| Congratulations..... Mike Trick and James Cruse for graduating AFF on September 7, 2003 |
Betsy Banks has a new email address. |
Betsy Banks is Engaged - Chris and I got  engaged!! Yeah! Date has not yet been set (maybe late spring or fall -- gotta avoid FL summer and rainy season!) ... details to follow. Have a great one! Bets Click here to send Betsy e-mail! |
GCSPC will be open Monday September 1st. |
| Just a note to let you know where I jumped last weekend? NASA......Johnson Space Center in Houston. It was WAY COOL!!! There was an event called "Ballunarfest" that involved not only balloons of all shapes and sizes, but radio-controlled planes, rockets that launched up to 3000', powered paragliders and powered parachutes (yes, there is a difference I learned), hang gliders and skydivers of all disciplines. There were freeflyers, 3 RW competition teams of 21 each + video, CRW and Birdman skydivers. The CRW were in the air by 6:30AM each morning, and the Birdmen would swoop them.......we have it on video. Pretty cool. CRW formed up to a 16-way box, almost like a diamond. Each RW team made 3 jumps per day, and were judged by the video review. When I left Sunday, our team was leading, but not sure how the final standings turned out. Didn't want to wait on the last team to jump.......it was WAY too hot, and I was ready for cool air and a shower. Got a neat poster, hat and t-shirt anyway!
Bardstown was nicely represented there.......Steve Sanders and Mark Weaver were on the team with me. Steve, as you know, is flying a Citation jet a lot, and still working on that coffee business. Mark is stationed at Ft. Hood, and is to be deployed to Iraq early next year. Bummer for that. But......We all had a GREAT time even with the heat! Only thing missing was the Aerial Allstars Night Pyro show............ It was quite an honor to be invited to participate in this event, and we're looking forward to it again next year. I'm very thankful for all the wonderful times this sport has provided me, and this weekend made another wonderful memory for the books. Blue skies and blessings....Vickie Croston |
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 Roland Griffin - Roland took his check dive and received his "A" license from Jim Moore. Roland started jumping back in 2000 and has 100 jumps. Congratulations Roland! |
 I need a good home! In return I will guard your home. I will always do my best to make you feel better by greeting you cheerfully each and every time you come home. I'm not sure how old I am (I'd guess 4-7 years). I still have all my parts but Jason Scott and Jim Moore will help my new owner with that. Please come out and meet me and give me a chance to win you over with my personal charm. |
| News from Jerry Dick - 'For those of you who still remember me and to those of you I haven't met here is a few lines to say I hope you are doing well, and to let you know why I haven't been out jumping or teaching so here we go, after Sept 11th 2001, my Army Reserve unit was activated, which put a stop to my Jumping. I went to Ft Sam Houston TX, for the Combat medic course which was a 16 week course, after that I was deployed outside CONUS for 26 weeks, and the I returned to Ft Sam, for 6 weeks, for the phase 1 of the 30091WM6 or practical nurse program. I am now at WRAMC in Washington DC, where I have about 37 days left till I finish my Phase 2. I've been jumping at Skydive Orange in VA, and sometimes when I have the time Ill go to skydive VA. | |
 Jason Hazelip - Ok, Jason started skydiving a few years ago. Bought gear while still on Staticline. Sold his gear. Quit for a while, started again, etc. etc. etc. Well this year he made up his mind to get done. He aced the AFF program and has shown him self to be a very capable jumper. What-a-go Jason! |
 Timmy Barnett receives his 'A' license form DZ owner Kenn Heismann! Timmy and his father Shawn (right) has been looking forward to this day for some time. Congratulations Timmy! (And Shawn!) |
 Matt Doland - Matt while back on leave from the military completes his 'A' license. Matt has made great strides in his skydiving since we last saw him and promises to be a great jumper! Looking forward to jumping with you soon Matt! Now, let's see if we can get Melissa back to jumping and get her licensed! |
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 David Lee - Lee just returned back to Campbellsville from duty in the Gulf and one one the first things he wanted to do was get his 'A' license. Well he checked that off the list ! We're all looking forward to jumping with Lee! Thanks for serving our country Lee! |
