Thanks again Whiteplains

Great Job

As most of you know Denise and I are working the South Carolina Breakfast Club along with other team members (SCBC).
This is a large task in it's self. Without the help of others it could not be done.
Terry Yon was cracking us up with eggs, Nancy Bonucum was on a two hour coffee break along with lemonade detail. Neil Bonucum was serving up the grits. Jim wheat whipping the yokes and cleaning up. Sherri Camp was not only looking good but kept the egg area, cook trailer and tables looking good.
Thanks again to everyone who helped.
Terry also took a lot of pictures, I hope Don can get some of them on the blog.
Thanks
Dennis

PS: Lee and Nancy Vanwormer were truly missed, they are a big part of our SCBC team.

Flowers

As you all know Frank J Skenes Jr., passed away yesterday, July 17th. In his memory, Franks friends and neighbors here at Whiteplains have sent a $150. flower arrangement to the Thompson Funeral Home in Lexington, for tonight's calling hours. We are recommending a minimum donation of $10. If we receive additional money it will be forwarded to Odyssey Home Health Service Hospice or Palmetto Hospice as per the families request. Checks can be forwarded to Peggy Como, 224 Whiteplains Court, Gilbert, SC 29054 or just stop by. Thanks ever-so-much for your continued support.


Peggy Como

Update - Frank Skenes Funeral Seating

Janet has made arrangements for Whiteplains friends to be seated directly behind the family at the funeral. Also suggested that anyone having a Whiteplains white shirt wear it.
If you will not be wearing a Whiteplains shirt, please inform the ushers that you are part of the Whiteplains family so that you will be seated with the group.

Everyone is welcome at the gravesite. Per Adam's request, Harry will do a fly-over in the Cherokee 6 at the gravesite.

Also, anyone who would like to bring a covered dish to be taken to the house after the service please let me know.

joann

Frank Julian Skenes Jr.

LEXINGTON - Services for Frank Julian Skenes, Jr., 64, of Lexington, SC, will be held at 11:00am Wednesday, July 19, 2006 in Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church, officiated by Rev. Adrian Moldovan. Burial will follow in Woodridge Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Johnny Dickerson, Charlie Dickerson, Jimmy Shealy, Mark Dantzler, David Bostick, and Don Accordini. The family will receive friends from 6-8pm Tuesday at Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington. Memorials may be made to Odyssey Home Health Service Hospice or to Palmetto Hospice.Mr. Skenes died Monday, July 17, 2006. Born in Columbia, SC, he was the son of the late Frank Julian Skenes, Sr. and Mary Kathleen Amick Skenes. Mr. Skenes was a private pilot and was affiliated with White Plains Plantation. He enjoyed traveling, boating, hunting, and fishing. Additionally, Mr. Skenes was a 32nd degree Mason, a member of Jamil Temple and the Air National Guard. He was a member of Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church and was owner/operator of Skenes Construction, Inc.Surviving are his wife, Janet Kay Skenes of Lexington; daughters, Frankie Shannon Skenes McVey and husband Tracey Gerald of Lexington, Holly Wynette Skenes Moldovan and husband Adrian Emil of West Columbia, Angela Nichole Strickland of Lexington; sons, Frank J. “Top” Skenes, III and wife Kayren Lear of West Columbia, Adam Pierce Skenes of Lexington; sister, Jo Ellen Anderson and husband Butch of Lexington; brother, Kenneth Carroll Skenes of West Columbia; grandchildren, Dylan York Miller, Tyler Austin Miller, McKenzie Jordan Miller, Jeremy Payton McVey, Kaitlyn Nichole Strickland, and Garrett Gabriel Skenes.

http://www.legacy.com/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=18511574

FRANK SKENES

Frank passed away last at 2:25 last night.

I will post the arrangements when Janet calls me.

Please keep the family in your prayers.

joann

Update...


The arrangements for Frank have been made.

Visitation will be Tuesday night from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Thompson Funeral Home in Lexington.

Funeral service will be at Saxa Gotha church (HWY 378) in Lexington at 11:00 am Wednesday.

Burial will be in Woodbridge Cemetary. (This is on the road behind the John Deere place on hwy 378.

