Free Press – April 10, 2008

Jennifer Stone, Charles & Janice Gruber

Dear Friends,

Good morning. Who wrote the song…“It’s a small world after all?” When I was a teen, my late father constantly reminded me about the importance of being with the person with whom you’re supposed to be. How many times have you run into an acquaintance who was cheating on her/his spouse?

I thought of that advice when Mighty Betsy and I were at a conference in Florida. Unexpectedly, we met the uncle of friends of ours from Berks County. Through AAA, we’ve known Barbara and John Bradley for many years. John is the Chairman of AAA Reading Berks; Barbara is a retired teacher.

While visiting friends in Mt. Dora, Florida, we met John’s uncle, Charles Gruber and his wife Janice. At age 88 and 71, respectively, the Grubers are aviators with fascinating pasts. More about them in a moment.

But first, I recently heard from Kathy Stone, a very proud Quakertown area mother. Kathy and Bob’s daughter, Jennifer Stone Hernaez, just completed a half “Iron Man” competition in Oceanside, California. More than 2,000 participated in the 1.2-mile swim; 56-mile bike; and 13.1 mile run. Friends, that’s a total of 70.3 miles. Jen finished 56^th in her age group.

Sounds like a lot of pain to me!

Kathy told me that Jen is preparing for a 140.6-mile full “Iron Man” race later this year in Tempe, Arizona. Jen raised $1,500 for the Challenged Athletes Foundation, which works with children who need prosthesis.

Years ago, I introduced rowing to Jen. She has marvelous athletic genes. Her grandfather, Charles Kieffer, won a gold medal for rowing in the 1932 Olympics. Her one-year-old son, “E. J.” must be keeping her agile.

And now to the Grubers.

As a pilot, Charles Gruber retired from United Airlines after 35 years. During World War II, he flew B 24’s and B-17’s filled with gasoline to resupply the army at the front. From India to China over the Burma “hump,” Charles Gruber lived to tell the tale. In 1946, he joined Eastern Airlines.

Years later, he met Janice when they both flew for United Airlines. After nearly 50 years of service, she’s still flying.

Routes are awarded via seniority. A typical mission for Janice begins on Saturday. She’ll fly to Boston, her base of operation, to begin a three day trip for United…followed by a flight to Reno; Sunday to Denver and Kansas City; and Monday back to Boston. Monday night, Janice is reunited with her husband in Mt. Dora and gardening, where she has hundreds of begonias and petunias.

I wondered why she chose flying as a career?

“As a kid growing up in New Orleans, I wanted to be a skater like Sonja Henie,” Janice replied. “I wanted to see the world. I even dyed my hair blond,” she laughed. “But there were no ice rinks in New Orleans. I wouldn’t see the world as a figure skater…so I became a flight attendant. I learned to skate in Rockefeller Center in New York instead.

“It was a glamorous job when I first started in 1959,” she continued. “It was a revered position. There were no jets back then. People weren’t crammed in [to planes] like they are today.

“One of the biggest changes I’ve seen is the number of business women traveling today,” Janice said.

After working at Eastern for 32 years, the airline failed. She quickly found a flight attendant’s position at United where she’s been for 18 years. Why did you go back to work when Eastern went out of business, I asked?

“I enjoyed the job and I was only 54,” Janice answered. “If I’d retired, look what I’d have missed. I enjoy traveling…I go to Asia and Europe. I wouldn’t be sitting in first class, sipping champagne, if I’d quit. I can take in the opera and symphony in fabulous cities.” She illustrated the point. “I saw Van Cliburn play in Portland, Oregon.

“Most important, I can give something back,” Janice added. “For example, because of my career, I can support the local symphony. I’ve been a worker all my life. I have plenty of time to garden and support cultural institutions.

“After 50 years of serving food, I’m an outdoor person now,” she laughed. “Flying is still a wonderful career. I’m 71 years old but I’ve never tired of taking care of people. There are only four people older than I [in seniority at United]. We have an 83 year old male flight attendant!”

Janice may be 71 but she looks 20 years younger. With a bright smile and girlish figure, heads turn when she walks into a room.

“Everybody should contribute in some way,” Janice advised. “Keep working.”

I think I will.

Sincerely,

Charles Meredith