Author Topic: New E.D., Nats OTS and Classic (Read 3272 times)

Mike Keville · « **on:** August 23, 2008, 06:40:15 PM »

Because 'Stunt News' editorship is in transition, printing & mailing of the Sep-Oct issue may be delayed. The Nov-Dec issue, however, should arrive on schedule. The reason I say that is THIS bit of news that will appear in both issues, though it's felt that you should know it now:

Your new Event Director for Nats Old Time & Classic Stunt is Bob Brookins, Des Moines, Iowa. Apparently not content with hosting just Intermediate (at which he does a superb job), Bob has offered to host the two unofficial events I've been privileged to run for the past three years after "inheriting" them from Gene Martine in '06.

In those 'Stunt News' articles I cite travel hassles and budgetary considerations as one reason for my 'retirement' --- and while that's partially true, there's another, more compelling reason. Let's just say 'another priority' has occurred....and I'm not gonna' lose THIS one (again).

Thanx go to the superb crew who helped make me look good in 2006-07-08. To be sure, there was a bit of front-end work, but when contest day arrived all I had to do was show-up, stand around, try to look busy and stay the he11 out of their way. Those folks were: Linda Gleason, Warren Tiahrt, Shelly Gordon, Elaine Brookins, Karyn Urtnowski, Louis Rankin, Larry Lindburg, Russ & Randi Gifford, Gene Mills, Bill Marvel, Steve Smith, Buzz Brodak, John Leidle, Darrell Harvin, Bill Heyworth and probably a few others omitted unintentionally (as a result of that new 'priority' which seems to have turned my brain to mush.) Without them, it wouldn't have worked as well as it did -- and I can only hope that most, if not all, will return to help Bob Brookins next time around.

Thanks....it was fun.

mk

Mike Keville · « **Reply #1 on:** August 24, 2008, 04:56:28 AM »

Linda.

Auburn.

Photo is from 1958. She hasn't changed that much today.

Dick Byron · « **Reply #2 on:** August 24, 2008, 06:27:46 AM »

Mike,
I am so happy for you.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #3 on:** August 24, 2008, 01:37:35 PM »

Congradulations Uncle Mikey. How about an up to date picture or are you afraid we might kidnap her? DOC Holliday

Mike Keville · « **Reply #4 on:** August 24, 2008, 02:01:18 PM »

Thanx, Doc (and everyone else). No, there's no danger you'll kidnap her, because whenever we're together she'll never be out of my sight. Here's that "today" photo...taken 7/31/08, just after she received the dozen pink roses sent to the hospital where she works as an operating room tech. She hates this picture because of the "hat hair"...having just left a 12-hour shift in Surgery.

(This doesn't have much to do with model airplanes, does it? Sorry folks...neither do I, currently.)

Mike Keville · « **Reply #5 on:** August 24, 2008, 02:30:52 PM »

It suddenly occurred to me that only a handful of people know the full story here. While it has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with CL Stunt, some may be interested. Others may be bored to tears. Either way, here goes:

Linda was my high school sweetheart, Wheaton, Illinois, c.1956-1958. We were inseparable; in fact were *the* couple. I was Class of '58; she was Class of '59. Upon my graduation I made a fatal mistake: signed-up for the Army...without discussing it with her first. (Think about it.)

Short version: lost her. She met & married someone else, had two sons, became a surgery room assistant (hands the right tool to the right doc' at the right time). This was nearly unbearable here, of course...which may help explain the name tattooed on my left arm...a result of a particularly heartbreaking weekend at Fort Benning, GA, c.1963, and the fact that I volunteered for Vietnam. Death wish perhaps? Coulda' been.

She divorced in 1980 but of course I didn't know that, having "lost her forever".

Or so I thought.

Fast forward to July 2008. Just prior to leaving for the Nats this year, I discovered a web site with information regarding the Class of 58's 50th reunion. I had no interest --- but did click on a listing of Class of Fifty-NINE names and e-mail addresses. Bingo! There she was. Sent her one of those, "Hi, remember me?" things. A reply came back, and things just haven't been the same since. (I'll spare you the juicy details.)

Other than trading recent photos, we haven't seen each other for FIFTY years --- although we now contribute daily and nightly to the stock value of Verizon and Alltel. Since I still work part-time, Linda insisted on flying to Tucson for our first actual reunion. (She lives in North Las Vegas.) Due to work and personal commitments made long before we re-connected, her first opportunity is September 11th (yes, "9/11") -- at which time Southwest Air will deposit her back into my arms at 11:00 AM....assuming an on-time arrival, which they're pretty good at.

