The twelfth reunion of the Flying Circus was held in Portland, Maine. Read Armstrong set up shop for the group at the Holiday Inn By the Bay, and did a good job of herding the cats in the same direction.
Considering how the years have been marching by, and the fact that it had been four years since the last reunion because of the factors limiting travel and gatherings around the world, a fair few members attended this reunion. Even those who had not been able to attend a reunion for some years for various reasons made it this time. Whether it was the lovely Autumn weather, the discussions about the lobsters awaiting our arrival or simply the desire to get together with long standing friends and colleges after all these years, it was good to see the numbers who made it.
While there were a few small problems encountered during the time in Portland - the usual shortage of people working at venues being experienced around the world and a failure of one restaurant to have the space available for the number of people booked for a dinner which caused a problem for the group to find a new venue at the last minute - all else went pretty much to schedule. Our group did not let these small things interfere with their main goal of having a great time seeing each other again and reminiscing over past experiences. As the two protagonists over the debate on the cost of a lobster dinner ended up not being able to attend at the last moment, all bets were off.
One thing that has not dulled over the years, and was still very much in evidence at this reunion, is the warm friendship and camaraderie this small unit has continued to show each other over the years. I don't think many units can boast of such a reputation.
by F. Vanatta
The following members attended the reunion :
Armstrong, Read & Anne | "Stinky" |
Brattain, Bruce & Lois | "Batman" |
Caifa, Mike & Pat | "Cadillac Joe" |
Foster, Mike & Julie | "Crab" |
Gardiner, Ken & Sally | "Cisco" |
Conway, Bill & Lydia | "Swamp Fox" |
Harris, Jon | "Little Luke" |
Hirlston, Carl & Patsy | "Big H" |
Lashley, Warren & Linda | |
Maycen, Eddie | "Newguy" |
McAllister,
Charlie |
"Taters" |
Rossiter, Steve | "King Nine" |
Smith, Tom | "Atom Ant" |
Vanatta, Frank & Janice |
"Phantom" |
Zuhlke, Keith & Deb | "Zonk" |
Burkhalter,
Darrell |
friend of Ed Maycen |
Lane, Dana | friend of Charlie McAllister |
photos were taken candidly when people were not ready - so beware,: no complaints will be accepted
The
guys ... L-R M. Caifa, B. Conway, F. Vanatta , S. Rossiter, W. Lashley, M. Foster, T. Smith, J. Harris, E. Maycen, K. Zuhlke, C. Hirlston, K. Gardiner, B. Brattain, C. McAllister, R. Armstrong by C. McAllister |
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The gals ... L-R [not all that attended are in this photo] Deb
Zuhlke, Sally Gardiner, Linda
Lashley, Janice Vanatta, Lydia Conway, Anne Armstrong, Pat Caifa by C. McAllister
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Keith & Deb Zuhlke by C. Hirlston |
Lydia & Bill Conway by C. Hirlston |
Frank & Janice Vanatta by C. Hirlston |
Bruce Brattain & Lois by C. Hirlston |
Linda & Warren Lashley by C. Hirlston |
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J. Harris, T. Smith & K. Gardiner by M. Caifa |
Jon Harris by C. McAllister |
Mike & Pat Caifa by C. Hirlston |
Dana Lane by C. Hirlston |
Darrell Burkhalter by C. Hirlston |
Mike & Pat Caifa by C. Hirlston |
Jon Harris by C. Hirlston |
J. Harris, T. Smith & K. Gardiner by M. Caifa |
Dana Lane |
Darrell Burkhalter by C. Hirlston |
Fort Popham Keith Z., Steve R., Bill C., Frank V. by F. Vanatta |
photo of the photographers Janice V., Lydia C., Deb Z. by F. Vanatta |