JUNE, 1963
THE PIEDMONITOR
PAGE FIVE
PIEDMONT PRESS NOTES
WASHINGTON-CTO—Peggy Edmondson writes:
“We now know that Washington has a better on-time
record than Atlanta by beating them by five per cent.
Too bad they couldn’t enjoy the spoils. We’re in full
swing for the Visit Hawaii contest. We had a promo
tion meeting with the showing of a film and a cock
tail party, with both United and Piedmont taking
part. We sure appreciate those UAL passes. Jim Beck
and Joe Barber just returned from a two-week jaunt
in Europe compliments of Air France. Jim just
couldn’t get in the habit of going back to work so he
took a long weekend in Portland, compliments of UAL.
Ruth Revell just returned from basking in the sun
at Nassau. She advises everyone to take advantage of
the excellent airline discount at the British Colonial
Hotel.”
RICHMOND-F — There’s a new face around RIC
in the person of Anna Metzler, a former Eastern em
ployee. Latest vacationers, reports Marie Prillaman,
are Gene Jarvis, Bob Query, and Tom Farmer. Tom
went to Hawaii — just couldn’t wait for that UAL
contest. Don MacPherson just bought a new car which
should finish up the new car buying spree for the
staff. Celebrities flying Piedmont via RIC recently
include Eddie Albert, Liberace and his companion,
Jan McArt. By the way, says Marie, Liberace didn’t
have his piano, only carry-on luggage this time. “I
like to brag,” Marie continues, “especially when it
comes to quota. RIC was again ‘way over quota for
May’ despite the bad weather days and holidays. If
we don’t win the UAL-PAI contest, we missed a darn
good chance. Every Agent here, including the boss, has
really worked hard at it. With summer and the heat
well on the way, other vacationers this month are
John Wiedensaul, Jim Thompson, and Mary Harris.
CINCINNATI-CTO — They’re a travelin’ bunch
around that office. Globe trotters include Lois Jordan
to Buffalo, N. Y.; Babe Reder to San Francisco; Kathy
Feldman, Marge Rickhoff, Rose O’Hare, Ed Laskowski,
and Jane Griffith to the Kentucky Derby in Louis
ville (no, it just wasn’t their day); and Jan Tuemler
to Miami. Paul Loar has been walking around looking
heroic with his arm in a sling. Messed it up playing
baseball. Ed Wisnieski is the manager of the team.
New Agents there include Babe Reder, Gail Walsh,
and Marge Rieckhoff. Plans are being made for the
annual CVG picnic scheduled for June 29.
ATLANTA-R — “Louise Ramsey cooked chili for
the crowd the other night,” writes Bernie Blair, “and
a good time was had by all. Robert Talley has returned
to ATL after a week of vacation at Roxboro, N. C.
A number of people in reservations have been flying
with United lately. Jane Kinsey visited NYC and LAX,
I visited NYC, SFO, LAX, and HOU, and Ann Haskins
visited her home in TPA. Our department is planning
a party before long and everyone is looking forward
to it, complete with beer and steak. ATL-R welcomes
June Scarboro as a new Agent. Eddie Bear is going
to JAN, Miss., on vacation. Everyone was glad to see
Iona Carr on a little visit to ATL recently.”
ROCKY MOUNT — Writes Frank Slone: “There
have been several developments here since we last
reported. We held our steak dinner March 13 at the
Holiday Inn. We were trying to outrace the stork,
but Agent E. B. Field’s wife, Joan, just didn’t wait that
long. Attending the dinner from INT were R. E.
Turbiville, Ken Ross, Bob Reed, and Bill Clark, and
Chester Nutt from RDU. Chief Agent Henry Minnick’s
wife, Martha, gave birth to a boy, Dwight David, on
April 16. All are doing fine. Henry spent part of his
holidays in ROA and brought his boat back in order
to do some tall fishing. Haven’t seen any results of
any catches yet. Agent Bill Bone is now vacationing.
He’s an ardent fisherman and has been fishing and
visiting other stations to see how they operate. Agents
Larry CUne and Wendell Gabriel took advantage of
the UAL pass offer and spent a few days in MIA.
ATLANTA-0 — ATL is bemoaning the loss of
the on-time contest to DCA, but celebrating its re
sults, reports J. R. Comer. ATL has a high average
of 87.4 per cent on-time departures. DCA, though, has
89.2 per cent. The prize was a round of “beverage”
furnished by the losing station. A party was held in
DCA to make the presentation of the prize, and
shortly afterwards a paper towel with the following
message was sent to Manager Bruce Parrish: “Dear
Bruce and ATL-0, R, M, C, etc. Here’s just a few
signatures of a few. of the personnel present this
evening. We greatly appreciate the beer. We just
consumed the case you sent us and have 12 more to
go. Can you imagine? Thanks for the contest, we en
joyed it and wish you and the fellows lotsa’ luck next
time!” It was signed by DCA Manager Don Shanks,
and the rest of the towel was covered with the signa
tures of those at the party. Lead Agent Tommy Young
is the proud papa of an eight-pound, nine-ounce girl.
