"Yakima Clipper"  -  July 2008

Chairman's Report :  

The Museum is still alive and well.  Money, like every museum knows, is a scarce resource. We are keeping the doors open due to the determination of Museum volunteers and your Board.

The Museum has several on-going projects.  We recognize the need for education; both youth and adult.  As a result we have contemplated the idea of a flight simulator at the Museum.  Some of you may have seen one at the annual aviation trade show last fall.  It is great!  We need sponsors to make it a reality.  If you belong to a service group that might be interested, please contact the Museum.

The nose art displays are fantastic but we could use more—contact Chuck Naasz for further details.

One of our newest displays coming in August is an original WWII Jeep that is for sale with a portion of the proceeds going to the Museum.

We are also working on the idea of tours to other museums ie Hood River, McMinnville, Olympia, Everett or Seattle.  It’s too far to walk so maybe a bus, van, car pooling, aircraft, motorcycles, etc.  Let us know your thoughts.

Upcoming Events :

Starting on Friday, August 1, and running through Sunday August 3, we will be hosting 2 Navy SNJ/Army AT-6.  Flights on these aircraft are available with prices starting at $259.00.  If you are interested in a flight, please call (509) 469-3739 or 1-800-759-5490 to reserve your space.

Tentative date for the Young Eagles is Saturday, September 13.  We will let you know the exact date as time gets closer.

Also in the works is an eighty year celebration for the airport.  We anticipate that we will be very involved in this, also.

Volunteer Coordinator Notes:

Don Rasmussen is going to step in to coordinate our volunteer schedule.  We want to thank Warren Robins for the great job he has done in getting our core group of volunteers up and running, and setting up a training manual with a DVD to guide new volunteers on how to become a docent for the Museum.

Now that we have a trained base of volunteers we need to bring in more visitors.  To accomplish this we’re going to try press releases to the media (TV, radio, & newspapers).  Jim Polley is guiding us through the process and Liggett Taylor is handling the copy editing and e-mail process.  Mike Bull, Warren Robins, & Chuck Naasz are also helping with this endeavor.

Nose Art :

What is the McAllister Museum of Aviation’s “Nose Art Project”?  “Nose art” refers to the paintings done on the nose of airplanes during WWII.  Museum volunteers drilled and riveted pieces of aluminum to look like a panel from a plane, then we invited artists, teachers, students and anyone interested to paint the “nose art”.  We have 15 pieces completed and hung and more are on the way.  Please stop by and see for yourself the tremendous artwork done by these talented volunteers.  They have all done a GREAT job!!

Winter and Summer Hours:

Just a reminder – we are currently operating on winter hours :  Thursdays and Fridays 10-4; and Saturdays 9-4.  Spring/Summer hours will begin around the first part of May.

Just an FYI :

Due to road construction, 16th Ave. will not be open as a through street until sometime in September.  You can still access the Museum from Washington Avenue through Cub Crafters gate and park in our “back lot” (it will be marked) or you can access our main parking area by approaching the Museum from the south via Ahtanum Road.  We are very sorry for any inconvenience this causes but hopefully the final outcome, a brand new road, will make it worth while.

Volunteers Needed :

Are you interested in being more involved with YOUR Museum?  We are always looking for more volunteers to “man the store”.  New volunteers are working with more experienced folks in 3 hour shifts so there isn’t a lot of pressure.  Come join us—we’re having fun.  Call Don Rasmussen at 965-1003.

Can’t volunteer your time?  How about supplies?  We can always use toilet paper, paper towels, printer paper, coffee, postage stamps, etc.

We can also use some help on the following projects:
     Lamson Air Tractor—Are you good at model building?  We need a scratch built model using the blue prints as a guide.  About 30” to 40” wingspan.
     Remake signs in existing displays—the copy is there, just need someone good with computer (Word, Adobe Photo Shop, etc.)

In Passing

The Museum recently lost one of our core volunteers – Keith Dusil.  For those of you who didn’t know Keith he was here every week and was always  willing to jump in and help wherever needed.  His funeral will be held Wednesday, July 30 at 1:00 pm at Keith & Keith at 902 W. Yakima Ave with interment at West Hills Memorial Park.  Following the interment we will have a reception here at the Museum.

Are Your Dues Due?

 If you’re not sure if you have renewed your membership for this year look at your address label on this mailing—you will notice an entry in the top right-hand corner.  Your membership expiration date is now printed on your mailing label.  If you haven’t been a member for a while – WE MISS YOU! and would love to have you rejoin our growing family.  Remember your McAllister Museum membership gives you entry to the Museum of Flight in Seattle as well as discounts for fuel and gift shop items at McAllister’s.

Greg Babcock,  Chairman

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