Welcome Dave & Deb Gaston!

Hey Neighbors,

Please welcome our newest neighbors, Dave and Deb Gaston, to Whiteplains! Dave and Deb have recently moved from Greenville into 301 Whiteplains Place (house on the left as you enter Phase I). They are looking forward to becoming a part of our community. They are really nice folks... stop by and introduce yourself and get to know them.

Peg Peterson
Welcome Committee Chairperson

Surprise on Christmas Night!

On Christmas Night, we had a knock at our door, and to our surprise, it was a group of Whiteplains members singing Christmas Carols. As you know, we had a lot of fog that night and it was difficult to take a good picture. But...here it is.

Kevin Hogan Christmas Message

Kevin Hogan Christmas Message to his family in an neat way. Great job, Kevin.

Newest Member of Whiteplains....Early Christmas Present!

Boy, things move fast. We have yet another new addition to Whiteplains. Congratulations go out to Mike and Michelle Cone on there arrival of Connor Michael Cone, born on December 20th, 2006. Came in at 6 Lbs. - 7 oz. and 19 1/2" Long.

See current pictures at http://home.alltel.net/mleewilson/

Second Newest Member @ Whiteplains!

Congratulations to Doug & Lisa Sowder on the arrival of there new son Evan Douglas. He arrived by stork on December 12, 2006. He came in at a nice 6 Lbs and 14 ozs. Sister Aimsley and Brother Reid are excited on the arrival of a new playmate.

Cool Airplane Wallpaper

Michael Branning wanted to share this with Whiteplains. Click on the link below to see over 140 aviation wallpapers that you can download for free.

Thanks Michael for sharing this with us.

http://flickr.com/photos/thevoyagers/sets/72157594401819508/

Thank You Whiteplains!

Whiteplains comes through again with support for the Aiden Crocker Charity.

I would like to say THANK YOU to all of you who supported Aiden in his time of need. White Plains is like a big family, This is another reason we have the number one Neighborhood/Airpark in South Carolina.

Thanks

Dennis Perry

Merry Chritmas from Whiteplains Blog

SC BC Schedule 2007

01-14-2007 Lankcaster
01-28-2007 Greenwood
02-11-2007 Sumpter
02-25-2007 Eagle CAE
03-11-2007 Georgetown
03-25-2007 Alan Smoke
04-08-2007 Easter break
04-22-2007 Broxton bridge
05-06-2007 Green sea
05-20-2007 WhitePlains
06-03-2007 Anderson
06-17-2007 Cheraw
07-01-2007 Salisbury NC
07-15-2007 Winnsboro
07-29-2007 Allendale
08-12-2007 Aiken
08-26-2007 Moncks Corner
09-09-2007 Owens
09-23-2007 Laurens
10-07-2007 Camden
10-21-2007 Barnwell
11-04-2007 Orangeburg
11-18-2007 East Cooper
12-02-2007 Donldson Jet Center
12-16-2007 Rudy Branham
12-30-2007 Twin Lakes

Whiteplains Calendar - December 2006

Happy Birthday to the following Members:

December 16 - Vern Scott
December 31 - Nancy Van Wormer

SC BC Dates:

December 3 - Summerville (DYB)
December 17 - Rudy Branham (6J7)

Other Special Dates:

December 16 - Hanukkah
December 22 - Winter Begins
December 25 - Merry Christmas To All!

Whiteplains UNICOM #11: The Annual Meting

Whiteplains UNICOM #11: The Annual Meting

The by-laws of the Whiteplains Plantation Association require that an Annual Meeting be held on the third Tuesday in January. For 2007, that would be on January 16.

For at least the last three years, we have held the meeting at “The Wiz” Restaurant in Batesburg. This has been a good location, even if a little distant. Unfortunately, and for whatever reason, many of our members have elected not to participate.

At its last meeting, the Board approved a new concept: we will have a meal catered by Shealy’s Bar-B-Que in one of the Whiteplains hangars. For 2007, Ken and Peg will host it in their hangar (which has central heat, by the way… no need to bundle up). The cost will be $13 or $14 for adults (depending on turnout) and $5 for children ages 4-11. The menu will be the same as in Shealy’s Restaurant: all-you-can-eat pork BBQ, fried chicken, rice/hash, vegetables, coleslaw, rolls, sweet tea and dessert. If you want something other than sweet tea, you are welcome to bring the beverage of your choice. (Note: This is not free.... $$ collected when you enter serving line.)

A “social hour” will begin at about 6:15 PM, with dinner served at 7:00 PM. After dinner, there will be a brief “official meeting,” including a review of the community’s 2006 activities and accomplishments, and the announcement of the results of the election for the two vacancies on the Board of Directors. You are welcome to stay and socialize with your neighbors after that for as long as you wish.

Since we have to give the caterer a firm “head count” in advance, please reply by phone or to this e-mail. If we do not hear from you, a neighborhood volunteer will be phoning all of our South Carolina property owners about a week in advance. We will assume that out-of-state property owners will not be attending unless you tell us otherwise. We will be billed against this head count, so please don’t say that you’re coming if you aren’t!

Your Board of Directors is looking forward to a big turnout for this opportunity to meet new neighbors, reacquaint ourselves with others, and celebrate the continuing success of the best aviation community on the East Coast. See you there!


Ken Plesser, President

Whiteplains Plantation Association

New Beacon Up and Running

Many hours of labor have resulted in the installation of a non-obtrusive beacon that now operates on top of the Elam Tower. The beacon was the dream of Ray Elam who lost his life in a plane crash on April 11, 2003. Ray was the former owner of the hangar now owned by the Keislers. The beacon can be activated by a pilot approaching Whiteplains from up to 7 to 10 miles away and will help pin point the field which can be difficult to locate at night. Thanks to the vision of the Whiteplains Pilot's Association and the Board , our small, private airport now has two safety features usually found only at much larger, public fields - a VASI system and a locator beacon. There is no price that can be placed upon the safe landing of our neighbors and friends and we thank all who had a part in the completion of these devices.

As a result of the installation of the beacon , the American Flag and the Whiteplains flag (SC99) now have new hardware as well as illuminating lights for night time viewing. Once again, Whiteplains raises the bar, maintaining its position as the classiest airpark in South Carolina.

Whiteplains Plane Update

The latest pictures of Bob Chatham's RV plane that now sports an engine and wings. The tail feathers are being painted now. As you can seen, it is coming along just fine.
Great job Bob.

November Board Of Directors Meeting Notes

WHITEPLAINS PLANTATION ASSOCIATION

BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING

November 27, 2006

Ken Plesser called the meeting to order at 7:05PM. Board members present were Ken Plesser, Micah Froese, and Terry Yon. Both Lloyd Kreuger and Joanne Keisler were absent. Present in the audience were: Nancy VanWormer, Larry Ross, Peg Peterson, Michael Branning, Gwen & Rich Mochak.

