REPA REGIONALS

Page Revised June 10, 2008

ATLANTA:

Greetings from Very Dry Atlanta!

Today, June 10th, we had our monthly Atlanta REPA Luncheon and it was a good one!

Almost 30 folks showed up to eat, visit and then listen to former Eastern Medical Director (and REPA Affiliate Member) Dr. David Millett, who was our Guest Speaker today… Actually we got two for the price of one as he was followed by his replacement at the FAA, the new Atlanta Regional Flight Surgeon, Susan E. Northrup, MD… Also visiting us was Nurse Janet Lee (I use that title as that is how she signed her name-tag at the recent Picnic/Flyin!), an associate of Dr. Millett’s. More on their presentations later… Pictured below are Doctors Northrup, Millett and Nurse Lee.

We were very glad to see two fellows who had not attended in a long time… These were Ned States, who moved to Texas but had to come back for a doctor’s visit. He was able to squeeze in the luncheon! Also someone who has not been around for awhile, Terry McDonald, who took the opportunity to join REPA! Also attending after a long time was Terry Durant… For the last year or more, Terry had been very involved with caring for her sick husband and then last November (and again in February) she had heart attacks, resulting in a quadruple bypass… She looked good however and was able to give us a briefing on how it is possible to have a heart attack and not have pain!

A report was given on Jim Duncan’s very close call with a breathing problem brought on by an allergic reaction, followed by a very mild stroke a couple of weeks later… He is doing fine now and is ready for the Sawgrass Convention then Deer Season at the EAL Pilots Hunt Club… Also we got reports on R. D. Smith and Frank Hancock, both who are having some health problems that prevent their attendance… Lastly was Hasson Calloway who called earlier this morning to say that he was “feeling poorly” and could not make it…

As part of his introduction for Doctor Millett, Virge read portions of an EM sent to me by Bob Shipner… It is reproduced below:

Jim,

I wanted you to know that I'm very happy that your people have invited Dave Millett to speak at your get-together next Tuesday! I wish I could be there, because I have the greatest respect for Dr. Millett, having worked closely with him while I was FLTOPS VP. The pilot group is not aware of many of the things that Dave did for them, sometimes garnering heat from both sides of the fence! I know for a fact that he saved many pilots from serious difficulty with both the Feds and the Company!

Frequently, he went above and beyond the call to give pilots advice and counsel, and was instrumental in getting them their careers back. I always found him to be a man of great integrity and he never took any bows!!! I also know for a fact, that he was highly regarded by the Mayo Clinic as an expert in Aviation Medicine.

I know your group will find Dave's talk to be interesting and informative, and again I wish I could be there. Please give him my very best regards.

Bob

Dr. Millett then related a series of very funny stories about his career as Eastern’s Medical Director, including his first patient his first day on the job being an unnamed Flight Attendant who had so many problems she was bouncing off the wall… His second patient that day was Frank Borman and following that encounter he had to give Pre-Employment Physicals to six Air Florida pilots! He was wondering what he had gotten himself into!

As promised he got into the media blitz about the Red Sweat Aliment being suffered by A-300 Flight Attendants… This very funny story also included his rendering of the interview with the Wall Street Journal, where he concluded his statement saying it was “Spooky”… This got him into trouble with senior EAL management, who called him on the carpet to say that word was forbidden at Eastern (Flight 401)… Before we knew it he departed this story and was off on another one! I guess he is holding the answer to that mystery (although most of us know it) until his next appearance!

Dr. Millett then introduced our second speaker, Dr. Northrup, by saying that recent changes in the FAA now allow her, as the Atlanta Regional Flight Surgeon, to handle most 3rd Class Medical problems right here locally… This was thought, correctly, to be of interest to us, as most still having a medical have a 3rd Class… She passed out her Business Cards as Dr. Millett gave us her phone number… 404-305-6150, call if you have a problem! He told us that she was a native of Ohio, graduate of OSU and a USAF Colonel in the Reserves. Prior to joining the FAA she was the Regional Medical Director for Delta Airlines. Her husband is a pilot for Airtran…

Dr. Northrup spoke for about 10 minutes and then fielded some questions… She expanded a bit on changes in the FAA medical application form, changes in the actual certificate that we will getting at our next FAA Physical and changes in the First Class duration for those under 40… The last one clearly not applicable to any of us! She concluded her presentation with an update on the medical aspects of flying with a Sport Pilots License.

