Blimp and Airship Info - Prior Meetings of The Lighter Than Air Society

Friday, September 22, 2006, 10 am

Join us for the

75th Anniversary Ceremony

USS AKRON Dirigible Maiden Flight

Celebrate the 75th Anniversary Maiden Flight of the USS AKRON, the first rigid airship built in the Air Dock, at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 22, 2006. The one-hour ceremony will be held near 1800 Triplett Blvd at the Ohio Historic Markers off Derby Downs Drive, by the former Airport Terminal building on the East side of Akron. The public event is free and presented by the Lighter Than Air Society (LTAS) and the City of Akron.

The actual lift-off of the dirigible built for the U.S. Navy by Goodyear-Zeppelin Corp. was on Sept. 23, 1931, and the giant airship sailed over Akron in its first flight.

With this event LTAS begins a number of commemorative and fund-raising functions over the next few years. Celebrating the 75th Anniversary "Era of Airships in Akron" will increase awareness of the nonprofit organization and Akron’s central role in the airship industry.

At 10.30 a.m. distinguished speakers will emphasize the significance of Lighter Than Air ships to Akron’s innovative and economic development.

All people who attended the USS AKRON christening on Aug. 8, 1931, saw the original Maiden Flight 75 years ago, or was involved in building or operating the airships, including their families, are invited to the ceremony for recognition.

Parking is Free alongside the event area off Derby Downs Drive.

LTAS is an international nonprofit organization located in Akron, where it is hoped a permanent exhibition of artifacts, documents and photographs will be housed in the next several years. (Some artifacts and information are now displayed near Lock 3 in the O’Neil’s building in downtown Akron.)

Two Ohio Historic Markers were dedicated in 2003 near the airport terminal to recognize the design achievements of Karl Arnstein (1887-1974), and the very unique Air Dock (1929), built to construct the USS AKRON and USS MACON (in 1933).

This 75th Anniversary event will lift everyone’s spirit of AKRON.

Join us for the 
2006 Annual LTAS Banquet
Saturday, October 14, 2006, 6PM
at the
4-Points by Sheraton Akron West
3150 W. Market St., Akron, OH
(at the intersection of Ghent Rd.)
 Akron and Lakehurst airship relationship to be remembered
“The 85-year LTA Relationship between Akron and Lakehurst,” highlighting the past, present and future implications that this airship heritage still inspires, will be the main topic of the 54th annual banquet of The Lighter- Than-Air Society on Saturday, October 14.

Presenting this program is special guest speaker Rick Zitarosa, 44. Vice President, Historian and Curator of the Navy Lakehurst Historical Society.

Too young to have seen the Navy's airships in action, Zitarosa nevertheless developed a strong interest during visits to the former naval airship base at Lakehurst, NJ, that began when he was still in elementary school. Since then, he has been privileged to meet many witnesses, historians and former personnel from the blimp and rigid airship eras, including VADM Charles E. Rosendahl and survivors of the Hindenburg disaster.

Rick, a lifelong resident of Point Pleasant, NJ, is co-author (with Kevin Pace and Ronald Montgomery) of the book NAVAL AIR STATION LAKEHURST (Arcadia, 2003). For his "real job" Rick is a supervisor with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. He and his wife Ann have three daughters; Olivia, Cecelia and Julia, who think their Father's interest in LTA "cool" but a little weird.

He has been a member of Akron’s L-T-A Society beginning in the 1970s, but this is his first appearance at a Society banquet.

“I am certainly looking forward to renewing acquaintances and meeting up with whomever else is present for this event,” says Rick.

Mr. Zitarosa is replacing CAPT L. Bret Gordon, Commanding Officer of NAES Lakehurst, who is not able to come to Akron due to a change in operational commitments.

The L-T-A Society’s annual banquet will be held at the Four Points Sheraton Akron West (at Ghent Rd, across from Summit Mall) beginning at 6 pm, Saturday, October 14. The public is invited, but advance reservations are required. For reservations, fill out and mail a copy of the registration form or contact Marty or Shirley Hardesty by phone at 330-673-8554 or by e-mail at mhardesty1@neo.rr.com

Thursday, November 16, 2006, 7 pm

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This meeting will feature:

"Vintage films of Thanksgiving Parade balloons

of the 1920s thru the 1970s"

The cartoon character balloons Goodyear made for five decades have fascinated and delighted millions.

Here's your chance to see some of the earliest ones, and learn how the designs went from drawing board

to parade route in New York City.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

7 PM

This month's meeting will feature:

"A Special History of Balloons and Airships"

With never broadcast film footage of the

Akron and Macon,

plus some rare blimp and balloon clips.

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June 21, 2007

7PM

This month's meeting will feature:

A Tribute to H. B. "Toby" Halicki,

Movie Mogul, Swashbuckler, and Friend of the Blimps

Presented by:

Tom Riley

Retired Director of Global Airship Programs and Planning

for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.

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BlimpInfo.com is a publication of The Lighter-Than-Air Society, 526 S. Main Street, Suite 232, Akron OH 44311. Address all suggestions to Suggest@BlimpInfo.com

Welcome to:

2006-2007 Meetings of The Lighter-Than-Air Society