IN 
􀀀, EAA CHAPTER 690 in Lawrenceville, Georgia, introduced a
program for young folks age 14 and up. The hope was to provide a
way for young people with a deep interest in aviation to get flight
training. The program started with a single project, an ultralight
Pietenpol that our youths began by constructing wing ribs. After
some time, we were able to add additional projects including a BD-6,
provided by the Bede Family Foundation; a full-size Pietenpol,
donated by a chapter member; a Continental
A-65 rebuild, which was another donation
to the chapter; and assorted RC modeling
projects.

At our first meeting, we had a half-dozen
youths present, and we grew from there. In
the five-plus years since then, we have had
100 youths come through our program, getting
an opportunity to learn about aircraft
construction, proper tool usage, safety, and
leadership. Each member has an opportunity
to earn credits that can later be used for
flight training. The chapter has a relationship
with a flying club on the field. The club,
AeroVentures, provides a C-150 for our
youths and has even provided pro bono
instruction to them. To date, the program
has produced six private pilots. We have
also had two Ray scholars thanks to EAA,
and our second recently soloed.

Of the original six youths, three are now
private pilots, with one of those now serving
in the U.S. Navy as a helicopter pilot. His first
logged time was in an EAA Ford Tri-Motor. A
fourth is our second Ray scholar. EAA Chapter
690 is proud to have been able to help these
young folks achieve a dream of theirs.
Chapter 690 has been active in the
Young Eagles program since its inception,
having flown thousands of young folks along
the way. Of our newly minted private pilots,
three of them are now paying it forward by flying Young Eagles
themselves. Our first is Jeremy Welch, EAA 1205372. Jeremy earned
his private certificate on his 17th birthday and has gone on to earn
his instrument rating and has now flown 38 Young Eagles. Next was
Alex Kirkland, EAA 1226848. I had the privilege of taking Alex on
his first Young Eagles flight in 2014. Alex earned his private certificate
in October of 2018 and has now flown 88 Young Eagles. Our
third original youth member is Alex Straka,
EAA 1141642. Alex started with our program,
took a break, and returned last year. Alex
began his training last July and earned his
private certificate on January 9 of this year.
He has done this while being a college student
and a part of the AFROTC at Georgia
Tech. A week after earning his certificate,
Alex flew seven Young Eagles at our monthly
rally and has now flown a total of 10.
It is wonderful to see these young folks
grow and continue to participate in chapter
events.

 It is a pleasure to be involved withthis program, see it grow, and watch these
young folks grow.
112􀀀

Just got some news. Three relatives have died and a fourth is about to.

Male cousin in his 90s just died supposedly from covid. His wife is hospitalized and not expected to live, maybe has covid too, not sure.

Female cousin also in her 90s broke a hip and had surgery and went downhill immediately and died last night.

Another female cousin age 76 just died who was in poor health. Not sure of that was being called for covid.

All of these are in western PA.  The only one I was really close to was the one that broke her hip. She was like a second mother.  

Now my own mom is the last one left of her generation.