posted 06-12-2007 03:23 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mike: A special thanks go to Dee O’Hara and Francis for their gift to us after Miranda gave Dee another cartoon. That print is very special to us.

---

Thanks Mike - I know Dee really enjoyed seeing you both and talking with you again - as did many others.

One thing I forgot to add to my posting. The tributes to Wally Schirra at the banquet. In particular, the sea of Hawaiian shirts. Some went all out - Brian Binnie and his wife went above and beyond, wearing leis, etc. Others tried to pull off the suit and Hawaiian shirt combo, making it look a little like a convention of Miami drug dealers... ... a lot of fun, and Wally would have loved it, I am sure...

posted 06-12-2007 04:59 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Cliff Lentz:
The reentry process has started for me. It's been TWO WHOLE DAYS that I haven't talked with an astronaut. I don't know how much more of this I can take!

---

posted 06-12-2007 05:12 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Cliff Lentz:
That was the first time that I EVER wore a Hawaiian shirt.

---

posted 06-12-2007 05:23 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by divemaster:
I have to admit, we DID get funny looks from the people at the "Star Wars Bar" across the street from the Holiday Inn when we all walked in there around 1130pm on Saturday night. One side of the bar - spiked hair and tattoos. The other side - grey hair and Hawaiian shirts. However, we lasted longer than they did.

---

They probably all thought you were undercover cops.

posted 06-12-2007 06:11 PM               

Knowing I was going to be there all day Saturday anyway, I didn't arrive at KSC until about noon on Friday. I had a ticket for the Lunch with an Astronaut buffet,(Searfoss) and didn't have to wait but 15 minutes for that event after I finally got through security at the entrance. The only drawback of getting there at noon was that I had to park on a grassy area way back in the lefthand corner of the parking area where the KSC busses usually park after the center closes! After the lunch I went back to my car to gather all of my autograph items for the show. I explained my predicament to a security guard and he let me drive into the main parking lot where I was able to find a spot on the third row! As hot as it was that weekend that gesture was greatly appreciated!

As I entered the show I was amazed at the very long line in front of me. It literally extended the length of the room. I assumed it was for Aldrin, Lovell or Cernan because Lovell attending was a rarity and in Burbank the lines for Aldrin and Cernan were always the longest. Nope. It seems the most popular astronaut there was Alan Bean. I had to wait for Aldrin and Lovell only minutes and Cernan about ten. In fact, of all the attendees, only Bean had a long wait. I waited until very late Friday afternoon to get my items signed by Bean and even that was a half hour wait. I actually had the person behind me hold my place in Bean's line while I went over and had a few items signed by Aldrin, and then had time to spare! I was wearing an Apollo T-shirt I had bought at the KSC Space Shop last year and Bean pointed out that the astronaut used in the design was him on the Moon and even that you could see Conrad's reflection on his visor! You can see me wearing the shirt in the cS Sightings section.

As the show was closing down ASF Executive Director Linn LeBlanc approached Bean and told him that transportation from the show was there and would be leaving soon. Bean declined and said that he would stay at his table to accomodate the rest of the people who were waiting in line!

I've met everyone who appeared at the show before except this was my first time meeting Gene Kranz and also Brian Binnie. I mentioned to Guenter Wendt that I saw his SLE commercial on TV and he said in that thick accent that the on-camera production part took over 10 hours to complete! Friday evening I was among what seemed like thousands of others watching Atlantis as she lifted into a clear Florida sky from only six miles away at the NASA causeway. This was my 11th viewing of a shuttle launch from off the pad. It's hard to believe that Atlantis has only two more launches left and the entire fleet will be retired in less than three years.

I had the opportunity of having dinner with astronaut Jon McBride last month during the Astronaut Hall of Fame weekend at KSC. We talked at the autograph show again Friday afternoon and he said he heard that for this launch there were more requests for shuttle viewing tickets than ever before. It seems more and more people are realizing a shuttle launch will soon be a thing of the past.

On Saturday the show was just a little less busy than Friday and I was able to get the rest of my items signed quickly. My credit card is still a bit warm from the weekend and will be so for more than a while! But I console myself by remembering an early scene from 'Charlie & the Chocolate Factory' when Charlie is thinking of selling his Golden Ticket. One of his grandfathers takes him aside and explains that money is printed everyday and that there are only 5 Golden Tickets in the world and that's all there will ever be. The items I brought back home with me this past weekend are worth more than just plain ol' money and will be cherished forever.

