Thursday, July 28 saw the return of the couple's popular "Snapshots of Wisconsin Aviation History". Both forums were attended by many aviation history buffs from outside Wisconsin. The busy couple were also featured on two radio talk shows from the convention grounds during the week.

Chapter members, airport tenants, and the public turned out in great numbers to hear these short stories of Wisconsin's aviation history. Thanks to EAA Chapter 383 for hosting this fun and worthwhile event.

The series is funded by a grant from the Kohler Foundation and the Kohler Company and is presented in cooperation with Sheboygan Falls Memorial Library.

Learn more about the research center at their web site.

The Millhouse, home of the Sheboygan County Historical Research Center
(photo courtesy SCHRC)

Audience members traveled from as far away as Manitowoc to learn more about Wisconsin's aviation history. The evening was entertaining and enlightening for all. 

Rose Dorcey shares an aviation story.
(WAHF photo)

Over 50 club members heard a detailed history of early Wisconsin aviator Jack Vilas. He pioneered the use of airplanes in forest fire patrols. Vilas was also the first to fly an airplane across Lake Michigan.

As is often the case, John and Rose learned as much as they shared. After the meeting, area historian Paul Gross shared some interesting local aviation history with the couple.

Wisconsin Rapids Sunrise Rotary club member Pat Schuetz (right) with Rose and John Dorcey
(WAHF photo)

John and Rose Dorcey were joined by many AirVenture attendees as they presented their second edition of Snapshots of Wisconsin Aviation History. This multimedia presentation was held in Forum Building 5, the Aircraft Shopper Online Pavilion.

July 28, 2004
John and Rose Dorcey presented The Writing is on The Wall ... as a forum during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2004. The forum was be held in Forum Building 5, the Aircraft Shopper Online Pavilion. The program will began at 5:30pm and concluded at 6:45pm.

This forum dealt with newsletter and web site communications for organizations. The presentation was not a technical session on writing but a discussion about content, timeliness and goals for publications. The session included a segment on press releases.

The Snapshots of Wisconsin Aviation History presentation provided a fun yet factual look at Wisconsin's early aviation history. The presentation featured several noteworthy, if not unusual, Wisconsin aviation firsts.

Then WAHF inductees LeRoy Jonas and Roy Shwery, both of the central Wisconsin area, shared their stories with the audience. A special thanks to Mr. Jonas for spending the morning of his 83rd birthday with us! A special treat for Roy was the presentation of a plaque by Freight Runners, an aviation cargo company.

WAHF members and aviation authors, Mike O'Connor and Bob Wylie, both of Wausau, were available for discussions and book signings. WAHF board member Bill Reese attended the program as did several other members of the organization. 

Thanks to the Noel Group for providing their facility and the Stevens Point Pilots Association and area Civil Air Patrol for hosting the event. 

Roy Shwery (l) and LeRoy Jonas (r) interviewed at Stevens Point
(WAHF photo by Rose Dorcey)

WAHF members and aviation authors Bob Wylie (l) and Mike O'Connor
(WAHF photo by Rose Dorcey)

Thanks to WAHF members Bob Kunkel and Mike O'Connor for volunteering their time to help staff the booth. Board members Duane Esse, Rose and John Dorcey and Mike Goc, along with his son Nathan, also staffed the booth.

Thanks to the WAHF members who stopped by to say hello and to our new members who joined the organization.

WAHF participation at Madison Aviation History and Education Week
(WAHF photo by Rose Dorcey)

A framed copy of the poster, A Century of Aviation in Wisconsin, along with an honorary membership to the organization, was presented to Wisconsin DOT Secretary Frank Busalacchi by Mike Goc.

Goc also presented the program, The Wright Brothers of Wisconsin, a humorous yet historical look at the state's first aviators. Goc shared his extensive knowledge of Wisconsin's early aviation history learned while writing Forward in Flight, A History of Aviation in Wisconsin.

Rose Dorcey and Duane Esse distributed WAHF materials as the Wisconsin Wing, Civil Air Patrol; Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium; Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics and the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame unveiled its Wisconsin Centennial of Flight display.

Two displays will tour the state's airports throughout 2003 as part of the continuing celebration. The large format display measures 8' x 8'. A table-top version measures 3' x 8'. Groups interested in scheduling either display should contact the Bureau of Aeronautics at 608-266-3351.

WAHF provided the images and historical data used in the development of the display.

WisDOT Secretary Frank Busalacchi
(WAHF photo by Rose Dorcey)