October - 2010

Volume 2 Number 8

The FAHS
Mike Ettinger PRESIDENT 727-397-1221 Bill Buston V-PRESIDENT 727-323-2029

REPORT
Mary Fletcher SECRETARY 727-781-5949 Warren Brown TREASURER 727-595-2773

Summary of the Oct. 2nd Meeting, St. Pete Museum of History

Present: Joe Rubin, Darrin Guilbeau, Bob Walker, Mike Ettinger, Ron Streicher, Bill Barnes, Joan Karins, Chris Fiore, Warren Brown, David McLay, Michael Bishara, Bill Buston, Connie Kone, Gerry Martas. The following minute notes were taken by Joe Rubin in the absence of the FAHS Secretary: Meeting was called to order at 11:15 by President Mike. Warren Brown, Treasurer, reported we are solvent. We have 40 new members, to bring the total around 900. Chris Fiore gave a favorable report on the USF 5 hour workshop. Bob Walker reported Benoist model coming along well and will be ready for October 29th. Discussion by Chris Fiore; need base and crew for model and trailer. Need policy and procedure: where it is to go, should produce money, sponsor to market and underwrite, in lobby, hook-up with larger institutions (banks), Sun n Fun, Tallahassee State Capitol, press, 2014, Tony Jannus, Kermit Benoist, mayor St. Pete & Tampa, written agreement, 2014, Benoist from secure environment, valuable. Separate sub-committee for model; David McLay. Submit plan to St. Pete Museum of History. Connie Kone to house model, other location? Connie Kone brought model in package, Bill Buston, glitch, city, monument - process, presented to Mayor, marketing planning board. Web site improvements David McLay, needed, professional image. Tony Jannus Society, Oct. 29, 9 am press conference. John Martin will be present, Lunch is $50, Dinner is $130. Benoist model will be at the Vinoy Ballroom for the Awards Banquet. Meeting w/Ernie Sanborn, Sun n Fun Museum, Dr. Browns report Discussion of web site - Darrin, re-design. (business/marketing/MBA). Ronald and Chris to help Mary Fletcher. Discussion: marketing, attorney (Chris) logos, merchandise. Michael Bishara has to leave at 12:45 and comments meetings are too long...discussion erupted. Kudos to Bob Walker on the model of the Benoist. Report of Roberts engine (Chris) Kermit Weeks building one. Mike read Mayor Fosters letter. Package lost to Tallahassee, David reported. Wayne Strong has info. Local Centennial Planning Board, David. City will not participate. Liaison Group: Joe Rubin, Mike Bishara, Bill Buston, Chris Fiore. Gerry Martas reported on Military tankers. Meeting adjourned at 1:10 pm.

DID YOU KNOW........Weedon Island became an airport

in 1929 "Grand Central Airport", the name was later changed to "Sky Harbor" in 1946 and it folded in 1948. Tierra Verda had a small strip along the roadway just opposite Guy Lombargo's restaurant. It is now condos--since about 1990. Gandy Blvd., was Johnny Green's airport in the 1930s. If you drive to Weedon Island it is the property on the east just as you leave Gandy Blvd., Piper-Fuller Field was St. Petersburg's first airport. It was located in the Jungle area near Tyrone shopping center. It was built in 1926 and voted ouit by citizens for causing too much noise shortly after WW II. Warren Brown, News Ed., Florida Aviation Historical Society.

Dunedin Airport

By 1929, B. C. Skinner and partners had acquired property between Cedar Creek and Curlew Creek on the west side of what is now Alternate 19. With the successful flight of Charles Lindbergh, Skinner decided to use that property to develop Skinners Skyport. The Skyport was used for flying lessons for local residents, and as a place for Skinner to store his own personal aircraft. The Skyport lasted until the 1940s, when the U.S. Marine Corps acquired the property for a barracks and training complex. This photo shows the outline of the Skyport in 1934.

NEXT FAHS MEETING WILL BE SATURDAY, Nov. 6 , 11 AM St. Petersburg Museum of History EVERYONE IS WELCOME!