A motion was made, and seconded to accept the minutes for the September 28, 2006 meeting, after the date of that meeting was corrected.

TREASURER’S REPORT

See attached copy. Correction was noted that the title on the report should be “FUND A” instead of Whiteplains Homeowners’ Association, and “FUND B” instead of Whiteplains Pilots’Association.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Insurance: Ken’s research has identified an insurance agency which has provided specimen policies for both liability insurance for Whiteplains common areas at approximately $4300/year, and for Directors and Officers insurance for approximately $1000/year. Additional questions have been asked to the agency representative regarding the specimen policy. Copies of specimen policy were distributed to BOD members present, and an additional copy will be forwarded to Lloyd for consideration. Given that more research is necessary, additional time to do so is needed.

Tower, airport identifying beacon, flag: James Keisler’s business made a new platform top for the tower to support the new airport identifying beacon, both of which were installed. Also installed on the tower were new flag hardware and flag quality rope, and weather resistant landscaping lightening to light the flags between the hours of dusk and midnight. Despite the beacon being bench tested on the ground prior to installation on the tower, as well as after installation on the tower, once the tower was raised, the beacon failed after about a day. The beacon manufacturer was contacted, accepted responsibility for replacing the failed part, and rapidly mailed a replacement part. The new part for the beacon has arrived and it should be mounted and operational within the next week or so. The Pilots’ Association raised $133.25 in a spirited and worthwhile auction of aviation items as their last meeting on November 20, 2006. Additional funds continue to need to be raised to fund the tower project.

AVIATION OPERATIONS

Don Cook was not present, but Nancy VanWormer verbally gave the report Don wrote for the meeting. Thirteen Young Eagles were flown by Whiteplains pilots in November. Don expressed concern that low passes continue to be a problem at Whiteplains and reinforced that low passes are not legal. Larry Ross, CFII, reinforced this sentiment by citing the FAA Regulations Chapter 51 Part 91 which cites that it is illegal to fly below 200 feet unless the pilot is taking off or landing.

RESIDENTIAL OPERATIONS

Bill Como was not present, but sent a report with Nancy VanWormer. A Spring Mulching Party for Phase I and Phase II entrances is planned. The operational part for the Phase I gate is still not available. There may be one more mowing before the end of the 2006. The problems with the Phase II entrance sprinkler system and well are still being investigated.

PILOTS’ ASSOCIATION

Ray Hill was not present, but sent a report with Nancy VanWormer. Nominations were made at the November 20 meeting for 2007 officers as follows:

President – Erik Demaray, Vice President – Jack Fastnaught, Safety Officer– Todd Falstad.

COMMUNICATIONS

Nancy VanWormer reported that the Welcome Committee has welcomed the Lineberry family who have moved mid-November into the previous Rawl home. The Bailey rental property has been recently vacated again, and Mr. Bailey has prospective renters who are interested in moving in mid-December, but there is apparently not a firm contract yet. Mr. Bailey was referred to the ARB Guidelines and to the ARB Chairman for review of plans authorization when these potential renters asked questions about the landlord installing a fence. The Caring & Sharing Committee continues to provide cards and flowers to residents for illness and losses. The Whiteplains Blog has been a great success. The Blog has been visited on an average of 18 times per day, for a total of over 2,314 visits since the start. Please continue to let Don Cook know if you have information to share via the Blog. Nancy reports the 2006 Whiteplains calendars are ready for distribution. This project is Nancy’s annual labor of love for the community,

and the charge for the calendar supports this project.

ELECTIONS COMMITTEE

Larry Ross reported that two members, Michael Branning and Todd Falstad, have contacted the Election Committee and indicated their desire to run for the Board of Directors for 2007. Both Michael and Todd have provided a statement of their experience and goals, which will be included in the ballot. The deadline for contacting the Elections Committee and expressing a desire to run in the 2007 election is November 30, 2006. The Elections Committee will compile the ballot which is to be received by members by December 15. Also to be included in this same mailing will be the regime fees invoice for each property owner and the announcement of the Annual Homeowners’ Meeting January 16, 2007. Larry Ross also described that the ballots will be returned to the Whiteplains Association mailbox, and the committee will count the ballots. The procedures for vote tabulation are those approved by the Board at its September 28 meeting.

ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD

No report.

AMBASSADOR

No report.

MOWING COMMITTEE

No report.

OLD BUSINESS

Insurance- The 2006 Board decided that more research is needed still regarding insurance before scheduling a vote. The current BOD decided that research should continue and no decisions should be made until this research is completed and the 2007 BOD reviews the issues further.

NEW BUSINESS

Regime Fees – Terry Yon moved that regime fees for 2007 be increased by the maximum amount permitted by the Whiteplains Homeowners’ Association Covenants, which is 10% per year. Micah Froese seconded the motion. The motion was approved 3-0.

Larry Ross raised concern about the Truck Entrance needing mulch and pruning attention. He was referred to discuss these concerns with Bill Como.

Nancy VanWormer asked if there were any known plans for a community Holiday Party. No one was aware of any plans by anyone to date.

Discussion ensued about where to hold the Annual Meeting, with decision made by the Board to try to encourage more owners’ participation by having the dinner catered, and held on-site, this year, in Ken & Peg’s hangar. Suggestion was made by Larry Ross to explore the option of Shealy’s BBQ to cater, with estimated cost to each attendee of about $10 per dinner. Ken will explore with Shealy’s BBQ and will provide an announcement of the Annual Meeting specifics and agenda to the Elections Committee for inclusion in the mailing.

Nancy VanWormer and Peg Peterson answered the request, by Larry Ross and Terry Yon, for assistance with envelope stuffing for the multi-mailings of ballots, regime fee invoices and Annual Meeting announcement. Mailings are to be received by owners by December 15, 2006. Voting is to be completed by the time of the Annual Meeting, January 16, 2007 at 7 PM.

Micah Froese moved to adjourn , and Terry Yon seconded. Adjourned at 8:05 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Peg Peterson

Whiteplains Family - Thank You!

New Cool Calendar/Clock Combo

This is really neat. Check it out. Click on link below to see full size.

http://home.tiscali.nl/annejan/swf/timeline.swf

Pilots Meeting PhotoShow

Click on the below link for a quick Photoshow from Pilots meeting last night.

http://www.photoshow.net/watch/DT8fu8av

Happy 30th Anniversary

Congratulations to Dennis and Denise Perry on their 30th wedding anniversary. They will celebrate with a trip to Key West.

Board Meeting

There will be a meeting of the Whiteplains Plantation Association Board of Directors, Officers, and Leadership Team on Monday night, November 27 at 7 PM in Ken Plesser's hangar.

Topics will include a status report from the Elections Committee, the setting of regime fees for 2007, and discussion of recently-received liability insurance quotes.