Whiteplains UNICOM #5: Runway Access

One of the most significant things to have happened in the last few weeks is the transfer of ownership of the runway parcel from the developer to the homeowners association. Of course, along with ownership comes liability. The issue of liability insurance is the subject of ongoing discussion in the Board, but this UNICOM is devoted to a different aspect of liability: the recent increase of unauthorized and inappropriate vehicles on the runway. This problem doesn’t belong to Niel any more; it belongs to us.

Aircraft in the departure and landing phases of flight are not very maneuverable. For safety and liability reasons, we must tightly control the use of the runway for anything other than aircraft. The following paragraphs describe the Board’s view of the types of runway incursion issues, and what we must do about them.

Visitors’ cars/trucks. Vehicles driven by guests of property owners are of the greatest concern because, if a driver enters the runway, he/she is probably both lost and unaware of an aircraft hazard. A committee has recently been formed to evaluate signage throughout the community, and appropriate signage at all runway access points will be an important part of the committee’s agenda. This should help a great deal. We can all help by alerting our visitors (including delivery vehicles) to the presence of a runway in the neighborhood.

Construction vehicles. Construction workers are much like visitors, so property owners and general contractors should make them aware of the presence of the runway. Sometimes, a construction vehicle may need to access a building site via the runway, but this should be a choice of last resort, not a convenience. This is particularly true for heavy loads… there is already substantial damage to the runway edges from things like concrete delivery.

Property owners’ cars/trucks. There are cases where some property owners have vehicles (cars, boats, campers, etc.) stored in their hangars, and the only available entry/exit is via the runway. It has been a long-standing policy that this is fine, provided that usage is limited and the utmost caution is observed. On the other hand, use of the runway as a convenience or short-cut is totally inappropriate. If you need to drive to a neighbor’s hangar, please use the street.

Unlicensed vehicles. This includes ATVs, go-carts, golf carts, motorcycles, bicycles, RC model cars and planes, and other such “toys.” It is inappropriate to operate these vehicles on the runway surface, with the possible exception of crossing from one side to another, and then only with extreme caution.

Pedestrians. Walking along the runway is dangerous to both pilots and pedestrians. Please don’t do it. If you need to walk across the runway, please look in both directions before proceeding.

Maintenance vehicles. Access to the runway is required by maintenance vehicles to cut grass, spray herbicide, repair runway lights, and the like. Such vehicles should have headlights and flashers on and, in addition, their drivers should monitor 122.9 mHz to listen for inbound air traffic. Pilots should be on the lookout for maintenance vehicles.

A runway in the midst of a residential neighborhood presents a very real potential for serious personal injury or property damage… but the risk can be managed and minimized. Please help our community by doing three things:

1. Observe this simple common-sense rule: “Except in extraordinary cases, the runway is only for aircraft.”

2. In those extraordinary cases, turn your headlights and blinkers on, lower your windows to listen for approaching aircraft, and monitor 122.9 mHz, if you have the capability.

3. If you see a visitor or neighbor with an inappropriate vehicle on the runway, do not hesitate to offer a friendly reminder of our policies and the safety/liability issues.

Thanks for helping to keep Whiteplains safe.


Ken Plesser, President
Whiteplains Plantation Association

A Dream Come True!

James wanted to share a few pictures that were taken at McEntire AFB. Frank Skenes always wanted to see a F-16 Fighter Jet up close. His wish came true last week. Not only was he able to see one, but was able to sit in one as well. Frank said it was a bit "Tight", but managed to get in. Were going to put a PhotoShow together and share it with you as soon as some other pictures come in.

Snips & Bits at Whiteplains!

Today the new top for the mower was installed. Thanks to Bill Como, Jim Causey and Don Cook. Enclosed are some pictures of the new top after it was installed. Also a few pictures of the driveway from the Michael & Leslie Benton new house that has to be replaced due to the poor quality of cement. Over 62 yards of cement have to be removed and re-poured.

