Aviation Memorabilia Newsletter
Since 1995
Tuesday, 5 November 2024
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World Airways MD-11F N274WA during lease to Air Canada Photo by Viktor Laszlo
Budapest, Hungary - March 2006 |
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Dear Welcome to The NetLetter, established in 1995 as a dedicated newsletter for Air Canada retirees.
We have evolved into the longest running aviation-based newsletter for Air Canada, TCA, CP Air, Canadian Airlines and all other Canadian-based airlines that once graced the skies. The NetLetter is self-funded and is always free to subscribers. It is operated by a group of volunteers and is not affiliated with any airline or associated organizations. The NetLetter is published on the second and fourth weekend of each month. If you are interested in Canadian aviation history, and vintage aviation photos, especially as it relates to Trans-Canada Air Lines, Air Canada, Canadian Airlines International and their constituent airlines, then we're sure you'll enjoy this newsletter. Please note: We do our best to identify and credit the original source of all content presented. However, should you recognize your material and are not credited; please advise us so that we can correct our oversight. Our website is located at www.TheNetLetter.net Please click the links below to visit our archives and for more info about The NetLetter. |
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 We have welcomed 49 new subscribers so far in 2024.
We wish to thank everyone for the continuing support of our efforts.
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 Back issues of The NetLetter are available in both the original newsletter format and downloadable PDF format.
Restoration and posting of archive issues is an ongoing project. We hope to post every issue back to the beginning in 1995.
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We always welcome feedback about Air Canada (including Jazz and Rouge) from our subscribers who wish to share current events, memories and photographs.
Particularly if you have stories to share from one of the legacy airlines: Trans-Canada Air Lines, Canadian Airlines, CP Air, Pacific Western, Maritime Central Airways, Eastern Provincial, Wardair, Nordair, Transair, Air BC, Time Air, Quebecair, Calm Air, NWT Air, Air Alliance, Air Nova, Air Ontario, Air Georgian and all other Canadian based airlines that once graced the Canadian skies.
We will try to post your comments in the next issue but, if not, we will publish it as soon as we can.
Thanks!
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ACRA (UK) Badminton is on for 2024.
Come and enjoy the fun & games in Budapest
from September 19 to 21, 2024
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41st World Airline Road Race.
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The highlights of this four-day event in Auckland, New Zealand, tentatively October 4-6, 2024, are 5K and 10K run/walks for charity.
The 2024 Charity will be Ronald McDonald House Auckland.
All airline associates, their family and friends are welcome to participate in WARR.
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Vintage Wings of Canada is a not-for-profit, charitable organization with a collection of historically significant aircraft and is run entirely by volunteers. It is our mission to acquire, restore, maintain and fly classic aircraft significant to the early history of powered flight in Canada, focusing largely on the aircraft of the Second World War.
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Frequent photograph contributor, Caz Caswell, sent in his memories of fellow photo enthusiast Mike Ody,
Mike was a dear friend who has been sadly missed. Through our love of aircraft, we chatted often, and Mike would often stop by my desk at Wardair and Field Aviation.
When I returned to England in 2001 for a few years, we kept in touch by email. We occasionally went back to Brampton for our holidays, always making a point to meet up with him at Tim Hortons when possible.
The last photo I took of Mike is shown below. I tried to set up a meeting again for 2011, but I never got a reply, after several attempts. I sadly, never found out until 2012 that he had passed away.
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By the way,
I used to do cartoons for the Airport News at YYZ. Attached is a sample.
Cheers,
Caz
Editors' Note: Bob and Wayne had worked at YYZ and have fond memories of the Airport News and Caz's cartoons.
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Subscriber Vijay Ullal sent in the following -
The photo below is part of 'First Team' when Air Canada first came to India (BOM) 1984 to 1991. Original equipment was an L-1011-500, later upgraded to B-747.
This is our ex-staff reunion after 33 years, at the GALLOP Restaurant In Mumbai.
Standing, left to right: Ronny Bharucha, James Daniel, Brian Tellis and Charmaine.
Sitting, left to right: Shalini Sippy, Vibha Divecha, Shamira, Janki Mehta, Sheila and Smriti Haldipur.
