I think I talk for everyone when I say it’s nice to be jumping again. Even though it wasn’t 75 with a slight ocean breeze, it wasn’t blowing snow sideways. 

We started the week off hosting a coach’s course with Bram and Ely from skydiveratings.com.  They had 9 in the course with 100% pass rate.  Local jumpers Biff, Bryan, Randy and Amy were in the course.  Congratulations to all the new coaches. 

Up next is the tandem and AFF course.  Bram mentioned they have 7 people signed up so this means lots of otter loads!! 

Friday night was busy up in the skylounge.  With the weather forecast not looking so good I think there were a few people trying to drink it clear.  With $6 all you can drink it made for a good night! 

Saturday was on and off with the weather but David, Heather, Tru and Troy were busy getting the AFP students back up to speed.  With refresher classes running simultaneous it was good to see the great teamwork. 

Saturday night we held the staff meeting.  With a full classroom I feel blessed that so many people help out in various ways.  After all, SDC wouldn’t be the place it is without the help of my great staff.  With a lot of new ideas and eagerness to get the season in full swing I’m excited for the season ahead. 

I received great response in my request about solar power.  I thank everyone for sharing the information they have.  I hope to have a solar power system installed at SDC by the end of the year.  Hopefully this will reduce the power bill and we can lower the campground rent!

Saturday night the skylounge was packed with many staff members taking advantage of the delicious lasagna prepared by Genie’s Café. You can always tell when it’s getting warmer by the people you see out.  AS some say I don’t jump till the temperature is higher then my age.  For some of us that’s freezing, but for others they don’t even need to own gloves!!

Sunday started out a little chilly but the 4-way teams were in the hangar stretching by 9am.  As the temperature got warmer, more and more people started showing up.  By midday the loads were going back to back.  Thanks to David and Frank for getting all the AFPs in the air. 

I’d like to welcome Pete Schweier to skydiving.  Pete is enrolled in the AFP in a Week program.  Pete most know to be nice to manifest, as he brought them chocolate on the first day!  Congratulations Pete and I look forward to being on your graduation jump.  

As some of you saw the new and improved manifest we are trying to get some new pictures to cover the walls.  If you have any that you would like to submit they must be high res so we can blow them up.  Please send to Rook@skydivechicago.com or drop off a disk in manifest. 

This coming weekend is going to be busy for us.  Mad City from Wisconsin and IIT from Chicago will be with us.  We are gearing up staff-wise to handle the load so get ready to see SDC in full swing! 

Swoopers get ready the first rounds of Swoop club is happening this Sunday.  Swoop club is a beginner to advance swoop competition.  Wheels are up at 9am so make sure you sign up with Mike Wittenburg Saturday night. 

I will see you this weekend.

Rook