It was great to see a lot of fellow cSers at the show - Robert, Ross, Tim, Kris, Brenda & Ted, Sy, Ken, Craig, Charles, Francis, Larry & Black Arrow, to name a few. I'm sure I've left out some others and my apologies, but you know who you are!

I hope everyone had a safe trip back home.

See you at KSC!

posted 06-13-2007 12:27 AM               

At the end Conrad asks Bean, who was doing an outline on canvas, if he was "back from the moon".

He said he was, although he really wasn't.

I just now got back from the moon after the show, although I really didn't.

posted 06-13-2007 07:41 AM               

My personal thanks go to the friends who made me feel so welcome...Linn Le Blanc, Al Worden, Dee O'Hara (what an angel!)Francis French, (Much success with the book Francis), Vince Lawrence, Rob Sumowski and of course, the incorrigble Larry McGlynn.

It goes without saying that I thank the signers for their amazing patience shown when facilitating my excessive demands with lengthy inscriptions.

posted 06-13-2007 08:38 AM               

I had a great time also. Sorry I did not get to meet more folks. But it was good to get reacquainted with many others I met before, and chat with some new friends.

I was at Dee's table Saturday night. She is such a nice lady. Can I get her address? I thought she might like to see the picture of me with Wally from the 2003 show. I forgot to bring it with me to the banquet so I want to send her a copy. She had a lot of fond memories of Wally and the other guys.

posted 06-13-2007 09:52 AM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by tncmaxq:
I was at Dee's table Saturday night. She is such a nice lady. Can I get her address?

---

In the same vein, anyone who took photos with Sy Liebergot, Walt Cunningham or Al Worden can send them onto me and I'll do my best to get them up on their web sites. Please make sure they're captioned correctly. I'm also sure that the Gordon's would get a kick out of photos, too. I can pass them on to them if you'd like.

posted 06-13-2007 12:57 PM               

First time I've used this site. I put the captions in the comment box by mistake. I still have some editing to do, but I like this site for sharing photos!

posted 06-13-2007 03:08 PM               

My arrival from Holland into the US a week ago almost seemed like a bad omen, with rainshowers and lightning in the Sunshine (!) State preventing the luggage to be taken off the plane for about an hour and then a mysterious cancellation of my rental car contract taking another hour to straighten out, at a time that I was really beginning to feel that my body time definitely was 3AM, rather than the 9PM local time.

Departure day wasn't too good either, with a free unscheduled refueling stop in Ireland (!?) offered by US Airways on my flight from Philadelphia to Amsterdam and later that day for the first time in my life my car was broken into.

But hey, who cares, when in between were three of the best days of my life!!!

I'm from 1965 and I can only vaguely remember being aware of astronauts walking on the moon at the time itself, but I definitely do remember the famous picture of Buzz Aldrin hanging on my bedroom wall for years, along with other iconic pictures of the Apollo flights. And "the wonder of it all" has continued to fascinate me, but I guess to me, living in Holland, it just never seemed feasible to actually meet any of these famous but oh so remote guys.

Somehow, earlier this year, reading Andrew Smith's book "Moondust" made me realize that I not only could, but also should, make the effort, and then I found the UACC announcement with not one, not two, but twenty astronauts, and not in some hotel out in the desert, but on the "holy ground" itself. I hesitated for about two minutes and boy, I am so very glad that I made the effort and, let's face it, investment.

I could go on and on about how wonderful it all was to meet the astronauts and others involved, to attend the lectures, to see the movie "The Wonder of it all" (and indeed, do go and get the DVD once it gets out) with Edgar Mitchell in the audience and doing Q&A afterwards, have my moonpans signed with some very nice bonus inscriptions, and by some truly incredible stroke of luck in the only three days of my life spent in Florida to get a shuttle launch thrown in as well, but perhaps this sums it up best for me:

How many times have you stood in the lobby of your hotel only to have Gene Cernan drop in and ask for directions, saying "I can find the moon, but I can't find my hotel room." (Granted, the Cocoa Beach Holiday Inn is a big place!).

How many times have you been able to discuss his EVA with Buzz Aldrin, with a glass of beer in your hand?

