June 2003
As this is being written, the chapter elections were just held and the State Convention is one week away. It
has been a busy time around Gateway. The election results are: President - Chuck Maggart, Vice President - Bob
Kraemer, Secretary - Jean Murry and Treasurer - Libby Younger. The three Board members elected for three year terms
are Steve Pierce, Don Kramme and Florence Wyatt. Congratulations all! I wish to thank the members for their vote
of confidence as this will be the fifth year of my presidency. I especially wish to thank our out going vice president,
Brian Brinker, who is still our fly-out chairman, and outgoing treasurer, Tony Petruso. Tony has managed our finances
for eight years now and has volunteered to help incoming treasurer, Libby Younger, through the transition and through
the convention period.
Chuck Tackett from the St. Louis Flight Service Station was our guest at the May meeting. Mr. Tackett talked about
the new OASIS system recently installed. The system is the first fully operational one in the country and about
ten new locations a year will be implemented. The automated system presents all the route and weather data on one
display and stores information for immediate recall. It greatly simplifies and speeds up the work for the specialist
and permits current information to be relayed to the pilots much faster. Thank you, Chuck!
Our two attempts for a chapter fly-out to Grand Glaze on May 10, and May 18, were weathered out. "Uncle!"
Our next chapter fly-out will be June 15, to Casey, Ill. We really hope the weather holds for us and many members
can join in. I am told they have an excellent off airport restaurant and transportation is available. Contact our
fly-out chairman, Brian Brinker (314-647-1138), to coordinate and check on available seats. We have to get rid
of these rainy weekends!
We were saddened to learn of Sterling Kennedy's passing on March 27. Sterling was very active with the St. Louis
Flight Instructors, Civil Air Patrol and Gateway MPA. Our chapter made a donation to the GSLFI as the family requested.
You might remember the story on television several years ago when Sterling donated his Piper Aztec to Wings of
Hope. The aviation community has lost another valuable member.
I really want to thank MPA First Lady, Donna Crandell, for all the great door prizes she has donated to the convention!
We have enough door prizes for nearly everyone attending so far. We hope to see many of our members at the convention
on June 6, 7 and 8. We have several interesting tours planned as well as the BBQ and museum tour at Creve Coeur
Airport on Friday evening. Rick and Gen Albrecht's band will provide easy listening live music at the BBQ. Several
very entertaining speakers will talk to you on Saturday and the lunch and evening banquet will be filled with speakers,
presentations and door prizes. Gateway's Bill Darnell will be available with a large backdrop to take professional
photos of you or your group on Saturday. The hospitality room will be available on Friday and Saturday with refreshments
and a place to relax and visit. Farewells can be said Sunday morning at the pancake breakfast at Creve Coeur Airport.
If you would be able to transport some of our guests during the convention, please let either me or Jan Pocock
(636-394-5734) know since we are still pretty concerned about having enough reliable transportation.
The next Gateway Chapter gathering will be our Annual Picnic held at St. Charles County Smartt Field on June 11.
Kilroy's Restaurant will provide fried and grilled chicken and drinks, while members are encouraged to bring their
favorite covered dishes and desserts. Remember to bring your lawn chairs and bug repellent (BYOCAB)! Live music
will be provided by Rick and Gen Albrecht and some yard games and diversions will be provided by Harry Schulz and
Bob Kraemer. If the weather is bad, we will move indoors, but hopefully it will cooperate and many of you can fly
in to Smartt. Since the picnic is right on the heels of the convention, it will be great way to unwind and enjoy
everyone's company and the great food. We invite all MPA members, their guests and friends to join us. The festivities
will begin around 6:00 PM and the cost will be $5 for adults, children under 12 are free. If you need driving directions,
call me or Kilroys (636-250-3303). Please call Jean Murry (314-469-3541) by Monday evening, June 9, to let us get
an estimate for Kilroys. Better yet - call now!
Chuck Maggart
Gateway President
(314) 731-0199
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