Ken

New Plane at Whiteplains

Ray Chapmin saw the arrival of his new (AS in 1946) Ercoupe 415-C. He took this in on trade for his RV7 and some green backs. Check out the video by clicking on the below link.

http://www.photoshow.net/watch/jM6ti8jB

Order Whiteplains Calendars

The third annual Whiteplains Calendar is going to printing and it is time to order your copies. Don't miss out on a fact filled edition including birthdays, SC Breakfast Club Fly-Ins and more.
The price will remain the same as the past two years at a bargain $15.00 each.

Please e-mail Nancy Van Wormer at nancylee3220@alltel.net to order as many copies as you wish. You will be notified via e-mail when they are ready. Calendars will not be sold after December 20th so ORDER NOW.

Pilot's Meeting Monday night

This is a reminder of the Pilot's Association meeting on Monday Nov. 20th at 7:00

Please let me know if you have any new agenda items by Monday morning.


WHITEPLAINS PILOT'S ASSOCIATION
Monday November 20, 2006
Ray Hill, VP
Hosting Hangar, Lee & Nancy Van Wormer
AGENDA
Welcome Pilots and Guests
Statement of Purpose
" The purpose of the Whiteplains Pilots Association is to promote aviation safety, and camaraderie among the Whiteplains pilots and promote
communications with the pilot community."
Sign in Sheet
GUEST SPEAKER
Jack Fastnaught - His adventure in a C-82 "Packet" Acceptance of September 18, 2006 Minutes
Old Business New Business - Nominations will be accepted for the Officers in 2007, (further nominations will be accepted at the Jan. 2007 meeting) Open floor for any new ideas to improve the Pilots Association attendance and activities.
Announcements - Fly Ins, Airshows and "Hundred dollar hamburgers"Treasurers Report; Terry Yon
Airside Report; Don Cook
Safety Report; Todd Falstad
Residential Side Report; Bill Como
Elam Tower update - Ken Plesser
Door Prizes and Cash Drawing

A Most Underwhelming Sight!

The tension builds, necks crane skyward to see Carolina Girl, the B-25 bomber doing a "low pass" over Whiteplains. This is what Dennis Perry promised as he asked that Whiteplains residents be notified! At 2:20 P.M. , if you were lucky, you saw a plane flying high overhead on a southwest heading. Could be it was a B-52 WAAAY up high. Bad news is - the B-25 had engine temperature problems that prohibited a low pass, the good news is we have another reason to rib Dennis Perry!

To see a video of this flight click below.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV4WMdhp7Zo/

Whiteplains Young Eagles Day!

11-11-2006:

Whiteplains Plantation hosted Lexington High School, Jr. AF ROTC Young Eagles flight this morning, with a total of 13 cadets flown. We had three aircraft ( Two Mooneys and One Cessna) and four pilots.

Lt. Col James Tucker wrote:

Thanks for a great day of flying...

I know my students really enjoyed the

Experience.  I can't thank you and all

the other pilots for all you do to

help my students have a life long memory

of their first flight.  You're

the greatest!!  I attached a couple

group photos in case you need them. 

Cheers!

Jim Tucker

Thanks to Pilots Bill Como (4), Jack Fastnaught (2), Mica Froese (2) and Don Cook (5). Also to Jack and Mica that took turns with traffic control.

Till next time.

Don Cook

Whiteplains Adopt-a-Highway

11-11-2006:

Thanks to everyone that helped out this morning with the trash pick up.

Great Job! Also a big thanks to Jack and Diane for hosting the breakfast this morning.

Click on picture to see full size.

Till next time.

Celebrities Amoung Us

Cindy and Candace, twin daughters of Nancy and Niel Bonacum, have become local celebrities! Stop by at Rack Room Shoes in the strip mall where Publix is located , wander in and take a close look at the beautiful young ladies on the posters . The dark haired beauty is Cindy, the auburn haired lovely is Candace. And by the way, do not expect to photograph the advertisements to display on this BLOG. I tried but they nixed it! If you want to hear the complete story, either Nancy or Niel seemed mighty proud and I'm sure they'd fill you in on the details.

Gas Price Update 100 LL

Just got a call from Jim Causey. He said the lady at Pelion called to advise that they lowered the price of 100LL from $4.10 to $3.85.



I gassed up at Lancaster airport just north/east of here yesterday for $3.30 a gallon. They are in the process of getting the front of the office repaved. Very friendly people. Gary Laubscher (FBO Operator) invited all of us to come see him any Saturday for a cookout starting at noon. The self service pump is hard to get to right now, but they well bring a truck to you for the same price as Self Service during the repaving activity. They also have AWOS that is just being turned on, tune in at 120.825 or 803-286-6444 by phone.

Whiteplains Calendar - November 2006

Happy Birthday!
November 2 - Jack Fastnaught
November 3 - Donna Robbins
November 9 - Don Cook
November 19 - Peggy Como
November 21 - Debra Cunniff
November 22 - Joseph Greener
November 26 - Jan Causey
November 30 - Dick Hitt

SC/SB Dates:
November 5 - Orangeburg (OGB)
November 19 - East Cooper (8S5)

Special Dates:
November 11 - Veteran's Day
November 11 - Adopt-a-Highway Pick up day. 8:30 meet at Fastnaught - Pick up @ 9
November 11 - Young Eagles Make up Date. Pilots Meet at Tower @ 10 A.M.
November 20 - Pilots Assoc. Mtg. 7 P.M. Lee Van Warmer's Hanger
November 23 - Thanksgiving Day!

Donation Made

A donation of generous amounts of food was made to Sister Care after the First Annual Fall Feast last Saturday. Sister Care supports battered women and their children. Niel Bonacum made the delivery. The Whiteplains community, neighbors and friends thanks you, Niel and Nancy .

Whiteplains Photoshow

Date Line: Whiteplains Plantation Airpark
October 29, 2006

The very first annual Whiteplains Commumity Celebration took place Saturday, October 28th at Frank Skenes hanger. It was sponsored by Niel & Nancy Bonacum, with RAY ACKERMAN and LARRY ROSS doing the cooking. Thanks guys for a great day! Click on the link below to see the Photoshow.

Don Cook


http://photoshow.net/watch/Nq6sZ6Eu/

Heading home......

