Rhinebeck Museum trouble

The gate was open so I drove over to my Ercoupe. I checked it over and found my fuel tanks “bone-dry”. I have reported it to the NY State Police as tampering since the fuel tank caps were put on backwards, and if there was fuel in the tanks and I hadn’t noticed it and gone aloft, I would be coming back down again in 12-15 minutes as the fuel siphons out at a terrific rate in flight.

WARNING

FEDERAL OFFENSE

DAMAGING OR DISABLING

This aircraft by stealing radios, navigation equipments, autopilots, engines, propellors, fuel, or any other parts is, in most cases, a Federal Offense punishable by fines up to $10,000. Imprisonment for twenty years, or even death if such a theft causes an accident resulting in loss of life.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation will be notified.

Since the new regime is so fond of posting warning signs for homeland security around airports, perhaps they should post this sign also - and heed it.

[Curtiss Jenny]

as i drove by the aerodrome today, i wondered if the dumpster by old # one hangar had anything to do with the disappearance of the village. bar-le-duc is what cole palen called it. the hotel paree,the jail, and the bad boyz saloon appear to be gone.

Here Cat,
This is upsetting news as the village of Bar-le-duc was always an icon of Cole Palen's airshows. Many volunteers worked long and hard hours on the village buildings.

Is it gone forever, or will a new village be built to replace it? Should not the airplane hangars that house the assets of the Aerodrome been the first to be replaced?

I fear that the village, the volunteer contributions listed on the ORA web site and the Keith Ferris painting of the Spirit of St. Louis have no value to the new regime. In a Stalinist move these were eliminated to remove all vestiges of former worker's and volunteer's contributions. What else has no value to them?

As for the airplane tampering of the Ercoupe, whoever did that is a very sick individual and needs professional help.

[ONEALM]

Makes you want to quote John Belushi from Animal House -

"They took the Bar, the whole F'ing Bar !"

Tearing down Bar-le-Duc. What's next changing the name of the place to "Somebody-We-Never-Heard-of-and-Who-has-No-Real- History-with-the-Place's Old Red Hook Aero-puerta" ?


If they are trying to completely erradicate all vestiges, maybe they can remove the bust of Cole from the Museum, the photos of him and others from the walkway/bridge onto the field, his name from the poster, calendars and advertising. Maybe they can figure out a way to expunge the names of all those who help animate the place for so many years and who built, flew washed, pushed or maintained aircraft at ORA.

Maybe they should tear down the hangars on the far side of the field since they were built by hands who knew and respected Cole. Maybe they should just get rid of all the airplanes Cole and his crew helped bring to the field, maintain and fly.

Maybe they can conjure up another story which, while they believe it to be true, is simply another fabrication - something like Cole never existed. He's a character who was invented to give the Aerodrome color. I mean how could anyone possibly have envisioned such a place, put it together and actually enlist people to volunteer and run such a mad house ? It's so impossible sounding, he must have been imagined.

But once they've done all that and all that was ever part of the Old Rhinebeck experience has been swept aside at the whim of the current board, what will be left ?

In sum and substance and particularly in character - less than nothing.

[greenknight]

Once again it appears that the current leadership, through lack of communication of their plans, is creating further distress among Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome's members and fans.

Could someone on the Aerodrome staff please disclose some details and plans regarding the Village of Bar-le-Duc (or "Barley Duck" as Phineas Pinkham would say)? Is it undergoing renovation or has it been removed permanently? I do not see any mention of airfield renovations of this nature in the Spring 2004 issue of "Rotary Ramblings".

Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome's web site would be an appropriate forum in which to post such information in timely fashion. Why not use it to give updates on such doings to those of us that are interested? I feel that Museum Members such as myself deserve at least that much consideration.

[SteveS]

Originally posted by greenknight@May 5 2004, 01:28 PM
[b]Could someone on the Aerodrome staff please disclose some details and plans regarding the Village of Bar-le-Duc (or "Barley Duck" as Phineas Pinkham would say)?* Is it undergoing renovation or has it been removed permanently?* I do not see any mention of airfield renovations of this nature in the Spring 2004 issue of "Rotary Ramblings".*

Since were getting close to opening the museum, personally I don't think we will be hearing much from anyone connected till it's open and too late. And even then, to them we are just members and supporters. <_<

Were getting down to the wire folks. I'm most curious to see what happens this year.

