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The sixth Annual Delta Golden Wings (DGW)
Candler Field Museum Fly-in/Drive-in was held at the Alexander Memorial
Airport, Williamson, Georgia. A blue sky, moderate temperature, and light
wind greeted the 100 attendees. They brought 23 aircraft, one helicopter,
and 6 cars to display. A total of $3270 (including the DGW scholarship)
was raised for the Youth Aviation Program (YAP). Two members joined the
museum.
Fritz Kuhn helped with the car parking and John Kuck marshaled the
aircraft. As guests entered the Candler Field museum lobby or hangar,
they were directed to the registration table and welcomed by Carol
Ballance, Becky Roberson, Joan Black, and Arlene Hoogerwerf. Everyone
received a name tag, filled out a simple registration form, and paid a
$10 facility fee. Information cards were completed by owners for
placement on their car or airplane by Julian Black and Bill Alexander.
The event opened at 10:30 am with coffee and donuts available for early
arrivals. A beverage refreshment bar was available all day. A food line,
operated by YAP volunteers, served luncheon fare for a modest fee. The
proceeds help young people fulfill their dream of flight.
Jim Hoogerwerf welcomed everyone and showed
a video of Capt. Norman Topshe's induction into the Georgia Aviation Hall
of fame. At its completion, he drew attention outside the hangar to the
approaching Steerman missing-man formation, flown by Jim Ratliff, Cal
Tax, Vic Syracuse, and John Laughter. The flight arrived right on
schedule at 11:30. As it approached for everyone to see, Cal pulled
up-and-away in the traditional salute, releasing a trail of smoke.
Spectators were riveted in silent attention. There was no need to ask for
a moment of silence...there wasn't a sound except for the roar of the
engines as the formation passed overhead. The respect for our departed
colleagues, friends and family was spontaneous and reverently given.
Guests mingled in the hangar and outside,
conversing, and admiring the airplanes and cars. At noon the food line
was opened and folks lined up for hamburgers and hot dogs. People enjoyed
their meals and conversations at the tables set up in the hangar.
DGW secretary Jeff Pickett took the
microphone for announcements and acknowledgments. He thanked the
organizers and recognized a special guest, Regina Alexander. Then he
introduced several individuals to briefly speak on subjects of interest:
- Keven and Linda Sasser now own the airport property and
restaurant. They intend to grow the airport, upgrade the infrastructure
and continue to run a fine restaurant. Kevin and Linda share Ron' s
vision and generously donated the proceeds from the facility fee to the
Youth Aviation program. We are very grateful to them for their support of
the Fly-in/Drive-in and the YAP.
- Jim Sells, a director of Candler Field museum, explained plans
for a new hangar to house the museum. DGW shows it' s support of the
Candler Field Museum by maintaining an institutional membership. DGW
members are encouraged to show their individual support by joining the
museum.
- Jim Hoak, YAP program manager, told of the activities and
accomplishments underway with the young people in the program. Ryan
Walters, a YAP student, told of what the experience has meant to him
and his future.
- Jeff Picket, Delta Golden Wings secretary, announced the
organization's new annual $1500 scholarship for a deserving YAP
participant. Also, coming up are its Annual reunion in Philadelphia (Oct.
31 to Nov. 4), and the Christmas party (Dec. 8).
- Paul Talbot from the Delta Flight Museum, explained the
acquisition of a Delta Douglas DC-7B ship 717 to the museum. It is being
made flight worthy to fly to Atlanta for display.
- Ted Towne representing the Insurance Trust of Delta Retirees
(ITDR), invite anyone interested to come and speak with him. The
Insurance trust is run by volunteers and provides medical, prescription
drug, dental, and vision benefits to retirees, spouses, and survivors.
- Espy Ball drove his father's beautiful, long awaited restoration
project, Porsche from Tampa in an adventurous inaugural, "first
flight," road trip. He told of how much Capt. "Pre" Ball
loved fast cars. One time, Espy recounted, Pre was out with his mother
Teresa, driving fast on the windy NorthGeorgia mountain roads. She asked
him to slow down. Pre pointed to the tachometer and assured her he was
only doing 35 (ie 3,500 rpm). Other Pre stories were exchanged in
conversations. We thank Espy for the effort he made to be with us, and
value his friendship.