 Lenn Coffey! Congratulations on your 'A' license! |
Dale Gumm - 1000 TANDEM SKYDIVES - Some folks need something to strive for, if that's you here is your hero. Here are some of Dale's acomplishments: USPA Safety & Training Advisor, USPA Staticline and Tandem Instructor, Double Diamond  Wings # 493, USPA Prrfessional Exibation Rating, 36 Hours of Freefall Award # 728, Expert USPA D License #4412, Total Jumps 4,035+, 1000+ tandem jumps, 105 night jumps, 3 intentional water jumps, 95 night pyrotechnic jumps, 25 barge landings (7 at night) 300+ exhibition jumps at high profilevents acrodd the US, Hightest jump 23,000' AGL, Lowest jump 876' AGL from New River Gorge Gridge W.VA., Performend in emergency procedures film at the John Kennedy Warfare Center in Yuma AZ at the military freefall school in July 2001, Jumped on of the largest American flags flown aloft under parachute (over 1000 sq/ft., newmerous night jumps with 20 pounds of electronically fired Class B Explisives, Stunt double for local TV commercial, performed skydiving stunts on live TV which were broadcast to more than 120 countries, extensive work with local media to include tandem jumps, air shows and live interviews, Summitted Mt. Rainier, June 1999, Summitted Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa, July 2000, Certified Scuba Diver, Published Writer in National Parachuting & Airshow Magazines, Climbed Mt. Aconcagua in South America, January 2002, Amazon River Herpetology Tour in June 2003, Ability to deal calmly in extreme high pressure situation |
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G.C.S.P.C History - for those nostalgic types. The photo on left is of  Charlie Hughes’s German guys which were from the 7th Army Parachute Team (the team Kenn was on in Germany) giving the guys from Green Co. (Xenia and Bardstown) a photo of Charlie getting out  of a chopper... Charlie wrote on the photo something like "Me at work". Left to right - Don Strickland, Bob Boswell, Bill Madden, Pat Stallard, Jim West, Bobby Hyatt, Ron Adams, Ray Lowe, and Paul Fayard. Photo on the right is of the G.C.S.P.C Bardstown 1970 RW team which placed 4th in the Nationals. Left to right - Paul Fayard, Pat Stallard, Ronny Adams, Bob Boswell. Photo courtesy of Charlie Hughes. <click on photos for larger view> |
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 Melissa & Keith Abner send this photo of Callie. Just thought a lot of folks would be interested in seeing her. Not to mention she's just plain gorgeous! At the time of this photo she's 26 months old. Click on the photo for a larger view. |
Heather Lindquist - Heather (center) is pictured after making a training jump with her instructor Rick Langhamer (left) and her main squeeze Russell Castro (right). Rick signed her off category e and she can now jump with coaches or without direct freefall supervision. I'm sure that 'A' license check dive isn't far behind! What 'a' go Heather |
| Paul Westenhofer - Paul was injured during a jump at Xenia on June 28th. While launching a 4-way base from a Casa Paul said he went high and was flipped over onto Steve Stoll's back. Paul said his thoughts at the time were, "Hum, if I'm on Steve's back how can I still have a grip on his chest strap with my arm over his shoulder? Dam! This hurts!" After recovering the 4-way base they completed a 4-point 7-way Paul said it was difficult to track because he couldn't get his right arm in a good position. During his first attempt to deploy his pilot chute he was unable to reach it. A second attempt resulted in a flip as did the third attempt. After recovering stability Paul noted, "Wow! I don't think I've ever seen the ground this close in freefall before, maybe I should pull the reserve with my left hand..." After deploying his reserve he said his free-bag went by and he thought he would follow it down. After one turn he decided it might be a getter idea to find a place to land... NOW... Paul being a frugal minded person told the first person to come up to go about 30 feet away and retrieve his pilot chute. Paul was take to the hospital and told that he had dislocated his shoulder. No real damage to his arm. Recovery isn't expect to be too long. Hopes to be jumping later this summer. Get well soon Paul! | |
