Amelia Earhart made a guest appearanceat the Orcutt library’s special program held on Earhart’s birthday, July 24.
But, you say, how could that be? The famous aviatrix and aviation pioneer was lost over the Pacific Ocean on July 2, 1937.
Not to worry. It was not a mirage.
Local pilot Patricia Lynn paid homage to Earhart by dressing up in period costume. Her highly polished, laced boots; flight jacket; leather cap; and goggles mimicked Earhart’s flying fashion. A red scarf was knotted jauntily around her neck.
Lynn looked ever-so-stylish, in a 1930s kind of way, and ready for a flight in her own Cessna 182.
She talked about Earhart and her accomplishments, and told us about flying lessons and what it takes to get and stay licensed. She brought along 9-by-12 photos of the heroine as well as books about her.
The Earhart program, implemented with the Santa Maria Museum of Flight, is part of a series of monthly events sponsored by noontime Altrusa, which has “adopted” the new library in Old Orcutt.
“We made a commitment to hold a program once a month for children,” former Altrusa president Melinda Aguirre told me. Aguirre is now president of the noontime Altrusa foundation, which distributes funds raised for various entities in the community.
Attendees didn’t go home empty handed. The Museum of Flight treated us to a pass for a group of four (valued at $16 to $20). We were gifted with a toy glider, courtesy of Altrusa, which also raffled off (with free tickets) a large kite.
Mike Geddy represented The Museum of Flight, where he’s chief cook and bottle washer. In other words, he does whatever needs to be done in his roles as chief executive officer, event director, and curator.
“We are an all-volunteer museum,” Geddy said.
And a busy one.
The museum, located in a big hangar near the airport, is the scene of many weddings and dinners. Their “Rocketeer Café” has catered many a meal in its time.
Lynn is president of the local “Ninety-Nines,” a worldwide organization of women pilots. About flying, she proclaimed fervently, “I love it!”
This was a pleasant, informative event in a lovely setting.
The new library is dreamy—a wonderful, modern, tastefully furnished place with a comfortable seating area where you can plop in a brown leather chair and browse your favorite books. There are, of course, computers for research and the all-important, vital checking of e-mail. As with the former Old Orcutt library, located at Clark and Bradley, this library sells used books and magazines. Bargains!
A big plus: Doc Burnstein’s ice cream parlor is right around the corner! Is that not convenient?
After the program, the City of Santa Maria Librarian Mary Housel invited us to participate in the city library’s fifth birthday party on Saturday, Aug. 24. Music (two bands), a magician, and a barbecue to benefit Friends of the Library are planned.
The Museum of Flight is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets cost $5 for adults and $4 for seniors and children aged 7 to 12. More info is available at 922-8758.
Call the Orcutt library to check out the back-to-school kids event Altrusa has planned for August.
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helenthom232@yahoo.com.
This article appears in Aug 8-15, 2013.