Don't even THINK about looking for us for a few days.

"And that's all I have to say about that". <chuckle>

mk

Joey Mathison 9806 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 24, 2008, 02:50:29 PM »

all the more reason to bring out one of you junkers and fly with us bottom feeders here in vegas Mike.

Mike Keville · « **Reply #7 on:** August 24, 2008, 02:53:39 PM »

Joey M., when I get up to 'Vegas (which will probably be a LOT this coming year) that's a distinct possibility --- assuming I still have the strength to hold a handle. Right now I feel like I just finished flying one of your 205 mph specials!

m

Dick Byron · « **Reply #8 on:** August 24, 2008, 02:55:43 PM »

Mike,
Thanks for sharing that with all of us. You are a very lucky guy. Life is so short and there are things that are just meant to be. This is one. I do have one question, How does it feel to be 18 again? The heart flutters and there is a skip in your step. It is wonderful.

Your friend:

Mike Keville · « **Reply #9 on:** August 24, 2008, 03:11:23 PM »

Dick: You pegged it: this is one of those things that was just meant to be. In fact I'm considering giving up Art for Poetry. (Save the comments, guys!)

Joey M: Hey, waitaminnit! I don't HAVE any "junkers". <chuckle> Could I borrow one of your Jets?

Joey Mathison 9806 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 25, 2008, 06:22:41 PM »

you sure can use one of the jets but in order to use two lines you will have to fly two at a time.

Mike Keville · « **Reply #11 on:** August 25, 2008, 06:51:00 PM »

Ah...Joey...thanx just the same, but I suspect that when I make the future numerous trips to 'Vegas I may be a wee bit too "preoccupied" to have much interest in flying CL.

In fact I can guarantee it.

mk

Joey Mathison 9806 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 25, 2008, 07:40:25 PM »

i understand mike. hope you have a ton of fun with your

long lost love.

Mike Keville · « **Reply #13 on:** August 25, 2008, 07:53:17 PM »

You ever run into my pal Tony Drago up there?

mk

john e. holliday · « **Reply #14 on:** August 26, 2008, 08:04:37 AM »

Thanks for the complete story Uncle Mikey. Hope the two of you have many years together. Have fun, DOC Holliday

PS:I was one of the few that did not have a High School sweet heart. In fact I was 25 when the lady of my life caught me. jeh

Mike Keville · « **Reply #15 on:** August 26, 2008, 08:39:26 AM »

"...Hope the two of you have many years together. Have fun, DOC Holliday"
=========================================================

Thanx, Doc. This time it'll be for keeps.

m

Andrew Borgogna · « **Reply #16 on:** August 26, 2008, 10:28:10 AM »

Way to go Uncle Mikey!

Look forward to meeting her at the next VSC. She does like model airplanes, right?
Andy

Joey Mathison 9806 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 26, 2008, 09:35:27 PM »

yes mike, tony comes out with us when he is not working very nice fellow. i will tell him you said hi next time he comes out to fly.

Mike Keville · « **Reply #18 on:** August 26, 2008, 10:06:06 PM »

. . . She does like model airplanes, right?
=================================
She doesn't know anything about 'em, Andy --- but says she wants to learn, and has been asking a lot of questions. I do hope she can take an interest, of course --- but the truth is, I'd abandon all of this in a heartbeat if that's what it took to spend what's left of my life with her.

Can't make it too much plainer than that.

John Miller · « **Reply #19 on:** August 27, 2008, 11:23:41 AM »

Mike, I'm so happy for you.

Still, a bit of Deja Vue though.

Remember when we discovered Cars, and Girls back in the day?

We don't want to lose you, but, like most of us, wait long enough, and we'll see you again.

to you and your Lady

Mike Keville · « **Reply #20 on:** August 27, 2008, 08:04:45 PM »

Thanx, John. The thing is, "back in the day" (c.1956-58), this is the very same girl I discovered along with all those cars.

(Sorry folks. This topic has strayed a bit from model airplanes.)

Greg L Bahrman · « **Reply #21 on:** August 27, 2008, 09:38:48 PM »

That is just to COOL....Fantastic

Patrick Rowan · « **Reply #22 on:** August 27, 2008, 10:23:19 PM »

Mike I'm happy for you. If we lived closer I would buy you a Bud Light.

Hey 2000 miles is not that far. If I start now I might be able to talk my wife into the 30 hour drive to VSC!

Mike Keville · « **Reply #23 on:** August 28, 2008, 05:38:15 AM »

Pat:
If you can make it to VSC-21 (March 17-21) I'LL buy the Bud Light.