An Amazing Gift

[Jay Honeck]

I didn't have time for this -- or anything else, for that matter. The inn
was full, and I was fighting constant interruptions of all kinds. But the
phone call was from the airport, and Mary said it was important.

Zach was on the line, one of our CFIs. He had just taken a most unusual
call, from a fellow who wanted to know if he knew anyone who would be
interested in a large collection of aviation memorabilia. God bless him,
Zach had instantly thought of us, and took the man's name and number.

With a deep sigh I dialed the number -- could things get any worse? In the
midst of a billion problems, guests, and frustrations, my patience and time
stretched to the breaking point, I dialed...

The man answered the phone quickly and cordially. I explained who I was,
and what I knew of his offer, and then left the words hanging in the air,
not knowing what else to say. With halting speech and obvious stress in
his voice, the man explained...

It seemed his brother, Jim, was gravely ill. Parkinson's had been the
diagnosis some ten years ago, and Jim was now suffering through the final
phase of this merciless disease. An orthodontist, an F-86 fighter jock in
Korea, and a crop duster, Jim was no longer able to live in the posh
retirement apartment he had called "home" for so long. The disease had
slowly robbed him of everything but his soul, and he now "lived" in an
intensive nursing home, his mind still perfect, trapped inside a body that
no longer functioned, awaiting his ultimate demise.

His brother, Joe, had the unenviable task of cleaning out his brother's
apartment, slowly sorting through the years of memory and trivia. I have
done this for both of my parents when they passed, and I can tell you that
it's one of the hardest things you'll ever do. Every step is bittersweet,
every movement filled with anguish.

But Joe's task was ten times harder, because his brother was literally in
the world of the living dead. Unable to mourn or let go, the family was
nonetheless trying to tie up loose ends as best they could.

It was into this rarefied atmosphere that I found myself thrust, on my day
without time.

Joe went on. It seemed his brother was a collector of all things aviation,
and was deeply involved with home-building and EAA. His family was not
interested in any of the flying stuff, and Joe -- a former B-52 navigator
from the pre-Vietnam era -- simply could not transport it all back to his
home in Ohio. Sitting in the middle of Jim's disassembled apartment, Joe
struck on the idea of giving it all to the local airport, in hopes of
preserving it for ALL pilots to use.

Of course, what Joe didn't know was that our airport was in shambles. The
City Council wants it profitable, the Airport Commission knows it can't be
done, politics are being played in the newspaper, with each side firing
retaliatory salvos through the media. It's a terrible situation, totally in
flux, and no one knows where it will all shake out. But the end result is
that no one within the airport community would dare to house Jim's
collection.

So, they called me, on my day without time.

Joe explained the collection. In my preoccupied frame of mind, I heard
about some books, some memorabilia from his days as a crop duster, some
artwork -- would I be interested in any of it? Trying to beg off, I asked
if the next day would work for him?

It wouldn't. His task needed to be completed today. If I didn't want it
now, in the trash it would go.

What else could I do? I said I would be there in ten minutes. Enduring
Mary's glare, I got his address and directions, and rang off. This day
would simply have to wait.

Joe met me in the foyer of the retirement home. A stocky, sturdy man, he
shook my hand with a force that belied his years. We slowly walked back to
Jim's apartment, and as he opened the door we stepped back in time.

The well-appointed apartment was in that peculiar state of chaos well-known
to all next of kin. Pink post-it notes, with each relatives name neatly
printed on them, were stuck to each piece of claimed furniture. A lifetime
of acquisitions were being divvyed up between far-flung relatives, and I --
a total stranger -- was being invited into the maelstrom to pick over the
bones.

It all felt very awkward, yet very familiar.

Joe strode into the study, with me in trail. This room was minus any
post-it notes, and the atmosphere abruptly changed to 100%, Grade-A
aviation. A propeller; a spinner; a crop-duster's helmet; flying goggles.
They were all there, everywhere, wherever I looked.

Books on every topic were shelved neatly in rows, sorted by topic. World War
I. World War II. Korea. Instrument flight. Working with wood. Working
with dope. Jim's books covered literally every aspect of aviation, from
aerodynamics to wing rib construction.

Overwhelmed, I asked Joe to sort out what he wanted me to take, and what he
wanted to keep. With a dismissive wave of his arm, he replied "Take it
all..."

I was speechless. I was going to need a bigger car.

