a month on the first Tuesday (Noon) at the
Finz restaurant here in Stuart, FL. It is located on Salerno
Road.
Capt Bill Weisbrod and myself sorta host the informal
get-together which we revived from a small group of 6
or 7 a few years ago that would meet but slowly disbanded
when our spark plug, Capt George Eckles, died.
Now we have found out that over the last few years quite
a few South FL guys from MIA, FLL, and the keys areas
have moved north to the Stuart-N -Palm Beach
area and we're gathering the troops.
Keep up the good work.
Merle (Bill) Overholser
WASHINGTON, DC:
CAPTAINS: THE MOST
IMPORTANT DAY OF EVERY MONTH IS COMING SOON!!
Here
in the DCA/IAD area we have two monthly lunches. First
is in Front Royal, VA (West of IAD), the first Saturday
of each month, 1130 at Pizza Hut. Take Rt 66 West to
second Front Royal exit to Rt 522. Turn left after exiting,
pass under Rt 66. At third light, turn left, Pizza Hut
is on the right. More Info?? Contact Bob Johnson: 804-966-7828,
bobj727@yahoo.com.
The Second is in Springfield VA (a little West of DCA),
the second Tuesday of each month at Kates Irish Pub,
1200 noon. Take the Springfield Exit off I-95 (just
South of the Beltway to Tysons/ Baltimore). Immediate
right turn on Backlick Rd. Second light, turn right
into shopping center. Mikes American Grill on the left,
Kates is between Fischer's Hardware and the Marine Supply
store. Contact Tim Barcanic, 703-250-3574, timbarcanic@aol.com
for more info.
In either case, we accept NO EXCUSES. Just BE THERE!
If you're not, you won't know what a good time you're
missing. See you first Friday, second Tuesday, or Both!
Sincerely, CAP'N TIM