10-24-2006

From an altitude of 7,200 feet I shifted into fifth and let the gears help with the long winding descent into a broad, fertile valley. From the top I could see a mass of black which materialized into a massive herd of black angus cattle being rounded up by three men on horseback and a few lightning fast Border Collies. Real cowboys! Along the side of the road were parked cattle trucks waiting to take this lucrative cash crop to market. Fall was coming and soon the snow would stop all movement of livestock in northeastern California. These men on horseback would wind down the summer livestock operation and soon pull their motor homes to southern Arizona for the winter.
Climbing to the top of the next ridge gave breath taking views of the towering white ghost off to the west - Mt Shasta. Snow covered year round, this ancient volcano reigns over hundreds of miles. Little farm houses in eastern Oregon, city apartment dwellers in Eugene and cowboys in northern California all claim her as their own and find peace knowing she is watching over them from afar.
To view route 395 in eastern California on any AAA map would be deceptive. It looks simply like a flat road traveling through underwhelming countryside. So it was to our sheer delight that scenes of uncommon beauty unfolded before our eyes, one vista more stunning than the next. It was an undulating journey through pine forest, scrub brush and jumbles of volcanic black rocks. After a climb of a few thousand feet one would come to a descent with a view that encompassed hundreds and hundreds of miles laid out before you. The area in Nevada to the east is known as basin and range country. And that descriptor could be used for the neighboring California as well. So one would climb and climb only to reach a summit and then a long descent into a valley that usually contained a lake and stream beds lined with golden Cottonwoods. Picture the view unencumbered by trees or hills - just a huge open vista with so much for the eye to take in. We arose very early on this particular morning and were treated to the rising of the sun and happened upon a broad valley that was still cool from the night. The entire valley contained hot springs that flowed in streams and rose from fissures in the earth creating a ghostly appearance as steam arose in patterns from each source.
As we continued on, the high Sierra Nevada ranges came into view to the west. Range after range of high, glacier cut, jagged snow covered peaks caught our eye. Very few glaciers remained but the evidence of their mighty force could be seen in u-shaped valleys high in the range, random and jumbled piles of moraine dumped as the glaciers melted and receded and occasionally a small glacier in the shadows at the highest peak. Mt. Whitney, at over 12,000 feet, looked as though a giant bear had clawed ridges down her flanks. It was in the foothills of this awesome range, tucked tightly up in the moraine rock piles that we settled in for the night. An unexpected treasure lay hidden here - hot springs and a bath house that had been used by weary travelers since 1920. After a beautiful day of travel and a good soak in the hot mineral springs we were ready for a night of sleep under a canopy of stars.
As I lay in bed I could not help but think about the therapy of travel. The immediate scene before me demands my attention and I am humbled by the enormity of our country and the billions of years of geologic processes it took to sculpt the valleys and carve the peaks in the mountains. And then Lee coughs as he lays in bed beside me and I am jerked back to the reality of cancer and the courage it has taken for him to stray so far from home. I am aware that he is not getting better and that it is my responsibility to get him home. Wow. We two are such specks in the whole scheme of things.
The next day we head east into Death Valley. I simply stand mute - there is no way to describe the experience of Death Valley. Any words I would use would sound trite. Reminds me of Lee trying to describe the fatigue of cancer. He says there are no words big enough to describe the fatigue of cancer. There are no words descriptive enough to describe Death Valley. It is not one valley - it is a series of raw rocky mountains and immense valleys filled with sand and rocks and materials eroded from the mountains surrounding them. It is obvious from the landscape that over a period of billions of years volcanoes poured thousands of square miles of lava over the northwest, streams and lakes covered the lava with sediment and the entire mass was thrust up, wrinkled and eroded. It is all before your very eyes but you simply must experience it - that's all I can say. We found ourselves reciting the 23rd psalm. And then, always humorous, Lee says he has just come through Funeral Mountains and Death Valley so he must be OK:)
BLAM - Interstate 15 from Los Angeles to Las Vegas! We had just spent two entire days on a two lane highway with very little traffic for miles and miles. The only sight in the rear view mirror were mountains and valleys. And with one turn in the road and one stop light we are thrust onto 6 lanes of madness on a Sunday afternoon. Stop and go traffic coming from Las Vegas back home to LA. Watch the car ahead, watch the car passing, watch the truck grinding up the long grade. Phew, this is madness. But I guess if we are going to get all the way home to South Carolina I am going to have to put my camera away, hit the four lanes and mash the accelerator. So I mashed all day and made it to Grant, N.M. west of Albuquerque. Then today we slowly descended from a high elevation east of Albuquerque of 7,243 feet to below 3,000 feet above sea level near Clinton, Oklahoma. Five hundred and fifty two miles brought us closer to home but there are still the better part of two days to go.
Two different American writers have said, " Heroes take journeys, confront dragons, and discover the treasure of their true selves." "...travel does change you. We know that instinctively; it is for that, I think, that we leave our homes and go looking for the rest of the world. Not just to see it and know it, but to be changed by it."
We have gathered courage from all we have experienced and are ready for the road ahead.


Hoping all is well with you,
Love,
Nancy and Lee

Photos do the talking...

Posting from: Lee & Nancy
October 20th, 2006

Tonight I will let the photos do the talking as there is no way to compete with the glory of this day. Yesterday my camera bit the dust so we spent the morning in Bend. Oregon researching and buying a new one. Then we had an easy drive to Crater Lake but we found the top of the mountain socked in with fog, rain, snow on the roads and there was no evidence of a lake at all. I was driving the rig on hair pin turns and on two lane roads with no guard rails. Needless to say it was a hairy drive. We checked in to a KOA in Klamath Falls, OR. and the proprietor told us that they had a direct line to the ranger on top of the mountain and in the morning they would make a call and see if there was a lake there today. As the photos will show, there really is a Crater Lake and it was magnificent. Flags were at half staff there becasue an 8 year old boy ran from his dad at a viewing pull -off and has been missing for a week. One of the major roads around the rim was closed because of search and rescue but we were able to drive around a portion of it. We have not read a paper to see if there have been any leads but our hearts go out to the parents.



Honestly, tomorrow we may make some progress in finding our way at least in the general direction of South Carolina.



Hope all is well with you and yours.


Love,


Nancy and Lee


Click Link to see Photoshow : http://www.photoshow.net/watch/qv8Ce9nc

Post Cards......

Posting from: Van Wormers
October 18, 2006

I searched through the selection of post cards at the Flying J today trying to find one that showed Mt. Hood barely visible through a low layer of clouds and drizzle, the highway wet with reflecting pools of water and yellow Aspen leaves laying still in the branches of towering firs. Post cards don't depict the numerous volcanic cones scattered through central Oregon through the windshield wipers either, nor can they capture the million drops of mist thrown off by a passing truck that seem to go on forever.

And yet there is a subdued beauty to a moist, early winter landscape. Rain dampens the hues of the yellow and burnt orange leaves clinging to the trees, while on the other hand it darkens and adds a slick beauty to the exposed lava flows and towering layers of columnar basalt, evidence of a violent and active past. I smiled as I noticed the wispy delicacy of a few golden Tamaracks in the higher elevations as I had not seen this beautiful tree in its Fall glory since leaving Manitoulin Island two years ago. It is the one conifer that drops its needles in the Fall and those I saw today were etherial in the rain- tall, symmetrical and lonely.

