Members enjoy holiday cheer

Theresa Brinkerhoff enjoys chatting with some of the attendees.

The cafeteria at Lockheed Martin was full of cheer and good conversation as Museum members and their guests renewed old acquaintance and made new friends at the annual holiday party. Ellis Woodward once again provided the festive music.

Thanks for the memories

Jimmy Mathis gets ready to introduce Tom Jones.

An enthusiastic crowd showed up Saturday night at Columbus Gardens to help the Museum honor veteran astronaut and Essex native Tom Jones for all his support and work in the community. Radio talk-show host and record-setting pilot Jimmy Mathis was the emcee and recounted his exploits as a teen-ager flying solo across the country.

Tom enthralled the audience with his journey from Essex to the Space Shuttle program and reminded people about the importance of reaching for the stars, or Mars, in the nearer future. He also put in a plug for the viability of some day capturing an asteroid for research and commercial use.  Also on hand was Alan Walden, who lent his unique voice to the evening.

Our scholarship winner, Shelbie Owens, was introduced to the crowd and this year's recipients of the "Purple Martin" award for their support of the Museum were announced: Fred Fahdt, Al LaPorte, Joe Toskes and Roger Mason.

Thanks to all those who made it a great evening.

A very successful weekend

Waiting for the onslaught of customers are, from left, Karen Armacost, Bobbie Davis and Theresa Brinkerhoff.

Saturday's rain did not stop people from getting their photos taken in a "Blue Angel."

Thousands of people showed up at Martin State Airport for the weekend's Star-Spangled festivities. Over 4,000 visitors walked through the museum over the two days and the gift shop did a brisk business. Anything connected with the Blue Angels was quickly gobbled up by the aviation enthusiasts, both young and old.

Four aircraft from the Strawberry Point static display -- the B-57A, TA4-J, F4-C and T-34C -- were popular with people who came to see the planes, including the Blue Angels, on the airport tarmac.

The weather was perfect Sunday after a rain-spattered Saturday kept the crowds down and the air show behind schedule. Both the Blue Angels and the Canadian F-18 entertained the crowds with their take-offs and landings.

Many visitors expressed the hope that the successful weekend could convince officials to return air shows to Martin State.

School children meet a Blue Angel

Children listen to a Blue Angel describe challenges of flying.

Friday morning a group of home-schooled children got a chance to hear about life as a Blue Angel. A pilot and maintenance crew member described what it takes to be on the Navy's elite demonstration team. Education was emphasized as the children peppered the Navy men with questions about what it's like to fly that fast and how do you become a Blue Angel.

Glenn Martin 'likes' the Blue Angels

Glenn takes a "selfie" with the Blue Angels at his airport.

The Blue Angels are at Martin State Airport as the excitement builds for this weekend's Star-Spangled Spectacular. The Museum will be part of the celebration at the airport that runs Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM.  There will be food and souvenir vendors and aircraft to ogle. You can watch the Blues take off en route to the air show over Fort McHenry.  Or, if you're patient, you can wait for their return and possibly catch an autograph. Please check the website link above or head to http://www.starspangled200.com/ for the latest information on the events in the Baltimore area.

Blue Angels arrive at Martin State

  

The Blue Angels team has arrived at Martin State Airport in preparation for this weekend's Star-Spangled Spectacular. The Air Show over Fort McHenry will be Saturday and Sunday.

You can see the Blue Angels and other aircraft at Martin State during the festival Saturday and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. There will be vendors selling food and aviation-related items. Security will be tight, so be sure to check what you can bring and have fun.

Author Jon Guttman visits

Well known aviation writer Jon Guttman was the guest  September 8 at the Museum's monthly Speaker Series. Jon, whose latest book, "Fighter Aircraft Combat Debuts" comes out this month, talked about the increased importance of aircraft in wartime. During World War I, aviation changed from simply being an "eye-in-the sky" to an integral part of strategy.