THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF SILVER WINGS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Fall 2015
From Our President After a few glitches and cold, windy weather in BOS, we sailed into great weather and a lovely cruise. As a matter of fact, one of the tour guides in Bar Harbor, Maine, said it was the best weather since June. Not many trees had changed color, but the cities and their history were both beautiful and interesting. The lobster rolls weren’t bad either. We raised over $1,000 through our raffle on the ship. The scarves donated by the chapters were gorgeous. Not only have our members been great flight attendants, but they have very serious artistic ability. Thank you to all who donated a scarf. So far SWI has raised over $9,000 for our charities, the TWA Museum and the Flight 800 Memorial. You have until December 10 to send in your contributions to our charity committee. Make your checks out to SWI and send them to Patricia Stevens, 65 W. 96th St., Apt 16G, New York, NY 10025.
Katie Norvell was reelected as Vice President and Stephanie Byrne was reelected as Treasurer for two more years. Thank you for your service. Thanks to all the volunteers who helped out in the Crew Lounge during the cruise. Your help was greatly appreciated. Plus thanks to our BOS chapter, especially Lynne McNamara and Barbara Rutman and Connie Ingham, for their help at the Embassy Hotel. Next year our convention will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, at Paris Las Vegas which is in the middle of the Strip. It will be held October 5 through October 9. That convention will be my last as SWI President. Anyone interested, please give me a call, and I’ll go over some of the duties of the president. Remember... you’ll be working with a great group of women that serve on the board PLUS the rewards are immeasurable!
Deanna
SWI Convention/New England Cruise aboard Royal Caribbean " Brilliance of the Seas "” Notes taken by Priscilla Harrison: A blustery October 4th in Boston found wind blown F/As and families lining up to board the ship! No luggage to schlep, rather it was to be delivered to our staterooms! So we settled in and changed for dinner as we slipped out of Boston harbor under guidance of a pilot. First stop, Portland, Maine. Many took tours of Portland or Kennebunkport, while others hit the streets in old town for shopping and culinary delights for which Portland is known. One group rode the historic narrow gauge RR (1879-1935), saw Fort Williams Park with Portland Head Light and had lunch in SOPo (South Portland). Back aboard for SWI cocktail party and dinner while “Brilliance” motored out bound for Bar Harbor. Another sunrise arrival at this playground for the rich and famous. Here we anchored in the harbor and were carried ashore by tender. Known for it’s spectacular coastline, Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island was a favorite tour. “Must see” sights included Thunder Hole and the top of Mt. Cadillac.
St.John was next. Much to see from seaport to original buildings and old churches to the University of New Brunswick. We toured a Loyalist House, a covered market place and nearby park. St. John is also known for huge tides in the Bay of Fundy. A nice cool draft beer helped ease our tired feet. Our day “at sea” was a bit choppy. The SWI annual meeting took place and we had our farewell cocktail party with the raffle. There were seven scarves donated to be won and seven lucky winners. Halifax was our last adventure. We walked to the Citadel and saw the changing of the guard. The canon fired exactly at NOON. Employees were in period dress and answered questions and gave bits of history. We toured St Paul’s Anglican Church, est. 1750. Not far away was the Old Burying Ground. We rounded out our tour strolling through the Public Gardens. Walking back to the ship we passed a Starbucks…well, you can guess what happened! Everyone trying to download email! Tomorrow morning, Oct 11th, return to Boston. What great memories!
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Chapter Chatter Don’t miss out on the fun at your next chapter gathering! PALM SPRINGS
PHILADELPHIA ~ ‘Meet and Eat” CONNECTICUT ~ The CT Chapter of Silver Wings held their annual fall luncheon at the home of Bonnie (Munyon) Janson in Ridgefield, CT on September 27th. Twenty-five ladies from Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Maine attended. Front Row: Lissi Gray, Lilian Inferri, Jovonna Brown Klein, Jan Kappel 2nd Row: Avon Ullah, Fran Haas, Priscilla Harrison, Myra Lubeck, Valerie Roffe, Carole Thomassy 3rd Row: Stephanie Byrne, Tung Lei Wong, Gloria Sloboda, Helen Raasch, Patricia Whitelock, Bonnie Munyon Janson,Toni Marquez 4th Row: Elaine Coleman, Andrea Parker Back Row: Nancy Kulinski, Carol Ogsbury, Helen Flanagan, Barbara Bachuretz, Edel Schmeding (Not pictured were Patti Polk and Kathy Howell)
SAN FRANCISCO ~ Jeannie Corrigan, Anna Singlair, Maureen Cannon
SAN FRANCISCO ~ Mary Roberts, JoAnn Barter, Janet Van Pelt, Winona Smith
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LOS ANGELES ~ Carol SchmidtPennevaria, Betty Ford
ARIZONA ~ Front: Elly Shaub, Alice Batche, Kathy Ince, Diana Nellison, Mary Roberts, Jodie Wheeler, Nora Mitchell, Kathie Burke Back: Corinne Kocher, Ronnie Bohlander, Susan Warren, Shelia Prince, Connie Bynum
SAN FRANCISCO ~ Beverly Vance, Frankie Baxter
LOS ANGELES ~ Denae Liebman, Patti Hill
SAN FRANCISCO ~ Judy Smith Kennedy, Jodi Wheeler, Judy Provance
SAN FRANCISCO ~ Kathy Heil, Danny Bridgeman, Marilyn Kregel
LOS ANGELES ~ Karen Sikora, Marilyn Thomas
LOS ANGELES ~ Lorie Kingery, Mary Teegarden, Ludie McIntosh
Interview with
Shirley Beck
By Kaye Juhl [Editor’s Note: “One of our oldest and dearest, Shirley Beck, passed away July 6 in Santa Monica, CA. She began her 42 year career at TWA in 1944. She was instrumental in the unionization of TWA Hostesses and was working full time with IFFA until her retirement in 1986. A special Celebration of Life was held in August at the LAX Flight Path Museum.” The following interview took place in May 2015.] ........................................................
