HIGHLIGHTS:
 

1. After eight years, one month and two days, finally someone hit the target with a water-filled balloon. And our long record of hitless scores comes to an end. Our new, and only, Champion is J. Sidney Lee from San Jose. Sidney joined the club this year and has taken a few soaring lessons in between his business trips to the Far East on behalf of his employer, Seagate Technologies of Scotts Valley, CA. In fact, the irony is that Sidney tried reaching me on my cell phone to tell me he probably wouldn't be coming to Avenal because of the uncertain weather. Since he couldn't reach me, he decided to come down after all. Good thing he did.

2. I was the lucky pilot when Sidney dropped his target busting balloon. The first two balloons were wide of the mark, and on the third, I actually cautioned him not to drop the balloon because I thought we were past the target and I was going to try for another pass at it. Good thing he ignored me. His prize money amounted to $40 and paid for his tosses from the glider. CONGRATULATIONS TO SIDNEY LEE FOR DOING WHAT NO ONE HAS EVER DONE SINCE BOMBING BEGAN IN 1999.

3. Because of the weather, we weren't sure if many people would show up. Finally, we did get a nice crowd with about half involved in bombing with balloons and the other half just enjoying the spectacle and the dinner afterwards.

4. Roy Norman worked hard to prepare the dinner and make sure all the fixings were there. The dessert offerings were outrageous and I know a few people who had more than one of the offerings. Maybe everyone had more than one. Linda Town's pumpkin squares topped by chopped pecans were a BIG HIT.

5. As dinner progressed the rain got heavier and after dinner we all moved into the clubhouse for a nice social gathering while listening to Mario's "Never Again" stories. The rain didn't damper anyone's spirit and right up until everyone left, there was laughter almost non-stop.

6. Sure, we wish more had shown up to enjoy the contest, the dinner and others who attended. But maybe next time we'll see more here. As you may know by now, the contest and dinner were fund raisers for our club. Every little bit helps us do things around Avenal that we might not be able to do without a bit of extra money in the kitty. So, THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE CONTEST OR DINNER OR BOTH FOR HELPING THE CLUB RAISE MUCH NEEDED FUNDS.

7. Andy Reistetter flew his Russia earlier in the day on several flights. In addition, Lance Edmisten came down from Modesto to continue his glider training and had at least one good flight before he then flew as a bombardier in the Blue Whale.

8. The contest teams included:

Harold Gallagher and Raphaela Cervantes

Harold Gallagher and Lance Edmisten

Harold Gallagher and Toy Marlette

Harold Gallagher and Sidney Lee.

Lionel and Julie Smith

Alex Caldwell and Dave Johnson

Joe and Becky Anastasio