Wings Over Wiscasset 2014

 Although day two of Wings Over Wiscasset was all about high-flying stunts, the day remained grounded, as well.

Saturday, August 9 featured the war bird airshow featuring the Texas Flying Legends, but the afternoon didn’t start until the veterans in attendance were recognized.

When it came time to honor the veterans, Bristol’s own Captain William Bradbury with the 1st of the 224th Aviation out of Bangor was on hand to present the awards.

“I’d like to start by saying thank…

The man who has led the organizing of “Wings Over Wiscasset” its first two years will take a much smaller role next year, instead only booking the music.

Dennis St. Pierre said he wouldn’t even see it as still having a hand in Wings. “More like a pinkie,” he said in a telephone interview August 12.

St .Pierre made his decision to step down from his producer role before Wings’ second annual installment took place August 8 and 9 at Wiscasset Municipal Airport. He said he is leaving…

While Wings Over Wiscasset focuses on what comes out of a hangar, Friday night featured activities in a hangar.

As part of the second annual Wings Over Wiscasset, the Compag Big Band, along with vocalists Marina Evans and Dennis St. Pierre performed live Friday, August 8 at the airport.

The Swing Dance capped an eventful first day of Wings over Wiscasset, albeit the only the thing taking flight were dance moves.

More than 50 people crowded around as the Compaq Big Band…

With a two-day turnout of about 7,500, Wings Over Wiscasset at Wiscasset Municipal Airport bettered its 2013 draw by about 2,500. This year’s event also raised more than $10,000 for veterans’ groups and other causes, including next year’s WIngs, executive producer Dennis St. Pierre said.

“Very, very happy with the results,” St. Pierre wrote in text messages to the Wiscasset Newspaper on August 10. “I feel very honored and proud to have worked with the many teams of people who made the…

The second day of the second Wings Over Wiscasset at Wiscasset Municipal Airport was having sunny skies, a light breeze and a pickup in attendees.Here’s a video report with the latest from the airport Saturday.

When Ron O'Neill was an Army medic serving in the European theater during World War II, he needed to memorize the different looks of warbirds he might see.

On Friday, August 8, the Brunswick man saw some types that looked familiar. The planes were part of Wings Over Wiscasset at Wiscasset Municipal Airport, through Saturday, August 9.

“I think it’s great,” O’Neill said about the event’s honoring of veterans, with a focus on those who served…

American Legion Post 54 Commander William Cossette Jr. got up at 4 a.m. Friday, Aug. 8, and arrived at Wiscasset Municipal Airport around 6 a.m., two hours ahead of the Legion’s pancake breakfast that kicked off Wings Over Wiscasset. The second annual installment runs Friday and Saturday, with an air show Saturday at 3 p.m. and a smaller one Friday at about 1:30 p.m.

Anyone coming Friday can expect to see busloads of summer children’s camps attending science and other presentations.…

Dear Readers,

Today's teenagers have to cope with pressures at home, some created when both parents work and others from the effects of divorce. At school they face changing expectations and requirements. After school, they walk a tightrope of outside influences ranging from “smart” mobile technology, booze and other recreational compounds. No question, today’s…

Wings Over Wiscasset has its second run on Friday, August 8, and Saturday, August 9 at Wiscasset Municipal Airport. Except for Friday night’s swing dance, at $35 a ticket, admission is free. (Donations will be accepted at the gate.) Here’s a rundown on what’s happening each day. For more on this year’s activities and programs, go to www.wiscassetnewspaper.com and www.wingsoverwiscasset.org.

Friday, August 8, day activities:

American Legion pancake breakfast, 8 a.m.

Static…

Organizers of this year’s Wings Over Wiscasset on August 8 and 9 are still looking for volunteers.

The approximately 60 volunteers lined up so far are enough for the event at Wiscasset Municipal Airport to get by on, executive producer Dennis St. Pierre said.

“But we can use more.”

St. Pierre would like to see about another 40 people sign up. The greatest need was on Friday, Aug. 8, and for setup on Thursday, Aug. 7.

Volunteers will help direct parking, help direct…

When Jeremy Harmon puts on a U.S. military uniform from World War II, he feels honored to wear it.

But he said he and other reenactors with the Tulsa (Okla.) Living History Association also feel a sense of responsibility.

“Those are big shoes that we fill, and we do the best we can,” Harmon said.

The association and another group, the Northeast Living History Association, will set up camp at Wiscasset Municipal Airport on August 8 and 9, for Wings Over Wiscasset.

It…

As the second annual Wings Over Wiscasset draws near, donors in and outside the town have this year’s event close to being paid in full.

Dennis St. Pierre, the event’s executive producer, never doubted that costs would be met and the event would go on; but he did anticipate a harder climb this year, since the event’s 2013 premiere featured numerous acts that were donating their performances to help launch the event at Wiscasset Municipal Airport.

One of those acts, Texas Flying…

The first model airplane Sandy Schmidt built in his youth flew about 25 feet.

“I thought that was the greatest thing in the world,” the Brunswick man said.

Schmidt, 70, is secretary-treasurer of Brunswick Area Modelers. The group of enthusiasts, ranging in age from about 10 to octogenarians, will return to the Wiscasset Municipal Airport for Wings Over Wiscasset on August 8 and 9. The group also took part in the first Wings in 2013. The community’s all-out effort on the event…

Walter Scott was out collecting money for his Hyde Park, Boston church, on December 7, 1941, when he turned on the radio of the Pontiac he and a fellow church member were traveling in. Scott, 18, wanted to hear some popular music.

Instead, he heard the breaking news that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor.

Scott wanted to serve his country in World War II, and figured he would likely be called to service. He decided to enlist, so that he could pick the branch. He chose the…

Jeff Sawyer said he feels a lot of pride about performing August 8 at a swing dance for Wings Over Wiscasset at the Wiscasset Municipal Airport. Wings honors veterans, as it did in its 2013 debut.

Sawyer, of Londonderry, N.H., served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force from 1980 to 1988, until just before the U.S. entered the first war in Iraq.

His father David Sawyer served as a B-29 bomber radio operator during World War II.

“I just always think it’s important to bring…

As planning continues for year two of Wings Over Wiscasset, upcoming budget talks will help determine what organizers can expect in support from the town.

Meanwhile, the event's volunteer, interim executive producer Dennis St. Pierre, said recent decisions to drop a couple of night attractions will greatly cut the money that needs to be raised for Wings to happen.

The event is planned for Friday, Aug. 8, and Saturday, Aug. 9, at Wiscasset…

With the first-ever “Wings Over Wiscasset” in the books, organizers are looking ahead to the future of the event that drew thousands to the Wiscasset Municipal Airport on August 6.

Does it have a future? Town Manager Laurie Smith said all the partners in the project will have to decide, but, based on her own observations that day and the comments she’s been hearing, she can picture “Wings” becoming an annual event.

“So far I've heard very good things,” Smith said about the…