how Orson Wells gave up his seat for a woman meeting her military husband, and having an hour long conversation with the reserved Charles Lindbergh. On a “round the world trip” by herself she was a novelty and was treated like royalty. She was interviewed in Hong Kong for BBC and in Tokyo for a local newspaper. She flew Hilton charters to Cairo and Athens, the Nixon Charter, and several missionary charters to less known places such as Riyad, Nepal (where she had lunch with Sir Hillary), Africa and the Far East.
hirley was first based in Chicago and flew DC-3’s. In 1950 she went to live in New York flying International flights. She talked of the method schedulers used to track crew members. A “tag system” was used. Tags moved up and revolved on a board as the flight attendant worked a flight. Once, when she hadn’t been called for over a week, Shirley notified scheduling and her tag was found under a nearby desk.
A favorite story that Shirley shared was the time in the very early days that she forgot to pick up the silverware for the flight. Silverware was checked out and then checked back in before and after each flight. In tears she asked the captain what she should do. He told her to stand at the front of the cabin under her nameplate and apologize to the passengers. She cried as she announced how steaks would be served during the flight but no eating utensils would be provided. Passengers were great sports while eating with their fingers.
TWA was known as the airline of celebrities and dignitaries. Greta Garbo, John Glenn, Bishop Sheehan were among the many Shirley met. She recalled
Shirley had done some union work in Chicago. In New York she became a contract negotiator working with dismissal and discipline cases. Shirley
S
The Good Ol’ Days
spent the week days working in New York and weekends at her home in Los Angeles with her beloved husband, Jack. Shirley has been a singer most of her life. She volunteers for a group that benefits retired entertainers who don’t have families. She was made an honoree member of the Motion Picture Mothers and has given over 20 fund raising luncheons. She attends as many Silver Wings functions as possible always remembering TWA as “A great ride with great places and great friends on the best airline with the very best crews.” ▶
Flown West
Returning From Hawaii
Shirley Hutchinson Beck Valorie Gardner July 6, 2015 June 11, 2015 Photos Unavailable
Patti Glover May 26, 2015
Sherill Ellison Wright, Kay Fisher Hopkins, Sharon Hanson, Jan Reecher Edwards
Shirley Carhart June 9, 2015
Margaret “Peggy” Maguire June 15, 2015
“Sammie” Bahruth October 29, 2015
Mary Ellen Benjamin Conklin June 22, 2015
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Cherie Kohler, Dee Balfour, Gloria Hryncewich
Trish Balsamo, Barbara Sahar, Zee Thompson
Cheryl Sweet kisses a lobster!