How many times have you had dinner with Richard Gordon, seated right below a Saturn rocket, and discussed with him the shuttle launch of the day before?

Steve and Nolan, volunteers, celebrity guests, a very big THANK YOU for one of the best experiences of my life.

All this leaves me with only one problem. I have no idea how to top this...

posted 06-13-2007 04:44 PM               

Apart from my duties, I was able to meet for the first time a bunch of people I know only from the boards here: Sy Liebergot, Mark Gray, Noah, Rob Sumowski and his family, Moonpaws, Rob Joyner, kscartist, Larry McGlynn, divemaster, Mike and Miranda, and of course the diligent and tireless Steve Hankow.

I bought the French-Burgess book at the cS table and have read the wonderful Haney foreword. I picked up the Apollo 1 DVD from Mark, had great chats with Bill Dana, Guenther, the Huckabees, Al Worden, Dick Gordon, the Lovells, Dee O'Hara (sparing her my overlong and slightly gory memory of how she once treated by big toe at the NASA clinic).

Francis and I caught up when we could.

Gerard Stodolski brought his lovely family and we had a chance to visit and talk. He is a fount of information. And nice, too.

Reporting from the signing tables, I was struck by the quality of the exchanges between astronaut and space enthusiast or collector. There were interesting stories about their collections and their memories of the space program. Dad was prompted to sign one capcom?Mission Control photo of Gene Kranz, I think, as "MA-8 and MA-9 capcom." Carpenter hesitated. "I think it was just MA-8."

This was Friday (when it was mobbed), and I'm thinking: Mark Gray knows and he's just 20 feet away!! Lemme go find Francis. He knows!" But it was just too busy to nail down the right answer, which I think is MA-9 (Hawaii capcom). In the end Carpenter relented under prompting to attest to both!

Some individuals had extremely interesting historical items--I am thinking in particular of a pristine 1967 Boeing directory of all the astronauts. Beautifully done. The owner very sweetly allowed us to paw through his precious item and patiently answered our questions before Carpenter signed it and we reluctantly handed it back. Others gave me mementoes from their collections. (I ended up with a ca. 1962 "Great Scott!" button that I wore all Sunday. Thank you, Tim!).

The most poignant personal moment came on Friday. One self-effacing guy stood quietly in line with his few items, and stood quietly as Carpenter signed. He hesitated at the end, before moving on. You could tell he had a tough question. With some encouragement he managed it.

"Was your brother Scott ever committed at Bethesda Naval?" explaining he'd been a corpsman there in the late 1960s. I replied he had been but remembered a different date, like 1972. Nope. He was certain. He had treated a namesake son during his first psychotic break and kind of couldn't believe it at the time, looking at the charts. "Are you sure?" he said he asked the doctors, "Scott Carpenter's eldest son?"

I thought back and realized the corpsman's memory was better than mine. It was in 1969. We chatted about it for perhaps a minute in a wholly natural and comfortable way.

"How is he?" he asked finally with some worry, and we assured him Scott was ok.

"Thank you for taking care of him," Carpenter added as the former Navy corpsman left the table, with his signed photograph and, finally, an answer to an old question.

Kris

posted 06-13-2007 05:23 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by divemaster:

Yeah, I've done the F1 photo op a bunch of times, too. I behaved myself this time.

---

I think I always turn into a 5 year old when I stand (or lie flat on my back) under those five F-1 engines.

Last time I was there in 2003, I was with a girlfriend (now ex) who was kind of embarrassed by my excitement when I stepped out of the doors under the Saturn. Oh well, she just didn't get it!

I don't know how I'll ever top this trip. Such fun, and meeting everyone was like meeting old friends even if I never met before.

posted 06-13-2007 06:42 PM               

Jim, too, was amazed by what people brought to him to sign. It never fails to amaze the signee what has held up over 40+ years.

