A lot of people came out this past weekend to take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather this past weekend here at Skydive Chicago.  We also had a lot of students from Mad City come out to do tandems this weekend!  Overall we did 215 tandems Saturday and Sunday, and flew 66 loads last week.

This season we have had 27 new AFP graduates!  I would like to congratulate the most recent grads: Amber Bartlett, Deanna Ebert, Omnia Ibrahim, and Craig Rappin. 

Those AFP students who haven’t finished AFP yet should come out soon before it gets cold.  It’s much nicer to jump before it gets very cold out!  This weekend should be rather nice, with temperatures in the 60’s.

The final results are in from the Swoop Club Championships:
    1st place: Henry
    2nd place: Mike Wittenburg
    3rd place: John Zagoda
    4th place: Troy Church
    5th place: Steve Verner
Congratulations guys!

For those of you interested in purchasing jump packages for next season the prices will be set by the end of November.  Keep an eye out for more details.

The weekend of the Halloween party, October 27th – 28th, Skydive Chicago will be having a Customer Appreciation Weekend!!  Those of you who purchased either a 100 or 200 jump package for the 2007 season will get 2-for-1 jumps!

Another note on 2007 jump packages is that they must be used by the end of the season, other wise the jumps will be up-charged to the higher jump price!  So come on out and use up those jumps!

There are some busy tandem weekends coming up so there will be plenty of loads going that you can get on!

In other exciting news Grandma and Grandpa Nelson are moving to Arizona at the end of the month.  That means there is a beautiful house on the property available to buy!  The house is 3800 square feet with 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a finished walkout basement, attached garage, wood deck, covered porch, and much more!  They are asking $299,000 for this beautiful home located on the airport and bordering the Fox River.  For more details contact Rook at 815-433-0000 or Rook@skydivechicago.com.

A would also like to remind all camp ground residents that winter isn’t too far away.  Please remember to winterize your trailers before the water is shutoff.  As soon as we reach subfreezing temperatures the water will be shutoff!  Also, please disconnect any unnecessary lighting such as rope lights, etc.

If anyone is looking for a place to store your plane, car, boat, etc. for the winter we are renting out space in the hangar.  For more details checkout the forum at: http://www.skydivechicago.com/Forums/tabid/110/view/topic/postid/424/forumid/7/Default.aspx#424; or contact Rook: 815-433-0000 or Rook@skydivechicago.com.

We also still have Medium and Large Nationals hoodies available.  They are $25 each, or $40 for two.  Contact me at 815-433-0000 or Erin@skydivechicago.com.

We are putting together the calendar for the 2008 season.  Weekends are booking up fast, so if there are any events you would like to see put into the calendar contact us soon!  Contact me at 815-433-0000 or Erin@skydivechicago.com for suggestions.

Swoop Mountain has been postponed from this coming Saturday, the 13th, until next Saturday, October 20th.

The Para Concepts Rigger Course will also be taking place October 20th – 27th.  There are still a few spaces available.  For more information go to: www.para-concepts.com.

October 27th – 28th will be Customer Appreciation Weekend described above.  That Saturday, the 27th will also be the famous Halloween party!  Don’t forget to dress in your best costume for the best costume competition!

Skydive Chicago has 8 tandem rigs for sale and as of October 22nd will also have 2 student rigs with 150 sq. ft. mains.  Keep on eye out in the forum for more information or contact Rook: 815-433-0000 or Rook@skydivechicago.com.

Pilot Dave will be leaving for Skydive The Farm in Georgia this Friday with one of our Otters.  Be sure to head down and visit him, he will be there until the end of March!

In other winter plans, we will be taking one Otter down to Sebastian, Florida for the Cross Keys and Skydive Chicago Invasion.  The boogie will take place from December 28th- January 7th.  For more details checkout the forum: http://www.skydivechicago.com/Forums/tabid/110/forumid/7/postid/333/view/topic/Default.aspx

Shane Eggenberger has some really nice photos available for sale through Photo-Synthesis, LLC.  The web address is: http://www.photosynthesisllc.com/skydiving/Welcome.html

                  Photo By Shane Eggenberger

There are some very nice shots from the 2007 USPA Nationals available as well as other skydiving pictures.  There are also some other very nice shots available that are non-skydiving related.  The photos are available in small to large sizes.  Check it out and see what you think!

Hope to see you all soon and remember there is still plenty of season left; we don’t close until December 10th!

Erin