Then we started going through the memorabilia. The propeller off the
Cassutt racer that Jim and his Dad were building. The helmet and goggles
Jim wore while crop-dusting. Models of his old F-86 Sabre. A spinner.
Headphones. A crash helmet.

Hell, I was going to need a bigger lobby.

We obtained a ten-foot long flatbed rolling cart from the management. Being
a retirement home, families cleared out loved-ones belongings every day, and
they were equipped to haul a lot of stuff. We loaded that cart TWICE, just
with books. It then took three more trips with another cart to haul the
assorted other boxes of aviation-related gear. The collection filled my
station wagon to the brim, with the back seats folded flat.

Several hours later Mary and I were still unloading, and I realized that we
really DID need a bigger lobby. Since that wasn't possible, we purchased
five more sets of bookcases, to hold all of Dr. Jim's collection, and we
boxed up all of the homebuilding stuff, to be donated to our local EAA
chapter.

Incredibly, two days later, Dr. Jim's sister and brother-in-law stopped by
with ANOTHER couple of boxes, and they told us that we would be able to have
the Cassutt racer's fully-completed fuselage and wings if there were no
takers for it! (It's never been covered, has no engine, and hasn't been
touched since 1978.)

An amazing gift, indeed. Dr. Jim's love of aviation will now live on in our
community long after he's gone, thanks to the generosity and kindness of his
family. His 150-volume library will be made available for all of our guests
and local pilots, and his memorabilia will decorate our hotel for many years
to come.

See it at http://alexisparkinn.com/aviation_library.htm .
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"



--
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"



--
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Maule Driver]

Damn Jay, I'm all teared up. Nice job!

[Chuck]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:MF44c.8884$i76.125646@attbi_s03...
> I didn't have time for this -- or anything else, for that matter. The inn
> was full, and I was fighting constant interruptions of all kinds. But the
> phone call was from the airport, and Mary said it was important.
>

<snip>

Now thats cool!

Jay is a lucky man...


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[Paul Tomblin]

In a previous article, "Jay Honeck" > said:
>What else could I do? I said I would be there in ten minutes. Enduring
>Mary's glare, I got his address and directions, and rang off. This day
>would simply have to wait.

You know, this is what I like about you, Jay. When it comes to
non-aviation topics we don't agree on much and we're pretty much
diametrically opposed on politics, and I was started to get really ****ed
at your near-spam of the picture gallery updates before you went to the
monthly updates (thanks for that, by the way). But reading stuff like
this, I get the feeling that you're willing to go the extra mile, not just
for the good of your business, but for the good of aviation itself.

Well done.


--
Paul Tomblin > http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
Failure is not an option. It comes bundled with your Microsoft product.
-- Ferenc Mantfeld

[Morgans]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote

> I didn't have time for this -- or anything else, for that matter. The inn
> was full, and I was fighting constant interruptions of all kinds. But the
> phone call was from the airport, and Mary said it was important.
>
> Zach

> Joe strode into the study, with me in trail. This room was minus any
> post-it notes, and the atmosphere abruptly changed to 100%, Grade-A
> aviation. A propeller; a spinner; a crop-duster's helmet; flying goggles.
> They were all there, everywhere, wherever I looked.
>
> Books on every topic were shelved neatly in rows, sorted by topic. World
War
> I. World War II. Korea. Instrument flight. Working with wood. Working
> with dope. Jim's books covered literally every aspect of aviation, from
> aerodynamics to wing rib construction.
>
> Overwhelmed, I asked Joe to sort out what he wanted me to take, and what
he
> wanted to keep. With a dismissive wave of his arm, he replied "Take it
> all..."
>
> I was speechless. I was going to need a bigger car.

> An amazing gift, indeed. Dr. Jim's love of aviation will now live on in
our
> community long after he's gone, thanks to the generosity and kindness of
his
> family. His 150-volume library will be made available for all of our
guests
> and local pilots, and his memorabilia will decorate our hotel for many
years
> to come.
>
>> Jay Honeck

Goosebumps and watery eyes, here, Jay. Take some pictures over to the man
that made this possible. He will be glad to know his stuff has found a
worthy home.
--
Jim in NC


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[Rosspilot]

It's not just your love of aviation, Jay . . . it's the incredible ability to
tell a story with
such passion, color, and detail.

