Norris and Joanne Warner

“It’ll plain knock your hat in the creek,” as friend Ricci Ware tells us—and I’m talking about Newsletter Editor Kris Niswonger’s e-mail version of Runway 35. Those of you who have furnished us a correct e-mail address received a terrific, interactive electronic version of our award winning newsletter, and by the comments received—well, it’s just super! We’ve already heard from about 20 members who say that’s what they would prefer, and no longer need the costly, mailed hard copy. While it’s true that our “Prince of Print” David Talley had to struggle during the last days before the mailing deadline, he saved the bacon by handing over the camera-ready proofs to Ed Seurer in the nick of time. Many, many thanks to Kris and David, and also to Ed who continues to be our Runway 35 publisher.

Now for those of you who don’t know Kris Niswonger—well he is a six-year member of Chapter 35, although he still lives in Wisconsin. He has purchased a lot here at San Geronimo Airpark, but won’t be moving down for about a year. In the meantime, please submit all articles, reminders, for sale ads, etc. to both Kris at kris123@tds.net, and David at eaa35@satx.rr.com. All writings should be in the Microsoft Word format for their instant editing. Kris will be putting out two newsletters (e-mail and hard copy) if he can manage the time. It is almost double the work David and Miriam have had to do, so he needs your support and your articles. As I understand it, the deadline every month will be the 28th, so don’t complicate things by being late and asking for a post-deadline insertion. Now—we really, really need someone to give us the local “gossip” that we need to keep David’s “Around the Patch” column going. Someone who either lives at the airpark or is frequently at the airpark would be ideal for this quite minor but essential task. Please call or e-mail me (830.510.4334/njwarner@indian-creek.net) if you can step up—WE NEED YOU!

Don Staats wrote a very interesting and provocative article in the September Runway 35. If you didn’t read it—please go back and do so. We’ve already received substantial feedback from two of our members, and we expect more—from you! This is your best bet to influence the direction your chapter takes—but it’s up to you to speak up. Don’s e-mail is dstaats@mail.ev1.net.

And speaking of Don, he has graciously chaired the Nominating Committee for this officer election cycle, and he has placed a notice about his committees’ suggested leaders for 2004 and 2005 in this issue. Electing your officers is one of the key things that the general membership does, so please do attend the October and November meetings.

September 13 was a great day for a Pancake Breakfast and a Young Eagles event—but let me back up a couple of days. On the Thursday prior, my son, Norris II brought his expert tree grooming crew to San Geronimo to sculpt the beautiful, huge live oaks that we enjoy. Norris II has done this for the chapter—and for San Geronimo Airpark, Inc., for several years—and for no charge. We are all grateful for your contributions, Norris (as an aside, Norris II, a Chapter 35 member, recently surveyed a damaged tree for one of our members, and then donated his fee to your Young Eagle’s program).

On Friday, following the 2-inch rain, a bunch of our volunteers gathered to haul off all the limbs that Norris’ crew felled. It was pretty tough going, but between 10:00 AM and noon we got the area really looking nice, and even set up our “tower.” Thanks to all of you hard workers, and especially to Deck Yoes, who was still suffering from a root canal procedure.

Then came Saturday morning, so I thought I’d show up early—around 7:15 AM. Well, in fact, about a dozen members beat me there (including Jim McIrvin in his gorgeous Cessna 195). Jim Munro had the coffee hot, so he must have really been early! Bob Masters, our Pancake Breakfast leader, had everything very well planned. My bet is that his hardworking bride, Bettie Sue, had a lot to do with it. My hat is off to all of you who made this event such a fine breakfast (and even lunch). To mention just a few—Sweetheart Betty Day, Nancy and Lew Mason, Sherryl Jewett, Lori McIrvin, Joanne Warner, Lee Ann Carlson, Terryl Bryant, John Latour, and Weston Walker….and many others!

At the same time, Brad Doppelt was coordinating the Young Eagle’s event, and busied himself setting up the computer-aided registration area with solid support from his bride, Jody, and Jillian Carlson manning the computer certificate duties. Jerry DeGroot once again took and printed pictures for all of the Young Eagles so that our youngsters could have a permanent keepsake (and all at no expense to the chapter—thanks Jerry!) the out –of-doors crew consisted of Bob Cabe on the advisory “tower,” Deck Yoes keeping all of the youngsters ready to board, Jack Ridgway and Mike Jewett marshalling aircraft, and many, many others—forgive me if I’ve missed thinking of you. Brad was a bit short-handed when it came to airplanes but at mid-morning, an EAA member (and now a Chapter 35 member) showed up in a sparkling Cessna 140. Bryan Heyne seems awfully young to me to be a pilot for Southwest—but it gets even better—he is an Air Force veteran—and was a U-2 pilot. WOW! We’ve just got to schedule Bryan to tell us about flying this unique and difficult airplane. By the way, about half a dozen new members came on board during this event, and their names are listed in this newsletter. And, on top of that, our 12-year-old, special member of Chapter 35, Matthew Sanchez (Jim Haven’s sidekick) is now an official National Member of EAA. Matt is a great help at all of our events, doing the work of any of us—and then some. He is a self-starter and quite frankly, a super-volunteer!

Back to the Friday before our big day—I knew that I had something important to do in the afternoon—I just CRS’ed out, I guess. Then I heard David Talley on KSAT with Ricci Ware talking up our Saturday events! Thanks, David, you make us look good.

One last note—our October meeting is going to start off with a real bang! I won’t tip my hand, but it’s going to be really special. Be in your seats at 7:00 PM sharp for a real treat!!

Norris Warner