Mom, dad, and daughter are all fine, with Dad taking
his vacation to help while the Mrs. is recuperating.
Agent Bob Turbyfield is going on vacation soon,
planning a romp in the Miami sun. Agent Cecil Benton
recently returned from vacation after spending his
time fishing in ILM. He reports that fish are biting
good, but not for him.
HICKORY — The station has had its share of
celebrities during the past month. Jerry Lee Lewis
was first, followed by the Four Preps, and the Jour
neymen. The Four Preps gave a performance at near
by Lenoir Rhyne College while the Journeymen played
Appalachian State Teachers College. Reporter Fred
Classey has just returned from two weeks in Florida,
as has Tom Pennell. Wayne Tucker is next in line
but says he’ll take it easy at home. “We hope to have
some fellow employees visit sometime soon,” says
Fred, “and we’ll try not to pull anybody off here on
their way to Atlanta. Maybe that’s the only way we
can get somebody down there to visit us. Ask Don
Britt about that. Two of our Agents, Tom Pennell and
Doyle Keever, are expecting new additions to their
families soon. Doyle and his wife are hoping for a
girl, but Tom and his wife don’t have any particular
preference.”
DANVILLE — '‘Jerry Cox and Lee Jayne took ad
vantage of the UAL pass authorization by touring the
West Coast,” writes Bill Pearman. “They stopped at
Chicago, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Richard
Smith teamed up with Lyle Cox of GSO and went to
Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. All
reported having a fine time except for one minor
detail — they ran out of money. Russell Price spent
his vacation in DAN because he didn’t have any
money to run out of. We certainly did enjoy Doelph
Pitcock and Guy Rawley of SHD dropping by for a
visit on their way back from receiving their Five-
Year Pins. Congratulations to you both and hurry
back to see us.”
PARKERSBURG-MARIETTA — Reports Virg
Flinn: “With the new reservations structure in effect
the same day as Mr. Cooper made his flight, we some
times felt as if we were further out in space than he
was. The most popular book in PKB was the Revised
Traffic Manual. Looks like we are finally going to
get an operations room at PKB. Plans are to start
work in June on a new addition to the present of
fice and to remodel the ticket counter.”
CINCINNATI-F — “Weddings and babies are the
story at CVG-F this month,” writes our reporting duo
of Elaine Sturr and Bob Steppe. “A1 Anness has re
turned from honeymooning in Miami, while Bob
Steppe announced his engagement to Joan England.
Vern McCord is the proud papa of a boy and Ron
Kelly is waiting for the coming event at a moment’s
notice. Our bowling team has finished in sixth place,
which actually isn’t too bad. The Derby was a dis
appointment here — ‘No Robbery’ sure robbed us all.
Vacations saw Rose O’Hara journeying to Miami
while Walt Jacobs visited California and Larry Strunk
just enjoyed home life.”
WINSTON-SALEM — Proud winners in the Pied
mont Noontime League received their shiny wood
and metal awards during lunch time ceremonies June
3. Leading the pack for first place were Wilma Cook
and George Price. Getting trophies for second place
were Sara Welch and C. W. Gough. Barbara Boles had
the highest women’s average of 195 while Wimpy
Fishel led the men at 201. Bowling the highest single
games were Helen Hull with 247, and L. J. Lambert
with 281. Treva Wilson received the Achievement
Award for making the most improvement. All the
above scores include the players’ handicaps.
COLUMBUS — Shirley Sword and Joanne Short
are giving the UAL familiarization passes a vote of
thanks. Shirley used hers to visit SFO, and Joanne
went to MEM. Shirley and husband Orval are plan
ning another trip soon, going to Europe, Asia, and
Africa, with a week’s stay scheduled with the Airport
Controller of the Carlo, Egypt, Airport. Manager Bill
Cash has turned pro golfer lately by turning in a
score of 73, one over par. Keith Douglass and Joe
Frase took a fishing trip to (appropriately) Piedmont
Lake, where Joe caught the first and last fish, and
Keith caught the rest. Cloyd Walters is going next
time, says reporter Ray Campbell, to even out the
catch. Ray ends his report with the following com
mendation: “We know some stations on our system
do not have the privilege of associating with our out
standing Piedmont crews, but please let it be heard
that they are to be commended on their ideal ex
ample to the public and our own personnel. It is an
honor to work with them. Our thanks to the crews for
giving us quality as well as outstanding performance.”
