NORMAL – Thanks to an area resident and former student of Colene Hoose Elementary School and a unanimous vote by members of Normal-based Unit 5 School Board, youngsters who attend the Unit 5 district school and live in the surrounding neighborhoods will have the opportunity to play in an area known as a “natural playground.”

At the regularly-scheduled meeting of the governing body on May 12 in the cafeteria of Normal Community West High School, Board members approved an agreement with longtime Normal resident Charlie Jobson and the Jobson Foundation for the playground to be constructed at the school. One of the world’s top designers of playgrounds, Helle Nebelong based in Copenhagen, Denmark, put the design together for the 16-acre project which will be totally funded by Jobson and his Foundation. The gift, which honors Jobson’s parents, totals $5 million.

Jobson was a student sometime during the early years of the school’s existence, which began when it was founded by the district in 1965. Dr. Adam Zbrozek, principal of Colene Hoose Elementary School, explained Jobson wanting to do this “just shows the importance of connections that are made in schools by their students because, later on, it not only changes their lives as they get older, but it changes the lives of other future generations, and that’s what Mr. Jobson was working to do.”

Dr. Zbrozek said Jobson is a longtime Normal resident who went from kindergarten through fifth grade at the school in its early existence and lived in the neighborhood during those years. Jobson’s parents lived in Normal for 40 years raising their family in that neighborhood.

The playground will encompass 16 acres, have a 100-meter track, amphitheater, and a number of gardens. The school’s current playground will be included into the new expansion. There will also be outdoor classrooms, woods, and grassy areas.

Neblong took care to assure the playground would be accessible to all students. The finalized design is expected to be ready by August and be completed by October. Trees and shrubbery will be added by next spring.

Published reports indicated The Jobson Foundation will donate $75,000 annually over the playground’s first three years to address maintenance costs. Part of that will go to pay for an arborist and a horticulturist Unit 5 will hire to oversee the project.

Dr. Kristal Shelvin Named District’s First Director Of Diversity: Dr. Weikle announced to Board members that Dr. Kristal H. Shelvin will be named the new Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the 2021-2022 school year. The position is not a new cabinet-level post for the district, Board President Amy Roser explained, adding the post had been vacated as a result of attrition and shifting of existing staff which left the post open. She added the position “was reformatted to meet the needs of our district and our students to bring our district forward.”

Bringing Dr. Shelvin aboard puts the total number of people in cabinet-level positions for the district to 20. Board members unanimously approved Dr. Shelvin’s hiring and she will assume her new position effective July 1.

Dr. Shelvin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois. She earned her Master’s Degree in Education Administration and a Doctorate in School Psychology, both from Illinois State University. She is also completing a Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace from the University of South Florida. Dr. Shelvin is also a licensed school psychologist and clinical psychologist. In each role, she works to build collaborations among educators, mental health providers, child welfare staff, medical providers, families, and communities. Her passion is broadening educational opportunities for all students.

A Unit 5 parent for the past 15 years, Dr. Shelvin and her husband, Alton, have two daughters.

“I am thrilled Dr. Shelvin is joining the Unit 5 team,” Dr. Weikle told those in attendance. “She’s a collaborative, results-oriented leader who is very much committed to the diversity, equity, and inclusion work in the Bloomington-Normal community.” Dr. Weikle explained Dr. Shelvin will be responsible for overseeing and leading items related to the District’s Equity Action Plan. Dr. Weikle said that means Dr. Shelvin will be interacting with all District stakeholders including students, staff, families, and community members.

“Lots of districts are talking about having such a position, but Unit 5 is the first to have one such position,” Dr. Weikle explained, adding such a post is more commonly a part of school districts in the Chicago area. She added having such a position “really shows our community the level of commitment we have here in Unit 5 of serving all of our students.”

Pfizer Vaccine Approval Part Of Superintendent’s Comments: Dr. Weikle informed those in attendance and socially distanced at the meeting, held in the cafeteria of Normal Community West High School that the Food and Drug Administration has approved an expanded emergency authorization for use of the Pfizer Coronavirus vaccine, allowing students ages 12-15 to begin receiving it. She said receiving the vaccine was completely voluntary and took place at Kingsley Junior High School on May 19. The Pfizer vaccine requires two shots be administered with three weeks between shots.