We did not travel far today - it took awhile to settle up with one of the businesses that helped us out yesterday and then Portland slowed us down abit. Such a large, impressive city with so many bridges spanning the mighty Columbia River. We refueled the truck and soon relaxed as we gained confidence that our troubles of yesterday were in the past. The oil filter was installed properly this time and so we had no need to worry. The gauges stayed in their places! The far off peaks called the Three Sisters showed occasionally through the clouds but all in all I had plenty of time to read to Lee about the geologic history of the region and the theory of the asteroid collision with the earth which eliminated 90 percent of animal life from this planet including the dinosaurs.

Tonight we find ourselves in an Oregon State Park near Bend, Oregon. The gentle rain on the roof is barely audible and is in stark contrast to the noisy, pebble like rain that fell off the Douglas Firs that towered over our camper in Snohomish. You can get too much of a good thing and I seem to open my mouth and get caught. I mentioned to Lee that I loved hearing rain on a camper roof - it was peaceful and comforting. Little did I know that under a Douglas Fir the rain collects on the branches until it gets so heavy it drops, making the sound a pebble might make if dropped from quite a height. Nethter of us slept much as we got pummeled by pebbles all night long. Reminds me of the time we camped 50 feet from a railroad track in Indiana. A road crossed the tracks right outside the campground so of course the whistle blew long and hard , every hour all night long as it rumbled behind us. So much for loving the sound of trains:)

I don't hear rain on the roof now so we're hoping the skies clear for our trip to Crater Lake tomorrow.

Love,

Nancy and Lee

Now we Need a Beaver Float Plane!

October 19, 2006

If we are going to go any further west we will need a deHaviland Beaver as today we have made it to Seattle. In one measly sentence I have whisked away mile after mile of incredibly immense and breathtaking beauty, the enormity of it beyond imagination. I kept wishing I was in a sports car with the top down so that I could snap more photos as I had become more and more the contortionist attempting to capture, from the truck window, in pixels, at least a taste of what my senses were taking in. In my book it could be considered a Federal offense to travel so quickly through such country without being required to stop at least every mile to slowly take in and photograph the details of the scenery. I am not one to easily panic. In fast, I usually become more, rather than less, focused in a tense situation. But take my camera away and I feel as though my heart rate doubles!

Back in Salt Lake City we spent quality time with my brother and his family. It was there that my oldest son, Tom, joined with us to drive the last leg of the westward trek. Tom brought with him a series of geology books that I had sent to him which we read to one another as we traversed what is called the Columbia Plateau, the Palouse and eventually the Cascades.There are two ways one can travel across this most fascinating landscape. One, in total awe and ignorance. Or two, in total awe and with knowledge. Having insatiable appetites for geological knowledge, Tom and I each took turns reading aloud to Lee and to one another from The Roadside Geology of Idaho and The Roadside Geology of Washington. These books relate that there are a series of hot spots, some ancient and some current, marching in an arc from Crater Lake in California, northeast to Yellowstone in Idaho . Yellowstone is still hot and bubbling while the others are dormant. Over a few billion years there were multiple lava flows which covered thousands of acres of the northwest with layers of black basalt lava. These were obvious from the highway. There were also a series of ice dams formed during glacial periods which held billions of cubic miles of water. Picture that - one cubic mile is alot of water!! Imagine millions of cubic miles of water! Periodically these dams would break loose and the water would flood entire portions of the northeastern state of Washington carving vast river beds which exposed layers of basalt , also still visible today. So as we drove for three days we were like sleuths, looking for evidence of long ago events and finding exciting evidence of their existence. You must be able to imagine the excitement in the truck as we spotted this and that and then paged through our books to reread the words. Craters of the Moon National Monument was a particular thrill as we were able to actually walk through lava fields still black and twisted with tunnels and cinder cones. A day later, as Tom and I walked high on the bluffs of the Snake River, we could again see layers of old lava flows . Yes, we qualified as official nut cases but, boy, were we happy nuts:)

One of the many joys of having Tom along was that we could take long walks after Lee had fallen asleep. Tom also relieved me of my part of the driving and he drove some mighty challenging stretches of highway. Lee particularly enjoyed having another man along - someone to joke with and philosophize with as I made dinner. And what a joy for me- making nice dinners for "my men" while listening to their deep man voices talking about the day. Our favorite meal was seared tuna steaks, asparagus with lemon , Caesar salad and chocolate cake with ice cream for dessert. Tom is 42. It has been years since he has been a boy and lived under the same roof with me. Any mother will appreciate how warm the cockles of my heart were to have my first born son back at my table again. Peach, blueberry and banana pancakes for breakfast might tell you how I overindulged the two out of three men I love most in the world. Son Pete was back home in Michigan.

Having reached Seattle, Tom rejoined his family and Lee and I are camped under the towering Douglas Firs at close-by Flowing Lake Park. When we began this journey, it was Lee's desire to see, to sit with, to talk with, to hug my family one more time. Today we will travel by float plane, a deHavilland Beaver, to Salt Spring Island, the island in British Columbia where my mother and father live. To reach the home of my parents was Lee's primary goal in making this trip. Having traveled this far, I am well aware of the fatigue that sweeps over him and makes me appreciate the determination he has had to travel so far. While it was my desire to show him some of the beautiful sights in our country I am aware that misses many of them as his fatigue renders him helpless to do anything but sleep. But he musters energy to visit with our family. This is what matters to him and this is what we're doing. As our final destination becomes a reality, tiny thoughts creep into our heads of going home. While home is a comfortable place, it is also a return to the realities of cancer and for that reason we never want this journey to end. It's hard to think about ending this escape, but we will face that one day at a time as we have faced the other challenges.

How could I, a mere woman, forget that wonderful computer chip which Lee had installed in the truck back in Fort Collins which gives him his second greatest thrill - listening to the throaty roar of his Dodge as it passes other vehicles grinding up the steep grades of the mountains? :) Not only must one drive that six speed stick shift monster but now there is a little do--hicky on the dash where I have to monitor EGT, boost, and all manner of other manly things. And if one exceeds the limits it sends off an alarm that sounds like the cops are on your heels. It's a guy thing!! Oh, and another thing for you men. Tom spotted a car , guess it was a Porsche something- or -other, that rung his bell. Checking it out on the internet he told me the sale price was $480,000. As it passed us going down a long 6 percent grade it must have been exceeding 100mph. Guy thrills.

We hope each and every one of you is safe and at peace and enjoying your day.

