How could one forget the intrepid aviators EVERLY COX and GENE GUTHRIE? ED SPROMBERG, the tallest PBY crewman I’d ever seen, was always at a meeting, and I saw examples of strong marriages in couples who were seldom apart, among them MAC and LORRAINE BAILEY and DOC and CELESTE STRADER. He brought a different perspective to the group, and I hope former POW CAPT. ROGER LERSETH knew how much we respected and admired him.
These are but eight of the early members of the PBY Memorial Foundation who are now deceased. Watching JIM RINEY’S 10th anniversary film, we felt a tear well up when their faces flashed on the screen in the CPO Club ballroom. They donated money, time, artifacts, uniforms and historical narratives of their experiences flying propeller aircraft in World War II. They would be thrilled to know that a historical center devoted to naval aviation and aircraft specific to NAS Whidbey Island is about to open in Building 12.
History buff and Naval aviator, Commanding Officer CAPT. GERRAL DAVID, pointed out that the collection’s preservation for posterity is happening on his watch. The crowd laughed as he dared anyone to try to get rid of it when he leaves. The PBYers love David and he admires their tenacity. I was a great time to appreciate how much we need each other.
I remember sitting across the kitchen table from DONNA and WIN STITES about 10 years ago. They almost didn’t come to a weekend air show where a PBY was supposed to be on display. There were no rooms in town, so they stayed with me. They were parched when they arrived from sweltering Yakima. After breakfast the next morning, they spent the entire day at NAS Whidbey hanging around the PBY Catalina.
Before they headed back, I suggested inviting other PBY veterans to come to lunch at the CPO Club on Sept. 28, 1998. The announcement in Crosswind drew 14 people. That’s how it all began.
I vaguely recall asking Win long ago when he thought we’d have a place of our own. Without hesitation, he said, “About 10 years.” He was right.
Free, sober fun
I love this name: Oksoberfest! It’s the free event for teens and adults without a drop of alcohol in sight from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16.
There will be a root beer garden and munchies by Elks Catering at the Elks Lodge where JAN ELLIS will strike up her Oompah Band. Games with names like Carpe Keyum and Boozeketball will be played and police officers will give mock sobriety tests as “drivers” wear special glasses.
There will also be a door prize, game prize and silent auction with gift baskets, certificates and other goodies from various Seattle attractions, Kenmore Air, Starbucks and many others. Auction tickets are $5, which include five raffle tickets.
We can thank Hellmann for her enduring crusade to keep alcohol out of the hands of kids who will likely go on the road. Visit www.idipic.org/.
Lyrics go round and round
There are women in Dugualla Bay and Bunco is the game they play. The dice game moves around to a different home each month. The ladies could get bored but once a year they hop into a large conveyance in pursuit of culture.
They recently headed to Birch Bay, singing to “Mamma Mia” all the way. They danced before eating lasagna and watched a DVD of the same name. They insisted on karaoke to “Money, Money” until exhausted, the sleepy heads fell into their beds.
Besides ELLEN SMITH, other Bunco Buddies on the trip were CAROL STONE, MARGARET COOK, DI FAIRBANKS, PENNY MEDCALF, JUDY WHITED and DONNA MEYERS.
They have enough memories to last all year and song lyrics to last a lifetime.
Physical fun kids love
Does rainy weather keep your kids indoors bouncing off the walls? Let them bounce off the walls at Hip Hop Bouncin LLC, a new family fun house just opened by my friends MELISSA HALLETT and RICK BRADLEY in Trader’s Village, the log building on Midway Blvd.
Pick the room you want, decorated with colorful painted characters kids love. Don’t wait to book your special date as reservations are coming in now. Stay in town for your child’s birthday party. They have bouncing houses, interactive games, obstacle courses and a comfortable seating area with wireless Internet for parents.
Visit www.hiphopbouncin.com or call 720-8640.
See you around
Have we met? I’ve met so many of you. I wish I could thank you all in person for making this column such an enjoyable part of my life for four years.
My duties as copy editor for the Navy paper have concluded and this is my final column. I once teased Dorothy Neil and Nellie Williams, fascinating women who laughed at turning 90, that I was after their jobs. I forgot that life is what happens while you are making other plans.
Take care of yourselves and each other. I’ll see you around town.
