October Meeting - Buckeye Farms - 10/20/19

 
Left: Eddie Price's photos: Side view of the hangar with Ron's, Dennis' & Dave's  planes parked outside. Al flew in later.
Right: Tammy Gardner's photos: The "Buckeye Farms" sign with US flag posted near the entrance to the property.
Click on both photos above consecutively for links to more photos.

     Our chapter met on Sunday, October 20th, 2019 at Dave and Tammy Gardner's Buckeye Farms. Members started arriving just after noon. Unfortunately, the skies were cloudy with low ceiling until around 12:30pm, so most members left home early and drove in. However, the drive was nice through open countryside along the way. Buckeye Farms is located on 20 acres and offers a very scenic, peaceful and restful setting. Dennis Ramsey, along with passenger, Mike Moore, Ron Mowery, and Al Strickland waited until the weather cleared up enough to fly down and arrived just after 1:00pm in time for lunch. We thank our members for bringing a variety of food, including hamburgers with trimmings, hotdogs, potato salad, chips, baked beans, slaw, caribou chili, cornbread, several delicious desserts, tea, soft drinks, and ice. Everyone enjoyed the great meal.

     President, Randy Berry, called the meeting to order around 2:00pm. Minutes from the September 15th meeting were approved. Treasurer, Libby Berry, gave a financial report which indicates that our chapter treasury is still very healthy. Randy reminded everyone of our upcoming Fall Fly-in at Gilbert International Airpark (SC45) on Saturday, November 2nd with an alternate "bad weather" date of November 9th. Vice-President, Larry Philbin, is coordinating a VMC club for our chapter and gave a report on his progress. The first VMC meeting is planned for Sunday, October 27th at 4:30pm at the 6J0 terminal building. Come join us. Randy also reminded everyone that our last meeting of 2019 will be on Sunday, November 17th at Ron Angerman's hangar at SC45. Libby also reminded everyone this meeting will be our "election meeting" for 2020 officers. Jim Streeter volunteered to head a 2020 officer nominations committee. So, if you have nominations for 2020 officers, contact Jim. Randy also reminded members that normal dues are $20 each year, but current members can renew for $15, provided they get them in by December 31st, 2019. One new member, Steve Sandifer, of Barnwell joined the chapter at today's meeting. Welcome to our chapter, Steve.

     At the end of the meeting, Dave Gardner elaborated further on his cross country flight in Jim Streeter's Ercoupe back in July, 2019. He reflected on several places he had lived or worked previously which brought back memories of his past adventures in those locations. He even had an opportunity to visit old friends. He showed us several photo enlargements of a few of those adventures. He also gave us some tips on flying in and out of his 2600' runway. The meeting was then adjourned.

     Two sets of photos were submitted from this event. Click on each photo above for more photos from Tammy Gardner and Eddie Price.

September Meeting - Gilbert Airpark (SC45) - 9/15/19

Dave Gardner making a presentation on his 3000 mile cross country in an Ercoupe
(Click the above photo for more photos)

     Our chapter met on Sunday, September 15th, 2019 again at Ron Angerman's hangar at Gilbert International Airpark (SC45) beginning at 1:00pm EDT. Everyone enjoyed a great meal of chicken tenders, potato salad, baked & green beans, various other side dishes and delicious desserts and beverages. We had a great turnout with 42 members and guests and several members flew in.

     President, Randy Berry, began the business meeting just before 2:00pm. He again thanked Ron Angerman for hosting our meeting yet a 7th time in as many months, and members gave Ron a rousing round of applause. Randy also thanked members and guests and elaborated on their individual contributions for our lunch today, and they received applause as well. Regarding old business, the minutes from our August 18th, 2019 meeting were approved as written. In the absence of treasurer, Libby Berry, secretary, Kevin Wallace gave the financial report which indicates that our treasury is still very healthy and growing. We briefly discussed the SCBC breakfast and fly-in at Laurens County Airport (KLUX) this morning, and also the Triple Tree Fly-in at Triple Tree Aerodrome (SC00) the week of September 2nd-8th. Unforunately, Hurricane Dorian kept attendance down most of the week at Triple Tree, but Saturday was well attended. Randy commented on one of the seminars which featured Ron Straus, Elvis Presley's personal pilot from 1975 until his death in 1977.

     Under new business, we briefly discussed the prospect of forming a VMC or IMC club for our chapter. Anyone interested should contact VP, Larry Phibin, who is coordinating that effort. We further decided that our next meeting will be held on Sunday, October 20th at Dave and Tammy Gardner's Buckeye Farms near Williston, SC. We plan to have something quick and simple, like hamburgers and hotdogs, for lunch. Look for further information coming up on the EVENTS page of this website later. Randy also reminded everyone of the upcoming Allendale "Black Tie" Fly-in at Allendale Municipal Airport (KAQX) from 11:00am until 3:00pm on Saturday, September 21st, 2019. They sponsor a nice fly-in with a meal and some nice prizes for attendees. Randy also reminded everyone that our TTF/GIA fly-in will be held on Saturday, November 2nd at Gilbert International Airpark (SC45) from 10:00am until 3:00pm. The "bad weather" date for the event will be the following Saturday, November 9th, 2019. We plan to offer a full meal on a donation basis for pilots and guests. This fly-in is primarily for EAA  and airpark members, aviators, and their guests and not generally open to the public, although no one with a genuine interest in aviation will be turned away.

    The highlight of our meeting today was a presentation by Dave Gardner on his 3000 mile cross country trip from Centralia, Washington to his home near Williston, SC in July, 2019. He made the trip to retrieve and deliver Jim Streeter's newly purchased Ercoupe. Dave came across some treacherous country on the trip and had some great experiences along the way. Our congratuations to Dave on a successful journey, making it back home safely, and giving us this computer enhanced presentation complete with photos on a big screen. Dave delivered the plane to Jim Streeter and gave him the keys at Lexington County Airport (6J0) a few days later. Dave and Jim plan to visit John's Island soon so that Dave can say that he again made a "coast to coast" trip. He's a true aviator.

     For more photos from Eddie Price, click on the photo above.