Love,

Nancy and Lee

Whiteplains Calendar - October

Birthday List - A Big Happy Birthday

October 2 Michael Cone
October 2 Yom Kippur
October 3 Jim Wheat
October 11 Ray Chaplin
October 15 Jamie Black
October 16 Michelle Cone
October 18 Kelly Branning
October 20 Kay Meyer
October 21 Jeff Cargile
October 23 Bob Murphy
October 24 Peg Peterson
October 30 Ray Ackerman

SCBC Dates:

October 8 Darlington (UDG)
October 22 Timmonsville (56J)

Other Dates:

October 28 Whiteplains Party Starting at 3 PM Eat at 4 PM - Franks Hanger
October 29 Daylight Savings Ends Roll Back 1 Hour
October 31 Happy Halloween

Young Eagle Flights:

October 28th JR. ROTC Lexington HS Starting at 9 AM

Party Time - At Whiteplains

Whiteplains is having a party and you're all invited.

When: October 28th
What time: Starts at 3, eat at 4:00 pm.
Where: Franks Hanger
What to bring: Yourself and Other Half
Goodies provided by Niel & Nancy Bonacum

That's it... come and have some fun, and good food.

Chapter 3 Fly-in

White Plains Pilots

If you don't know by now, there is a fly in at CDN this weekend.

Saturday there will be an Antique Classics, Classics, and every type of general aviation airplane found and of course food and plenty of it.

Then on Sunday there will be the SCBC and we all know what that means.
Yes, Gerald Ballad gets to tell stories about his or your fly byes.

Calendar of Events
10/6 - 10/8/2006: Camden, SC: VAA Chapter 3 Fall Fly In,Woodward Field KCDN Contact Information: ... Http://www.eaa1310.org/flyin: 10/7 - 10/7/2006: Rockford, IL: EAA Chapter 22 Fly-In Lunch,Cottonwood ...
www.eaa.org/events/2006October.html

Hope to see you there

Dennis

Due to a conflict on October 21, I moved the Whiteplains Young Eagle Day to the following week, October, 28th at 9 am. Rain day is the following saturday. Still looks like we have ten to fly.

As of today, I have only one, maybe two people that offered to fly. With myself, that would be three. Two more would be nice. If your interested and a EAA member, just drop me a line or a phone call.

Thanks,
Don Cook
Whiteplains Young Eagle Director
803-808-1993

Fuel Price Checker

I added a link on the right hand side of the blog "100LL.Com". Click on it, and then enter the airport code. Such as KCAE. If you look at the bottom of the screen it shows the lowest price found for that area checked. Give it a try and save a little CASH on gas.

Or click here: http://www.100ll.com/

Whiteplains UNICOM#10

The time for elections to the 2007 Board of Directors is almost upon us. There will be two vacancies to fill. The time commitment isn’t as great as you might imagine, and it is a great opportunity to give something back to your community. I would urge everyone to consider it. Ken


Whiteplains UNICOM #10: The Election Process

At its meeting on September 29, the Board of Directors voted to adopt a four-part elections process and to create an Elections Committee to oversee it. The Board’s objective was to draw from the best practices of organizations similar to ours, and to ensure openness, fairness and accountability. Membership on the Elections Committee will exclude current Board members, current Officers, and those standing for election. This year’s committee will be composed of: John Gardner, Larry Ross and Linda Demaray.

Part 1: Nomination

The Elections Committee will collect nominations for election to the Board of Directors. These nominations can result from a general call, by approaching specific individuals, or by accepting self-nominations from interested residents. There should be at least one more candidacy than there are vacancies. Individuals who are interested in standing for election are requested (but not required) to prepare a 100-word statement for inclusion in the balloting material. This statement might include the candidate’s qualifications, goals/objectives, views on issues pertinent to the community, or anything else that might assist the voters in making an informed choice. Nominations will open on October 15 and close on December 1.

Part 2: Balloting

The Elections Committee will design and prepare ballots which include the candidates’ statements (if provided). The ballot design will incorporate a procedure to allow for the identification of the Lot number of the incoming vote (to provide integrity) while still preserving the anonymity of the voter. [Example: use of a return mailing envelope identified by lot number containing an otherwise unidentifiable ballot.] The choice of US mail or e-mail is left to the Elections Committee, but ALL property owners must receive ballots no later than December 15. Persons owning multiple lots have multiple votes, in accordance with our by-laws.

Part 3: Tabulating

The Annual Meeting of the Whiteplains Plantation Association is scheduled for January 16, 2007. The Committee may begin to count ballots one week before that date, and will create a provisional tabulation at that time. The first order of business of the Annual Meeting will be to close the balloting process so that any recently-received ballots may be added to the provisional totals. When called upon to do so, the Chair of the Elections Committee will read the names of the individuals who have been elected. The total number of ballots cast will be reported, however the number of votes for each individual candidate shall not be reported.

Part 4: Challenge and Audit

If a member of the Association wishes to challenge the election, he/she has one week from the date of the Annual Meeting in which to do so. If a challenge is received, the Board of Directors will appoint an Audit Committee to review the work of the Elections Committee and render a decision. If no challenges are received within the allotted time, the Elections Committee will destroy all balloting material and disband.


Ken Plesser, President

Whiteplains Plantation Association

Across the RockiesDate

From: "Lee Van Wormer" To: "Vicki,John Gardner" Subject: Across the RockiesDate: Wed, 4 Oct 2006 23:34:47 -0600

Salt Lake City and a steady, pouring rain - that's almost an oxymoron, isn't it? Be that as it may, that's what we encountered as we ended our two day trek across incredibly wondrous expanses from Fort Collins, CO, where my sister lives to my brother's on his 59th birthday. Today, October 4th. We pondered over which way to cross the Rockies out of the Denver area but with the help of a few locals who had taken several different routes we opted for route 14. This two lane highway would be vitually free of traffic and wind over Cameron Pass at just over 10,000 feet , Rabbit Ears Pass at a titch over 9,00o feet and then connect with route 40 east of Steamboat Springs, on past Dinosaur National Monument , through the Wasatch Range at Park City, Utah and down into the Great Salt Lake Valley.
At long last, Lee would realize a dream that he thougth might never come true - to drive his Dodge Ram pulling his rig up over some challenging mountains. Mind you, the one ton Dodge diesel would have done a very adequate job of doing just that, but Lee is a man's man, a guy. He wants all the bells and whistles and as if 350 horses are not enough he had to have a "chip" installed which would give him 450 horses!! Now he sold me on the deal saying that we would get better gas mileage and what do I know about such things as chips and torque and horse power? So while in Fort Collins we dropped a little cash at a local performance shop and on the day of departure he flashed a bigger than ordinary smile as we waved goodbye to family. I later learned that it is not the icreased gas mileage that was so great but MORE POWER. You remember the old Men are from Mars......well, later on, in low gear in a mountain area parking lot, pulling a fully loaded 28 foot fifth wheel, he peeled rubber:) I tried to act impressed. He said words like," and it even has limited slip rear differential." This is the same guy who notices every bump in guardrails and even makes out-loud noises like BAMB BAMB BAMB as he relives the poor fellows fate who banged those guard rails. Did you ever notice the tire rubber on concrete barriers on extra sharp turns? You gotta be kidding! So does Lee!! Oh, and as I'm all agoggle over the Red-tailed hawk I see circling overhead he's telling me about the extra reinforcement on the road signs in this high-wind area of the trip.Keeps them from fluttering. We laugh at each other and wonder at our differences but also appreciate how those differences make for a more enjoyable whole.

