MissBuffDiver

I will always remember the Swovelin Brothers when they came out to make their first jump. They fit in instantly and I can't remember which was the craziest. Then they got into freefall photography...I remember Pat always helping us girls...Pat you will be missed by soooo many people. Jerry my heart goes out to you and your family...RIP Pat...The star up their just gained another great skydiver...

No Larry, I plan on making them at Perris with Jim Wallace. I think Old Farts is the following weekend...

I am SANS # 1082...

I agree Larry...It just ain't what it used to be. I'm glad I was there in the 70's when everything we tried and accomplished was awesome. Now it's just too FAST. Canopies hall ass and there are way too many skydivers in the air at once to be safe. We were only really worried about a malfuntion, then when we looked up and saw a good canopy, all we had to do then was land it. There are too many people dying bcuz of canopy collisions and swooping...No thanks, I guess I got out when it was still fun and fairly safe.
I am planning to make a jump on my 33rd anniversary of my last jump...I might make 3 jumps that day with Air Trash so I can officially quit with 1000 jumps. I think Air Trash and Bully are more excited about it than I am. But then I have a bum leg that I will really have to protect on landing...I'm 65 now, so I'd like to make these 3 jumps for myself. I've had nothing but memories for the past 32 yrs. and with these 3 new jumps, I figure I'll make enough new memories to last me til me til I go to the Big DZ in the Sky...

Oh well, I had fun doing my 997 jumps. Loved being on SCR loads and of course the case of beer was always a plus...Come on over to FaceBook, I'm Sandy Harper-Calliham there. I'm the only one with that name so it's easy to find me. I have about 200 Skydivers in my friend list. I'm sure you know most of them. B.Parson, B.Celaya, C.Wickliffe, C.Bennett, D.Handbury, D.Henley, B.Krueger, P.Krueger, H.Asciutto, J.Ballard, J.Wilkins, J.Brasher, J.Jennings, K.Lane, K.Crabtree, L.Chernis, M.Stage, M.Sheerin, N.Kent, N.Gruttman, P.Swovelin, P.Works, R.Piccirilli, S.Fielding, S.Troeller, C.Doss, G.Young, The Conatsers, P.Perkins...That's just a few of them...Come on over we're having lots of fun...

Bud is on FB as are lots of us from the 70's...Look me up Sandy Harper Calliham I have about 150+ Skydivers in my friend list. We're having lots of fun talkin' bout the good OLD days...

CORRECTIONS REGARDING KEVIN DONNELLY

Funeral in Murrieta and Burial in Elsinore Fri. May 6 starting @ 10am

Gathering at Kevins House @ 1pm following Burial

Memorial and 10 Man tribute jump @ 5pm Sat. May 7
and BBQ/Keg @ 6:30pm to follow @ Skydive Elsinore

Check www.airtrash.com for more complete info and any changes...

Funeral in Murrieta, Burial at Elsinore Cemetary, and Memorial/BBQ/10 Man @ Elsinore DZ will be held on May 7, 2011. Go to www.airtrash.com to learn more about the arrangements for Kevin Donnelly...

Kevins Funeral, burial and Memorial at Elsinore are scheduled for May 7,11. Go to www.airtrash.com to get the full details..

Here are a couple Mark and Bobby photos...
ENJOY...

Mark and Bobby...2 of my buddy's from Perris. Mark was my boyfriend for about a yr. back in 79'. I miss his laugh. I can always hear it. I just close my eyes, picture his face and the laugh just happens....I'm sure I have a couple of photos to post...I'll look and post them tomorrow...RIP

Hey Carol,
I was asked by Carl to be in that first bunch. I couldn't make the climb though...Bum Leg...Bummer, since I was really into being the 1st female to do stuff...
I am the One and Only MissBuffDiver, so that is my claim to fame I guess...LOL
I know the first 10, that were with Carl, but I'll let them claim it for themselves.
1 of them was Bill H. I'll vouch for him cuz he doesn't have a computer...LOL

Sorry for the loss of Mack..
Yes, that day at Taft we lost a bunch of guys...
Al Frisby was suppose to be on that load, but he was too hung over...I remember him saying, "Damn I never thought alcohol would save my life."
Spike flew many Demos for the team I was on. Great guy.
Terry Ward (Twitchy) was quite the character in his own right and a hell of a nice guy..
Gypsy Dave was a crack-up and lived right behind me in Quail Valley. He made me a ring with a Quail and some turquoise in it.

