Annual BBQ honors volunteers, KEY to the Aviation Museum’s success
Five individuals were honored at the Aviation Museum’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Barbecue, held on Thursday, May 15 at the museum.
The five volunteers were each awarded an oversized ceremonial key to the museum in recognition of special efforts in support of the non-profit organization’s mission to preserve history and inspire young people to pursue aviation careers.
This year’s five honorees were Tom Maxwell, Gary Johnson, Fran Baldowski, Rod Pierce, and Dan Kelley. Details about their contributions are posted with the photos below.
Tom Maxwell (right) accepts a key to the Aviation Museum from board President Ray Chadwick. As a volunteer, Maxwell has anchored the museum’s Sunday shift for the past 14 years.olunteer Gary Johnson (right) accepts a ceremonial key to the Aviation Museum from board Treasurer Jay Carter. Johnson, a former U.S. Navy pilot, volunteers as the museum’s ‘Chief Sim Guy,’ managing training and scheduling for the popular Elite Flight Simulator—often a highlight of a museum visit.Volunteer Fran Baldowski (right) accepts a ceremonial key to the Aviation Museum from board member at large Fred Kocher. Fran has volunteered for the museum since it opened to the public in 2004, and currently handles all membership processing and renewals.Rod Pierce (right) accepts a ceremonial key to the Aviation Museum from Executive Director Jeff Rapsis, who seems overwhelmed at the presentation. Pierce, a long-time volunteer, for many years served as the museum’s liaison with Santa Claus for the Big Guy’s annual visit.Brian Kelley (right) accepts a ceremonial key to the Aviation Museum for his Dad, Dan “The Docent” Kelley, who was unable to attend the event in person due to illness. Dan Kelley has devoted many years to leading tours, guiding visitors on the simulator, and inspiring young people to share his passion for aviation and history.
Also, engraved compasses were presented to each volunteer mentor participating this year in the museum’s student plane-building programs at the Manchester (N.H.) School of Technology and Lebanon (N.H.) High School.
Rick Jenkins (left), a volunteer mentor in the student plane-building program at Manchester (N.H.) School of Technology, accepts a ceremonial engraved compass from Visitor Services Specialist Christine Bates. Jenkins has been with the program in Manchester since its inception in 2019, helping students complete two RV-12iS aircraft during that time. Engraved compasses were presented to all volunteer mentors who participated in the plane-building programs during the current school year in Manchester and also at Lebanon High School.
The annual Volunteer Appreciation Barbecue is organized by the museum’s board of directors, who serve the dinner as a way to recognize all that volunteers bring to the museum all year long.
If you’re interested in volunteering, our next Open House for New Volunteers will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 22. In the meantime, if you have questions about volunteering, please contact Christine Bates, our Visitor Services Specialist, at (603) 669-4820 ext. 404 or at cbates@nhahs.org.
Event photos below taken by Steve Heffelfinger—yes, a volunteer!
Mentors and faculty from the student plane-build program at the Manchester (N.H.) School of Technology stand in recognition of their efforts.Here’s a close-up of one of the compasses presented to plane-build mentors by the Aviation Museum of N.H.’s board of directors.This year’s ceremonial ‘Key to the Museum’ awardees pose as a group with staff and fellow volunteers.Volunteer Glenda Fischer (who received a key last year) prepares to have a raffle prize drawn. And the winner of the “Ladies Gift Basket” is……Leah Dearborn, the museum’s Associate Director and author of ‘Grenier Air Base: A Beacon on the Home Front,’ a local history book published by the Aviation Museum last year.The evening’s grand prize, a 45-minute scenic ride piloted by board President Ray Chadwick, was long-time volunteer Paul Scarlett, who was presented with a ceremonial key in 2023.