I'm glad you came and got to meet a lot of us. It's always fun to put names and faces together.

posted 06-13-2007 07:41 PM               

I brought a numbered print of "Steeds of Apollo" by Luman Winter for Jim Lovell to sign. During one of his brief breaks on Friday, I asked him if he'd have time to sign one of my items. When I pulled out the print, he couldn't believe what he saw. [He has the mural of this print hanging in his son's restaurant]. He asked me where I got it, how long I've had it and told me the story behind the print. He said "THIS one I'm signing in pencil". And then started asking about it some more. I told him that I brought it to his restaurant several times over the years with the hopes that he would be there, but never ran into him. He was even more impressed when I told him that I was giving the piece to my nephew who is a junior in college, studying aerospace engineering and is currently interning at MSFC.

posted 06-13-2007 09:20 PM               

It was great to see a number of familiar faces again - Tracy (Divemaster), Vince (Moonpaws), Dave Scott (not the astronaut). In addition, it was great to meet some of the people that I have gotten to know via postings on CollectSpace - Craig (TRS), Jim Sigler (manilajim), Rob Sumowski, Larry McGlynn, Francis French and Mike Straub.

Here are few additional highlights for me beyond what has been said in earlier posts:

1) Finally seeing a Shuttle launch live - priceless

2) Getting to meet one of the astros that I admire most - Jim Lovell

3) Getting the opportunity to meet Gene Kranz again - what a great guy and role model

4) Having a great meal and conversation with Ed Mitchell under the Saturn V. Ed is the one astronaut who I do not think gets the credit he deserves. If you have the chance I would highly recommend speaking with him.

5) The opportunity to meet Charlie Duke - an outstanding gentleman who took the time to write out some personal thoughts to my three young kids - I appreciate it and know that they will too when they are older

6) Watching Gene Cernan talk to a few people about his Gemini mission while standing next to his Gemini spacecraft in the museum section of the Debus Center

7) The opportunity to see Pad 34 again - as Tracy said to me as we passed one another while walking around - "truly hallowed ground"

8) The opportunity to soak up the history and almost see yourself there during the historic missions over at Pads 5 and 6

9) The unexpected opportunity to meet some one from Werner Von Braun's team - Konrad Dannenberg

10) Great conversations with Hoot Gibson regarding flying the Shuttle

Thanks for a great experience. Something I will not forget. Looking forward to doing it all over again next year.

posted 06-14-2007 10:48 AM              

I saw the launch from the causeway. About an hour later as I was back at the visitor center, the launch contrails mixing with the sunset created a terrific image behind the KSC rocket garden. I’ve never seen anything quite like those white swirling contrails against a blue black sky. The photo gives an idea of what we saw, but the real thing was awesome.

The dinner on Saturday night was terrific. The Saturn V center at KSC was an ideal venue. Ran into real and virtual friends including Larry, Noah, Jason, Mike & Miranda, Robert, Steve, and others.

I was lucky to sit at Gene Cernan’s table and enjoyed his stories of landing on the moon and his thoughts at being “the Last Man on the Moon.”

posted 06-14-2007 11:16 AM               

I have uploaded some of my photos of the launch, the autograph show, and the banquet.

There are some photos of my telescopes and astrophotograhy there too.

posted 06-14-2007 04:40 PM               

quote:

---

After returning to Earth, we were picked up by the U.S.S. Hornet in the Pacific Ocean, just south of Hawaii. Within hours after we boarded the aircraft carrier, they piped into our quarantine trailer and replayed broadcasts from around the world of the different news reports of our mission. As we watched those broadcasts and saw the emotion and reactions of so many people, I looked over at Neil and said, "Hey, we missed the whole thing!"

---

To be sure, I did see a lot of familiar faces and exchanged a lot of warm greetings with friends and readers but the combination of covering a launch, managing a table (with Buzz) and trying to enjoy the show was just too much to handle in a few days time. And I regret that, for I can feel the exuberance that flows from others' stories as shared here.

What stands out most in mind is meeting with so many cSers: Leslie, Bruce, Larry, Leon, Gerhard, Ricky, Rich, Charles, Tim, Tracy, Dave, Mark, Jeff, Paul, Kris, Cliff and Francis, to name just a few. The time I had to interact with each of you was unfortunately far too short.

I do have to share a few words of thanks though, to a handful people who went above and beyond the call of duty and made balancing a launch and the show even possible.

If you came by Buzz Aldrin's table during the two days, you no doubt met Jack, who came from Countdown Enterprises' offices in Houston to do a lion's share of the work. I had to leave for the press site on Friday at 11 a.m. and Jack, who was also at San Antonio last year and Autographica in 2005, took over in my absence. (You may have also spotted Ellen, who wasn't there to work but who chipped in none the less, including driving Buzz and his grandson back to the airport at 4 a.m. on Sunday morning!)

