Banquet Attendance Produces Aviation Auld Lang Syne

One of the highlights of the year (ranking next to AirVenture at Oshkosh) is the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame Banquet, which inducts new members annually.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced a three-time rescheduling of the event, which was conducted on Saturday, Oct. 30, at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Bloomington.

Almost 500 people were in attendance at the banquet. I had a great time networking with aviation contacts, contributing writers, and making new industry friends, as well as reestablishing hometown ties forged years ago in a nearby suburb.

Earlier in the day, I attended the funeral services of a former neighbor from Richfield. The 94-year-old mother of the large family next door had passed away in June. Florence lived in the same house for 63 years. She was a highly active member in her church and parish. She and husband Fred raised eight outstanding children in a house they built from the ground up. They were honored and cherished neighbors.

Revisiting that community connection created a "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" bond of sorts to the past as well as the present. The above reference refers to the classic comedy starring Steve Martin and the late John Candy.

The film tells the hilarious story of a man trying to get home for Thanksgiving dinner who is delayed by weather and an encounter with an unexpected sidekick.

Let's start with the train and automobile connection. Fred, the husband of the aforementioned neighbor, spent his entire working life as an engineer for the Milwaukee Railroad. Fred was a mechanical genius, and loved vintage automobiles. Fred owned two Cadillac hearses.

He converted one of the funeral coaches to a family camper and kept the other in pristine condition as a Halloween-themed transport.

Fred was a huge supporter of youth community athletics programs, including those involving his kids at the junior high level. One year, he decorated the side of the hearse with the words "Bury East" and loaded it up with a fake coffin. The hearse appeared at the rivalry game with Richfield's other junior high school, much to the chagrin of school officials.

I can end this tale with a planes connection: The kids next door all graduated from Richfield High School, the alma mater of Al Malmberg, Twin Cities radio veteran, current World of Aviation host, and MAHOF banquet master of ceremonies. Al is a 1969 Richfield High School graduate. During the social hour before the MAHOF banquet, I had a chance to share stories with Al about Sherm Booen, Minnesota Flyer founder and fellow hometown resident. My family lived across the street from Sherm, just off Nicollet Avenue.

With that, I hope I've tied the "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" references together in a meaningful and efficient way. If not, please consider a quick quote from the movie, courtesy of Screen Rant, a favorite online entertainment news source.

Here's the quote: "Let me close this conversation by saying that you are one unique individual." That on-screen complement made by Martin's character to Candy's character applies to all my aviation industry contacts, both old and new.

In closing, here's another year-ending reminder I'd like to offer the loyal readers of the Minnesota Flyer: Get ready for our brand-new editorial calendar. In 2022, the magazine wants readers to share their stories and problem-solving approaches to a number of general aviation maintenance topics. Hangar improvement kicks things off in January, followed by Aircraft Interiors (February) and Aircraft Finance & Insurance (March). We'll also look at subtopics associated with operating costs, namely engine overhauls and fuel.

The goal is refining the magazine's editorial content while continuing to improve the coverage our readers love and know best-an extensive calendar of fly-in breakfasts and events, aviation news, columns by aviation personalities and profiles of people and the airplanes that they fly.

Start sending your story ideas and suggestions for improvement. Don't forget, the Minnesota Flyer is your magazine, and we need your input as we move forward.