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46 | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | JUNE 2019 | JUNE, 1919: THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST NON-STOP HEAVIER-THAN-AIR FLIGHT ACROSS THE ATLANTIC By James R. Bailey It is a blustery day (June, 1819) in County Galway, Ireland, near Clifden, on the coast. Only a few casual observers are present, since few in Ireland, or indeed anywhere, are that interested in yet another aviation stunt. Flying the entire Atlantic non-stop? What an outlandish idea! But soon a plane appears coming from the west, very low over the ocean, the twin engines occasionally missing a beat. The pilot guns the motors to climb over the coastal bluffs, then, just as quickly, cuts his engines and executes a very rough landing on the grass. It is so rough that the craft noses over, severely crushing the undercarriage; but, very soon, both pilots exit their machine unscathed. The first successful non-stop flight across the Atlantic has just been completed. The two British aviators, Captain John Adcock and Lt. Arthur Brown, are veterans of the Great War and members of the Royal Flying Corps, the predecessor of the RAF. Their now crippled craft, a modified Vickers Vimy bomber, has just successfully carried them from St. John's Newfoundland; and they have just won the London Daily Mail prize for the first crossing of the Atlantic Ocean in less than 72 consecutive hours. Winston Churchill will personally present the award to them, after which King George V will later knight the airmen at Windsor Castle. Adcock and Brown will be followed by other aerial daredevils, which will eventually lead to the hundreds of regularly-scheduled flights that take place today. The Creative Writers of Sun Lakes Club is composed of a wonderfully varied group of poets, biographers, novelists, and essayists — some professional, others new to the field — who enjoy sharing their creative efforts and providing input to each other. Are you a writer? Why not join us. We meet on the first Monday and third Wednesdays of each month, from 3 to 5 pm, in the Main Clubhouse Multipurpose Room. For more information contact Roger Smith (951) 769-2808. Our next meeting is Thurs., June 20 at 1 pm in the Main Clubhouse Multipurpose Room. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month. The club is for persons of all computer skill levels. Each meeting will feature various topics and speakers. Handouts are given out for each presentation so you can take notes. This is a great way to share information and learn some of the ways in becoming an effective computer user. June 20: Storage and Backups 2019 July 18: Technology tips and tricks 2019 Aug. 15: Digital After Life — What happens to your digital files when you pass away. Check us out at sunlakescc.com: go to Clubs and Groups, scroll down to Computer Club. Membership dues are $10 dollars per year per household. Guests are welcome. Info, call Jerry Munnelly at (951) 769-1787. Computer Club