Not long from now, I will be interrupted by so many visitors to AeroKnow Museum that I won’t be able to accomplish a thing. When that happens, I’ll turn off the public office lights, close the door and go upstairs to get some real work done. But in the meantime, I’m not interrupted enough, darn it.
Friday afternoon I arrived with much to do: separate calendar pictures so I can offer them individually to visitors for $1 each, index the rest of the Airline World magazines recently donated, work on the F-86 serials, and tape small clippings to 8.5 x 11 scrap white paper that’s been printed on one side but still has a clean back side where I can affix clips less than half a page in size. There have been weeks (not consecutive weeks, thank goodness) when I’ve been able to focus “all de live long day” on these tasks and others. Frankly, a break in the routine would be welcome most of those days if visitors swing by, let me show them the collection and give them a brochure that explains the details that can’t be shared during a first visit most of the time. In the meantime, I focus on the road ahead. The marathon runner doesn’t dedicate his/her life to the race for the reward of seeing posies and wild birds along the trek. I’m not in the museum business to chat with visitors, although I invariably enjoy every minute of conversation and am sorry to see them go. I am especially sorry to see them go when they ignore the DONATION JAR by the door.
I was focusing on some indexing when I noticed a boy looking into the Museum, obviously curious about what was inside. As I welcomed him in, he was joined by another about his age, his nephew. The pictures that follow, tell the story.
Friday visitors
joined by a dad
The family flew in from Birmingham, Michigan in their 172. The two boys, 3rd and 4th graders, and dad plus grand dad also joined them for the tour. For first time in the history of AeroKnow Museum, an adult took a picture of me, showing the models to his progeny. The picture will no doubt be shared with Springfield kin, and I hope to see them when they depart this town for home base Sunday.
I also showed the Museum to a King Air 200 pilot and about 6:30, the crew of a Gulfstream 4 who cut the visit short because everybody else wanted to go eat dinner. I departed about 8:15. Total donation jar take: $2. This will improve, God willing. I need to TRIPLE the model display shelves for max impact, and they won’t buy themselves. Still, it was a terrific day.
You should have been here! 🙂
CAVU and happy landings.
Abe Lincoln's Air Force 