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

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!)

_________________________________________________

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

____________________________________________

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