Kudos for your sense of compassion and
for all you do to further the GA cause.


www.Rosspilot.com

[Peter R.]

Jay Honeck wrote:

> I didn't have time for this -- or anything else, for that matter.
<snip>

Looking forward to someday seeing all of that memorabilia in person.

Thank you for the story, Jay.


--
Peter







----== Posted via Newsfeed.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==----
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[G.R. Patterson III]

Thanks for taking the time.

George Patterson
Battle, n; A method of untying with the teeth a political knot that would
not yield to the tongue.

[G.R. Patterson III]

Chuck wrote:
>
> Jay is a lucky man...

I've always found that the harder you work, the more luck you have.

George Patterson
Battle, n; A method of untying with the teeth a political knot that would
not yield to the tongue.

[Jay Honeck]

> Goosebumps and watery eyes, here, Jay. Take some pictures over to the man
> that made this possible. He will be glad to know his stuff has found a
> worthy home.

His sister just told me that Dr. Jim can now no longer swallow, and is on a
feeding tube, God help him.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[rip]

Jay, go see the man and thank him personally. He'll know you're there.
Keep writing. You're the next Gourdon Baxter. Viva "Hawk Lips"!!!

Rip

Morgans wrote:
> "Jay Honeck" > wrote
>
>
>>I didn't have time for this -- or anything else, for that matter. The inn
>>was full, and I was fighting constant interruptions of all kinds. But the
>>phone call was from the airport, and Mary said it was important.
>>
>>Zach
>
>
>>Joe strode into the study, with me in trail. This room was minus any
>>post-it notes, and the atmosphere abruptly changed to 100%, Grade-A
>>aviation. A propeller; a spinner; a crop-duster's helmet; flying goggles.
>>They were all there, everywhere, wherever I looked.
>>
>>Books on every topic were shelved neatly in rows, sorted by topic. World
>
> War
>
>>I. World War II. Korea. Instrument flight. Working with wood. Working
>>with dope. Jim's books covered literally every aspect of aviation, from
>>aerodynamics to wing rib construction.
>>
>>Overwhelmed, I asked Joe to sort out what he wanted me to take, and what
>
> he
>
>>wanted to keep. With a dismissive wave of his arm, he replied "Take it
>>all..."
>>
>>I was speechless. I was going to need a bigger car.
>
>
>>An amazing gift, indeed. Dr. Jim's love of aviation will now live on in
>
> our
>
>>community long after he's gone, thanks to the generosity and kindness of
>
> his
>
>>family. His 150-volume library will be made available for all of our
>
> guests
>
>>and local pilots, and his memorabilia will decorate our hotel for many
>
> years
>
>>to come.
>>
>>
>>>Jay Honeck
>
>
> Goosebumps and watery eyes, here, Jay. Take some pictures over to the man
> that made this possible. He will be glad to know his stuff has found a
> worthy home.

[Mike Weller]

Jay, beware!

You're on the fast track to Sainthood.

Mike Weller

[Peter Duniho]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:MF44c.8884$i76.125646@attbi_s03...
> [...]
> It wouldn't. His task needed to be completed today. If I didn't want it
> now, in the trash it would go.
>
> What else could I do? I said I would be there in ten minutes. Enduring
> Mary's glare, I got his address and directions, and rang off. This day
> would simply have to wait.

I wonder how many truly unique opportunities are wasted by people who don't
know the right answer to questions like "can you come over *right now*?"

Pete

[Toks Desalu]

Incredible!
I already made a mental note to stop by at your hotel one day.

[Morgans]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote
>
> Overwhelmed, I asked Joe to sort out what he wanted me to take, and what
he
> wanted to keep. With a dismissive wave of his arm, he replied "Take it
> all..."
>
> I was speechless. I was going to need a bigger car.
> > Jay Honeck

Ever think about opening a museum wing? ;-)
--
Jim in NC


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[Dudley Henriques]

