The original chartering and first meeting of Club de los Mondongueros Reno took place on 08 September 1984. Thus, the 30th Anniversary is upon us, and will be celebrated at the regular lunch meeting  on Wednesday, 10 September 2014.

Four of the original members – Bill Charney, Berto Crawford, Tom Hallam and Ed Suterko – are still with us, and it is hoped all will attend the Anniversary Luncheon.

A presentation of Mondongueros History will be presented, and a group photograph will be taken memorializing the event.

The Dictator encourages all members who are able to attend this historic lunch.

Member Bill Charney and his immaculate 1944 Beech D-17S Staggerwing are participating in a number of aeronautical events associated with the 70th Anniversary of the 1944 invasion of the European Continent by allied forces.

Members may not be aware that Bill’s Staggerwing was originally operated as a new airplane by the Royal Navy, and used for executive transport. As such, it has been temporarily repainted in its original livery as a Royal Navy aircraft.

The airplane is – of course – prominently displayed on the header of the web-site for Mondongueros Reno, and a comparison of its normal red livery compared with the special livery applied for the D-Day Events is clearly seen below.

We are all looking forward to hearing Bill’s presentation about the D-Day Events at the Annual Spouse’s Dinner in November.

A “Celebration of Life” has been scheduled by his son Jim for our brother Paul Schoenleber, who passed away 14 May 2014 following a heart attack. Paul attended the regular lunch meeting earlier on the 14th, was in good spirits and seemed to be recovering well from his recent illness.

The “Celebration of Life” will be from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursday, 05 June 2014, at the Parkwood Condominium Clubhouse, which is located on Millbrook Lane, just west off Baker Lane south of Peckham Lane and north of Redfield Parkway.

Jim Schoenleber has advised that food and drinks will be potluck. Jim can be reached at his cellular number if there are questions: 775-750-1109.

Paul was born 08 February 1923. He received his wings on 15 November 1944, and retired from active duty on 01 July 1970. As a naval aviator during the 1940s through 1960s, Paul had many adventures in World War II, the Korean Conflict and the “Cold War”.

The picture below of Paul was taken on 25 March 2009.

Paul Schoenleber: 08 February 1923 – 14 May 2014

Our brother Paul Schoenleber passed away last evening of a massive heart attack.

He attended the regular lunch meeting yesterday, 14 May 2014, was in good spirits and seemed to be recovering well from his recent illness.

As a naval aviator during the 1940s through 1960s, Paul had many “cold war” adventures, and retired from active duty in 1971.

Arrangements for a memorial service are pending, and members will be notified of the details when set.

The picture below of Paul was taken on 25 March 2009.

Paul W. Schoenleber: 08 February 1923 – 14 May 2014

On 30 April 2014, members John Townes, Bill Hesser and Bob Johnson visited Naval Air Station Fallon, including a tour of the Maintenance, Operations, Flight Center and Control Tower facilities under the guidance of Chief Petty Officer Upham.

                 John Townes, Bill Hesser and Bob Johnson with an F-14 Tomcat

Member Bill Charney has returned to Europe for the continuation of his “around the world flight” in his 1944 Beech D17S Staggerwing. His current plans are to return just prior to the annual Spouses Dinner in November, and we anticipate a presentation from him at that event.

Following is his first report upon arrival in Italy, where his Staggerwing has been stored for the winter

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I’ve stumbled through the travel minefield once again and find myself having Easter dinner with the Italian family that has adopted my Staggerwing, and fortunately me along with her. After a slight delay at Newark, I was able to get on the non-stop flight to Milan. A short one hour-train ride later, and viola! There I was with my old friends – and my mistress – once again.

We finished the annual inspection on the old bird and now I have about a week of replacing panels, cowlings, and general cleaning. I then travel to St. Petersburg, Russia for about 8 days via Lufthansa to attend an Earth-Rounders convention, and see many friends whom I have visited in their home countries during my journey from New Zealand to Europe over the past three years.

Once back to Italy, there will be a few days of local flying before heading off through the Alps to Southern England, with a couple of stops along the way for short visits with friends. I will then begin preparation to take part in the 70th Anniversary of D-Day events in both the UK and France. Once on the French side, we will operate out of Cherbourg, watching round-canopy jumpers in WWII uniforms jump from C-47’s, one of which has flown all the way from the US to take part in the event.

My Staggerwing, due to her Royal Navy background, has been invited to take part, and it will be a proud few days to help honor the few remaining veterans of D-Day that will be there. After these events, my old girl and I will head off to Berlin and further eastwards to Poland, Lithuania, and other places yet to be determined.

More reports will follow as time and circumstances allow………..

Best regards – Bill “Biff Windsock” Charney

Member Paul Schoenleber has been hospitalized at the VA Hospital Facility in Reno for the past week.

His son Jim reports on Friday – 25 April 2014 – that Paul will be released and return home late Friday.

The treatment received was not for any life-threatening condition, and Paul should be back to normal within a few days.

Member John Townes has arranged a tour of the NAS Fallon facilities for members of Mondongueros, to be conducted on 30 Apr 14.

Members interested in participating may call “Patty” (775-453-1794), or John Townes (771-0863 or  358-5831).

John is coordinating transportation.

More data can be obtained at the following link:

is arranging

Several members have expressed that, although they want to attend lunch meetings, they either no longer drive or due to health issues have days upon which they elect not to drive.

In recognition of this fact, Dictator Gary Edwards has announced a new “Ride to Lunch” program.

Members who need a ride to lunch may call the Dictator (746-6339), who will arrange a ride to and from lunch with a another member.

Several members have already volunteered to be drivers for the program, but any and all members able and willing to provide rides are encouraged to advise the dictator.

On Sunday, January 26, 2014, Pamela Crawford passed away at home, after a several year-long fight with cancer.

Pamela’s husband of more than 43 years, Roberto Crawford, is an active member of Club de los Mondongueros, was an original member of the Club in 1984, and is the son of founder Clarence Crawford.