You also most certainly encountered Tom and Ross, our very diligent volunteers, who made sure Buzz had the right pen and the right information for each and every signature signed. A big tip of the space helmet to you both.

Behind the scenes, I have to thank Ben (Cooper). After leaving the Visitor Center on Friday, I drove my rental car past the guard gate onto KSC property and promptly ran out of gas. Having only taken the car the day before, I couldn't understand how I came to be in the predicament I was, but I can say with certainty that it if it wasn't for Ben, I would be in a far worse situation. Not only did he come from the press site to search out not one, but two gas stations for an available gas can, he also followed me back to the station to make sure I didn't run into any more trouble. I know he had other things he could have been doing (like getting ready for the launch) so I am eternally grateful for his help.

posted 06-14-2007 08:56 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
Behind the scenes, I have to thank Ben (Cooper). After leaving the Visitor Center on Friday, I drove my rental car past the guard gate onto KSC property and promptly ran out of gas. Having only taken the car the day before, I couldn't understand how I came to be in the predicament I was, but I can say with certainty that it if it wasn't for Ben, I would be in a far worse situation. Not only did he come from the press site to search out not one, but two gas stations for an available gas can, he also followed me back to the station to make sure I didn't run into any more trouble. I know he had other things he could have been doing (like getting ready for the launch) so I am eternally grateful for his help.

---

posted 06-15-2007 08:38 AM               

"I think I had it best, IMHO"

In reading the other posts from everyone else, I want to apologize for my quote above that began my first post. I was caught up in the experience I guess.

Ken greeat to see you again also. Thanks for the correction on Konrad's name. I should have double checked.

I had the pleasure of meeting many of you who I only knew from here.

Both "Robs" (Sumowski and Joyner) a couple of "old hippies" with incredible collections. Before anyone gets upset, I call them that because unlike me they still have their ponytails. It was great to visit.

I also met:

Mark Gray of Spacecraft Films who (everyone will agree) had the coolest toy there - the LM landing simulator.

Mike and Miranda. It was great to see them sharing this experience together.

Brenda and her husband from the Isle of Man. Brenda you have my card, please call or email me.

Larry McGlynn: I know I've made it as an artist when Larry puts one of my paintings on his site. Thank you for the encouragement Larry.

Tracy: a pleasure meeting you and acting as a doorman, (him for Lovell & me for Cernan)

Steve and Nolan: It was a great as you said it would be. I hope to be be able to volunteer again. I wish you the best.

The best part was being surrounded by folks who appreciate and admire those who make space exploration possible as much as I do. The room over-flowed with comradery. As a local, I was thrilled that you all got to see a launch, many for the first time.

Until next time.

posted 06-15-2007 09:45 PM               

quote:

---

As I said on KOGO this morning, I have decided to leave the station effective immediately. This is fully my decision, based on many factors. It's no secret that the programming change a couple of months ago (from 12-3PM to 6-8PM for my show) has been a difficult transition, and something that was increasingly difficult to do with all of my other business interests. The day felt like it was two days long. Later today I'll be updating this Blog with additional thoughts and info on all of this. As a strange capper, this morning after doing my announcement on KOGO's morning news, my wife and I found one of our two dogs had run out in the yard and died of an aneurysm. Trinka was a 7 year old Yorkie, and a real joy in our lives, along with our big black lab-mix, Eddie. Sort of reminds me on the old joke about life not really getting into gear in "empty nest time" until the kids move out and the dog dies. Well, we're there, I guess (smile).

Thank you for your continued support... hope you'll check back as I move myself into "free agent" mode and explore the future... I'll update this Blog regularly. And I'll be on at 6:05 this evening with Cliff Albert to talk more about my decision --- on AM 600 KOGO and http://www.kogo.com

---

And then came this note from his producer, Anna:

quote:

---

All Good Things Must Come to an End

...and the Mark Larson Show is no exception to the rule. I am sad to say Mark has decided to move on and pursue other things in life. Though I am sure there will be rumors and speculation as to why he is leaving, let me assure you that it was Mark’s choice and all of KOGO and Clear Channel Communications (most of all me) is sad to see him go.

After spending time with many inspiring people this past weekend at the NASA Astronauts Dinner, Mark decided he did not want to end up wondering “what if” in life. There are many different avenues Mark is pursuing and considering, including growing his business, a possible run for congress, and spending more time with his family (which is soon to include his first grandchild). Look out- you don’t know where you will see him next!

