I received this email through the kiter grapevine, and thought I’d pass it along to everyone. Please be on the lookout for these kites… I have Cliff and Gerry’s contact information, so if you do spot these kites anywhere, please let me know and I’ll send you their contact info.

 Stealing kites = bad!

30 June 2008
Fellow Kiters,                                                                                

We are looking for your help.

On 12 June 2008 we checked an over size bag of kites with Northwest Airlines that did not leave the terminal. Our bag of kites and miscellaneous equipment were stolen before they left Seattle.  We attended the FANO festival without kites. Bummer !!

The airline determined the bag did not leave Seattle.  So, out there somewhere are our kites.  The bag was a black, canvas transport case for golf equipment.  We are assuming the thief thought they were stealing golf clubs.

We are asking you to be on the look out for our kites and three Sam Huston line winders.  Please keep a watch out on EBay, in thrift stores and on flying fields.  Our last name “Pennell” and a serial number appear on the back of the kites usually at the bottom somewhere on the edge.  Many of the kites will have our small logo Eddy kite which is black or white with a small ribbon tail.  This logo is located on the front of the kite in the lower right hand corner.  All kites which are missing were handcrafted by us (no commercial kites). [There was also line art, and three Penguin banners.]  

If you see any of these items out there in the world, please contact us immediately.  We are keeping our fingers crossed that somewhere they will show up.

We would like to thank you in advance for any help you can give us in recovering these stolen items.

Cliff & Gerry Pennell 

I’ve seen this video before, but I thought I’d share this with you all. This is the famous Ray Bethell team-flying… with himself. No, this isn’t fancy computer work, he actually controls 1 kite on each hand, and controls the 3rd kite with his hips. Amazing stuff… enjoy.

We just found out through the grapevine that Gary Engvall has been elected with 54% of the vote to be the next President of the American Kitefliers Association. Gary is a great guy, and is one of the most hard working kiteflyers I know.

It is our hope that the new President will take the steps needed to bring new blood and a new energy to the AKA. We are here to help in whatever capacity we can.

As a side note, our good buddy Terry C. (known as TeeCee around the internet) is now the Region 4 (South East) Regional Director… He brings a LOT of enthusiasm to the post, and is a major ParrotHead to boot. He is really dedicated to growing the sport and enjoyment of kiteflying to the region.

We would like to wish all the new officers good luck in the coming year.  

Our Friend Laurel sent us in some info on her new clothing and accessory business. They are making apparel and bags out of recycled kite materials. Sounds like a great project, and the stuff is pretty cool looking as well. Check it out at! 

>> read the rest of this post.

This was originally posted to the rec.kites Usenet group by Andrew Beattie. This sounds like a really interesting competition. We can’t wait to see what becomes of it! >> read the rest of this post.

Our friend David Gomberg (who also happens to be the President of the American Kiteflyers Association) has posted some commentary and photos from the Wildwood International Kite Festival that was held over the Memorial Day weekend in Wildwood NJ. The KiteStop crew usually attends this festival, as it is one of the largest on the East Coast. Unfortunately, this year we were a bit too busy with our real lives to make the drive up. From reports, it sounds like we missed an absolutely fabulous day.

Check out Gomberg’s weekly update : http://www.gombergkites.com/update/349.html