Awards Day

The awards banquet is this evening, and racers are finally relaxing and getting caught up on rest.

I was so happy to see Mike here at the terminus. After getting the airplane tied down, just adjacent to AOPA headquarters, we hopped in a car with fellow racer Mary Wunder and she drove us over to the terminal building. There was my Honey, waiting for me, with kisses and hugs, and all smiles.

Yesterday we went to the Rosenstock Auditorium at Hood College on downtown Historic Frederick City’s Carroll Creek for the very first public screening - the world premier - of Breaking Through The Clouds, a documentary on the First Women's Air Derby of 1929, the one that started it all. Twenty women raced, single-pilot, across the country from Santa Monica to Cleveland to finish at the (men's only) National Air Races. This film was the first produced by Heather Taylor and she did a phenomenal job. Many family members of the original air racers were present to view the film, including the daughter of race winner Louise Thaden. With the help of a Wolf Aviation Fund grant and tremendous support, Ms. Taylor has spent twelve years researching and producing this movie, which includes original clips of the race and the women. Prior to the start of the film, Ms. Taylor explained that little did she know when she began research for her film that it would be ready in time for the 100th anniversary of women's air racing. And little did she know, when she started learning about film making, as a student at Hood College, that the Air Race Classic would happen to end in her hometown, Frederick, Maryland. Amazing stories all the way around, and one incredible documentary. http://www.breakingthroughtheclouds.com/.

Following the movie we all headed over to the Delaplaine Visual Arts Center in the Gallery at the college for a VIP reception, enhanced by a juried art show. Artist Frank DuVal was present, showing all his women in air racing artwork, a suite of drawings of women of the 1929 race as well as those of the 2010 race. His work is truly amazing. He has donated one piece to Air Race Classic for auction.

Tonight the winners of the race will be announced at Dutch's Daughter. Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley's mother, Barbara, will make a presentation on behalf of the governor to honor the Sugarloaf Chapter of the Ninety-Nines and the Air Race Classic.

We're having a blast here in Frederick. Wish you were here.