Best regards,
Vijay Ullal, first team BOMTRAC
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From NetLetter #1495, Vijay had previously sent us the photo below taken during the 1980's.
Left to right: Ronny Bharucha, Bryan Naronha, Vijay Ullal, Melissa Iyer, Carol Carassco, Yezdi Divecha, Shalini Sippy and James Daniel.
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Terry decided to do some digging into Horizons issues of the time and came up with this photo from Horizons issue #658 - January 1985
Meet the Bombay staff -
Sales and cargo agents from Bombay had an opportunity to meet their counterparts in Singapore on a recent visit. While there, sales staff attended sessions in reservations and ticketing procedures and cargo employees underwent intensive training on the acceptance and handling of dangerous cargo.
Admiring the view from the 17th storey terrace of the Air Canada sales office on the Singapore Airlines building are, from the left: Cargo Officers Godfrey DSouza and Peter Rhubottom; Janki Mehta, Senior Customer Service Officer; Customer Service Officers Sheila Fernandes, Smiti Haldipur, Aruna DSouza and Vibha Bawa and Denis Crasto, Cargo Officer.
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Excepts from the blog of Pierre Gillard of the Musee de l'aerospatiale du Quebec (MAQ) taken during a stopover in Toronto on trip in late March 2024 from YUL to Dawson City.
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Click on the aircraft registration to view its lifecycle info.
On the left: C-GXHI Fin # 662. Delivered new to Air Canada in cargo configuration in June 2022. |
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| Air Canada Cargo C-GDUZ |
Air Canada C-FIVM |
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| Air Canada Express - C-FEJL |
Air Transat C-GTSR |
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WestJet (special livery) - C-GWSZ |
WestJet Cargo - C-FJWS |
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| Condor - D-ANRN |
Flair - C-FLGD |
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| Porter - C-GZQC |
Swoop - C-GYSD |
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In 2002, during TCA/Air Canada's 65th anniversary year, Captain Rob Giguere wrote the following thank you message to employees.
Dear Colleagues,
On Monday, September 23, several hundred employees attended a symbolic ceremony at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport, where we unveiled registration C-FFWN (Fin #212), a specially painted Airbus A320 aircraft, in celebration of our 65th anniversary.
Our anniversary aircraft proudly displays Canada’s national flag, and has been named 'Symphony of Voices', in recognition of the more than 40,000 Air Canada employees whose names form the Maple Leaf on this unique and proud design.
Sixty-five years is a huge milestone for any company. In the airline industry, some people would even call it a miracle. I call it a tribute to the thousands of employees throughout our network whose teamwork each and every day makes this airline the best in the world.
For me, the history of Air Canada is about people. From our very first employee hired back in 1937, to our newest employee, it is the employees of Air Canada who make this airline a success. That’s why we are celebrating this anniversary year with an aircraft that speaks proudly of our heritage and who we are today. The Canadian flag depicted on the A320 fuselage leaves no doubt in anyone’s mind that we are the airline of Canada. And, when you look closer, and see that the design was created using employee names, it speaks volumes about our employees, who take pride in our airline, our national carrier.
Our employees represent a truly diverse group of people, representing the heritage of aviation in Canada. We come from diverse backgrounds and histories yet share a common bond that built aviation in Canada from coast to coast to coast; Eastern Provincial Airways, Nordair, Wardair, Transair, Pacific Western, Canadian Pacific, Canadian Airlines, Trans-Canada Air Lines and Air Canada. That diversity is part of Air Canada’s history and I am proud of the experience and excellence our heritage represents.
Moving forward, our goal is to build on our strength. We still have a lot of work to do and hurdles to overcome, but we are getting there, one customer at a time.
In this anniversary year, we take on the role of Canada’s national airline with renewed confidence and pride. Against all odds, we have come back from September 11. We have overcome the operational challenges of 2001, adapted to a changing economy and industry, and we are looking forward to better days and a solid future.
When I look at the Canadian flag on our anniversary A320, I see an airline that is proud of its people, its roots, its legacy and the country that it serves. The flag along with the more than 40,000 employee names, sends a clear message to all the communities and people across North America that, we are a team of proud professionals, we are the best in the business and WE are Canada’s airline.
Thanks for being part of this legacy and proving to the world that “Together we do great things!” I wish everyone a terrific 65th anniversary year.
