July 2003
The President's Corner
Welcome aboard to our new newsletter editor and Gateway Treasurer, Libby Yunger. She arrives with fresh ideas and
a new perspective. We all look forward to reading her letter each month! Libby is a card in person: you have to
meet this lady. Libby is also the proud owner and operator of her own C-182 based at Smartt Field.
I must say that I am extremely proud of the Gateway members that worked so hard to insure a successful state convention.
Many of them have been involved for the entire year of planning and preparation. Thank you friends!
We should all give a round of thanks for the great job Bob Crandell did during the past year as our state president.
Bob was a major help planning for the convention plus he and Donna contributed the raffle scooter and many items
for the door prizes. Good job, Bob!
I encourage you to check the MPA web site <mopilots.org> for the many pictures of the convention that were
contributed by several members.
I can't believe we got to go on a fly-out! The rain gods finally smiled on us.
To view a few pictures of the trip to Casey Click Me. For
best viewing using Internet Explorer Click F-11 to open/close Full Screen View. The Slide Show opens in a new window
so just close it to return here.
Chuck Maggart
Gateway President
(314) 731-0199
As Chuck indicated, I have taken over as editor of the Gateway Flyer. However, this is your newsletter. I invite
anyone who has news or items of interest to the general aviation community to e-mail that information to me at
girlpolot@sbcglobal.net for inclusion in the newsletter. The price is right (free), and it will not only go out
to all of our members, but it will also be posted on our web site in apparent perpetuity.
The 49th annual MPA State Convention at the Doubletree Hotel and Conference Center was a huge success. Miraculously,
the rain that prevented most of the members from flying in, held off for the remainder of the weekend, and no umbrellas
were needed for any of the outdoor activities. The meetings were mercifully short, all of the speakers were informative
yet entertaining, and the food, well lets just say that it's probably a good thing that people could not fly in
because there definitely would have been weight and balance issues getting back out again. Thanks to the Doubletree
staff (Saturday breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and Al Stix and his crew at Creve Coeur Airport (Friday barbeque
and Sunday breakfast) for providing such sumptuous fare. Of course, there were also lots of goodies in the Hospitality
Suite. I'm sure the 104 members and guests who attended the convention join me in thanking the Gateway Chapter
members who worked tirelessly to produce a truly memorable convention. It went off without a hitch, and that took
a lot of coordinated effort.
Our annual picnic at St. Charles County (Smartt) Airport was rained in! That is, rather than partying on the lawn
and patio, we ate and partied inside Kilroy's Restaurant. Despite the monsoon (St. Louis had 12+ inches of rain
in June), 48 members and their guests attended. Restaurant proprietor, Lori Cotton, provided truly mouth-watering
fried chicken and grilled chicken breast as well as a wide selection of soft drinks, and, of course, the members
filled in with veggies, salads, and desserts. Rick and Gen Albrecht serenaded us during and after dinner. Harry
Schultz brought an assortment of flying toys and Bob Kraemer opened up the Ozark Airlines Museum C-47 for tours.
Truly, a good time was had by all. If you're ever flying in this area, consider stopping at SET. Kilroy's Restaurant
has good home cooking and the CAF has a museum on field that is open on Tuesday and Saturday….and an automated
fuel facility.
Our May fly-out was cancelled twice due to rain, but June has blessed us with sunny weekends! Ten members in five
airplanes flew to Casey, IL, on 15 June. The buffet at Richards' Farm Restaurant was excellent - in fact, so good
that Bob and I flew back last Saturday, and the food from the menu is equally superb. Between the convention, the
picnic, and the fly-out, our chapter will have to go on a group diet. Our next fly-out is scheduled for Sunday,
13 July, to Gaston's Resort on the White River in northern Arkansas. They have an extensive buffet menu. Gaston's
has essentially a one-way grass strip, follow the river between the hills to land to the west, and depart to the
east and follow the river between the hills. TIP: buy your fuel at West Plains - you get to log another landing
and it's less expensive.
The next Gateway meeting will be on Wednesday, 9 July, at the Columns in St. Charles. Tony Petruso will narrate
the slides of his trip to Midland, TX, for the Short Wing Piper Convention. We invite all MPA members to join us!
Dinner will be tossed salad, chicken & rice soup, chicken Marsala and sliced roast beef in BBQ sauce with herb
whipped potatoes and honey glazed baby carrots, rolls and margarine, and strawberry shortcake for dessert. Dinner
is still $13/person. Doors open at 6 pm, serving begins at 6:30 pm and the meeting and program gets underway at
7:30 pm. Phone in your dinner reservations by Monday, evening, 7 July, to Jean Murry at 314-469-3541. Click Here for a Map of the Columns.
Libby Yunger
Newsletter Editor
(314) 725-0428
Click this envelope to
send an e-mail to Chuck
Click this envelope to send and e-mail to Libby
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