As we concluded our luncheon we had the usual Door Prizes. The winners were:

First Prize of $20.00 went to Jerry Frost
Second Prize of $15.00 claimed by Don Teel
Third Prize of $10.00 won by new REPA member Terry McDonald
Copy of Behind the Moss Curtain, authored by our Banquet Speaker at Savannah last year, Murray Silver... This is a book of sometimes funny and always interesting happening in Savannah… Murray did not charge us for the very entertaining talk at the Banquet, rather he just asked that we buy a number of his two books… We did and they are all gone now (sold by us or given as Door Prizes) with only six remaining, all Behind the Moss Curtain. We will be bringing them to the Sawgrass in case someone wants to buy this autographed book… The book today was won by our good friend from Texas, Ned States…

And lastly we gave away a copy of the Best of REPArtee DVD… It was first won by Chris Christenson, who declined to take it as stated he was unable to figure out how to turn on the computer, much less do anything with it!

On the re-drawing Dick Burnette won the freebie, stating it saved him $10.00, as he was going to buy one of the six or so for sale… All of them except one were subsequently bought…

They will be on sale at the Sawgrass too, but if the reader wants one now he/she can order it using the form in the summer issue of REPArtee… Of course that will be $13.00, as shipping is $3.00…

Jim Holder

The summer issue of REPArtee was mailed right on time and hopefully the reader will have gotten his/her copy by now... Note that it contains much information on the upcoming REPA Convention at the Sawgrass Marriott, including a Registration Form... To avoid cutting up your magazine you might want to visit the Registration page on the REPA website (www.repaonline.com) and download the form there... While there you can also visit the Convention News page and see some updated photos of the Sawgrass. There have been some major modifications and upgrades to that Resort Hotel since our 2004 Convention there.

Remember, the deadline for making your reservation at the Sawgrass is 3:00 pm on August 1st... After that date you might not be able to get a room and/or have to pay more for it…

Also on the website and in the magazine (page 15) you will find the form to sign up for Golf… We are confident that many want to play in the Convention Tournament (Championship Flight for the Ralph Jarrendt Trophy and Scramble for the rest of us). So please sign up early as that makes our Golf Co-Chairmen, Bill Schulz and Curt Whaley, very happy!!!!!

Also if you plan to play in the Tennis Tournament we invite you to use the contact information found on page 14 of the magazine and let Cecile Balkcum know your plans…

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A reminder! If you have a summer/winter home or for some reason want a second address to be maintained by REPA then please check out the bottom of page 66 in the summer REPArtee… A blurb there tells you how to go about doing this… We are very, very hopeful that this will cut down on all the Temporary Notices (and 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… Your entries in the REPA Database can be changed at any time and as many times as you wish! Just let Jerry Frost or me know!

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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,

As you know we have changed our meeting day in Charlotte to the first Tuesday in the month. It was April fool’s day but we did meet today.

We had about an average attendance today but we were able to meet and welcome two more of our Eastern family. Robert Albracht was a pilot based in NY and his wife Wayne Dompierre was a flight attendant. Wayne actually worked for Eastern twice. She was first hired as a flight attendant and later came backed and worked as a flight attendant recruiter. All of us in CLT were excited to have some new faces and Hank was happy to hear some knew stories.

Good news, bad news about John Deyton. Bad news is that John is in the hospital. Good news is that after about 23 days he is out of ICU and is now in a private room. I visited with John yesterday and he is improving and is looking forward to going to rehab and then home soon. My hope is that John will be able to go to our meeting next month.

If you are in the Charlotte area on the first Tuesday of the month give Hank Shook at 704-664-1222 a call for directions.

Bill Tumlin

The Charlotte group meets at noon for lunch the first Tuesday of the month. Our meeting location is the Golden Corral at 120 Gallery Center Dr. Mooresville, NC. Directions from CLT, take I-77 N to exit 36 (about 20 miles north of I-85), then a left to first light and take a right to second road on the right. Call Hank Shook ( 704-664-1222) for additional directions and info. We would love to have you visit with us!


