This is the president of the Tennessee Tree Toppers, Steve Lee starting the award ceremony. As you can see, there are alot of sacks on the table. They were filled with prizes, and plaques for outstanding flights, and for people that during the year went above and beyond what a normal member of the club would do. Happy to say that everyone that gets a bag, won't have to worry about ink-pens OR postcards this next year,,,,, you really had to be there to appreciate that little joke !
Doris received a basket full of homemade soaps, which Keith also makes. What a versatile guy !
No one could ever say enough about what this lady does for the flight park, and all of us pilots. We could never repay a mere portion of what she does. I hope little gifts here and there, and sincere thanks will suffice for now.

The most outstanding club member of the year , was Ollie Gregory. Here he is(on the left), chatting with Tom. There isn't enough terabytes to list everything this man has done for all of us pilots, and the 2 clubs. I'm honored to know him and to call him, friend. I wish I knew half of what he knows about weather forecasting !

This guy is a new pilot, and new to the flight park. However,,,,he does know how to make an entrance ! ! He cooked the turkey this year, and omg,,,, it was so good. Welcome to the flight park, Ricker. Don't even think about going anywhere else ! Not with a talent like you have !

Here's Toni helping me carve that delicious turkey. There was also salmon, and ham served with all the trimmings. The turkey didn't last. A few of the last folks in line didn't get any of it. I think someone said something about me being part cat, the way I got all the meat off the bone, ha ha.

Does anyone else think that they might like being a child at Christmas again???

This is the write up about the great Christmas party that we had here at Lookout Mtn. Flight Park, by a friend and fellow birdwannabe. Keith also has an article in this month magazine. It was written about a great site in New Mexico,,,,Alamogordo. I flew it a few years ago during one of their comps. Great folks All ! Yatahay Cindy & Tommy ! ! !

It was great seeing two of the best hang gliding club partying together. I think a lot of positive things will come of this party. Just a hunch.

Hello friends and neighbors,

The Tennessee Treetoppers held the 2007 annual party and awards banquet on December 15th.

Matt and Robin Tabor were kind enough to offer us the use of their The Lookout Mountain Flight Park clubhouse for the event. Doris hosted the party along with the help of her assistants (sorry I don't recall their names). Doris and crew prepared a huge, delicious banquet including roasted turkey, ham, salmon, and a cornucopia of sides and deserts too numerous to list.

Matt Tabor and the Treetoppers provided two kegs of Sierra Nevada beer for the party. An estimated 100 people attended the party and all had a terrific time! TTT's president, Steve Lee, did an outstanding job as Master of Ceremonies in his usual inimitable style of friendliness and humor that made everyone feel welcome. He provided an account of the Tree Toppers' "best year ever".

"Favorite neighbor" gifts of soap baskets and hams were given to at least five property owners in appreciation for making us all welcome when we land on their property. Awards were given for notable flights in 2008 including Dave Hopkins for his incredible record breaking flight of 135 miles from Henson's Gap to Florence, Alabama the day after the close of 2008 Team Challenge. Ollie Gregory, Eric Donaldson, Stan Roberts, David Giles, Steve Lee, Kathy Lee, Greg Heckman, and Marc Fink also had fantastic flights this year! These pilots had some amazing flights and the details will be forthcoming in the next news letter along with the names and flights for any pilots I forgot to mention, here. (I apologize if I left anyone out!) Dave received a beautiful wall plaque with an engraved picture of his Henson's launch, a Treetoppers t-shirt, Treetopper pens, and post cards of our Prez's USHPA November calendar picture of his launch at Henson's. All the other record holding pilots received a framed certificate and a Treetopper goody bag. Matt Tabor was given a Treetoppers goody bag and Doris was given a soap basket and goody bag for hosting the party.

Steve also showed off a framed picture of his calendar photo that the Treetoppers Board of Directors gave him in appreciation for his many years of service to the Treetoppers club. The Board also gave Kathy Lee a soap basket for the many years she has served as our First Lady. Thank you, Steve and Kathy, for everything you do for us.

Ollie Gregory was voted the 2007 Tennessee Treetopper of the Year for his generous support of the Treetoppers all year long. Ollie developed the TTTFlymail Yahoo forum that has been so helpful for us to keep up with everyone's flying achievements, provided blip map forecasts he posted on TTTFlymail daily, and was the developer and driving force behind this year's top notch, very successful Team Challenge.

Thanks, Ollie, for all that you do.

Thanks to everyone who attended; we had a great time. We missed all of you that could not make it to the party and hope you will come next year. Spread the word about The Tennessee Treetoppers, come fly with us, make plans to attend Team Challenge 2008, and join The Tennessee Treetoppers to make "The Best Hang Gliding Club in America" even better!

Keith Atkins

Memphis