Public Comments Center On Students’ Masks: Katie Lavoie, a parent of future Towanda Elementary School students, asked Board members, “At what trigger, what event, will you allow the children and the families that you serve to unmask and breathe freely?” She followed that question by saying she wanted to Board members to review their oath of office which includes protecting childrens’ rights she reminded were preserved by the U. S. Constitution and the Constitution of the State of Illinois. She said Gov. J. B. Pritzker’s masking order violated the State Constitution and the First Amendment of the U. S. Constitution.

“Masking has harmful effects for the children,” Lavoie added. Explaining masking was recommended by Illinois Department of Public Health, Lavoie, who said she worked in a neighboring school district which she didn’t identify, told Board members, “This recommendation is what you have made a rule at the expense of children. Further, mask requirements are not necessary to stop the spread of viruses.” She added masks increase potential for respiratory infection. “Masks increase bullying, shaming, and conflict,” she said.

“Unmask these children, let them have a choice, let them breathe freely, and develop to their highest potential as stated in this district’s mission,” she said. She concluded by saying, “This nonsense has gone on for long enough.” Her comment was followed by applause from about 10 people who were in the meeting’s audience.

Resident Larry Dibway followed Lavoie, and asked Board members, “Who monitors the cleanliness of each student’s mask? I mean, really? What’s in effect to keep the masks clean so that they wear them?” He said he has been told about a child who chewed through a mask to breathe easier. “You’re literally mandating an apparatus that generates liability. Who’s liable? Those are questions I will leave with you. But this is insanity that needs to stop.”

By Steve Robinson | May 11, 2021 - 10:18 pm
Posted in Category: The Normalite

BLOOMINGTON – The matter concerning whether to have McLean County Board members representing 10 districts or whether to reduce the number of districts in an attempt to give votes from outlying parts of the county by reducing the number of districts to half that came up for a final vote at a special County Board session Tuesday. The special meeting was asked for by the nine Democrats on the 20-person Board.

Board members, some appearing in person, others participating remotely, voted 17-3 to keep the Board’s current structure intact. That meant there would be 10 districts with two representatives per district, and those districts would remain as is for 10 years before any attempts at redistricting could be attempted again.

Republican Board Members Jim Soeldner (R-Dist. 2), George O. Wendt (R – Dist. 3), and Lyndsay Bloomfield (R-Dist. 9) voted in opposition to the measure. Republican Board members had sought to reduce the number of districts, cutting the total in half, to five.

Board Representative Logan Smith (D-Dist. 2) admitted after the vote the representatives whose votes prevailed had a feeling they would face more opposition to leaving the districts as is. “I don’t know what happened in the last 48 hours, but I think a lot of members read their email, listened to their voicemail, and realized that people in this county didn’t like the five district plan or didn’t like any other plan.” He added he knew there were Republican members of the Board who didn’t support making the change when it was first proposed.

Board Representative Elizabeth Johnston (D-Dist. 5) who like Smith was in the majority during the vote, said she had received emails from constituents asking her to consider voting for reducing the number of districts. There were plans for either reducing the number of districts within the county from the current 10 to either 7 or as few as 4. Both single-digit options were seen by GOP members as potential advantages, Democrat members theorized.

“Of all the people I talked to in District 5, across Normal, across Bloomington, overwhelmingly, it was support for retaining the 10-district plan,” Johnston said. “That was from Republicans, that was from Independents, that was from Democrats, and that was from Libertarians.”

Johnston said this one specific subject became the centerpiece of a special meeting to keep the subject at hand from being rushed giving parties on both sides time to air out their opinions without feeling rushed.

Soeldner admitted to “being a little surprised” by the final vote, adding, “I’m happy with my vote. I would vote the same way again tomorrow. I am voting how I believe my constituents would like me to vote and so, I will go on from there.” He said he anticipated the vote taken Tuesday to have been something closed than what resulted. He said he thought it would end in an 11-9 count or an even 10-10 count with County Chair McIntyre breaking that tie.

Soeldner added that at an executive committee meeting attended by County Board committee leaders and held on May 10, a vote taken on changing the number of districts downward from 10 to five passed by a 5-2 count. Of the members who changed their vote a day later, Soeldner said, “I was surprised so many members had changed their minds overnight. But, that’s their prerogative. I’m happy with my vote and I would vote the same again tomorrow. I’m voting how I believe my constituents would like me to vote, and so we’ll go on from there.”

He added the whole point to this vote was to get more representation for the county’s rural residents.