CHICAGO O'HARE PILOTS ASSOCIATION:


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

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FLORIDA PANHANDLE:

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:

Important news: The Space Coast Lunch Bunch will once again meet at a NEW DATE AND TIME!

To include some more of our Eastern family, we will meet on WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14th at the usual time: 1100 hours for attitude adjustment, @noon for lunch!

At the usual place: The Red Lobster Restaurant, West New Haven Avenue (US 192) Melbourne, Florida

We will welcome some new faces, reunite with our snowbirds, and put up with a few old grouches, so don't miss this one. Please RSVP by e-mail if convenient to me at capcarl@aol.com, but by all means DO join us for lunch. My phone is 321-452-7922 if your computer is acting up like ours does so often. It helps the Red Lobster give us good seating and service if I give them an idea in advance of the probable headcount.

This will be the LAST MEETING IN 2007, because our December date would adjoin the EARA lunch, and that would probably be too much of a gastronical exercise in such close proximity.

Y'all come....... ch

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(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.

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FT. LAUDERDALE:

Monthly luncheons. Olive Garden, 5550 N. Federal Hwy; 11:30 AM; 2nd Tuesday.


GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA

GNV Monthly luncheon News

REPA GNV met Monday 4/28 at LaFiesta. The brave ole Navy won the bashing contest against USAF (rightly so). In attendance. Guy Blake, Lee Hornick, Steve McDonald, Ed Shaw, Jack Toth, Joe Toth. Jack has moved to Gainesville, so he is a permanent addition to our group.
McDonald the Scribe.

Lunch at La Fiesta. Located at the SE Corner of I-75 and Exit 390 in GNV. Seats at 1130. We had a record crowd last month, so come join us. Steve

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GAINESVILLE, GEORGIA:

Breakfast every Friday morning; L&K Cafe, across from the Holiday Inn; 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 alive and well. While our group has gotten smaller, our enthusiasm has not. Last November was uniform day with 11 of us still able to wear one. In December we enjoyed a great party with 68 in attendance, including our lovely widows. Our monthly luncheons are every third Monday, 12:00 noon at the Miami Springs Country Club. Come join us, all are welcome.

Gene Stevens, Chairman
Bob Mills, Treasurer

Us fellows do not have to diet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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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. Leader by Default is Chairman Elliot Lyon,(603) 253-8320


NEW JERSEY:

Spring 2006 gathering of the faithful met at Sky Manor Airport, Pittstown, New Jersey, 22 May for meeting of the minds, great flying memories and an excellent lunch. Attending were the following faithful and their spouses: J. Frank Shepherd, Don Grossman and Peg, Bob Frohlich, Don Spruck and Marianne, Art Hornung, Jan Williams and Donna, George Cleveland and Dot, Ken House, Ronan Stevens, Tom Mast and Eileen, Doug Stratton, Bob Moser, Gene Arnold, David Beltz, Bob Herder and Barbara, Bill Watkinson and Gladys, Jim Hamilton, J.J. Sweeney. Guest: Bill Todd and Jim Todd of North Carolina. Bill and Jean Oberlander, and Thomas Cross.

The next meeting will be in the fall 2006 at Sky Manor. Come join the fun and good times. The Co-hosts: Richard F. Sollner and Karina and Jack L. Sharp and Elizabeth.

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:

Front row: Dennis Rawls, Jim Morin, John Strong....
Back row: Chuck Earley, Mac McLaughlin, Grady Perry

Front row: Ed Carney, Bob Starnes, Ernie Puckett
Back row: Dave Whitman, Don Sharp, John DeBaun, Bob Gorman,
John Stetson, Bob Mast

The pictures (above) were taken at the Sarasota Brewing Co. on February 7, 2008. We meet here every month from November thru May with the exception of December, when we have our Christmas Party at the Sarasota Yacht Club. Our meeting time is 11:30. We normally have about 18-20 people attending...

Chairman, Bob Mast (941) 922-0424

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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



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