Bobby McCoin - Bobby (left) made his last jump requiring freefall supervision June 29th with his instructor Jim Moore. Bobby went AFF and has 8 jumps. Congratulations Bobby! Keep working on that license progressing! |
Drew Lichtnstin - Drew is on leave from Annapolis. He'll be around for about 4 weeks. Welcome home Drew. Let's get some jumps in! |
| Glen Powell - Glen has been on active duty with the Coast Guard in Texas over the last several month. Glen was activated in response to border security concerns post 9/11. Let's all take a moment to thank Glen for doing his part to keep us safe and welcome him back home! | Dan Fischer - Dan's daughter has been accepted to Annapolis Naval Academy. Dan  couldn't help but send us this picture. It was just taken the night before we said goodbye for six weeks. Needless to say today was a rather down day for me. I think I'll come to Bardstown weekend to try and get my spirits back up. |
Corey Rose - The grape vine reports that Corey Rose is the proud father of TWINS! Craig Sajko ran into him a concert and passed on the information. Sorry about the lack of details. Congratulations to the Rose family!
Eight month old female Rotwiler free to a good home. Moved and can't keep it here. Good natured, house broken. Contact Boswell
Best Little Drop Zone In TEXAS!
The USPA monthly magazine (Parachutist) always has profiles of different jumpers each month and I have a thought about a new profile column. Drop Zoness! Because... I truly recovered the Best Little Drop Zone in TEXAS. I am a C licensed jumper from Louisville Kentucky and I have been in South Texas for the pass 4 months. Now, I am sure that the first question is why is a jumper from Kentucky hanging out in Corpus Christi Texas since the end of January and the answer is very simple. NATIONAL SECURITY!
I am a Port Security Specialist in the Coast Guard Reserve and I was activated on the 31st of January to provide Security for the Military Outload of equipment that was being sent to the middle east for Operation Iraqi Freedom. We provided 24 hour, 7 day a week security for the operation proper as well as providing for an elevated level of security in one of the busiest ports in the country. A huge amount of commerce that included a lot of different things makes the Corpus Christi Port one of the top 6 ports in the US. Other things make it very important that in this time of terrorism, Homeland Security and an new sense of awareness on the part of all Americans that Corpus Christi merited a little extra looking after.
So, when I get the call that I am being activated to Corpus Christi Texas I am ready to stand my station. But, in the dead of Winter in Kentucky, what is the first thing I do. Simple, I pick up the February Parachutist and check the back pages for the closest DZ to the Corpus area. That is how I ended up in Beeville, TX at Gary Morgan's Sky's the Limit DZ. I first sent an E-mail by way of the Web-site's contact line and received a response directly telling me to come on down. When I reported in to duty on 03FEB03 at the Coast Guard Air station on the Naval Air Station in south Corpus it took me a couple of weeks to settle into a work schedule and it was middle February before I made my way to Beeville. I was not sure what to expect.
That first Sunday morning I was met by Fred, Terrell, Cory and Alex. These guys are Video Jumpers, USPA Coach, a brand new A license and a soon to be tandem instructor, just about everything you would expect out of the folks hanging out at the DZ early on a Sunday morning in mid-50 degree weather. A few minutes later I met Gary Morgan, owner, head pilot, head tandem instructor, head rigger, etc, and all the other quail's that go with a guy who had spent his life in the sport of Sky Diving.
After a check of my gear, card and the necessary paper work and within the first 30 minutes of being there Alex, Terrell, Cory and myself were in Gary's 182 heading for Altitude. I made 3 jumps that day, Hung out afterward for a while and then headed south for the 50 plus mile drive back to Corpus Christi. I had been ready for a quiet day of solos and listening to people there talk around me. Such was not the case. I was not the new outsider from KY. I was a Skydiver there to jump. I made a couple of solos, but I was invited very quickly into 4 way RW jumps and I was amazed at the interaction of the advanced jumpers with the newer people. And, I don't mean in just a teaching fashion of jumping. Everyone included everyone else in fun jumps.