Yours sincerely, Captain Robert Giguere, Executive Vice President.
Editors' Note: C-FFWN, the 159th A320 built, delivered March 4, 1991, was returned to standard AC livery around December 2009. It was withdrawn from service and retired to the desert (Marana, Arizona) in October 2019 after almost 29 years in AC service.
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Found in 'Between Ourselves' magazine
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Issue dated March 1972
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Twenty-five year pins were presented to Don MacIntyre, Customer Service and Ron Thomey, Mechanic, both of Gander at a party attended by friends and co-workers.
Shown from the left are: Wilson Foote, District Manager, Newfoundland; Don and Mrs. MacIntyre; Jack Morgan, General Manager, Atlantic Provinces; Mr & Mrs. Thomey and Ed Goff, District Manager, Gander.
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Marg Cloutier, Ground Hostess, Winnipeg poses with the TriStar following its arrival in Winnipeg for a series of cold-weather tests.
More than 2,000 employees, Canadian subcontractors and the general public visited the aircraft during its three day stay.
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Spotlight on Scandinavia.
The men and women who wear Air Canada's colours in Scandinavia are seen in these pictures.
Scandinavia Manager Bill Ulshofer has most of his staff located in Copenhagen which was served regularly by company flights. In Stockholm, an active (and productive) off-line office is managed by Kirill Forelius.
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Stockholm - Kristina Grunstrom, Passenger Agent; Kirill Forelius, Sales Manager; Gunilla Nyquist, Passenger Agent, and Kerstin Kallander, Passenger Agent.
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 Copenhagen - Finn Christensen, Reservations and Sales Office Supervisor; Maj-Britt Siemsen, Lousie Bergstonn, Marianne Bluhme and Jens Hansen, Passenger Agents. |
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 Copenhagen - Davie Blomquist, Airport Services Manager; Knud Hass, Mechanic; Susanne alk-Larsen, Passenger Agent; Kim Heyde, Station Agent; Jeannine de Alwis, Ground Hostess/Passenger Agent; Flemming Jonassen, Cargo Agent; George Veillette, Certificated Aircraft Technician and Erik Justesen, Station Agent. |
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 Copenhagen - Aase Kahene, Cashier; Jacob Thomsen, Sales Rep.; Bill Ulshoefer, Manager, Scandinavia and Northern Europe; Vibeke Friis-Jensen, Office Services Ass't.; Poul Erik Larsen. Sales Manager; and Anne Grethe Bukager, Secretary. |
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From the 'FYI - Newsletter for US' Issued December 1971.
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Cleveland office celebrated 25 years of air service by the Company and that was the first non-stop scheduled air service from a foreign country to the Cleveland community.
Many functions were held to honour the day and shown are members of the Cleveland staff who participated in the festivities.
Left to right: Jim Gedra, Jim Oprey, Linda Whaley, Frank Andreas, W.M. Stainton, Ramsay McGregor, Bob Sedlack, Bernie Diablo, Cheryl Grealis and Angus May.
Seated are Lori Flowers and Ann Gates.
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During 1971, our secretarial staff in the New York Office flew to Montreal on a familiarization trip where they visited Company Headquarters and the impressive maintenance base at Dorval.
Shown in the picture standing left to right: Ian Buchanan, their host from PVM, Gordon Reifsnider, Marge Brunjes, Sharon Bradicich, Anne Timko, Yvonne Gregoire, Kevin Carey, who arranged the tour.
Seated: Doris de La Rosa, Maryann Rosamilia, Chris Manks, Elena Percopo and on the steps, Rhanda Spotton.
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CP Air / Canadi>n People Gallery |
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Continuation of the DC-6 story started in NetLetter #1531 through 1535
Pacific Western Airlines acquires CZZ
Ten years of airline service had seen the DC-6 amass 21,178 flying hours, representing an average of almost six hours flying a day since delivery.
With plenty of life left in the DC-6, CF-CZZ changed liveries when leased in February 1969 to Pacific Western Airlines (PWA). Repainted in the Vancouver-based airline's attractive colours, CF-CZZ was destined to fly with this carrier for two years, becoming one of five DC-6s flown during that period.