Cherie Weymouth Kohler with Elly Shaub
Back: Sandy Robinson, Zee Thompson, Carol Sager, Betsey Fisher, Jeanne Reeves Front: Lynda Holston, Pam wood
Lynda Holston, Barbara Sahar, Zee Thompson
Rose McIntosh, Brenda Wong, Bobbie Buescher
Kaye Juhl, Mary Ann Graziano, Pam Wood, Sharon Alexander Gold, Pam Hollis, Jeannie Teschke, Kathy Kyte, Nancy Nichols, Pat Latham Jan Ellis with Mary Schaefer
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Pat Cochard and Carole Salisbury at Portland Lighthouse
Mary Roberts, Mary Lou Mets-Phipps, Carolyn Hausam
Gun Godbeer and Kay Hopkins
Kaye Juhl and Marcia Kent
Vicki Stipovich with Jeannie Teschke
Nancy Busche-Fedon
Pam Griffin and Pat Holmes
Ladonna Piper, Sharon Harner, Karen Lantz-Feith
Swantze Kyne-Levin, Karin Verri, Karin Hess-Stockler, Rosita Woryna
Pat Frederick-Perona, Patti Churchill
Priscilla Harrison and Becky Sisca
Roberta Reynolds and Jeannie Reeves
Sharon Alexander-Gold and husband Herb
Pat Cochard and Sandy Jamieson
Linda Fjoslien and Jeannie Reeves
Vicki Stipovich,Priscilla Harrison,Peter Dixon
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Alice Batsche with Al and Klea Walin
Alice Batsche, Connie Bynum Anita Ridpath, Rebecca Sisca, Lynne Schwarzenbek, Lea Caliandro, Margaret Albert, Vicki McGowen
Kaye Juhl, Pam Wood, Pam Slaven Griffin, Jeanne Teschke Peter Dixon and Carolyn Hausam
Joyce Sheridan, Judy Johnson, Kathy Ince, Susan Perry, Gretchen Pohlman
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Portland Lighthouse
Deanna Ayers, Ladonna Piper, Sharon Harner
Erica Richardson, Barbara Sahar, Zee Thompson
Erica Ruitenbach-Richardson and Jane Tobias-Hilton
Howard Hall with lobster friend
Pat Holmes and Gail Williams
Lea Caliandro
Stephanie Byrne
Mary Klatt with Kaye Juhl Carol Harding, Bobbi Buescher, Rose McIntosh, Lesley Shariary
Pat Cochard and Captain of Brilliance of the Seas
Pat Latham
Jeanne Corrigan and Joanne Austin in Bar Harbor, Maine
Connie Bynum, Jayne Souza
Stephanie Byrne, Valerie Roffe, Priscilla Harrison
Valerie Roffe
Sandy Robinson, Lynda Holston, Kay Hopkins, Carol Sager
Patti Churchill, Adina Wineland
Mary Klatt, Katie Norvell
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Chicago Chapter ~ Front: Carole Salisbury, Ann Gerardo, Dee Balfour Back: Sue Infante, Karin Hess-Stocker, Pat Cochard, Connie Bynum, Hilde Parker
Joy Gunter
Lynne Schwarzenbeck
Dee Balfour and Sue Infante
Jeannie Southwood, Betty Howes Boudana, Patti Sullivan, Carolyn Blair, Betsy Fisher, Jan Kappel, Brenda Wong
Brenda Lucas with Corrine Kocher
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Suzanne Marchisello, Eddie Garcia, Gunn Godbeer, Nancy Lusk, Elaine Galloway
Carole Salisbury, Anita Ridpath, Ann Gerardo, Dee Balfour, Sue Infante, Diana Fray Nelinson, Hilde Parker, Margaret Anthony, Karin Hess-Stocker, Pat Cochard, Connie Bynum
Irene and Joe DeCelles
Katie Norvell, Mary Klatt, Susan Warren
Pat Young, Carole Salisbury, Joycelyn Dunlap, Pat Cochard, Sandy Jamieson, Ann Gerardo, Joan Andrews and Joy Zimpfer at cocktail party
Stopping for Internet Fix - Vicki, Peter, Marcia, Frank
Jody Wheeler, Jan Jones, Emily Murphy, Irene Scott Sue Infante and Joyce Sheridan
Pat Fusco, Vern Kappius, Erica Richardson, Brenda Wong, Candy Fontana
Jo Burge, Carol Kershner Pighin, Candy Fontana, Judy Johnson
Pam Hollis
Mimi Silva-Smith, Gunn Godbeer, Susan Perry
Pat Hassler, Marilyn Mosely, Ludie McIntosh
Judy Johnson
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Kristen Okimoto and Brenda Wong
Betsy Fisher Betty Readle
Pam Wood
Patti Churchill
Gloria Sloboda Hryncewich Kathy Kyte
Karen Lantz-Feith
Ludie McIntosh
Jane Durand
Jan Fleming
Shelia Prince
Susan Warren
Cherie Weymouth Kohler & Alice Rains Batsche
Tish Thinsen Nancy Nichols
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Scarves for Raffle
Philadelphia Chapter Phoenix Chapter Scarf
Los Angeles Chapter Scarf
Sheila Prince with Chicago Scarf High Sierra Nevada Chapter Scarf San Diego Chapter Scarf
Knit scarf by Mary Lou Metts-Phipps
Great Lakes Scarf
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230 Wilton Road Westport, CT 06880-2338
February 10, 2016 will be the cutoff date for receipt of pictures & articles for the next newsletter. Please include names with photos!
“It’s Baaaaack!”
2015 Board of Directors President Deanna Ayers Vice President Katie Norvell Secretary Valerie Roffe
TWA “Wings of Pride” aircraft is now back home in Kansas City/MKC at the TWA Museum, 10 Richards Road
Treasurer Stephanie Byrne Website Manager Anita Ridpath Newsletter Editor Lee Ann Phillips Weise
Flight Attendants Are Unique!
SAVE THE DATE LAS VEGAS! Paris Las Vegas Hotel October 5 - 9, 2016
Silver Wings 29th Annual Convention 2016