There are people there at STL who have the skills to be called Sky Gods... but you will never know it by watching them on the ground. Sky's the Limit is a shining example of what a DZ should be if we want this sport to grow and continue to draw in new people. I come from a home DZ that is a bit bigger (Green County Sport Parachute Center in Bardstown Kentucky) and has a great group of people that work and jump together there. But, I have jumped there for several years now and from day one at Sky's the Limit I felt as if I was at home.
I am 49 years old and started jumping late in life. I am not the best at RW, but I am a safe heads-up jumper that can track into the next county at 4000 feet. I understand why advanced jumpers don't always want or like to deal with the less experienced jumpers. While in TX I jumped with A licensed jumpers with less that 50 jumps flying base for them watching them zoom by and I jumped with guys like, Mike and Fletch, who both are 1000 plus jumpers, doing a 3 way our very first jump together and making about 5 bumpy, but, very fun points. I jumped with Fred the DZ's resident free flyer and was involved in a 2 plane 9 person form load. I found in Beeville Texas the one thing that made 4 months and 1300 plus mile from home bearable. When my work schedule allowed and weather was right I would go to the DZ and I was at home for at least a little while. I had something to look forward to each weekend.
Over the pass few months the nation has heard and seen all there was to heard about reservists activated for the war in Iraq. But, there were a huge number of people in the Coast Guard, the Air Guard and the many National Guard Units across the country that were called up and are still on active duty dealing with a new and very important aspect of American Society today, Homeland Security! A lot of these Guardsmen were close to home and family. A lot of them, me included lived day by day doing our jobs and waiting for 9pm and free cell phone minutes to talk to family members at home. I consider myself very luck. I knew when I found Sky's the Limit in the DZ Directory in the Feb Parachutist that at least I could jump while I was in Texas. I did not even begin to think back in February that I would find a piece of home so very far from KY.
The Sky's the Limit is without a doubt the Best Little Drop Zone Texas. It was my Greene County and the jumper there became true friends that I will miss for a long time as I prepare to return to KY. I am leaving and heading home this week after 4 months and I hope to be jumping a new canopy with old friends this weekend. But, the best memories I will take home from my time in south TX and my service to our new homeland security efforts will be those weekends at STL in Beeville. If you ever get through there and get a chance to stop by and make a jump tell Gary, Misty, Fred, Terrell, Ray , JL, Mike, Billy, and everyone else that you heard from a Coastie in Kentucky that Sky's the Limit was "All that and a Bag of Chips". And, tell them I said thanks and I will miss the 'The Best Little Drop Zone in Texas".
PS1 Glen Powell
US Coast Guard
USPA C32345
Greene County Sport Parachute Center
Cypres-2 now shipping - check out the details at www.cypres-2.com
Chris Wunderlich - What ever happened to Chris Wunderlich? If anyone has contact information, Kelly Wooden would like to get in touch with Chris.
Rotwiler FREE to a good home - Bill Brady's daughter has moved and can't take her eight month old Rott with her. The dog is good natured and house broken. Contact Boswell if you are intrested.
Alceu Borges received his 'A' license! Congratulations Alceu!
Matt Doland - Matt Doland and his girl friend Melissa Eckert stopped by the DZ Momoral weekend. Matt was on leave from the army and just couldn't resist bring Melissa out for a tandem and getting in a jump for himself. <click here to see photo>
KAPS Match - The regular monthly KAPS match will be held on May 25 at the range near Bardstown.
The match will consist of 5 pistol stages, (107 rounds minimum) including the USPSA classifier stage CM99-55, Peek-A-Boo No-Shoots.
There will also be Shotgun Side