In addition to those mentioned above,
special thanks goes to:
The DGW Board: Al Dvoracek, Joe Reid, Jeff Pickett, Jim Baird, David
Ewing, Julian Black, Larry Berdoll
YAP Volunteers and Barnstormer's Grill & Event Center staff
John Ellis, photographer
Drive-in/Fly-in Committee: Jim Hoogerwerf, Amy King, Harry Ballance,
Julian Black, Joe Reid, Jeff Pickett, Bob Lindley, Jack Baker, Connie
Bowlin, Leo Roberson, Jim Ratliff, Keven Sasser, Bill Alexander, Fritz
Kuhn
2019 DGW/Candler Field Museum Fly-in/Drive-in attendees:
Bill Alexander
DGW; Sam Alexander DGW; Regina Alexander DGW; Winn Baker DGW; Espy Ball
guest, 1966 Porsche 911; Carol Ballance DGW, Clipped Wings; Harry Balance
DGW 1965 Thunderbird, 1954 T-34 Mentor, Piper Cub; Rocky
Bailey guest Robinson R44 helicopter; Mike Birdsong guest; Julian
and Joan Black DGW; Garry Bopp DGW 1965 Shelby Cobra; Tim Brown DGW; Dale
Carley guest 1958 Beachcraft Twin Bonanza D50A; Larry Cayes guest; John
Cooper DGW, and grandson, Cooper Denison; Tom Day DGW; Cecil Durant
DGW; Joe and Pat Edmonson DGW, 1970 Olds; John Ellis Pike County News
photographer; Joe Fagundes DGW; Charles and Jean Fister guests; Ben
Frankland DGW; Don Goodhart DGW; Fred Gordon guest; Quinn Griffin
scheduler/Dispatcher; Dwight Grandia DGW; Joseph Haggerty DGW; Frank
Hayes guest, American Champion 7EC; Carl Heinz guest; Jim Hoak Candler
Field Museum(speaker); Mark Holmquist DGW; Jim and Arlene
Hoogerwerf DGW, Pioneers; Joe Hughes guest; A.C. and Sue Hutson DGW
1971 VW; Clint Johnson DGW 1973 Cessna Cardinal 177RG; John Kuck Youth
Aviation program; Bud Junger guest; Phillip Kelley DGW; Amy King Candler
Field Museum; Chuck Knight DGW; Fritz Kuhn DGW; Jack McCormick DGW;
Alan Meyer, PhD guest, author "Weekend Pilots;" Tom Morris DGW;
John Laughter guest Missing man formation, Stearman; Jeff Pickett DGW,
Secretary; (?) and Linda Rampil guests; Jim Ratliff guest, missing
man formation, Boeing Stearman; Stalker Reed DGW; Jim Rennwick
Scheduler/Dispatcher; Carl Riese DGW; Keven Sasser Peachstate Properties;
Rodney Schoening guest; Mitchell Shenk guest; Paul Schmoker DGW; Jim
Sells Dir. Candler Field Museum, DC-3 Jim Sells (speaker); Charles
Siegert DGW; Dan and Donna Siler DGW; Pete Smart DGW 1947 Aeronca L-16A;
Phil Spivey guest; John Spratt dispatcher/scheduler; James Stanley guest,
Piper J5A; Don Stevens guest, pioneers Cessna 195; Vic Syracuse
guest, Missing man formation, Stearman; Donald Swords guest, 1977 MA-5
Mathews Charger; Leo and Becky Roberson DGW; Paul Talbot Pioneers, Delta
Flight museum; Cal Tax guest, Missing man formation, Boeing
Stearman; Ted Town ITDR (insurance Trust of Delta Retirees); David Turner
DGW; Jerry Tucker guest + two other; Bill Vancil guest; Bill Voight DGW;
Mike Williams guest; (no name) guest, N625CC CUB CRAFTERS
INC CC11-100
YAP Students: Ellie McGinnis; Andrew Mitchell; Mika Rouse; Ryan
Walters (student speaker); Mason Whillock
Mentors/Parents: Sue and AC Hutson (speaker); Keith and Barbara
Lewis; Joe Reheiser; Rich Woodcock; Russell Sanford; Clark Schadle; Dana
Vinson; Jacob Gates; Jennifer Vennett
Save-the-date: The
Seventh Annual DGW Fly-in/Drive-in is scheduled for May 20, 2020
Reminder:
Philadelphia Reunion October 31- October 4, 2019
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