“That’s what they decided to do and that’s I really have to say about it,” said Wendt, who attended the one hour and 20 minute session remotely, when reached for comment Tuesday night.

Silent Protest On Front Street: Board members who entered the County Government Building from its Front Street entrance were greeted by a group of seven citizens holding signs reading, “10” and “End Gerrymandering,” a silent attempt to send a message to Board members to leave the number of County Board districts in place.

By Steve Robinson | - 11:33 am
Posted in Category: ISU, The Normalite

NORMAL – With 14 months of reconstruction and renovations of Bone Student Center completed, Illinois State University officials celebrated the achievement of the 48-year-old facility with a May 7 ceremony recounting efforts to update the building considered the University’s centerpiece and looked to the years ahead in the now revitalized building.

The ceremony was held just outside the entrance to the building adjacent to its parking lot. Members of ISU’s Board of Trustees and other University officials and invited guests were among 100 people in attendance but socially distanced as a result of the ongoing pandemic for the ceremony. The event was one of the first public gatherings held by the University since the worldwide pandemic began in March 2020.

Ground was broken for the revitalization in 2017, explained Dr. Danielle Miller-Schuster, assistant vice president in the University’s Office of Student Affairs.

She added it was a meeting six years earlier between former Mayor Paul Harmon and ISU President Dr. Larry Dietz, who at the time was the University’s vice president for student affairs, which set in motion actions which would get the revitalization started. Dietz recalled Harmon presenting him with notebooks related to the subject explaining that, up to that point, nothing had been done. Dietz recalled Harmon explaining saying at the time, “Will you do something?” He then added, gesturing toward the building, “I think we’ve done something.” It was a line that brought applause from attendees.

Dr. Dietz thanked a list of University employees for their efforts in making the revitalization possible. Those folks included Bill Legett, director of the University’s Event Management, Dining, and Hospitality office and his staff; members of ISU’s Facilities Planning and Construction office; members of ISU’s Office of Student Affairs; members of ISU’s Information Technology Office, and ISU’s Office of Environmental Health and Safety.

Dr. Dietz also thanked the University’s Board of Trustees for approving various resolutions which helped the project move forward, and to “the many people who made financial gifts in support of this revitalization, and thank you to the thousands of Bone Student Center patrons and visitors who have patiently waited for this wonderful day.”

He also thanked alumni, past and present students, and welcomed future students and their families.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees of Illinois State University, I offer congratulations and gratitude to everyone whose passion made this vision into a reality,” was the greeting extended to the gathering by Julie Annette Jones, Chairperson of ISU’s governing body. She added, “The Board has provided fiduciary oversight for literally, hundreds of University projects and initiatives. At times, Board members have had to address complex challenges and make very difficult decisions.

“But I am happy to say the decision to authorize the Bone Student Center revitalization project was not one of the difficult ones,” Jones stated. She said ISU invested $43.7 million for the revitalization project, $40 million going toward the overall revitalization with the remainder earmarked for building improvements. Funding came from reserve dollars the University had on hand, as well as agency and institutional funds. As a result, Jones explained, no new student fees or additional taxpayer dollars were needed. It was information which brought applause for those in attendance.

Jones said Bone Student Center also serves as a community center, in addition to its daily function of serving ISU’s students, staff, and faculty. “Once the pandemic is in our rear view mirror, the Bone Student Center will return to its customary vibrance, welcoming up to 5,000 visitors each day, holding 4,000 meetings annually, and contributing to Illinois State’s local impact in the excess of $830 million.”

Dr. Levester Johnson, Vice President for Student Affairs, added a little levity to the event placing the large coffee he had purchased at the facility’s Starbuck’s on top of the podium before speaking. He explained “Students’ needs were at the very forefront of the planning process.

“We were intentional about the services we wanted to provide throughout the building,” Johnson said. “For years, it’s been where students purchased their first Redbirds spirit wear, and where they pick up their student ID.

“But now,” Johnson said, “Their relationship with the Bone begins earlier, at the beautiful new Admissions atrium.” He added students wishing to find out about organizations to become involved with can visit an expanded Student Involvement Center. He called it “a one-stop shop for getting involved at Illinois State.”

The University’s Career Services Office has an office in the Bone Student Center, too, allowing students a place to get information on their majors and receive guidance on future internship opportunities.

