The Front Page
A Six-Pack of Piets
Written by Keith Saturday, 09 May 2009 20:12
This year, 2009, marks the 80th year since our neighbor up in Cherry Grove invented the Pietenpol Air Camper. Bernard Pietenpol was indeed one of the very early experimenters who successfully designed, built, and flew their own airplane.
That means that a good share of those living in Lime Springs now, only a dozen or so miles from Bernard's home and airport, have never heard of his deeds. That's too bad, as he is known worldwide in the homebuilt airplane circles.
That's one reason I bring the subject up whenever a reasonable opportunity to do so exists. Bernard is a part of the history of the local area and all should be aware of this humble man and his contribution to the art and science of aviation.
But I've been through that before. The reason for this article is to pass on information from the magazine Sport Aviation, the monthly magazine of the EAA (Experimental Aviation Association) headquartered in Oshkosh.
Some years ago, a couple of guys from Georgia were at the annual Pietenpol Fly In at Brodhead, WI. They decided to build a Piet. When the returned home, the two had grown to six! The six are togethr building six airplanes, mostly all alike. They all make parts for all six, sort of assembly line style.
When all the components are fabricated and assembled into an airplane and before painting, there'll be six Pietenpol Air Campers setting there, numbered one through six. Then and only then the six participating builders will draw numbers and find out which airplane is theirs!
All during the process, any builder could reject any part made by another. That, coupled with the lottery at the end, sounds like a great quality control system! No one would try to slip in a bad part because there was a chance it would end up in his airplane.
The plan is that all six will be at Oshkosh this year!
American Values
Written by Keith Saturday, 09 May 2009 18:41
Every once-in-a-while, someone tips me off to a YouTube or other video which I feel is worth passing on. I don't pass on anywhere near all those sent to me, believe me!
This one, however, has an interesting way of explaining what is so very special about America. It does it in a way which I've never thought about.
Take a few minutes and view it. And if your kids or grandkids are there, watch it with them. There are important lessons to be learned.
Why not leave a comment after you watch the video? (Create an account first, but that's easy. A few have already done it, so you certainly can!)
LSHS Class of '59 Reunion
Written by Administrator Wednesday, 06 May 2009 08:50
Planning for a 50th anniversary reunion of the Lime Springs High School Class of 1959, the next-to-the-last class to graduate from our school, is well underway.
The picture above was taken during one such meeting at Norm and Ann Stevenson's home in Stewartville a couple of weeks ago. Participants were, L to R, Norman, Harlene, Bob, Sandy, and Joanne.
The reunion will be held during Sweet Corn Days, with the grand banquet on Saturday evening, August 8. This will surely bring folks to Lime Springs whom you haven't seen for years, so you might want to put this year's Sweet Corn Days event on your calendar now!
Imagine this: In one more year, it will be 50 years—half-a-century, actually—since the last class to graduate frorm Lime Springs High School walked across the stage of the gym and received their diplomas.
And I still think of members of that class as "young folks!"
A Short Trip to Minnesota
Written by Keith Tuesday, 05 May 2009 16:10
We made a quick trip to Minnesota this week. We spent last night at Harlene's home in Mankato, tonight we're at Mark and Stephanie's home in Owatonna, and tomorrow night we'll be back home in Cedar Rapids.
Pat thinned her flower garden a bit, with some of the extras going to Harlene. And we got to see Zander! He's really grown in the last month. He just celebrated his first birthday.
We probably won't be able to be at Molly's very first birthday party, which will be next week, so we delivered the gifts today. A cute little red dress was one of them.
She's a a sweet and cute little girl, if I do say so myself.
60th Wedding Anniversary
Written by Keith Sunday, 03 May 2009 19:14
Sixty years ago on April 21, Harold Munkel and Betty Robinson were married. Last Saturday (May 2) their family sponsored an open house in recognition of this significant event.
Betty and Harold have been valued members of the Lime Springs community all their lives. Harold was a member of the Munkel Construction consortium until his retirement several years ago. Betty worked for the Howard County Times newspaper, as I recall.
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