Airstream Factory Tour

My husband and I recently saw how Airstreams (campers/caravans) are built at the factory located in Jackson Center, OH (northwest Ohio). Andrew had been meaning to visit for quite some time since he used to drive past it on his many, many, many trips up to North Bremen when he was working for a client there.

We read that the factory gives free tours every day (not sure about weekends) at 2pm and all you need to do is call ahead so they have some idea of head count.

Seeing as how factory tours are somewhat of a rarity these days – even rarer when you consider how close we were mingling with the employees, many of which were just a few feet away doing their assigned job while our tour guide explained it. We were issued with safety glasses and earplugs and told no open-toed shoes were allowed. That was the extent of health and safety precautions. Speaking of health and safety, there’s no medic on the premises, but there is an emergency phone number you can call. Andrew reckons you could probably get to the ER in Sydney in about 20 minutes.

Anyway, we all met in the waiting room of the Service Center, and were then led outside by our 50+ years (‘too long’ he said) employee, Gary Byrd. Mr. Byrd said he can remember when they were constructing the quarantine unit that would house the trio of astronauts upon their safe return from the moon. He said he didn’t quite know what they were building or why, but knew it would be historical.

Information was given about some of the models in the parking lot including the smallest one called ‘The Nest.’ The next size up is ‘Bambi.’ Airstreams are tiny house living before that became trendy.

Everyone noticed the gold Airstream parked there gleaming in the sun. Apparently that belonged to the company founder, Wally Byam. He and his wife traveled around the country in it, presumably promoting the Airstream brand.

Business is booming for Airstream (of which 5% of the market consists of overseas orders), so much so that there’s currently a six month backlog of orders to complete. Also, the company has somewhat outgrown their current premises, so they will soon be moving down the road a little ways to a much larger building expanding from 250,000 square feet on up to 750,000 square feet.

It was interesting walking around the factory seeing how each component is constructed and fitted. For instance, the aluminum sheets that cover the chassis have the window and door holes cut, but not punched out to make moving the sheets easier. It’s only when they’re ready for assembly that they remove those bits. Also, the aluminum comes with a protective cover sheet that is only removed when the vehicle is nearly complete.

I asked Andrew what was strewn all over the floor that we were constantly stepping on. Apparently they were rivets, but until they’re hammered in, they just look like the needle you place in a football or some other small object to inflate it.

Andrew and I were surprised that we were able to wander in and out of several half-completed models feeling like we were interrupting the workmen. Apparently if you order an Airstream, you’re allowed to come out and see it being constructed (not sure you can change your mind on any of the fixtures at that point though).

Probably the coolest thing was watching a chassis getting placed onto the trailer it would be bolted down to. We watched the chassis hanging up in the air slowly gliding towards us while Mr. Byrd stood protectively in front of us in case there were any mishaps. A couple workers gently guided it into position and then lowered it unto the trailer. We were most impressed.

“Airstream is all about hands-on quality, built in the USA.” - - Gary Bryd

Although none of our group currently owned an Airstream, I wonder if the factory tour sold any of them on getting one. My interest comes partly from knowing two people who owned one – my Grandma Goff and my next door neighbor from across the street (who apparently had a rare one my dad remembers). No, Andrew and I are not considering getting one, though we did wonder if they ever rent them out (only by private owners though as I know the company doesn’t). You can hire one for 'glamping' or as an Air BNB (I read about that in an issue of Air BNB magazine).

If you’re interested in hitting the road in one of these silver wonders, or are just curious about how they’re built, I can definitely recommend the factory tour. For more info, go to this link: https://www.airstream.com/company/factory-tour/

For more photos from our afternoon at Airstream, click on this link to flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/authorwannabe/

 

July 20, 1969 Moon Landing Anniversary Part II

My husband, Andrew and I finally got a chance to visit the Neil Armstrong Museum in Wapakoneta while we were driving back from a recent vacation out on the islands.

As we were somewhat pressed for time, we weren’t sure if we’d be able to take it all in, but figured since it only cost $10 each, we wouldn’t have much to lose.  Though we didn’t read every plaque, we felt we pretty much saw it all in the hour or so we were there. “I really just wanted to see the stuff that was unique to him (Neil Armstrong), since we had already watched most of the NASA coverage of the moon landing,” Andrew said.

Among other things, there was a machine that would tell you what your moon weight was for the cost of a quarter. Since I had the spare change and was curious, I stepped on the scale. My earth weight (fully clothed, carrying a heavy purse with 2 cameras) was about 121 lbs, and my weight on the moon was only a fraction of that – 20 lbs.

Andrew said he wanted to correct the man who was telling his grandkids (?) all about the space program and the Gemini flight and kept pronouncing it Gemini, when, in actuality it was pronounced “GEM-uh-knee.” “The “pronunciation is part of the agency’s culture, and serves almost as an insider’s shibboleth – a word whose proper delivery identifies you as someone in the know. ‘If you get it right, you’re part of the space club,’” according to NASA spokesman, Bob Jacobs. Another theory is that “the pronunciation could have to do with the early space program’s Southerness, in the way that ‘every pilot speaks like Chuck Yeager.’” (NY Times 10.17.18, article by John Schwartz).