That's an amazing story Jay, and very well written I might add.
I can identify a bit with this story as I'm sort of the "unofficial
custodian" for a lot of personal letters to me from members of the
fellowship, most aces from many countries and many gone now. I've arranged
to have them transferred to Wright Pat for safe keeping when all of us are
finally gone. I read the letters from some who are gone now once in a while
and remember their faces and laughter. They were a great group.
I'm reminded of that old saying, "It's been said that no one ever dies who
remains alive in the mind and heart of a friend". It's great that you had
the means and purpose to save this man's memories.
In a very practical way you could say you made it possible for him to leave
a bit of himself behind.
Good job!
Dudley
"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:MF44c.8884$i76.125646@attbi_s03...
> I didn't have time for this -- or anything else, for that matter. The inn
> was full, and I was fighting constant interruptions of all kinds. But the
> phone call was from the airport, and Mary said it was important.
>
> Zach was on the line, one of our CFIs. He had just taken a most unusual
> call, from a fellow who wanted to know if he knew anyone who would be
> interested in a large collection of aviation memorabilia. God bless him,
> Zach had instantly thought of us, and took the man's name and number.
>
> With a deep sigh I dialed the number -- could things get any worse? In
the
> midst of a billion problems, guests, and frustrations, my patience and
time
> stretched to the breaking point, I dialed...
>
> The man answered the phone quickly and cordially. I explained who I was,
> and what I knew of his offer, and then left the words hanging in the air,
> not knowing what else to say. With halting speech and obvious stress in
> his voice, the man explained...
>
> It seemed his brother, Jim, was gravely ill. Parkinson's had been the
> diagnosis some ten years ago, and Jim was now suffering through the final
> phase of this merciless disease. An orthodontist, an F-86 fighter jock in
> Korea, and a crop duster, Jim was no longer able to live in the posh
> retirement apartment he had called "home" for so long. The disease had
> slowly robbed him of everything but his soul, and he now "lived" in an
> intensive nursing home, his mind still perfect, trapped inside a body that
> no longer functioned, awaiting his ultimate demise.
>
> His brother, Joe, had the unenviable task of cleaning out his brother's
> apartment, slowly sorting through the years of memory and trivia. I have
> done this for both of my parents when they passed, and I can tell you that
> it's one of the hardest things you'll ever do. Every step is bittersweet,
> every movement filled with anguish.
>
> But Joe's task was ten times harder, because his brother was literally in
> the world of the living dead. Unable to mourn or let go, the family was
> nonetheless trying to tie up loose ends as best they could.
>
> It was into this rarefied atmosphere that I found myself thrust, on my day
> without time.
>
> Joe went on. It seemed his brother was a collector of all things
aviation,
> and was deeply involved with home-building and EAA. His family was not
> interested in any of the flying stuff, and Joe -- a former B-52 navigator
> from the pre-Vietnam era -- simply could not transport it all back to his
> home in Ohio. Sitting in the middle of Jim's disassembled apartment, Joe
> struck on the idea of giving it all to the local airport, in hopes of
> preserving it for ALL pilots to use.
>
> Of course, what Joe didn't know was that our airport was in shambles. The
> City Council wants it profitable, the Airport Commission knows it can't be
> done, politics are being played in the newspaper, with each side firing
> retaliatory salvos through the media. It's a terrible situation, totally
in
> flux, and no one knows where it will all shake out. But the end result is
> that no one within the airport community would dare to house Jim's
> collection.
>
> So, they called me, on my day without time.
>
> Joe explained the collection. In my preoccupied frame of mind, I heard
> about some books, some memorabilia from his days as a crop duster, some
> artwork -- would I be interested in any of it? Trying to beg off, I
asked
> if the next day would work for him?
>
> It wouldn't. His task needed to be completed today. If I didn't want it
> now, in the trash it would go.
>
> What else could I do? I said I would be there in ten minutes. Enduring
> Mary's glare, I got his address and directions, and rang off. This day
> would simply have to wait.
>
> Joe met me in the foyer of the retirement home. A stocky, sturdy man, he
> shook my hand with a force that belied his years. We slowly walked back to
> Jim's apartment, and as he opened the door we stepped back in time.
>
> The well-appointed apartment was in that peculiar state of chaos
well-known
> to all next of kin. Pink post-it notes, with each relatives name neatly
> printed on them, were stuck to each piece of claimed furniture. A
lifetime
> of acquisitions were being divvyed up between far-flung relatives, and
I --
> a total stranger -- was being invited into the maelstrom to pick over the
> bones.
>
> It all felt very awkward, yet very familiar.
>
> Joe strode into the study, with me in trail. This room was minus any
> post-it notes, and the atmosphere abruptly changed to 100%, Grade-A
> aviation. A propeller; a spinner; a crop-duster's helmet; flying goggles.
> They were all there, everywhere, wherever I looked.
>
> Books on every topic were shelved neatly in rows, sorted by topic. World
War
> I. World War II. Korea. Instrument flight. Working with wood. Working
> with dope. Jim's books covered literally every aspect of aviation, from
> aerodynamics to wing rib construction.
>
> Overwhelmed, I asked Joe to sort out what he wanted me to take, and what
he
> wanted to keep. With a dismissive wave of his arm, he replied "Take it
> all..."
>
> I was speechless. I was going to need a bigger car.
>
> Then we started going through the memorabilia. The propeller off the
> Cassutt racer that Jim and his Dad were building. The helmet and goggles
> Jim wore while crop-dusting. Models of his old F-86 Sabre. A spinner.
> Headphones. A crash helmet.
>
> Hell, I was going to need a bigger lobby.
>
> We obtained a ten-foot long flatbed rolling cart from the management.
Being
> a retirement home, families cleared out loved-ones belongings every day,
and
> they were equipped to haul a lot of stuff. We loaded that cart TWICE, just
> with books. It then took three more trips with another cart to haul the
> assorted other boxes of aviation-related gear. The collection filled my
> station wagon to the brim, with the back seats folded flat.
>
> Several hours later Mary and I were still unloading, and I realized that
we
> really DID need a bigger lobby. Since that wasn't possible, we purchased
> five more sets of bookcases, to hold all of Dr. Jim's collection, and we
> boxed up all of the homebuilding stuff, to be donated to our local EAA
> chapter.
>
> Incredibly, two days later, Dr. Jim's sister and brother-in-law stopped by
> with ANOTHER couple of boxes, and they told us that we would be able to
have
> the Cassutt racer's fully-completed fuselage and wings if there were no
> takers for it! (It's never been covered, has no engine, and hasn't been
> touched since 1978.)
>
> An amazing gift, indeed. Dr. Jim's love of aviation will now live on in
our
> community long after he's gone, thanks to the generosity and kindness of
his
> family. His 150-volume library will be made available for all of our
guests
> and local pilots, and his memorabilia will decorate our hotel for many
years
> to come.
>
> See it at http://alexisparkinn.com/aviation_library.htm .
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
>
>
> --
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
>
>
> --
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
>