Salute,
Steve

[wingnut]

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Not only is the village gone, but the Board Members,"The Boarons" are now trying to discourage and or, get rid of the food stand. Wes Cullen, a cousin of Cole's, started that with his wife Fran, in the very early days. Fran still runs it with Eugene Cascone managing it. This family business pays a fee to the Aerodrome to be there. They are sub-contractors. The Boarons want to see their receipts. How much money they bring in. Do you remember going to a restaurant and asking the owner to his his receipts of the day?
If the Boarons want a different menu or upgrade something,discussions would be an intelligent option. Instead, powerplays and muscle. What else and whats next? If the contract for the Food Stand does not get signed, another group of good peoples lives are again damaged. And all for what reason?
The puzzle is almost complete for them. We must keep the pressure on.

[Henry]

Not only is the village gone, but the Board Members,"The Boarons" are now trying to discourage and or, get rid of the food stand.

I have heard from the "source," Gene DeMarco that he was trying to get rid of Fran's concession stands for years, because she did not carry "vegitarian" food. Fran has operated that stand for years, and she knew what food she can carry profitably and what was not economically feasible for her. She knew what weekends were more likely to have more people come in, and when they are more likely to want food (when they are very hot or very cold).

The stands were only open on the weekends for a lunchtime crowd, there is no big money here. Most concession stands rely on large volume, or being able to sell alchololic beverages to be able to turn a profit. The audience have always been free to bring in food, or go to any of the great restaurants in the Rhinebeck area.

The fact is, the Aerodrome was lucky to have Fran's services available. But since the former staff and volunteers efforts were not given the respect and appreciation that they deserved, why should Fran be treated any differently?

[AAC Cadet Leader]

Richard King,

Thanks for keeping the heat on the hostiles at ORA. Glad you had the guts to tell 'em to arrest you! Keep up the good fight. That goes for all the rest of you who are striving to preserve Cole Palen's living, flying museum.

I am optimistic that you and many other dedicated volunteers and staff who through the years helped Cole Palen create the living magical treasure known as Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, will get it back and will run it with renewed passion -- just the way he would have wanted!

[Curtiss Jenny]

To those reading this thread who do not know who the Kings are, they have been pilots at the Aerodrome since the 1960's. Richard King and his brother Bill helped Cole Palen build the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome into a wonderful place. They gave up all their weekends from mid-May to Oct. 31 for many years to fly in the air shows. They brought their own planes to the show, and always gave encouragement to people learning to fly. Bill's sons, Andrew and David became pilots/mechanics adding another generation's talents to the Aerodrome.

The Kings have promoted the Aerodrome at away shows, lectures, and Richard wrote a wonderul book full of terrific photos, "The Skies Over Rhinebeck." They are men of great passion for early aviation and for continuing Cole Palen's dream of a living museum.

The Kings have integrity: they are honest and forthright. The former crew and volunteers greatly admire them, their flying abilities and appreciate the guidance they have given us over the years.

Bill King is a true gentleman: he is intelligent, humble, and polite. He is a man of great wisdon who has given forty years of his life to ORA. If anyone has earned a right to be at the Aerodrome, it is the Kings. I believe that they all have a big chunk of their hearts there.

[wingnut]

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Thats really nice of Jim Kick, not letting Bill King drive to his airplane. Instead, let him carry his tools across a long field. Mr.Kick, how did that feel having the power to deny easy access and making a 75yr. young man take his tools and walk to his passion. His airplane. Something that you will never have. Passion. Look in the mirror and you will see, Shallowness.
When that inevitable day comes to you and all of us. You will not be remembered for doing anything good for the Aerodrome. You will be remembered only as an ugly power hungry parasite. Nothing good. Nothing. You will most likely laugh at all this. Someday, maybe, you won't.
Something you and the rest of the Boarons don't have is the passion for the Aerodrome. Passion can be viewed as a weakness. But not in this case. Ours is strong and not going to let up.
The passion you have is power and money. Being that the Boarons obviously don't have the passion for the Aerodrome, there must be something else that keeps you all there. I believe, as many others do, know what that is. This private Long Range Plan is not benefical to the Aerodrome at all and will economically hurt the Hudson Valley businesses.
Write, rewrite, call, recall, all offices this forum has offered and local offices, newspapers, and anyone that may help to save the Aerodrome.