“Even in the pandemic, you can walk through the Bone on any given day and see students utilizing every space throughout the building,” Dr. Johnson said. He said that would be “whether students are gathering in small groups to enjoy a meal, studying near the warmth of a nearby fireplace, visiting the Student Involvement Center, or taking advantage of one of the building’s technology hubs, it’s clear students are already enjoying these spaces.”

Student Trustee Jada Turner told audience members she gave her first speech at the Bone and was now giving her last one there, too, in a moment she characterized as “very bittersweet.” She recalled how she and her friends studied or attended events together there. “I am so happy that I am here today for the completion of this project so I can take advantage of the new services.” In fact, she said she had a job interview in one of the new interview rooms on the building’s third floor.

The ceremony was one of the last functions Dr. Dietz participated in as he prepares to retire June 30 ending a career of over 50 years in higher education. He became ISU’s 19th president in March 2014.

Among the improvements to the building were redesigned entrances at the building east and west sides; the building’s Brown Ballroom is now divisible by three individual spaces complete with an area designed for pre-function needs; a three-story addition was constructed on the building’s east side where guests can find an updated ‘welcome’ desk, the box office, and a lobby complete with fireplace.

Many of the building’s regular features, including on its first floor, its lobby shop, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, the satellite office of ISU’s Printing Services Office, ISU’s TechZone computer services office, and the ISU Credit Union office were relocated within the building during the remodel. Also on the first floor is a display of international flags and new digital signage.

Its second floor features three food options including QDoba Mexican Food, Star Ginger Asian Cuisine, and Timbers Grille. A new outdoor balcony can also be on the second floor, as well. A room for presentations is among the amenities which are now found on its third floor.

Normal Mayor Chris Koos, newly-elected Bloomington Mayor Mboka Mwilambwe, and State Rep. Dan Brady (R-105th district) were among dignitaries invited to the event. Former Mayor Paul Harmon said he gave Dr. Dietz the results of a study done for the University which indicated ways “the Bone could be made more user friendly.” The subject came up between Dr. Dietz and Harmon when the couples met socially.

Following the ceremony, each of the attendees were able to take a tour or the revamped facility, and received a goodie bag with the Rededication logo on it which had inside it, along with some snacks, also had a sketch of the building’s east side which was done by Sean Thornton, an ISU alum who graduated from the University in 2002 and returned to receive a Master’s Degree in 2017.

By Steve Robinson | May 4, 2021 - 1:48 pm
Posted in Category: Normal Town Council, The Normalite

NORMAL – Normal Town Council members unanimously approved three ordinances and one resolution related to a request by Rivian Automotive to expand its facility located on the Town’s west side. The first item Council members approved by a unanimous vote was an ordinance reducing the levy of the 2020 property tax for electric automaker in accordance with the Town’s 2016 economic incentive agreement.

The abatement Normal provides the automaker was part of its development agreement with the company and has contributed over $300 million in investments by Rivian as well as 1,000 new full-time jobs, according to a memo provided Council members by Town Finance Director Andrew Huhn.

The abatement will result in the Town estimating a reduction in property tax revenue in the coming fiscal year of $103,150. Huhn’s report said that loss of funds will have an impact on two of its funds – its general fund by $72,500 and the library fund by $30,650.

Patrick Hoban, chief executive officer of Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council, informed Council members Rivian submits to that Council information concerning information on investments the company has become involved in as well as the number of employees hired and proof of the wages it pays employees. Hoban said, to date, Rivian has exceeded the figures not just for the current fiscal year but for the upcoming fiscal year, as well.

Next, Council members unanimously voted to approve a resolution conditionally approving an amended site plan for the property located at 100 N. Rivian Motorway for a new access road to College Ave. The new entrance would align with the driveway to its property at 2601 W. College Ave. Council Member Stan Nord wondered if the cost of the new entryway which would be used exclusively by the company would be repaid back to the Town.

Town Engineer Ryan Otto told Nord the new entrance would allow Rivian to have direct access from its warehouse on the south side of College Ave. to its manufacturing plant. He said the company would have to submit a traffic analysis report to the Town before construction for the new entrance would be considered.

Council Member Kathleen Lorenz took issue, however, with the notion of the Town looking to recoup its money from the automaker in order to complete the road it wants to add for access to its plant. Calling the notion of looking to get money back “such a slap in the face” to Rivian, she said, “Our job as a municipality is to provide, you know, roads and access to businesses and residential neighborhoods. This is what we do.”

