TALESPINNERS - January, 2001

EAA Chapter 174
Chartered since 1966

TALESPINNERS
January, 2001
 

From the President

Happy New Year to everyone and as the holiday season slips away, I trust that you and your families will continue to enjoy the warmth, happiness and the “special” feeling that this season bestows upon us. With the cold months ahead, we will need all the warmth and special feelings we can find.

Before going further, I want to regress a little and revisit the program of the December meeting. What a great Christmas gathering! I think my two favorite programs are the September fly-in at the Elbels and the Christmas party. We have other great programs, but these two months seem to bring out so much of what our chapter has to offer. The atmosphere at these gatherings is charged with the sounds of friendly voices and laughter that defines what camaraderie and friendship is all about. As I listen and sometimes join in on the conversations, I’m reminded of what a great group of people make Chapter 174 the strong organization that it is. We owe a big thank you to George and Jeannie for once again using their great organizational skills and “can do” attitude in pulling the details together. Sporty’s mezzanine provided a large and warm gathering spot for our festivities. Thank you very much Hal. And, thank you to all the members that helped set up and clean up.

I want to correct a mistake I made at the party when the president’s gavel was turned over to me by John Mason. I forgot to thank John on behalf of the chapter for his work and efforts as president this past year. As many of you know from experience, it is a large job that requires a large amount of time. John, thank you for all that you have done to keep Chapter 174 flying high. I hope you will help keep me from straying too far off course this upcoming year.

Now 2001stretches out before us. What changes will it bring for EAA 174? Good? Bad? Or indifferent? We’ve already seen some change. Due to personal obligations of Vice President Bill Crawford, you elected both a vice president and a president. Only time will tell if this change is good or bad. You are now safety wired to a president with no experience. However, with officers such as Scott Hersha, George Elbel and Norm Beaudette, the damage should be minimal. And, I will still be able to draw on the experience of those positions that did not change: Tech Advisor Howard Wells, Program Director Gary Collins, Newsletter Editor Mike Franzago, Hanger Coordinator Mark Webb, Librarian Dave Fehring, Flight Advisor Don Fairbanks and Young Eagles Coordinator Tim Hendricks.

I have asked Stu Faber to remain on the board. Not to do so would have meant a large loss of experience, knowledge and vision that the chapter and I need to keep going forward. For different viewpoints and new voices, I have asked Tim Fry and Ray Parker to join the board for 2001. All have accepted and I thank them for their help. I am truly looking forward to working with all of these people to continue to make Chapter 174 better than ever.

And now that brings me to you, the members. What changes can you make for us in 2001? What changes do you think we need to make? Let me give you some ideas. I would like to see Gary involve more of you in the program presentations. You can work as an individual or as a team. But we have soooo much talent that we are not tapping into for our own programs. Everyone has something to tell about. We love airplanes or anything that has to do with aviation. An idea doesn’t have to be technical or about a project. What kind of topic excites your mags and fires your plugs? Take that feeling and make a program.

Who wants to help George and Mike plan the fly out trips? Afterwards, how about telling the rest of the chapter, who couldn’t go, all about it (with photos) when Gary needs a program. I love a slide show.

Who out there can help Tim with the young eagles? These people are our future. I believe that and I think aviation is a remaining sound choice in a society of some very bad options. There are school programs that would love our sponsorship. You hear about orphanages at Christmas. Why can’t we get involved with these young people all year round? We need young people in our chapter and we need to challenge and interest them to keep them in our chapter. We can do that by mentoring and providing projects and activities that interest them. It can be something as simple as helping to plan a fly out or getting them to help put on a program. Think how refreshing it would be to hear about a fly out from a first time flyer’s point of view. Frankly, I think Tim has got one of the most important jobs of our group.

Bob Porter

Minutes from the December Chapter Meeting

John Mason suspended the usual meeting format and opted for an informal greeting of all who participated in the Christmas party. About half way through the festivities, recognition was given to key individuals for their contributions during the previous year. Plaques with the EAA logo were awarded to George and Jeanie Elbel, Dave Robertson, Howard Wells, Mike Franzago, Don Fairbands, Gary Collins, Stu Faber, Tim Hendricks, Dave Fehring, Bill Murphy, Bill Crawford, John Mason and Mark Webb. Ken Werremeyer presented the awards, adding more than a touch of humor to both the presentation and the festivities. (Ken was also responsible both for initiating and producing the awards – thanks Ken!)

Tim Hendricks then awarded certificates and pins to the pilots and support crew who participated in the year’s extremely successful Young Eagles rallies (far too many to mention here, but thanks to all!)

Door prizes were then awarded, including gift certificates to local restaurants, EAA calendars, and the potted poinsettias that decorated (decked?) the hall. Howard Wells next led a spirited auction of a mystery prize, rumored to have a value of at least $100. The highest bidder, at $56, was Alwine Kneipp, Ray Sr.’s wife. Alwine must be an investment guru, since her $56 investment quickly yielded a $44 return – the prize was a crisp $100 bill! Congratulations, Alwine. (Got any stock tips for us?) And thanks to the mystery donor for generous support of the chapter!

John then introduced the new chapter president, Bob Porter, who gave a few words of optimism and good luck for the coming year. All the partygoers then gave Hal Shevers a warm thank you, in appreciation for donating the use of the Sporty’s mezzanine for this year’s festivities. Thanks again, Hal!

Finally, we acquired a new member at the party - Mark King. Mark flies out of Blue Ash and is a member of the Precision Flying Club at ISZ. (Sorry, Mark, the meetings aren’t always quite this festive!) But, Welcome!

The Christmas party was a great success. It was an ideal time to mingle, talk shop, and especially, to thank the many chapter members who put that extra step forward in making this another successful year for the chapter. Get involved! Who knows, maybe one of those plaques will have your name on it next year! On a final note, special thanks are extended to Stu Faber, who contributed selflessly to this position for many years. It's comforting to know Stu will be staying on board (and on the board) to help us navigate as we take wing on another year.

Norm Beaudette, Chapter Secretary

Minutes from the December Board Meeting

The meeting was called to order by president Porter at 7:15 PM, January 3rd . The events calendar was put together for the year. The board decided to have the auction on alternate years, none in 2001. Various ideas for increasing active participation and community involvement were discussed, including a Warbird flight raffle, chapter project, chapter hangar, hands-on seminars on welding, aluminum fabrication, painting, etc., where each could be either a single or a series of seminars on the topic.

George Elbel emphasized that we should always attempt to reschedule canceled fly-outs to the following Saturday, and advocated having more fly-outs. Mike Franzago suggested trying to get more young people from the community involved in the fly-outs, and even adding a lesson, for example on navigation, for the youngsters to focus on during the fly-out, perhaps even making it a contest. These would likely not be associated with the Young Eagles program. However, it was also suggested that after each Young Eagles rally, we should invite the participants (perhaps only above a certain age) to join in future programs - which would have to be created and supported by chapter members. These events would also serve to bolster the chapter membership and add a few younger members. A concern was EAA national’s perspective on liability and insurance for such events.

Gary Collins suggested members bring in unwanted issues of Sport Aviation, and that we try to distribute these to local vocational schools, etc. as a way to increase community awareness of the EAA and aviation careers in general. Other ideas involved seminars on what it’s like to be a commercial or corporate pilot. Gary was asked to chair a discussion of all of these ideas at the next chapter meeting. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM.

Norm Beaudette, Chapter Secretary