Whiteplains Calendar - July 2006

Birthdays - Happy Birthday to the following members:

July 03 - Ann C argile
July 05 - Frank Skenes & Carolyn Yon
July 06 - Terry Yon
July 14 - Darham Harrison
July 20 - Bev Harrison
July 24 - Janet Skenes
July 25 - Diane Fastnaught
July 28 - Jane Jefferson
July 30 - Kay Franklin

SC Breakfast Club dates:

July 02 - Salisbury (RUQ)
July 16 - Winnsboro ( FDW)
July 30 - Laurns (34A)

Other Special Days:

July 4th
July 17 - Pilot's Assoc. Mtg. 7 PM @ Dennis' hangar! To be resheduled.....

Bob & Elaine's New Curbing - PhotoShow

Check out the Photoshow and see how its done. Click on link below.

http://www.photoshow.net/watch/EK8cQ9dg

Don Cook

Photo Show for Ray's Plane

July 5, 2006

Ray Chaplin's plane was loaded up and sent off to the paint shop to be painted. See a short photoshow at the following link:
http://www.photoshow.net/watch/eb4Pb6ZM
Don Cook

PILOTS ASSOCIATION MEETING NOTICE

When: TUESDAY, JULY 18TH 7:00 pm

Where: DENNIS RAMSEY'S HANGAR

Please plan to attend the July pilot's association meeting. Mike Flack, Director of the Columbia Airport will provide a short presentation and Q&A. We will have a cash drawing, Door prizes, Food and Fellowship.

Whiteplains Plantation Asociation Board Meeting

There will be a meeting of the Whiteplains Plantation Asociation Board of Directors and Leadership Team on Thursday, June 29, at 7 PM, in Ken Plesser's hangar (393 Whiteplains Place).

Board members, officers, coordinators and committee heads are expected to attend or to send an alternate. Any Whiteplains property owner is welcome (and encouraged) to attend as well.

Ken Plesser

Windsock - Out of Service 6-26-2006

Update: 6-27-2006

The windsock is back up. Not sure how long it's going to stay. We may need a better base.

Don Cook



__________________________________________________________________










Today after a strong

wind, the main windsock blew down after the plastic base failed. See enclosed pictures. I hope to have it back in service by tomorrow.

New Restaurant!

Hi, neighbors!

Gilbert has a new restaurant- ANGELO'S Greek and Italian Restaurant. It is located 1 block west of Peach Festival Rd. on the north side of Hwy 1. (where Rene's used to be but different people). Nancy and I did a test run on the food and pricing. Good value, good food, very small inside.

Angelo's also has take out and is open for lunch and dinner. Hours are Mon. - Thurs. 11 a.m. - 2:30 for lunch and 5:00 - 9:00 for dinner.Fri. and Sat. 11:00 - 2:30 for lunch and 5:00 - 10:00 for dinner.Enjoy!Niel

Whiteplains UNICOM #4: Organization – Volunteers

One of the goals of this year’s Board has been to create more community involvement, therefore we developed an organization that we believe will encourage more participation.

The Architectural Review Board is mandated by the Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions (a legally-binding document, by the way). Its members are appointed by the Developer until such time as the Developer transfers control of the ARB function to the Association. This transfer took place for Phase I a while back, hence the Board was able to appoint Dennis Ramsey (chair), Cindy Ross and Bob Chatham to the Phase I ARB. At the start of this year, the transfer has not yet taken place for Phase II, so Jim Wheat continued to chair the Phase II ARB. Last month, the developer transferred Phase II ARB responsibilities to the Association. Jim then joined the unified ARB as a fourth member, and Dennis Ramsey’s team is now responsible for both Phase I and Phase II.

The Whiteplains Pilot’s Association was created by the Board in 1999 to be a social organization and to promote camaraderie and flying safety. The Pilot’s Association has a history of electing its own President; in January, the pilots elected Lee Van Wormer. Lee is focusing on health issues these days, so, until Lee can resume his position, Ray Hill will be Acting President of the Pilot’s Association.

