The Reno Area Chapter 99s is offering two scholarships for flight training for women. The $2,000 scholarship is for a woman in the process of earning her private pilot certificate. It can be for glider or a power airplane. The $3,000 scholarship is for a woman who has earned a private certificate and wishes to receive advanced training, for example, for commercial, air transport, multi-engine, flight instructor, or instrument. Call Kathy Walton at 356-2928 or reach her by e-mail at kathywalton99@netscape.net. The deadline to apply is Feb. 28.
A 30-year-old Carson City resident has survived a bout with the "Bird" flu. The survivor is back to her "old" self running around and driving her mother, Marion Callison, crazy.
Bird, Callison's 30-year-old cat, who first earned fame as a kitten when she became stuck in the family's uncooked Thanksgiving turkey, is on the mend. Callison says Bird's age is equivalent to that of a 150-year-old woman.
Web of Support founder P.J. Degross sent in this letter from a soldier who received a package of cards through the program. To learn about the program or to sponsor a soldier, visit the Web site: webofsupport.com.
"For the last four months every thought, every action, even when I pray, is focused on our troops and my mission. About 20 days ago, I received your envelope addressed to me. The first cards my eyes started to water. I was about halfway through and I was bawling out of control. Your great wishes for Christmas and a happy New Year brought me back home and when I was your age with hate of the Vietnam War and our troops.
"I did not send letters to the troops in Nam. And I could not see myself receiving such great letters and cards from all of you. I stopped reading them. I had to stop reading them, but I left them on my sleeping bag until the next day.
"The next day I counted them and there are 38, I finished the rest of them and started to cry again.
"This time, I felt Pride.
"Pride in myself.
"Pride in our country.
"Pride in my family.
"Pride in you.
"Thank you. Thank Every ONE of YOU."
Sgt. Bruce Brunsons
22 years, U.S. Army
Sgt. Brunson of Mesquite is serving in Iraq.