As I revel at the beauty of the scenery I find myself feeling wholly inadequate when thinking of how to describe the beauty of the land. I need to hire a poet to put together a string of words in such a beauteous way that anyone reading those words could envision what I was seeing. Take the trees for instance. The Aspens cling to the valleys of the green pine covered hillsides wearing such bright golden colors that they shout out to all. As the wind blows through their leaves it scatters them like yellow snow flakes across the road and into the streams. In the higher elevations where the leaves have fallen, it's as if they have shed a golden petticoat on the ground below their outstretched branches. Take each individual tree - golden is just one word. Some are light gold, others bright yellow, others amber. One would need an entire jewel bag full of color words to describe the individual hues. Then there are the Cottonwoods that line the stream and river beds - they have fat brown trunks, unlike the lithe white trunks of the Aspen, and they,too, need words of many shades to describe the yellows and golds that they wear with such grace. From a distance, as I glance up to the high mountain slopes, it's as if an artist has taken a paint brush and splashed the green forest canvas with bright flashy colors, a last hurrah before the bland, monochromatic colors of winter. I think about all the artists and poets and song writers who have written and painted in an attempt to capture what their eyes behold, and convey that vision to the rest of the world. Shops and books and recordings are filled with such attempts. No wonder I am struggling.

Up out of the mountains, on to the vast high plains of western Colorado and eastern Utah the landscape changes. For endless miles I see no one in the rear view mirror and no one up ahead. Signs warning of antelopes crossing cause my scan to widen for signs of danger. I sight herds of the white and brown beauties far off on the sage colored hills but fortunately none crossed the highway as I passed. Colors now are muted in shades of mauve, putty and bronze. Just grab a color chart at any Lowes paint department and chose a Laura Ashley palette- those are the colors of the high desert. Mixtures of beige and rust, maroon and cafe au lait all paint the colors of the rock formations that loom on the horizon, layers of old lake beds hardened into sedimentary rocks and lifted up by gargantuan forces that have turned them into grotesque forms, then eroded into sensuous, smooth undulations of solid rock. What a magnificant sculptress Mother Nature is!

As the sun sank lower in the sky we needed a place to stop and sleep. The Barbed Wire Campground was easily accessible and we were tired. Lee hopped out and went into the office. As I glanced around I became more and more uneasy and quietly locked the doors to the truck. Tough looking, long haired cowboy types milled around some ratty trailers and I knew instantly that I would be as out of place as a Lady Di in a strip joint. Lee came out of the office carrying an envelope and my heart sank. How could I tell a tired and weary traveler that I wanted to move on? His first words to me were,"We're out of here!" Besides his own intuition, the sign in the office saying No Drugs, No Guns raised his protective instints and we drove on into Dinosaur National Monument. It was at the end of a 10 mile paved road that we found a spot that will rank in the top 5 places I have ever camped. Split Mountain Campground. Located on the Green River flanked by towering red sandstone cliffs, we parked the rig and began settling in. There were no services but we were prepared so I cooked a gourmet dinner which we ate by candle light. By nine o'clock the stars were dotting the sky like pin points and we slipped under the covers and snuggled until we were warmed. The thermometer read 44 degrees in the camper by morning but as the sun rose over the rocks it warmed us up and I took an early morning walk to discover the campground was full of rabbits! After a breakfast of hash browns, eggs and sausage we took my kayak to the river and Lee helped me launch into the brown silted waters of the Green River. I was in HEAVEN!! I LOVE the Green River and had white water rafted down a section known as Desolation Canyon years before. So I paddled upstream, caught some light rapids and floated down, crossed to the far side and explored some caves. It was a wonderful treat and as I marveled at the beauty surrounding me I stored the images in my mind for tough times ahead.

The sky turned grey as we headed west towards Salt Lake City . Lee no longer had to slow for my photography requests . We ate lunch at a rest stop and I drove on in pouring rain down 6 degree grades into the Great Salt Lake Valley. In total contrast to the night before we are camped in a KOA campground in the middle of the city with a few hundred other rigs. All safe, all manicured and green and close to my brother. My son flies in on Friday and will be our companion for the trek to Seattle.

Hope all is well and safe with each and every one of you.
Love,
Nancy and Lee



Click on Photoshow to see full size. Enjoy...Don

Mile after mile after mile

Did you know that one Kansas farmer feeds 128 people plus YOU? Grain elevators,trucks and prairie dog holes were the scenes for the day. We've made it across the plains!

Breakfast Send Off... Photoshow

Click on SEE SHOW below to view PhotoShow of Lee and Nancy's Breakfast Send Off that took place this morning. They are on the way to the west coast for a 30 day ADVENTURE!

SEE SHOW

Pilots Needed!

Attention: All Whiteplains Pilots!


I just got a call from Col. Tucker, with a request to fly 10 young eagles from the Lexington HS Jr. ROTC Cadet program in October. The date is October 21, 2006 which is a Saturday. If we are unable to fly (due to weather) on the 21, October 28th would be our backup date.

This is a good opportunity for you to share in the excitement of flight with a young person that is interested in flying. If you have never flown a Young Eagle before this is your chance, and if you have, then you know the excitement that is seen in the face of the cadets after a flight.

The cadet program reimburses pilots for a portion of fuel used.

Please consider this so we can get all 10 cadets flown next month.

Thanks! Looking forward to hearing from you.


Don Cook
Whiteplains Young Eagle Director
email: duckey123@hotmail.com
Phone: 803-808-1993

Runway Work in Progress!

Thanks to Jim Wheat for the use of his rented John Dear Tractor, and with the help of Jim, Bill Como, Don Cook and Rick Miller we were able to remove many of the R/R ties on the north side of the runway. Micah Froese donated some dirt that was used to fill in areas of the runway shoulder that was in need of filling. We also were able to dump two loads of dirt behind the Van Warmers lot that was erroding due to water run off from the runway. Micah also blew down the taxi way in the area we were working at. Jim Wheat leveled the pile of dirt that was along the taxi-way that was used as a stop-gap for water errosion in that area.
All of the R/R ties were removed in front of Neal and Nancy's home, and all of the lower ties down by runway 9's end. Low wing airplanes can now safely use the taxi way.
Thanks again for all the hard work. Much more needs to be done, but this is a good start in the right direction.