[Jack Allison]

Awesome story Jay. I'm glad you took the time to gather the stuff up...now
I hope you figure out how/where to store/display it all. Ah, but those are
the nice problems to try and solve eh? Thanks for a great post.

--
Jack Allison
PP-ASEL

"When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the Earth
with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there
you will always long to return"
- Leonardo Da Vinci

(Remove the obvious from address to reply via e-mail)

[Cecil E. Chapman]

Incredible story, Jay. Can't even begin to thank you for sharing it. As
soon as I read it (..and read it again <grin>) I forwarded a copy to my wife
at work,, knowing she'd enjoy it too.

As a few others have already said, it is wonderful that the motivation,
opportunity and means all occurred at once - such a great tribute to that
fellow-pilot,,, preserving that part of him that was so vital and enduring.

A great work/contribution Jay! Thanks!!!!

--
--
=-----
Good Flights!

Cecil
PP-ASEL
Student-IASEL

Check out my personal flying adventures from my first flight to the
checkride AND the continuing adventures beyond!
Complete with pictures and text at: www.bayareapilot.com

"I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things."
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery -

"We who fly, do so for the love of flying. We are alive in the air with
this miracle that lies in our hands and beneath our feet"
- Cecil Day Lewis -

[Jay Honeck]

> Ever think about opening a museum wing? ;-)

Actually, although we didn't intend things to work out this way, we are
becoming equal parts museum and hotel.

Our tours are getting longer, and longer, and longer...

;-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Tom Sixkiller]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:4mi4c.15732$Gm5.46400@attbi_s04...
> > Ever think about opening a museum wing? ;-)
>
> Actually, although we didn't intend things to work out this way, we are
> becoming equal parts museum and hotel.
>
> Our tours are getting longer, and longer, and longer...
>
> ;-)

Maybe you should have this one updated:

http://www.avweb.com/news/columns/182940-1.html

[Mike Z.]

Now ain't that the truth.

Mike Z

"G.R. Patterson III" > wrote in message ...
>
>
> Chuck wrote:
> >
> > Jay is a lucky man...
>
> I've always found that the harder you work, the more luck you have.
>
> George Patterson
> Battle, n; A method of untying with the teeth a political knot that would
> not yield to the tongue.