CHARLESTON — Ruth Shumate sends this ac
count of the recent CRW dinner: “Yum! A marvelous
dinner and grand time was had by one and all. The
event was held at the Holiday Inn and the marquee
of the Inn located on Big Kanawha Blvd. named the
event CRW Piedmont Anniversary. Chamber of Com
merce Manager Charles Hodges and his wife were
special guests. To climax the evening a combo furn
ished music for dancing. And the dance was con
cluded with a visit from the Kingston Trio who just
finished a local concert. They traveled Piedmont to
RIC the following day. We have added to our list of
charters. The annual Bell Lines Charters to the In
dianapolis 500 took along the Elks Club members this
year, 40 in all. We also enjoyed groups from Corning
Fiber Glass products to Pittsburg and another charter
to Indianapolis for Van Zandt Supply. Toots and Bill
Hanson vacationed in Florida as did Joyce and Allen
Perry. Charlotte Fuda used her United Airlines pass
for a trip to SFO. We’re sorry to lose transferring
Phil Bostick to BLF and Charlie Legg to RDU. Ameri
can reservations has been moved to CVG and in a few
months United will take over their field operations.
COLUMBIA — CAE’s Flo Merritt tells about an
unexpected fishing paradise: “Fishermen here had a
field day recently,” she writes, “as the airport pond,
being drained in conjunction with a beautification
program for the new airport, left hundreds of fish
floundering in the few remaining inches of water.
Many, even without the assistance of a fishing pole,
carried home large hemp sacks filled with bass and
crappies. Vacationers temporarily absent from our
midst include John Lawrence and family enjoying a
trip by car out west to Denver. Following John’s
return, Flo Merritt and family hope to escape the
soaring temperatures by spending a few days in her
hometown in the Allegheny mountains of Pennsyl
vania. We enjoyed recent ‘first’ visits from Tom
Cowen and Preston Wilbourne of INT.”
FAYETTEVILLE — Reporter Carl Bowden would
like to announce that with the Winter Bowling League
over, their team won a trophy with a difference —
it was for last place. An individual trophy went to
Robert Beard for the second high game in the league.
Latest vacationers included Carl, who stayed home
painting. Bill Wooten, and Robert Beard and family,
who went to Cocoa Beach, Fla., where they saw
“Gordo” take off on his famous flight. New boating
enthusiasts are three Roberts: Robert Nunnery, Robert
Bennington, and Robert Beard.
PULASKI — “Manager Milt Ward is vacationing
in Corpus Christi, Tex.,” writes Glen . Shanks, “and
Dan Love and family will be on holidays by the time
this is off the press. Ronnie Price is doing fine after
minor surgery for his sinus and allergies. He was
tested for about 150 things and was allergic to about
half of them. Milt Ward and I enjoyed covering for
BLF while that station enjoyed the steak. I wonder
if they ever got the place straightened up after the
mess we left? I also wonder if they ever got that wild
cow off the runway! The local Industrial Commission
personnel were well pleased with the two recent
charters from here to RIC. Everything worked out
nicely and it was good publicity for Piedmont.”
SHENANDOAH — Bob Lipscomb announces that
the SHD outer is in full swing and the limits of 400
and one are working out fine. Give them the business
fellows, he says, and they expect no — repeat no —
overflys. Vacations are the order of the day there and
the Agents left are really putting out the work. Ave
rage boardings are now slightly over 40 per day.
ASHEVILLE — Regular reporter Naomi McGuinn
is on vacation and subbing Evon Whitacre said they
received a card from Naomi in Seattle, then Las
Vegas, then nothing, which leads them to believe her
money gave out. Manager Jack Gwennap was going
to rest on his vacation but his wife and mother-in-law
soon had him painting, cleaning, and waxing. The
three B’s (for bachelors) — Dave Cameron, Bill Tal
bert, and Eddie Gabriel — all have plans for the sum
mer but won’t tell anyone what they are. They just
walk around with crazy smiles on their faces.
LOUISVILLE — “American Airlines reservations
moved to CVG this week,” reports Howard Hughes,
“leaving behind a lot of friendly memories among
Piedmont Agents in SDF. To show our feelings for
all the fine cooperation we’ve had from them, we sur
prised them with a huge, beautiful cake, decorated
appropriately for the occasion. Coffee was served and
a special going-away card, created by Agent Mac
Moore, was presented. Agent Bob Gilbert has become
a ‘Big Daddy’ for the second time. He and Thelma
welcome little Miss Sally Jean. Mac Moore says all
one has to do to have the nicest time possible is to
take a trip on a flight with Capt. Watley, a fishing
voyage with Capt. A1 Page, come home in a horrible
thunderstorm, and top it all off with a grilled King
Mackerel caught on the trip. Mary Kost and Bob Brad
ford insist a trip to INT for a few days does the most
for you. But then Ron Shanks and wife say stay home!