Mark has not only been a great host to work with, and has become a great friend as well. He and his lovely wife, Marsha, have been a constant source of love, friendship and encouragement. It has been a pleasure to get to know their entire family and I look forward to a continuing relationship with the Larson family.

As for me, you will still be able to find me right here blogging away. Cliff Albert (KOGO Program Director) and I are exploring possibilities. Keep an eye open for me!

---

But, again, he mentioned the show, the astronauts and all of us. And the event was an eye opener for him

I wish him well. He's a nice guy and was a great friend of Wally's.

posted 06-15-2007 11:53 PM               

I've been in politics for a long time and am retiring from my county supervisor seat this year in Virginia and also ran an exploratory campaign for US Congress in 2003 until I decided to (successfully) return to my local seat.

Being from Virginia I had never heard about Mark until the show last week. Suffice to say that he and I will never, ever, agree on national politics, nevertheless we had a great time at Cernan's table and found him to be a gracious and personable presence.

Last wek was my 5th straight UACC show dating back to the 2003 DC event, and it ranks right up there with Burbank as the all time best.

My only gripe is that the Russians were absent and that there we almost no vendors present. Regarding the lack of vendors I wonder if that was related to security concerns from Delaware North.

SW

posted 06-16-2007 08:19 AM               

For me there were many incredible moments, seeing old friends, meeting new ones, watching the launch, and the equally impressive contrail an hour later. The moments that stand out most for me were...

Talking with a friend and having Jim Lovell casually walk by and give a smile. You just never get used to that.

Sharing a moment or two with Scott Carpenter and his incredibly charming daughter. Such wonderfully kind people. I was smitten.

Wally's absence was felt by all. Not much more I can say. Scott Carpenter said it all at the dinner.

Al Worden and Gene Kranz were terrific to meet for the first time. Both men have a tremendous energy about them. Every time I meet one of these heroes of the early space program I'm amazed at how each was so perfect for the position they filled. The right person at the right time... that is the true story of the space program.

I'm the guy who had to lock his space memorabilia in the dog kennel. It added an interesting twist to the occasion. Here my beloved artifacts were stored in a cage, with Fifi on one side and Butch on the other. Why me? LOL

As always I was pleased to see Guenter Wendt... a man full of so many memories. Again, the right man, in the right position, at the right time.

I did score a win in the ASF auction... the Mercury capsule model. Yeah, I probably paid too much, but the proceeds went to good cause.

I'd really like to thank Gene Cernan, Charlie Duke, and Jim Lovell for their kindness in how they charged, like Rob S mentioned earlier, they didn't nickel and dime us to death with every word they wrote.

Last of all I'd like to say how much of a treasure Tracy Corncob (or is it Cornfield) is to our hobby. The man is so kind and helpful to everyone. An instant best friend. I think we should make him the hobby's honorary mascot.

posted 06-16-2007 08:19 PM               

Now that I've had a chance to catch my breath, thought it might be a good time to offer thanks, a few observations and to get a bit philosophical.

As I've pondered our years of doing these events have considered our success more due to intrinsic factors than for other reasons. What I'm saying here is that the quality of our events can not be solely measured against guest line-ups, special activities or even the venues themselves though they are undeniably important.

Without getting too wordy OR sappy (both which I'm well known for), am suggesting that what you're all enjoying so much about our events is largly a refelection of some pretty awesome chemistry. It starts with Nolan and I but extends well beyond, to all of you who have supported us from the very beginning.

Some words used to describe our events have included "upbeat, intimate, friendly, informal/casual, accessible and most often, "FUN". We've been imitated but never duplicated because our chemistry is simply unique.

The sum of our parts is clearly greater than our "whole", with the "parts" being those people who support us year after year. They're the ones we'd like to recognize, because they give us the great look and more importantly, the wonderful feel you all seem to appreciate so much. Trust me folks, it doesn't happen by accident, so that being said, please take a moment to help me thank some key players.

We'd like to thank Al Worden, Linn LeBlanc and the entire staff of the ASF. Linn runs a relatively small team that consistently achieves results you'd more expect from a large army. We've worked closely with the ASF since our beginnings and this event was no exception. Linn and her team helped us to make things look easy, though it was anything but. Sims/Hankow Ent. appreciate the ASF's support and offer 110% of ours in return. We hope you will as well.