[Mike Z.]

Maybe that is why everything works in his airplane?

Mike Z


"Mike Weller" > wrote in message s.com...
>
> Jay, beware!
>
> You're on the fast track to Sainthood.
>
> Mike Weller
>
>

[Jay Honeck]

> You're on the fast track to Sainthood.

Wooo wooo!

Not much danger of *that* happening, that's for sure!

Just ask Mary.

:-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck]

> Maybe you should have this one updated:
>
> http://www.avweb.com/news/columns/182940-1.html

Good idea. Maybe Rick can stop by again sometime soon, and see how far
we've come since 2002!

Whenever I get frustrated at our slow pace of progress (Our 3-year plan
keeps slipping. We're at 5 years now...), I think back to Rick's visit,
when we had, like, two suites to show him, and virtually nothing else.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Jay Honeck]

> I can identify a bit with this story as I'm sort of the "unofficial
> custodian" for a lot of personal letters to me from members of the
> fellowship, most aces from many countries and many gone now.

It's incredibly important that this stuff be saved. In another generation,
World War II and Korea will be no different than the Revolutionary War --
distant, disembodied, perhaps vaguely interesting to some hard-core
historians.

Those historians will need your letters in order to re-visit those times.
Thanks for saving them, Dudley.

> In a very practical way you could say you made it possible for him to
leave
> a bit of himself behind.

This isn't the first time people have done this with us -- but it's never
been done on this scale before. I've had folks walk in, hand me a leather
flying helmet, tell me it was their father's in the War and they wanted to
make sure it was preserved. We've received briefcases, spinners, goggles,
old magazines, maps -- you name it, all donated so that it would have a good
place to live, knowing that it would be appreciated here.

This stupid little hotel has brought out the best in our aviation
brotherhood -- a side-benefit we never anticipated.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Blanche]

Jay:

talk to your accountant and lawyer. the way your place is growing,
you just may want to turn part of it into a real museum for the
tax break (501(c)3 type of stuff). Or if possible, build something
onto the hotel to serve as the museum.

[Jay Honeck]

> talk to your accountant and lawyer. the way your place is growing,
> you just may want to turn part of it into a real museum for the
> tax break (501(c)3 type of stuff). Or if possible, build something
> onto the hotel to serve as the museum.

Thanks for the suggestion. Eventually we may have to do something like
this -- but not yet.

Even though it's riskier, I really like having the aviation memorabilia and
artwork in the suites and hallways. It gives each suite a unique flavor
and an authenticity that you won't get anywhere else.

For example, when you stay in our Memphis Belle Suite, Bob Morgan and his
crew are staring down at you -- and the picture was given to us and signed
by Colonel Bob himself. When you're in the Mustang Suite, Vlado Lenoch's
Mustang parts are hanging right in your face. When you're in the Blackbird
Suite, you've got a real pitot-static probe to ogle, and an authentic
Lockheed-commissioned carved model of the SR-71 to admire.

And there's a lot of other stuff in our lobby and pilot's lounge.

As time goes on, we'll just add more and more stuff. Sooner or later, we'll
run out of room, and THEN we'll look at the museum, methinks...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[JerryK]

A great story. Made my day.

Thanks

[Gordon Young]

Wow!

[Peter R.]

Jay Honeck wrote:

> For example, when you stay in our Memphis Belle Suite, Bob Morgan and his
> crew are staring down at you

Hopefully, this is not your honeymoon suite...

--
Peter







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[Jay Beckman]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:MF44c.8884$i76.125646@attbi_s03...
> I didn't have time for this -- or anything else, for that matter. The inn
> was full, and I was fighting constant interruptions of all kinds. But the
> phone call was from the airport, and Mary said it was important.
>

<Snip>

>
> An amazing gift, indeed. Dr. Jim's love of aviation will now live on in
our
> community long after he's gone, thanks to the generosity and kindness of
his
> family. His 150-volume library will be made available for all of our
guests
> and local pilots, and his memorabilia will decorate our hotel for many
years
> to come.
>
> See it at http://alexisparkinn.com/aviation_library.htm .
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"

Jay,

Words fail me...

Thanks for putting "that day" on hold and reaching out.

IIRC, George Harrison once said: "Life happens while you're busy making
other plans."

Jay Beckman