Schaumburg Pilots Association holiday party was held Sunday December 14, 2003 in Northwest Flyers main hangar. The weather outside was cool and damp with low ceilings, not a good day for VFR. To say we had a perfect day for a holiday party was an understatement, it was perfect. To categorize this event in one word …ahugesuccess would best describe it! Festivities began at 1:00 pm and the new President Dennis Spiegel and new Vice President Darren Spiegel helped put on a first class event. The total count wasnt confirmed, but by all guesses the total number of people were around 70 to 80. We ran out of tables, not chairs. A real respectable turn out.
Food was in abundance and took up two large tables. Main entrees consisted of hot sliced Italian beef sandwiches, hot Greek Chicken and hot mostaccioli. Side items included potato salad and potato chips and there was even a table well overflowing with deserts including baklava, cannolis, and many delicious homemade holiday sweets. Soft drinks were plentiful. If you were hungry, or had a sweet tooth, and left without being satisfied, that was your own fault. What a great spread.
Just a hangar full of pilots can be a lot of fun with all of the stories, but once Dennis and Darren got things moving with the raffle, the fun really began. Although Dennis could hardly be heard at times, Darren and Kathleen Duffy relayed the raffle numbers so everyone could hear. For a brief moment, Dennis was overcome and mentioned to the crowd he was raffling off his Ercoupe. He came back to his senses rather quickly though. He hopes he doesnt have to explain it to his medical examiner.
Pilot type gifts were raffled off, and there were many winners. Pat Lubas won a brand new hand held transceiver by Vertex a Pro V worth $289.00 and Jim Ingram won a new head set worth about $175 .00.
This event wouldnt be possible if people didnt get involved and help out. Thanks should be given to Kathleen Duffy and John Ceullar for their help. Kathleen was continually selling raffle tickets and a free raffle ticket was given to each and every person for a shot at the prizes. John took time out behind the scene to purchases the transceiver and was also instrumental in the success of the party. Daren Spiegel through his connections was able to purchase the head set. Wally Zaba purchased the tools including pliers, screwdriver sets, and work gloves.
The Schaumburg Pilots would also like give special thanks Skip Barchfeld for the use of Northwest Flyers main hangar, Mark Clements for the generous donation of Northwest Aviation hats and apparel, to Lee Hogan Photos by Lee for the sweatshirts, air to air shots, and Rudi Reiger owner of Red Baron Rides for a complimentary ride for two in his vintage Waco bi plane.
This new group of leaders is loaded and ready for action. Your thoughts are always welcome, and if you dont have any, we are bubbling over with many of our own to share with you. Can you feel the enthusiasm? Watch out SPA, good things to come in 2004!
Pictures are courtesy of Douglas Diefenthal and are probably the only pictures taken of the event. Thank you Douglas!