Here I go saying it again…if you missed this meeting, you missed a good time. I really mean it when I write this month after month. The camaraderie that our chapter shares is pretty special. There is a genuine enjoyment of each others company that revolves around our mutual love of aviation. There is no petty persnicketiness, but a sincere caring about each others endeavors, achievements and a willing helping hand to those who need it. Plus its just plane fun to hangar talk. Well enough of my musings…

Slogging in through the rain, I showed up early hauling a heavy pot of chili that my spousal unit had been cooking since the night before. As I opened the door to the chapter house the heavy aroma of chili was thick in the air. The four other chili contestants were already there…the competition was hot. See David’s article for details of this very successful “EAA Chapter 35 First Annual Chili Competition”. Needless to say, the eatin’ was pretty awesome that evening. Many thanks to competition coordinator Skip Barchfeld who obviously put in a lot of time and effort to get this event going…hats off to you Skip. And of course thanks to the judges for doing a great job…the concentration was intense. Once again thanx to Nancy Mason for her hard work at cleaning up at the end of the evening.

The meeting was called to order a little early, at 6:40pm, by chapter president Norris Warner. On a patriotic note, and standing near our nations flag, Megan Reiniger sang the national anthem a cappella. Thank you Megan for helping us to remember our hard earned freedom.

Though the membership attendance was lower than usual, about 60 (must have been the rainy weather keeping folks away), we did have 6 guests...welcome and come again.

Dandy Don Staats, chairman of the nominating committee, announced that he, together with Lew Mason and Ed Seurer would like to present the nominations for the Officers of EAA Chapter 35 2004-2005. For President-Steve Carlson, Vice President-Dave Baker, Secretary-Lee Anne Carlson, Treasurer-Joanne Warner. A fine group. Elections to be held at the November meeting.

Lee Anne Carlson, is selling the Christmas Banquet tickets!! This is a fun evening not to be missed. However, only 100 tickets will be sold due to space constraints. So call or e-mail Lee Anne soon. (Info at front of newsletter) $15/person.

EAA 2004 Calendar orders can be placed with treasurer Joanne Warner. $10 each. They make great Christmas gifts. Order NOW.

Also, a reminder that Mark Brown, designer and builder of the Starlite and then the Pulsar, is willing to help any person or group wanting to build a Starlite. He still has the molds. This is a great way to support Don Staats in his vision of everyone a builder. Get a group together and call Mark.

Chapter member Jim Feighny has brought up a concept for chapter members to consider. A chapter hangar and tools that are community owned. There are other chapters who have done this successfully. Something to consider.

The Warren High School Industrial Technologies mentoring program will be up and running again. If you can spare a few hours to help high school kids build “Big Al” an ultralight kit donated by Al Almond to help high school kids learn about building aircraft, call industrial technologies teacher Don Copeland at 257-4200.

Brad Doppelt announced that Boy Scouts will once again be working on their Aviation Merit Badge out at San Geronimo on the 14th-15th of November. The evening entails immersing the young men to aviation topics. They camp out for the night. The next morning they are given flights. Anyone willing to help out please contact Brad.

Brad also announced that the chapter has flown 309 Young eagles this year. Good going everyone.

Our new Newsletter Editor at large, Kris Niswonger, is doing a bang up job. But being at a distance puts him at a disadvantage. Don’t be afraid to write up an experience or trip, a project or a problem solved. The chapter loves to hear about what everyone is up to. So write it up and send it to Kris. Thanx Kris for all your efforts!

Once again the chapter is looking to sponsor a student to EAA’s Air Academy. So if you know of a student of good standing worthy of sponsorship, let Norris Warner know.

Bob Cabe our new Safety Advocate spoke on the use of flight following to aid in cross country flying. He gave examples of how the very positive experience of flight following kept him away from a restricted area that was easily missed on a chart and at another time, out of the path of a descending and fast moving Citation. He encouraged folks not to be afraid to talk with them as they are very helpful and keep us legal. Thanx Bob!

VP Steve Carlson then introduced our guest speaker for the evening, our own Jim Havens. Jim spoke about the army missile program starting in the 1950’s, continuing on where Julius Braun left off. Jim had a great slide presentation that showed the development and evolution of the Army missile program and shared some “big bang” stories. It was excellent. It’s obvious that Jim loves big bangs. Thanx Jim for a great evening.

Miriam Talley