PhotoShow Pilot's Meeting

Click below for short Photoshow of last Pilot's meeting.

http://www.photoshow.net/watch/Qh2Mk3sn

WHITEPLAINS PILOT'S ASSOCIATION

Monday September 18, 2006
Ray Hill, VP
Hosting Hangar, Jim Wheat
AGENDA
Welcome Pilots and Guests
Statement of Purpose
" The purpose of the Whiteplains Pilots Association is to promote aviation safety, camaraderie among the Whiteplains pilots and promote
communications with the pilot community."
Sign in Sheet with e-mail addresses
GUEST SPEAKER
Maj Brent Sprouse, Chief, Flight Safety USAF

Acceptance of August 14, 2006 Minutes
Old BusinessNew Business
Announcements
Treasurers Report; Terry Yon
Airside Report; Don Cook
Safety Report; Todd Falstad
Residential Side Report; Bill Como
Whiteplains Board Report; Ken Plesser
Cash Drawing

PILOT'S ASSOCIATION MEETING

Pilot's Meeting Reminder

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

JIM WHEATS HANGAR

JUST A REMINDER !

IF ANYONE HAS AN AGENDA ITEM PLEASE CONTACT ME BY SUNDAY PM.

Board Meeting

There will be a regular meeting of the Whiteplains Plantation Association Board of Directors and Leadership Team on Thursday, September 28, at 7 PM in Ken Plesser's hangar.

Please advise ASAP if you are unable to attend. We will do our best to accommodate everyone's other plans to the maximum extent practicable.

If the meeting runs over two hours, or if the 28th is unacceptable to a large number of folks, the backup date is Monday, October 2.

Agenda coming later.

Ken

PILOT'S ASSOCIATION MEETING

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

7:00 p.m. Jim Wheat's Hangar

Our guest speaker will be Maj. Brent Sprouse, Chief Flight Safety Officer at Shaw AFB. We will also have door prizes and a cash drawing.

If anyone has an agenda item for this meeting, please contact me this week.

Labor Day 2006

Today was a fun day at Ray and Laurie Ackerman's place located on lake Murray. Many of Whiteplains residents were out in force to enjoy the day, with lots of food and fun for all. I'll post a few of the pictures that were taken. Pictures by James Wheat and Don Cook. I'll put a Photoshow together later.
Click on photo for full size.

Whiteplains UNICOM #9: The Saga of the Beacon

The mission of the Whiteplains Pilots’ Association includes a commitment to aviation safety. One of the possibilities that has been under discussion for many years is the installation of an airport beacon to facilitate visual recognition at night. This UNICOM will discuss the background (thanks to Nancy Van Wormer for the history lesson) and then go on to discuss what we are currently doing.

Ray Elam, former hangar owner and pilot, was an active member of the Pilots’ Association. He often flew at night and found it difficult to locate SC99 in the dark especially when arriving from the north. Before his untimely death in April 2003, he proposed that a beacon be erected at Whiteplains on his hangar (which is now owned by James and Joann Kiesler). After Ray's death, Lloyd Krueger donated the present tower and, under the direction of Lee Van Wormer, the tower was erected. An aircraft wingtip strobe was placed at the top of the tower; it operated for some months before failing.

The next opportunity to revisit the beacon issue came in 2005 when the State Division of Aeronautics offered us (at no cost) a surplus beacon in need of refurbishment. After some engineering analysis, we concluded that we could restore it to operating condition for a few hundred dollars but (at over 100 pounds) it was too heavy for the present tower’s structure. It was also much too bright (two 1000 watt bulbs), creating the potential for light pollution for residents and nearby neighbors.

Later, a search of available commercial devices revealed a six-pound airport identification strobe designed for private airports. It flashes alternating green and white, just like a rotating beacon, has a clear night visibility of 15 miles, and consumes only 250 watts.

In the Fall of 2005 the members of the Pilots’ Association voted to endorse the acquisition of a beacon. The plan was that the beacon would be pilot-controlled, would only operate for ten minutes at a time, and then only when a pilot manually turns it on with five clicks of the mike.

In the Spring of 2006, the Board of Directors voted to scrap the plan for a beacon, feeling that it was of limited usefulness and therefore not needed. Given the vocal support from a number of pilots who offered to donate money toward the $895 installation, the Board reversed its decision a few months later, agreeing to support the installation if the pilots would make donations equal to the purchase price.

At the August meeting of the Pilots’ Association, Vice-president Ray Hill showed a photo of the proposed beacon and renewed the Pilot’s Association support of purchasing and installing it. That evening, $130.00 cash was raised by auctioning items donated by Ray, along with $35.00 in cash pledges. Another Pilot’s Association meeting is scheduled for September 18 where discussion of the beacon will be on the agenda; hopefully, we will have a good turnout.

All pilots, particularly those who fly at night, can support this community effort with a donation to the beacon project. Ray Hill is coordinating the fund-raising effort.



Ken Plesser, President
Whiteplains Plantation Association


Lee Van Wormer, President
Ray Hill, Vice-president/Secretary
Whiteplains Pilots’ Association

New Veterinarian near Whiteplains

Here is the information regarding the new veterinarian that we met this week.

Dr. Tim Loonam has very recently opened the Grace Animal Hospital and Pet Lodge at 147 Charter Oak Road, Lexington. His phone number is 803-808-7387, with the website of www.gracepets.com. Dr. Loonam was educated at the University of Georgia and treats both small and large animals. Dr. Loonam's first career was in the Army, initially as an infantryman, then the Army facilitated him obtaining his veterinary education, and he then was member of the Army Veterinarian Corps. During his military career he served in Iraq, participated in both battles of Fallujah, and was a survivor of a roadside bomb. He is now setting up his own fulltime practice in Lexington. His office is very well organized and his staff are friendly, helpful, and concerned about animals. Dr. Loonam provided a comprehensive physical exam, with lab work, at a very reasonable fee for our less-than-vet-friendly cat, Katlee, earlier this week. Katlee has had many previous unpleasant vet experiences, but Dr.Loonam was sensitive to her history, managed her fear with in a soothing manner, and let her warm up slowly to the new environment of his office and with him. Dr. Loonam and his staff are interested in not only providing quality care, but also in educating their patients' owners.

Ken and I were most pleased with Dr. Loonam and the Grace Animal Hospital, and want to share this positive reference with our neighbors.

Peg

New Private Pilot, Jackson Murphy

Larry Ross is proud to annouce that his student, Jackson Murphy, passed his Private Pilot check ride on August 26th. Jackson is the son of Bob Murphy who has a Kit Fox in his hangar here at Whiteplains. Congratulations, Jackson!

Steve Mestler and his Republic Seabee

Every time Steve Mestler takes his Republic Seabee out of the hangar, folks turn out to watch! This morning Steve arranged for Lee to have a flight. Lee landed this beautiful ship three times on Lake Murray and came home grinning. Jack Fastnaught, who did the annual on N9042N also took a turn at the yoke. When Steve is not at work flying a 737 around the country , he enjoys sharing his passion with fellow pilots.

Thanks, Steve, you made our day!