The 1969 Pacific Western timetable demonstrates well how busy these aircraft were:
- Edmonton-Fort Smith-Hay River-Yellowknife and return.
- Edmonton-Yellowknife-Cambridge Bay-Resolute Bay and return.
- Edmonton-Fort McMurray-Fort Chipewyan-Uranium City and return.
The 'Chieftain Airbus' service, which was a no-reservation shuttle linking Edmonton with Calgary, where the considerable pleasures of a DC-6 flight could be experienced for a mere $17.
CF-CZZ flew on these routes, as well as on passenger and cargo charters. Sadly, all good things come to an end, and the DC-6 fleet was eventually replaced by' Boeing 737's. Our subject's career with Pacific Western ended on June 2, 1972 when the DC-6 touched down at Vancouver, completing a charter with school children on a week-long tour around the Northwest Territories.
In the meantime, back in 1971 Pacific Western had bought CF-CZZ from CPA, having only leased the aircraft until that stage. As its service with PWA was drawing to a close during 1972, they sought a buyer and agreed a disposal to Northwest Territorial Airways (NTA) of Yellowknife.
The deal involved a sale of the aircraft to Interair Leases Inc. of Miami, Florida, which would then lease it to Northwest Territorial.
CF-CZZ was flown south to Miami to conclude the transaction, with its C of A being renewed, at which time the airframe hours had increased to 25,872.
CF-CZZ was duly registered to Northwest Territorial on July 7, 1972, and departed from Miami bound for Yellowknife and entry into service. Two months later, on September 15 1972, NTA bought the aircraft outright from the leasing company. Initially it was flown with its PWA cheat line, Northwest titles on the fuselage roof, and NWT Air on the lower forward fuselage. Click here to view.
To be continued in NetLetter #1536
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When did Canadian Pacific Air Lines start flying to Sydney, Australia?
- July 13, 1949 - Departed Vancouver with a Canadair DC-4M "North Star".
- Refueling stops: San Francisco, Honolulu (overnight), Canton Island, Fiji (overnight).
- One way fare $685CDN with 2 nights at Royal Hawaiian Hotel, HNL and one night in Fiji.
Source: Wing Walkers by Peter Pigott
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Early Canadian Airways timetable
Winnipeg-based Canadian Airways was the largest of the 10 small airlines acquired by the Canadian Pacific Railway and merged to form Canadian Pacific Airlines in 1942.
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The story of a DC-3 - Subject: CF-TDM
Originally built as a Douglas C-47 Skytrain, registration 42-92227, and delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force on October 25, 1943, but allocated to the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Dakota Mk. III FL595. On December 22, 1943, it was assigned to No.32 Operational Training Unit at Patricia Bay, British Columbia (now Victoria Airport).
It was struck off charge on December 5, 1945, being surplus to requirements. On January 26, 1946, it went to Trans-Canada Air Lines as CF-TDM, Fleet No.60, later 260.
It served TCA until 1962, when it was sold as N9124R to Remmert-Werner, Lambert Field, St. Louis, Missouri, which for many years was involved in DC-3 conversions and modifications.
It was sold to Delta Aircraft & Engineering and, on July 5, 1962 it went to Ozark Air Lines being re-registered N165J. On August 4, 1966, it was traded to Fairchild-Hiller when Ozark re-equipped with the FH.227 transport.
Finally registered as N123DZ and owned by South Florida Leasing, it was scrapped February 4, 1995.
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Air Canada lease of World Airways MD-11F
While looking through the Air Canada historic fleet for source material, I was surprised to notice 3 McDonnell Douglas MD-11's listed.
I certainly have no memory of ever seeing an MD-11 in Air Canada livery. What's up with this?
Three aircraft were wet leased from World Airways for cargo operations from 2005 to 2008 due to Air Canada having retired its own dedicated cargo fleet years before. The aircraft had a decal stating 'Operated for Air Canada' applied to the fuselage.
My Google search turned up the following excerpt from the Globe & Mail, March 18, 2005.
"Air Canada has signed a $44-million agreement with World Air Holdings Inc. to expand cargo service to China.
Air Canada, owned by ACE Aviation Holdings Inc., plans to fly a World Airways MD-11 aircraft three times a week between Toronto and Shanghai starting in May, the companies said in statements. The leasing agreement is for two years".
