| Flying High F U N!
Fly Back into History at the College Park Aviation Museum
with Junior Reporter Ariel Brumbaugh
I thought there must be something more exciting to do than follow my grandparents around the College Park Aviation Museum. What could be so cool about aviation?
But my grandfather wanted to go. Writing about aviation is his business. So to make him happy, I piled in the car.
Finding this historic site took us around the Beltway to a spot surrounded by junk yards and delapidated businesses and factories. The museum doesn't fit in. It was built in the shape of an airplane, my grandfather explained. Neither he nor I could see an airplane in this odd-shaped building.
But inside I liked what I saw. In the first room, I met a mechanical Wilbur Wright. He and his brother Orville were the first men to fly. For kids, there was a paper airplane station, model planes and stamp stations, where I had fun stamping planes, postage stamps, and Good Year balloons. But I was no good at 'flying the mail.' At this hands-on station, I took an immediate nose dive into a rather large city.
The really neat thing is that since 1901, an airfield has always been here. All the historical events you see in the museum really happened here right outside the window. This was one of the first airfields, and the first military aviation school was here. You can take a driving tour through the airport and see old airplanes.
You can have lunch in the café which is set up to look like a farm house from the 1940s as it would have looked if it had been bombed in World War II, like many houses in England, Germany and Japan were. It was really neat with a buffet and model War planes setup. Next time, I'll be ready when my grandparents suggest new field trips.
The museum is open daily from 10am-5pm; $4 with discounts: 301/864-6029.
FAMOUS FIRSTS
AT COLLEGE PARK AIRPORT
1909–First woman to fly in an aeroplane in the U.S.
1912–First mile-high flight by a military officer
1918–First U.S. Postal Air Mail Service
1924–First controlled helicopter flight
Your Own Pair of Wings
Feel like dancing on the breeze? If it’s a windy day, grab your favorite kite to enjoy an day of high flying fun. Stand with your back to the wind, give it a little string and let go. If it’s really windy, the kite will take off on on its own. If not, you may need to run into the wind. Make sure you have a good tail on your kite and up, up you go!
Kids' Calendar
College Park Aviation Museum
PETER PAN CLUB
2nd and 4th Thurs. each month (10:30-12noon) Ages 3-5 Come and enjoy flying stories, hands-on crafts, peddle planes and lots more.College Park Aviation Museum, College Park. 301/864-6029
Very Important Bunny Visits Chesapeake Beach
April 9 & 16 (3pm)-Enjoy a party with Peter Rabbit, Mrs. E. Bunny & Talent Machine Soundstage Kidz. Bobbie Smith brings her cast of talented kids to Rod ’N’ Reel Restaurant for an afternoon of singing & dancing. Eat lunch, bunny hop & join the Easter Bonnet Parade. Prizes! $12.50 @ Rod’N’Reel Restaurant, Chesapeake Beach. rsvp: 410/956-0512 ext. 5.
Yummy M&M’s
Fri. April 11 (10am)-Eat and count M&M’s while listening to a favorite story. Bring home M&M stickers too. Ages 3-5. Barnes and Noble, Harbour Center Annapolis. 410/573-2084
Kids and Dogs
Tues. April 18 (6:15-7:15pm)-Teach your dog to sit, come, stay, roll over and lots of other command and tricks. The 8 week program, Basic Dog Training I for Kids, will help kids learn to handle their dogs. Ages 6-14 . Broadneck Park Pavilion, Arnold. Registration-410/222-7313
Junior Trappers
Sat. April 15 (9am-2pm)-Visit a marsh and see what effect the nutria are having on natural habitats in the area. Watch demonstrations of trapping and learn about conservation. Ages 16 and under. LeCompte Wildlife Area, Vienna, MD. Registration, 410/673-2061.
Ickity Bickity Boo Show
Thurs. April 13 (10am)- Storyteller Terry March will delight kids and their families with original songs and stories. Preschoolers. Prince Frederick Public Library, Prince Frederick. 410/535-0291.
A Musical Cinderella
Thurs. April 13 (7pm)-Come enjoy the Story Minstrels as they perform. A Renaissance Cinderella. Listen to the harp, lute and recorder and see thebeautiful costumes. Lots of audience participationtoo. Ages 3+. Prince Frederick Public Library, Prince Frederick. 410/535-0291.
Can You Spot a Bluebird?
Tues. April 11 (10:30am)-Beautiful Bluebirds are busy building their nests.Check the bluebird trail with a ranger and see if you can find any babies. Bring a bag lunch and make a yummy craft to eat. Ages 3-5 with adult. Kings Landing Park. $3.00. 410/535-5327.
Guitars and Storytime
Thurs. April 13 (7:30pm)- Kids, see how a guitar is made and enjoy the guitar music of John Dillion too. Borders Books and Music, Bowie. 301/745-5897.
Copyright 2000
Bay Weekly
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