Incidently, this year's ASF Silent & Live Auction smashed all previous efforts and for that we congratulate them. More importantly their success here will give deserving students a brighter future which in turn will benifit us all.

Speaking of a great team, were it not for Delaware North (DNC), lead by Dan LeBlanc, this event would not have been possible. These folks know their business (beyond what my words can describe) and we thank them for providing us with such tremendous technical assistance throughout. On a personal note from Nolan and I, thank you Craig Corwin and Olivia Ayson!! You were able to harness the logistics of an event occuring during a launch window, involving details as complex as putting man on the moon, into a slick production that came off with barely a hitch.

Now about that chemistry I was speaking of. Chemistry is all about the people and at the risk of forgetting someone, want to acknowledge some of our mainstays. Our deepest thanks to Mike, Louise and Jen Feldser, Tracy Kornfeld, Charles Davis, Judy Womack, Nolan Sims Jr., Mark Larson, Francis French, Craig & Sharon Forbes and the list goes on.

Lastly, (but certainly not least) we thank our sponsors and vendors for your generous support of this event. Specifically we acknowledge, the U.A.C.C., SpaceCoast Cover Service (Ken Havekotte), Farthest Reaches Inc.(a shameless self promotion because I can , collectSPACE (Rob Pearlman), SpaceCraft Films (Mark Gray), "The Wonder Of It All" (Jeff Roth), Aurora Auctions (Vicki Campbell), Regency-Superior Auctions (Alan Lipkin)and Oleg Vaisberg.

Of course, it goes without saying that we extend our most sincere thanks to the many astronauts and other space icons who chose to join us at KSC, this time out. Nolan and I also salute our first time astronaut guests, James Lovell, Hoot Gibson and Jon McBride for being with us, as well as very special thanks to Wally's great friend, Tom Stafford for honoring us with his presence at our gala banquet.

In closing, Nolan and I hope you all had a great time at KSC. We did our best to make it an unforgettable experience and thank you all for taking your time and spending your dollars in support of this event. When we announced KSC at our banquet in San Antonio, there were many who said we'd never pull it off, but pull it off we did and in grand style. Thanks to you all and to quote the words of our great friend Wally Schirra, "Happy Landings!"...

posted 06-16-2007 09:12 PM               

These pieces were all a gift to me from a constituent many years ago who I promised would remain in the safe hands of a long term serious collector that would never post them for sale on eBay or anywhere else.

I plan on taking the big piece to Spacefest with me in the hopes that Borman and McDivitt can find enough space to squeeze their John Hancocks on it!

posted 06-17-2007 10:45 PM               

• Steve and Nolan: Two thumbs up
  
• Leslie and Tom: Thanks for the company
  
• Lynn: Thanks for saving a Robert Crippen signed shuttle for Leslie and I
  
• Al Worden: Thanks for making me feel part of the group
  
• Kris: For having an amazing dad, and meeting you finally.
  
• New friends: Jim Watson, Jim Siegler, Tom, Rob, Rob
  
• Old friends: Jay, Shelly, Leslie, Steve, Tracy
  
• Highlight: A special photo with Scott,
  Tracy sharing his admiration and affection
  for Wally, and my first shuttle launch
  
• Lowpoint: Disney World
  
• Fun new firsts: Surfing (or trying), go karting, riding an airboat (wow)
  
• Gratitude: Nolan, allowing myself and 3 other family members to see a once in a lifetime event from the Causeway.

My all time favorite photo.

The new addition to Rocket Garden

posted 06-17-2007 10:53 PM               

Photos taken with a 400mm lens(no tripod).

posted 06-18-2007 12:42 AM               

The new addition to the Rocket Garden isn't too shabby either. You just needed to shoot from a low angle with a fisheye lens and you'd have been all set.

posted 06-18-2007 11:32 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Blackarrow:

It's hard to believe that there could ever again be a coming together of so many living legends under a Saturn V Moon-rocket, and I am very thankful that I was there.

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posted 06-18-2007 11:02 PM               

I also wanted to mention that Tim (KSCartist) was generous enough to get something signed for me, so I thought I'd post a thankyou to you Tim and to all the others that were kind enough to help out those that couldn't get there. I certainly hope I can return the favour some day!