Editor's Note: The only photos that I could find were taken in Budapest, Hungary.
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The three aircraft were:
- N274WA - August 2005 to June 2007
- N275WA - May 2005 to December 2006
- N381WA - May 2005 to April 2008
World Airways ceased operations in March 2014. All three aircraft were purchased and stored for parts. Click the registration to view the lifecycle & fate of each.
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Photo courtesy of Tibor Mester
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| Terry's Trivia
& Travel Tips |
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Terry Baker, co-founder of the NetLetter scours the internet for aviation related Trivia and Travel Tips for you, our readers, to peruse.
Project North Star is the Canada Aviation and Space Museum’s volunteer program to assist in the restoration of the only surviving example of the military Canadair C54-GM (North Star).
This North Star (Registration # 17515) was built in 1948 for the Royal Canadian Air Force. North Stars constituted the backbone of the RCAF military long range transport capability for almost twenty years until the mid 1960's.
Every workday you will find a dedicated team of enthusiastic and friendly volunteers who, working with Museum conservation experts, are making great progress restoring this aircraft.
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From the NetLetter archives –
This is what we did on March 30, 1946.
The first all-express Trans-Atlantic load in Canadian commercial aviation history ever to leave Canada for the United Kingdom, indeed, for any portion of the Old World.
The aircraft was an Avro Lancaster, registration, CF-CMT with the crew of Radio Officer Bill Tritter, Navigation Officer Pat Ray, First Officer Henry Tilson and Captain Roger Smith.
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In 2002, Bill Norberg sent us this DC-9 story –
Another experience with DC-9's came to mind. As you may remember when we first operated the DC-9's, the JT8D engines were infamous for the dirty black streak of exhaust they left behind on take-off. This led to an anti-smoke modification that considerably reduced the exhaust problem,...at least the colour.
When I was Director of the Winnipeg Maintenance Base in the late 60's, Bill Ramage was on a visit to the base. We were heading out to lunch when I saw a DC-9 taking off on the south east runway that headed right over the River Heights residential area.
I noticed only one black streak behind the aircraft and while it was at the usual rotation angle, it was not gaining altitude as one would expect and appeared to be sinking. I immediately thought we could be facing a serious incident and we headed for the terminal immediately and Flight Ops.
I assumed that it was experiencing an inflight engine failure but was somewhat relieved to find out that it was a training flight simulating a one engine out condition. I didn't think it should be doing that over built up residential areas however; Flight Ops agreed.
Regards Bill Norberg
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Issue dated July 1943
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The Co-Pilot by Ken Murray - CCA
I am the co-pilot; I sit on the right
It's up to me to be quick and bright.
I never talk back, for I have regrets,
But I have to remember what the Captain forgets.
I make out the flight plan and study the weather,
Pull up the gear and stand by to feather;
Check the tanks and do the reporting,
And fly the old crate while the captain is courting.
I take the readings, adjust the power,
Put on the heaters when in a shower;
Tell him where we are on the darkest night,
And do all the bookwork without any light.
I call for my Captain and buy him cokes,
I always laugh at his corny jokes;
And once in a while when his landings are rusty
I always come through with: "By gosh, it's gusty".
All in all, I'm a general stooge
As I sit on the right of the man I call "Scrooge."
I guess you think that is past understanding,
But maybe someday he will give me a landing.
Editors' Note: Prior to the jet age!
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Our cartoon by Dave Mathias is from the
'Between Ourselves' magazine issue October 1946.
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Wayne, Ken & Terry Richmond, British Columbia - December 2019
(Bob Sheppard was not available for the photograph) |
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Wayne, Bob & Ken Richmond, British Columbia - December 2023
(Terry Baker was not available for the photograph) |
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We wish to honur the memories of
Vesta Stevenson and Alan Rust. They remain a part of every edition published. |
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Subscription Management
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E&OE - (errors and omissions excepted):
The historical information as well as any other information provided in the "NetLetter" is subject to correction and may have changed over time.
We do publish corrections (and correct the original article) when this is brought to our attention.
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We do not (normally) receive any compensation from any companies that we post in our newsletters. If we do receive a donation or other compensation, it will be indicated as a sponsored article or link. |
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