I had a couple more responses to my question of what memories people had of the Moon Landing.

“I remember where I was at the time, standing outside a shop window in the centre of Nottingham at about midnight on the Sunday watching a black and white TV with a group of others. As I remember there were no pictures from the moon at the time, just a message on the screen that, "eagle has landed." There was no TV in the flat I was living in at the time; hence the trip into town.  Quite low key for such a momentous event. It was a few weeks before we got married and Ros was living with an aunt in Yorkshire at the time so we could get married in the church there.  I had just got back from visiting her at the weekend.  Guess I saw pictures of the landing later.” Graham May (Andrew’s uncle)

Graham and Ros (August 9, 1969)

“I'm not sure where I was, but I can say for sure I was watching it on TV.  Everything that had to do with space travel was on all the channels. The scariest was when they were coming home and entering the atmosphere to keep from burning up, then going to pick them up in the water.” John Denison (my father)

John & Jean Denison (August 2, 1969)

Funnily enough, both Graham and my father were preparing for their weddings, so it’s only appropriate I give them a shout out now, “HAPPY GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY!!!”

50th Anniversary of the July 20, 1969 Moon Landing

History and astronomy buffs (not to mention those who are just nostalgic) have no doubt been revisiting the past today in celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the July 20, 1969 Moon Landings by a trio of American astronauts (one from Ohio!).

My husband, Andrew, and I have been watching the PBS series, “Chasing the Moon” on “American Experience” PBS: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/chasing-moon/ That, in addition to seeing the movie, “First Man” last summer has largely made up my education about the whole Apollo program, so I feel pretty well informed, and also a little sad that I wasn’t yet born to experience the excitement.

“Chasing the Moon” in its six hour length spent quite a lot of the time setting the scene for what life was like during the 1960s, certainly a tumultuous time in history owing to the situation in Vietnam. I’m sure I would have been just as overjoyed as everyone else by this remarkable achievement. Depending on my age and cash flow, no doubt I probably would have sought out whatever souvenirs were available at the time (lately I’ve only seen Snoopy on the moon t-shirts, a souvenir edition of Time Life magazine, and these specially themed Oreos).

My friend Lisa who had just turned 6 had this story about her commemorative toy, “My sister and I had an Apollo 11 puzzle which we made many times. There was one piece that was a perfect picture of an eye of one of the astronauts. My sister and I would see who could find it first. We would also hide that piece or another so we could put in the last piece. I wish we still had it (the puzzle).”

I asked my mom (21) what her memory was of the day. She was a little fuzzy on the details, but said she definitely remembers watching it on TV, “It was on everywhere…It was quite a big thing.” She said she also remembers the worried looking faces of those in charge at NASA.

my uncle Russ in his early days of education

My uncle (27) had this memory of the day, “I had a grant to attend a six week geography institute at Syracuse University. I had driven from California to New York state. There were about 30 teachers housed in a big dormitory and we watched the landing on TV in the dorm lounge. Of course the TV was tuned to Walter Cronkite, often referred to as “the most trusted man in America.” Somebody had brought some champagne and we sipped from paper cups as we witnessed history.”

Lisa also shared her memory, “I would have just turned 6 earlier in July 1969.  So for me it was the summer between Kindergarten and first grade. At the time my family lived in Wisconsin. I don’t remember seeing the astronauts walk on the moon, but I do remember seeing the capsule come back to earth. Also, I remember seeing them in some kind of quarantine container. I asked my dad why they were in there, and he explained that since no one had been to the moon we did not know what kind of germs they might have on them.”

I love that they used an Airstream! (made here in Ohio)

As I said previously, as I was not yet born I have no memories of that day, but I can tell you where I was for the 25^th anniversary of the Moon Landing. I was 24 and had just graduated from college and was spending most of the summer in the UK traveling with my then boyfriend (now husband), Andrew. In mid July I took a solo trip to Ireland to visit my pen pal and happened to be staying at a youth hostel in Galway. Since it was yet another rainy day in Galway with nothing to do (or at least nothing to do on a student budget), I found myself, along with the other American students there, huddled around the TV watching the Moon Landing anniversary coverage from America.

Since my sister was born on the fourth anniversary of the Moon Landing, last night we had a little pre-birthday Moon Landing anniversary celebration (of which the Oreos were one of the presents).

Andrew and I have plans later to visit the Neil Armstrong Museum in Wapakoneta. https://armstrongmuseum.org/  and perhaps eventually stream a few more space-themed films.