Council members then voted unanimously to approve an ordinance annexing 380 acres of land west of the auto plant for its use. The land is currently zoned as agriculture. The company sought it to be rezoned as M-2 General Manufacturing. Changing the zoning would permit the company to expand its industrial uses.

Council members voted unanimously to approve an ordinance rezoning property at 419 Rivian Motorway and 320 acres surrounding that property which is primarily agricultural. The vote reassigns the land from Agricultural to M-2 General Manufacturing. Normal Planning Commission members voted 6-0 to recommend rezoning of 320 acres to the east of the plant from Agricultural to the new classification. Reece said Rivian officials were seeking to add such property to the Town of Normal by seeking the rezoning. She said if approved, Rivian would be included into the Town’s corporate boundaries.

But Nord expressed concerns over costs incurred for extending sewer service. Reece reminded the Town was simply adding land to the Town by annexing it. She said no annexation agreement was necessary in this instance. She added any issues concerning extending sewer service to Rivian would be brought before the Council.

Reece said Rivian officials have not expressed how or when they will use the newly annexed land, that they were simply asking the Town to approve its annexation for future use.

Lorenz said she didn’t want Council members to lose sight of the fact “there is a business here in town that wants to grow. They aren’t doing this out of the kindness of their heart, but because they have plans to use it.” She added while the plans for the automaker might not be immediate, “they are looking out five or 10 years.”

Council Member Chemberly Cummings added all Rivian is seeking is Council approval to make the parcel of land they have to become part of the Town of Normal.

Greystone Fields Preliminary Subdivision Plan Approved: Council members voted unanimously to approve a resolution giving re-approval to the preliminary subdivision plan for Greystone Fields Subdivision located just east of Normal Community West High School. Greg Troemel, Director of Inspections for the Town told Council members a slowdown in residential construction related to economic conditions in recent years was the culprit for no recent construction of new homes on the property.

As a result, the preliminary subdivision plan expired due to no activity and require being renewed for construction to expand the housing in the subdivision to resume. Troemel explained there had been no construction activity on the property for the past three years. Council’s approval of the preliminary subdivision plan was necessary for construction activity to resume.

When the homes are finished, considering the time that has gone by since construction last took place, in response to a question from Council Member Karyn Smith, Troemel said he believes the homes would be marketed at prices around “the low $200,000s range.”

Council members then voted unanimously approving a related resolution which would conditionally approve the final plat for Greystone Fields Subdivision 2nd addition located on Parkside Rd.

Omnibus Agenda Items Approved: Omnibus agenda items approved by the Council included:

• Approval of minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 19, 2021.

• Approval of Town of Normal expenditures for payment as of April 28, 2021.

• Report to receive and file Town of Normal expenditures for payment as of April 28, 2021.

• A resolution authorizing execution of a lease agreement with Illinois House of Representatives, by its agent, Illinois State Representative 105th District, Dan Brady and with the U. S. House of Representatives by its agent, Rep. Rodney Davis.

• A resolution to accept bids and award a contract to Pontiac, Ill.-based H. J. Eppel & Co., Inc. for the 2021 general street resurfacing project in the amount of $1,119,265.70.

• A resolution waiving the bid requirements and authorizing the purchase of a Ford F-350 truck equipped with a Perkins 8-Y yard satellite refuse body from St. Louis-based Key Equipment & Supply Co.

• A resolution authorizing the filing of the Town of Normal’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Action Plan for program year 2021-2022.

By Steve Robinson | May 2, 2021 - 10:04 pm
Posted in Category: The Normalite

BLOOMINGTON – The aircraft flew as any other would – buzzing past Illinois State University’s quad and Uptown Normal, giving its passengers a bird’s eye view of Illinois Wesleyan University’s Tucci Stadium, and the Shoppes At College Hills, State Farm’s corporate headquarters, Eastland Mall, and assorted vehicles moving along Veteran’s Parkway. But it wasn’t a modern aircraft by today’s standards. For openers, in addition to no overhead compartments, it only sat 12 people.

While that doesn’t sound like an aircraft people would be accustomed to these days, flight enthusiasts received the chance to step back in time Friday at a hangar near the Prairie Aviation Museum near Central Illinois Regional Airport thanks to Oshkosh, Wis.-based Experimental Aviation Administration. EAA and the Museum arranged for a 12-seat 1928 Ford Tri-Motor airplane to come to town to give flight historians and others curious about such aircraft the chance to see and even take a short trip in the aircraft.

