Trip News. “And they’re off” as the Georgia Flyers spent a fantastic and action filled weekend in Louisville, Kentucky, home of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby. Even though we weren’t there for Derby Weekend, we nevertheless were fully entertained by trip captains Sandy Thomas and Dick Lyon. We were treated to a stable tour and breakfast, followed by a tour of Churchill Downs before the crowds arrived. We then had free time in the fabulous Kentucky Derby museum. We were even entertained by a past Derby thoroughbred named “Phantom on Tour,” the grandson of the great Secretariat, outside of the museum. Phantom took a particular liking to Madeline Turner (see photo below). The afternoon was filled with lunch, racing excitement and nonstop Churchill Downs refreshments in the Millionaire’s Club high above the track finish line. We stayed at the plush Seelbach hotel in downtown Louisville and on Friday and Saturday evenings we dined at two of the fine restaurants located on “4th Street Live” a short distance from the hotel. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the trip and will look forward to returning soon. Thanks Sandy and Dick.

Our next trip is hosted by Bill Shivers in Marathon, Florida on Friday, June 9th through Thursday, June 15th. This sounds like a fun trip including a ride in Bill’s boat. Contact Bill Shivers or Sherri Platt if you are interested in attending reservations@georgiaflyers.org.

On September 8th, Sam DiGiammarino is sponsoring a trip to Franklin, Pennsylvania. Contact Sam for details and sign-up. Sam will be discussing this trip at the picnic. You can also sign up there.

Lunch-Bunch News.The Lunch-Bunch headed out to Beaufort, SC (73J) on Saturday May 6th for seafood at Barbara Jean's. We had 5 aircraft and 15 people making the trip.

The June Lunch-Bunch meeting will be a combination Lunch-Bunch and member meeting at the Georgia Flyers annual fly-in picnic at Mallards Landing (GA04) on Saturday, June 24th. The field is private use turf, but is smooth and long. You can get approval to fly in if you are a “Lunch-Buncher” by contacting Sherri Platt with your aircraft ID and headcount by June 17th by email at lunchbunch@georgiaflyers.org.

Our next outing by the Georgia Flyers Lunch-Bunch is planned for Saturday, July 15th at Winder, GA (KWDR) from 11:00 - 2:00. Again, contact Sherri Platt with headcount if you're interested in joining the group by July 12th by emailing her at lunchbunch@georgiaflyers.org.

Meeting News. The May meeting and program was on the 7th at the EAA 690 hangar at Gwinnett County Airport (LZU). In addition to our favorite Dreamland Barbeque lunch, we were treated with a fascinating talk by Christa Peterson who kept us spellbound with her stories of growing up in Germany during WWII. Her accounts as a 6 year old child of allied bombers and fighters flying overhead, including at treetop levels, were captivating. Thanks to member Paul Gundermann for arranging this great presentation.

The June meeting will be at the Georgia Flyers annual fly-in picnic being hosted by Rick Januszewski and Carol Comer at Mallards Landing (GA04) on Saturday, June 24th from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. A social time that includes games will be from 11:00 – 12:00. Lunch will be served at 12:00 noon. The cost will be $10.00 per person/$5.00 for children under 12. The menu will be Ribs and Chicken Kabobs (provided). Please bring a side dish to share. Items needed: Appetizers, Salads, Vegetables, and Desserts. Paper products and beverages will be provided. For information or to make reservation, call Carolyn Deering at 770-321-9380 by June 17th or make your reservation electronically at reservations@georgiaflyers.org.

PLEASE BRING LAWN CHAIRS.

Directions to Mallards Landing:

Flying: Mallards Landing is a fly-in community designated GA04 at latitude N33-21-56 W84-09-54. It is 4000 ft turf with right traffic rules for runway 25, and left traffic for runway 7. UNICOM is 122.9. “Air Boss” Rick will assist landing traffic with taxi and parking instructions.

Driving:

• Take I-75 south out of Atlanta.
• Take exit 212 at Hampton and Locust Grove. This is the exit for the Tanger Mall. Turn right (west) at the bottom of the exit ramp.
• Proceed 2.3 miles and turn right into subdivision onto Mallard Lane.
• Continue on Mallard Lane about 1 mile until you dead end into the cul-de-sac. The picnic is at the brick house on the right.

For planning, the location is approximately 35 miles from downtown Atlanta.

Meet a Member.This month our feature members are Dennis and Nancy Warren. Dennis is from Portland, Maine and grew up in western Pennsylvania where he enjoyed hunting, camping and model airplanes. Dennis graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a degree in mathematics. He is a veteran of the US Army, serving 12 years during tours in Germany, Vietnam, Korea and Ft Bragg. Dennis says he met Nancy at the Officers Club in Fort Lee, Virginia, when he was in need of a date for a reception. Following Army service, Dennis attended Purdue University for degrees in Land Surveying and Photogrammetry. Dennis works in the area of three-dimensional measurement in industrial environments, including aerospace, power plants, particle accelerators, parabolic antennas, and ship building.

Nancy was born in New Albany, Indiana. She graduated from Eastern Kentucky University, majoring in music, and taught music in elementary and junior high schools. Nancy also served in the US Army for two years. She retired from the US Census Bureau. Nancy is currently working at Emory University doing research on smoking mothers of newborn babies. Nancy enjoys sailing, reading and flying. “Go” is Nancy’s middle name.

Dennis and Nancy have two children, both living in the Atlanta area, and three grandchildren. They enjoy flying their Cessna Cardinal, N50961, whenever they get the opportunity, planning a trip somewhere every few months, including participating in Georgia Flyers trips. Their favorite trips are to the western national parks where they camp (Nancy has a maximum limit of two days) and visit the sights.

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I am also looking for volunteers to be the subject(s) of the monthly Meet a Member article. It is easy and painless. Just give me your information similar to that you see above and a photo if available and that is it. I’ll do the rest. Please let me know if you would be willing to participate.

I look forward to seeing all of you at the June Georgia Flyers picnic.

Ron Deering