CAPA THEATRES OPEN HOUSE WALKING TOUR

On Saturday my husband, Andrew and I went on the CAPA Theatres Open House Walking Tour. I believe this is an annual event, or perhaps the second year for it. At any rate, I heard one of the docent’s comment that last year only like 10 people showed up at one of the theatres, but he noted that lack of advertising could explain that. In fact, it’s only because Andrew received an email that I even found out about it, so when he suggested it, I was definitely agreeable to going.

We parked at the Columbus Commons and walked the short distance to the Southern Theatre first.

I believe we’ve only ever been there twice – the first time to attend a recording of the (former) NPR radio show, “From the Top,” and then later to attend a performance of “The Pirates of Penzance.”

According to the brochure, “The Southern Theatre opened in 1896 as part of a performance space and hotel complex called the Great Southern Fireproof Hotel and Opera House. However, the Southern departed from the classical opera house design by incorporating “modern” features such as electricity and concentric ceiling arches that created near-perfect acoustics. The Southern was ahead of its time but struggled to recover the cost of its construction and survive in a rapidly changing society. After several ownership changes and falling into extensive disrepair, the Southern closed its doors in 1979.

In 1986, the theatre was donated to CAPA, which again rallied the community and raised $10 million to fund a 14-month, total restoration. Reopened in 1998, the thriving Southern Theatre is Columbus’ oldest existing theatre and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.”

It definitely still has a very classical and historical look to it. I’m glad the effort was made to save this architectural gem.

Leaving there we made our way across town to the Palace Theatre which, quite honestly, is like an ugly step-sister, at least from the outside, compared to the grandeur of the Ohio Theatre and the charm of the Southern Theatre.

According to the brochure, “Also designed by celebrated architect Thomas Lamb, the Palace Theatre opened in 1926 as the Keith-Albee Palace. With a design inspired by France’s magnificent Palais de Versailles, the Palace was built for vaudeville, a popular “variety show” form of entertainment. During the ‘30s, ‘40s, and ‘50s, it was Columbus’ most active live-show theatre with performances from the biggest names in entertainment. In 1973, the Palace was purchased by Frederick W. LeVeque with plans to incorporate a hotel, but after his death in 1975, his widow Katherine LeVeque announced she would save and restore the Palace, investing millions in renovation and improvements. As such, the Palace was closed during much of the ‘70s, reopening in 1980 and continuing to host concerts and Broadway shows throughout the decade.

In 1989, Mrs. LeVeque gifted the Palace to CAPA, which immediately assumed responsibility for the care and management of the magnificent historic venue.”

After walking around the lobby and the Mezzanine, the French influence is very obvious, just from the choice of paintings alone. There are also dressing rooms named for various cities. It was kind of nice seeing where performers get ready.

Sadly, these are hardly glamorous spaces. I think it was the Brooklyn room that had a tiny dorm-size fridge in the corner as what appeared to be the only amenity. I guess show biz isn’t always glitter and diamonds…

I liked the playbill covers painted on the back wall of the stage, which were then signed by the various actors. I didn’t take the time to look, but I’m sure there were several famous signatures scribbled here and there.

Our last stop, only because we were the most familiar with it (having already toured it several years ago, and visited on dozens of occasions), was the Ohio Theatre. The Ohio Theatre, besides being the Cinderella of the trio, has prime real estate being located across the street from the Statehouse (and just a few doors down from the historical Planter’s Peanuts shop).

According to the brochure, “When Robert Karlsberger, Lawrence Fisher, Jean Whallon, and Scott Whitlock formed CAPA on May 21, 1969, its immediate mission was to save the historic and stunning Loew’s Ohio Theatre from being destroyed. The 1928 Spanish Baroque-style movie house, designed by world-famous architect Thomas Lamb as “a palace for the average man,” was closed by Loew’s on February 24, 1969, and sold to a local development company with plans to raze it to build an office tower. The newly formed non-profit leapt to rally the community in a “Save the Ohio” campaign that ultimately raised more than $2 million in less than a year. The unprecedented effort met its mark, and the glorious and beloved Ohio Theatre was safe.”

I’m glad they were able to save it, because it’s one of my favorite places to visit year-round, but especially in the summer when classical films are shown with old-time admission prices.

The highlight of the summer movie series is the annual showing of a silent film accompanied by Clark Wilson on the Mighty Morgan organ (which sinks down into the orchestra pit at the start of each movie while playing “Hurrah for Hollywood.”)

Until Saturday, I didn’t realize that the boxes (which would normally seat the wealthier patrons – like Julia Roberts & Richard Gere in “Pretty Woman”) are actually facades. Instead, those areas are used to rig the lighting. If you want box seats, you can get them at the other two theatres.

All in all, a fun afternoon out (and not too hot for all the walking we had to do between theatres, though complimentary bottles of water was provided). Also, we (and anyone else who visited all 3 theatres) were rewarded for our efforts with a pair of tickets to a movie of our choice at the Ohio Theatre in the summer movie series. Life doesn’t get any better than that…