“It’s a beautiful plane, that’s for sure,” Bloomington resident Loren Leiseberg said. He added his curiosity of it and the beauty of the plane drew him to come out to see it. “I kind of like older things like that and antiques and art deco type things. This plane is just beautiful.”

On the inside, Leiseberg added, he admired its features which included an all-wood interior, art deco lamps, and the uphill slant passengers needed to adhere to getting to their seats once they climbed aboard. Powered by an original Pratt & Whitney Wasps 420 horsepower engine, and a cabin length of 18 feet 9 inches with a single seat on either side of the aisle, and small overhead lamps at each seat, it must have made those who took the trip nostalgic to think about grandparents taking such flights. The plane’s wingspan is 77 1/2 feet.

It wasn’t just older folks who had curiosity about the plane, either. Zachary Slater, 19, said he has been interested in planes since he was a child and came with his grandparents, Cole and Cherie Slater to check it out, too. “I’ve been interested since I was a little boy and I have seen this plane for what feels like half my life. I’m into old airplanes. They are my favorite planes of all because I love how they handle.”

Zachary wasn’t the only young person for whom there was a curiosity about the vintage aircraft. Hannah Holmes, a senior at Bloomington High School, joined her father, Tom Holmes for the trip, too.

“This Ford Tri-Motor, if you’re an enthusiast, is just a great plane to see,” Tom Holmes stated. “It’s a real piece of nostalgia that runs real well, and to be able to ride on that plane is something else, and I’m really looking forward to it.” He added he is an enthusiast who used to fly when he was younger, and once you have flown, he explained, “It gets in your blood.”

“Any enthusiast likes the earliest planes and the Ford Tri-Motor was a more luxurious plane for its time,” Holmes said. “What I like about it versus the modern era is it has big engines. Each engine is like 9 Harley Davison engines on one engine. And this has three engines, so that’s 27 Harleys, so you can feel the sound go right through you, and for a flight enthusiast, that’s a real exciting thing,” he said with a chuckle.

Hannah herself got a front row seat for the flight, boarding and walking the uphill aisle to the seat in the cockpit right next to the trip’s pilot and Chenoa resident Bill Thackery. When asked after the flight if she would like to be a pilot someday after sitting in a cockpit, she smiled and said, “Now I do, definitely.” She said the view of the area from that vantage point “was amazing.”

She will soon attend University of Wisconsin where she wants to major in biomedical engineering. She added if she leans toward the engineering angle of her degree once she graduates, she could be involved in how planes are built. The biomedical aspect of the degree has to do with things related to creating prosthetic devices, she explained.

When Thackery, who first flew a plane at age 16 isn’t piloting such trips in nostalgic aircraft on a volunteer basis for EAA, he said he’s a commercial pilot who will soon be retiring. His regular job has him in the cockpit at the controls of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner Wide-body twin-engine jet airliner.

He isn’t the only pilot in the family, either, as his wife, Janice, and their two children are also pilots.

Thackery said he is a member of EAA’s Air Tour Team which takes planes like the Ford Tri-Motor and others like World War II-era B-17s and B-25s around the country, letting folks see them for themselves.

He said his background includes a love of old airplanes which gave him a chance to fly aircraft like DC-3s when the Prairie Aviation Museum had one here. With previous experience with older aircraft, he said he learned to fly aircraft similar to the Ford Tri-Motor “without a lot of additional training.”

He added that once he retires from being a commercial pilot, that will give him more time to fly planes like the Ford Tri-Motor more, helping curious aircraft enthusiasts learn more about vintage aircraft.

Thackery said his love of aviation began as a child building airplane models and hanging them from his bedroom ceiling in his native Ohio. He said when he came of age in the 1970s, that decade saw people with an increased interest in people who wanted to learn to fly. “People don’t realize how many people learned to fly in that decade.” He said presently, though, a shortage of pilots is in progress.

Thackery said he considers himself “blessed” by the tools he gets to use in his vocation and his volunteer work. “I marvel at both of them,” he said. “I get to fly the latest, hottest, newest airplane that’s being produced right now, and I get to fly the first airplane that was produced to be an airliner. I’m pretty lucky and I think about that whenever I get into either one of these cockpits.”