Rhinebeck Museum trouble

So sad, ive just discoverd this thread and found out about this mess I too grew up there and spent allmost every summer going to the shows w/mydad,I met Cole when I was A kid and got his autograph on a program.Any thing that I can do I will do,Somebody let me know. P.S. what happend to Gene DeMarco Is he gone now too?

Like most of the posts, I have written the state about the situation at ORA.
ULPILOT your information about the National Warplane Museum is incorrect. Yes the State did stop the sale of the B-17 to an out of state museum. However the shake up at the museum happened over a year before the proposed sale. The stopping of the sale was done with an injunction issued by the state. Banks were about to foreclose due to the previous board mistakes. With the injunction came a promise of state financial aid. Museum is still flying aircraft. With another added each year. The B-17 was just lent to EAA so they came finish off this seasons flight schedule. Also NWM has elected board of trustees. Like US Senate, a third come up each year. Membership votes for board members. They can also nominate candidate.
The state can most certainly stop sales, also it can put pressure on boards. State prefers sales to happen to other museum in state.

[SteveS]

Originally posted by dragonfly@Jun 27 2004, 04:52 PM
[b]With another added each year.

With all do respect to your important post. I would like to add that Rhinebeck adds yearly also. I found this new bench most comfortable.

Steve S - that latest addition must have been a "board" decision. Probably one of the best ones they&#39;ve ever made. <_<
Got any more photos of "improvements?"

I&#39;ll bet they did discuss it during a meeting - whether to get pressure treated or not. It should be a no-brainer. Every year about 10% need to be replaced. It should be a normal budgeted item approved along with the rest of the expected expenses.

[SteveS]

Originally posted by Henry@Jun 28 2004, 09:36 AM
[b]Steve S - that latest addition must have been a "board" decision. Probably one of the best ones they&#39;ve ever made. <_<
Got any more photos of "improvements?"

I&#39;m sooo glad you asked&#33;
Give me a couple days. I&#39;ll try not to disappoint you.
Salute,
Steve

P.S. I felt this thread needed a spot of humor.

[AAC Cadet Leader]

Cannot wait to view more of what you saw this past weekend, SteveS&#33;

Expect you&#39;ll have some descriptive captions to go along w/them, too.

[Jim Bruton]

Like many of you, I have seen the demise of some really great things in this world and I applaud your cohesion- it does really begin in the heart. I have loved the ages of Pioneering and WW1 Aviation since childhood and I do plan to have my own full scale DR1 before long- will probably build it myself. I have loved my pilgrimages to ORA and just took my newly adopted children this past weekend (live in CT). My wife marveled how it had been nearly 30 years since her last visit and how little seemed changed. Seems like this wonderful birthplace of memories is in definite danger now.

1 - If things resolve themselves legally in favor of the Truehearts, great. However, if there is indeed a plan to ruin ORA and sell off the collection and then sell off the land,

2 - Do you have monied supporters who could come to the rescue? Is it perhaps time to issue that call for financial commitment that could be at the hair-trigger ready? I don&#39;t know if you have any really good lawyers looking at this, but their job is not to tell you how good it could go, but how bad it could be.

I have no idea if you see this as a practical back-up plan, but I know I would wonder "what if I had tried", if I were watching that brookside old weeping willow tree by the entrance being cut down for a new road into a "development".

For what it is worth, I know some people with money who either/both fly and believe in good causes. I would be happy to approach them about this.... but I need a number. Do we know how much Rhinebeck would be worth on the Block- which I assume is Land, Planes.... everything? Would it be best to value it in stages- Land, Planes, and then whatever else needs to be added in?

Please feel free to contact me however you wish.... I think this is a worthy cause.

Jim Bruton
www.jimbruton.com

A new mention on chris Rogine from AvFlash at http://www.avweb.com/newswire/10_27a.../187577-1.html
June 28, 2004
On The Fly...
By Russ Niles
Newswriter, Editor

A volunteer at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome has been cleared of theft charges over his attempt to sell a parachute from an Apollo mission that had been given to Rhinebeck by the National Air and Space Museum. A judge dismissed all charges against Christopher Rogine during an appearance June 3...

[SteveS]

Originally posted by Jim Bruton@Jun 28 2004, 08:25 PM
[b]Like many of you, I have seen the demise of some really great things in this world and I applaud your cohesion- it does really begin in the heart. I have loved the ages of Pioneering and WW1 Aviation since childhood and I do plan to have my own full scale DR1 before long- will probably build it myself. I have loved my pilgrimages to ORA and just took my newly adopted children this past weekend (live in CT). My wife marveled how it had been nearly 30 years since her last visit and how little seemed changed. Seems like this wonderful birthplace of memories is in definite danger now......

Please feel free to contact me however you wish.... I think this is a worthy cause.

Jim Bruton
www.jimbruton.com

Thank you Jim for adding more credibility to this thread. Please check out Jim&#39;s website for his credentials.

Jim&#39;s experience this last weekend seems to mirror my own and a lot of others. This thread was started after last season was over and thats when I became aware of troubles. By the actions and comments I saw and heard last Sunday, a lot of people were there to witness any and all changes made to ORA over a very anxious winter. Newcomers to ORA I&#39;m sure had a great time, but many of the repeat visitors were grumbling, some quite loudly. I felt sorry for the newbies as they had no idea just what they were missing (cheated out of?).

It was a windy day so understandably some planes did not fly. Thats fine. It was more the atmosphere that bothered me. I&#39;m sure Jim can back me up on this. In all my years visiting ORA (since 1972), I have never heard an announcment that if you did not pay at the gate, kindly do so. Many anouncments to visit the gift shop, and a call for volunteers. Yes, it seems it&#39;s all about money now. I think I heard the announcers mention Coles name only once or twice. Speaking of which, when telling the story of Cole Palen, THEY READ IT OFF A PAPER LIKE THEY WERE READING IT FOR THE FIRST TIME&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33;&#33; Come on guys, lets get with the program&#33;&#33;&#33; Lots of grumbling from the stands on that one. If your going to try to steal Cole&#39;s place at least give the man some respect.

In the next days I will try to post off-site, photos of my visit There are some great shots of ORA in action and some that will make you wonder whats going on. I&#39;m sure I&#39;ll have a lot of words to go with them. I do call for anyone who ever cared about Cole and Rita and Old Rhinebeck to pay a visit this year or view my photos. Then you can make up your own mind.

Cole left his legacy for us to enjoy. ALL OF US&#33;

Salute,
Steve (stepping off the soapbox)