A few years back, the Board created the position of Airport Operations Manager to facilitate the many daily functions that are needed to keep the place up-and-running. Over time, this volunteer position (filled by Lee Van Wormer) expanded to a scope that was well beyond the capability of any one person. In order to provide additional support for our rapidly-growing community, this year’s Board created three new volunteer positions in its place: Aviation Operations Coordinator, Residential Operations Coordinator and Communications Coordinator. The jobs were first filled by Jim Causey, Bill Como and Nancy Van Wormer, respectively. Their tasks, in brief, are to recruit and coordinate the efforts of residents to accomplish the work that needs to be done, and to report status back to the Board/officers. Jim has since turned the Aviation job over to Don Cook.

The five Board members, plus the ARB Chair, Pilot’s Association President and the three Coordinators, constitute the Whiteplains Leadership Team. Their meetings have been, and will continue to be, announced to everyone by e-mail, and any property owner is welcome to attend.

Ken Plesser, President
Whiteplains Plantation Association

Whiteplains UNICOM #3: Organization – Board and Officers

There has been some confusion about the roles of the Board of Directors and the Association Officers. This UNICOM is intended to help to clarify any misunderstandings.

The Whiteplains Plantation Association (that’s the full proper legal name) is organized much like a large corporation. It has a Board of Directors (no less than three members and no more than five) that is elected by the shareholders (i.e., all property owners, both hangars and residences) to a two year term. It also has a set of operating officers that is chosen by the Board. In December of last year, you elected, in alphabetical order, Michael Cone, Micah Froese, Lloyd Krueger, Ken Plesser and Terry Yon. The Board elected Ken Plesser as its Chairman.

The first order of business for the Board was to elect the operating officers. Four officers are required; others are optional. The officers need not be members of the Board; in fact, they need not even be property owners. In recent years, however, the Board has chosen to appoint the officers from among themselves in order to eliminate any potential confusion about who is in charge. The Board selected Ken Plesser as President, Micah Froese as Vice-president, Michael Cone as Secretary, and Terry Yon as Treasurer.

Unfortunately, in April, due to aspects of his personal life that required special attention, Michael Cone found it necessary to resign his positions. This left two different vacancies: a seat on the Board, and the officer function of Secretary. At a meeting last month, the Board decided to appoint Joanne Kiesler as Secretary and to leave the Board position vacant. This means that we would carry on with four Board members for the remainder of the year.

Why leave a vacancy? Our By-laws require that we elect at least two new Directors each year but, historically, this has not been the habit… instead, we have elected a full slate of five each year. In order to do things ‘by the book’ in 2007, we would need to solicit two resignations from among sitting Board members (all of whom have just been elected to two-year terms). So, rather than create a new (unelected) incumbent, we chose to leave the seat empty until the next election.

In the next Unicom, we’ll talk about volunteer positions.

Ken Plesser, President
Whiteplains Plantation Association

Great Flight Planner!

I wanted to share some neat Flight Planning software that I found on the internet. Can be used for VFR and IFR flights. It is called, "Voyager Free Flight". The basic package is free, and additional modules can be purchased.

Check it out at: http://www.seattleavionics.com/Voyager/Tours.htm

Don Cook

Whiteplains Plantation Events - June 2006

Birthdays - Happy Birthday to the following members:

June 11 - Vickey Gardner
June 21 - Susan Clark
June 22 - Dana Dunkleburger
June 27 - Ken Jefferson

SC Breakfast Club dates:

June 4 - Spartanburg (SPA)
June 18 - Cheraw (47J)

Other Special Days:
June 14 - Flag Day!
June 18 - Fathers Day!
June 21 - Summer Begins!
June 29 - Whiteplains Plantation Asociation Board of Directors and Leadership Team Meeting on Thursday, June 29, at 7 PM, in Ken Plesser's hangar.

Ongoing Annual.... Update 6-07-2006

Lee Van Wormers annual on his Piper is moving along. At the moment they are waiting for parts.
Nancy sent some pictures that we wanted to share with everyone.

Nancy wrote: "It is incredible how many hours our dear neighbors have devoted to giving 94W the BEST annual ever. I honestly think it has been fun for everyone and we certainly have enjoyed the company in the hangar. We will forever be grateful for all the hard work and long hours. "

Lee had a very good day today which was wonderful as yesterday was a hard one. One day at a time seems the only way to deal with this.

Lee and Nancy came up with a new cheer: CTAH ( Cancer Take a Hike) That's our cheer!