Yes, there is one hell of a party going on up there. I just hope they don't run out of beer...

Dave your Dad was a very sweet Man, but I'm sure I don't have to tell you that....
Here is a photo of him with Gary Douris...
May they RIP....

Pat, I missed Don's Memorial too. I called Perris and they said it was postponed til Apr 30....Sooooo I thought well, I'll go to the Ashdive on the 30th...Then Jan Meyer told me that night about Kevin Donnelly's death. She also said she posted pics of Dons Memorial...Man did I feel stupid..
Anyway here's a photo that Jan took of Jerry Bourquin and Brian Williams at the Memorial...
Maybe I'll see you on the 30th...

The Ashdive didn't take place due to bad weather, but the Memorial Celebration did.
April 30th is the new day for Dons Ashdive. Be there at 2:30pm for the 3pm dive.
I've included a photo of Don in his 1940 Ford that he restored. The photo was taken May 2010 in Taft at The OLD Farts Annual Reunion...

OOPS...Forgot to post photo of Kevin Donnelly and Gary Douris & also a photo taken 4-23-11 of Brian Williams and Jerry Bourquin at Don 007 Celebration at Perris...

Kevin & Gary photo by Carol Roemer
Jerry & Brian photo by Jan Meyer

Yes Sparky this is true....Tryin' to stay one step ahead of the grim reaper the best I can....
Remembering back 30 yrs about all the shit I did that should have ended my life...Like jumping canopies that guys made at home and brought to the DZ...Doing things out of dares, cuz I was female...and a little crazy...
I guess we are still here for a reason...
Really hate to see all the OLD gang passing away...
But...this is life..
It just sucks....but I know there's one hell of a party goin' on up there and when it's my turn to go...there better be some beer left...

Jan Meyer told me this on FaceBook last night.
We are losing lots of the Old Timers Sparky. But then at our age that happens.
I have many fond memories of Kevin. Mostly from Elsinore. He was always so nice and had something great to say at all times.
He taught me a few things in the early 70's when I first started jumping.
I remember many things and loved all the things he had accomplished in the sport.
There must be one hell of a party going on UP there, cus lots of our friends have passed..
Blue Skies to Kevin and Thanks for the memories...

I learned of this in a FaceBook chat with Jan Meyer last night...Jerry Bourquin came from Az to attend Don's Ashdive at Perris, (which was WX delayed til the 30th). Jerry went to Kevins house after being at Perris and Kevin didn't answer the door. Jerry then called 911. They found Kevin inside, deceased. Very shocking. Kevin was such a good guy and will be missed by all that got the chance to meet him...
I think at our age we are losing many of the all time greats and pioneers of this sport. Kevin was both..
Blue Skies to you Kevin, hope you had a safe journey.
That Star up there just got a little brighter...

She was a great friend over the yrs and was a blast this past yr on FaceBook. Love her comments and all the photos from her and her daughter Pam. She will be missed and of course, never forgotten.
So, where have you been Sparky? Did you divorce FaceBook?

The ASHDIVE for Don has been set for 4-23-11 at Perris Valley DZ. The bad weather date is 4-30-11. The dive is at 3pm, with a celebration of life at 4pm poolside. The Conatsers will have a keg of beer, salsa and chips. Please go to Airtrash.com to sign the attendee list.
I have included a photo of Don at the 1974 SCR Scrambles at Elsinore. He just finished filming Jerry Birds team. WISH I had that footage...

The ASHDIVE for Don has been scheduled for 4-23-11 at Perris Valley DZ. It will be at 3pm, with a celebration of life to be held at 4pm poolside. If you will be attending, please sign the attendee list on Airtrash.com. The Conatsers will provide a keg of beer plus salsa and chips. In case of bad weather it will take place 4-30-11...
I added a photo that I took of Don at the 1974 SCR Scrambles at Elsinore. He just finished filming Jerry Birds team....

I love it when a smart good lookin' man talks dirty...and I didn't realize you jumped for 50 yrs...gosh I didn't even think you WERE 50......LOL...Congratulations on a life well lived...Friends, skydiving, writing, and a LITTLE WOMAN who has shared it with you...NOT BAD, my friend...I've always known MORE about you, than I've actually known YOU...either way, I'm blessed to know you in any way...

With elegant words, you said it all....Don would love your post Pat....
***Sometimes it is few words that write a story that is better than the book ~Me~