Saratoga Sampler
Saratogans go up, up and away to Hiller Museum
By Mary Ann Cook
AIR TRIP: A field trip to the Hiller Aviation Institute & Museum in San Carlos drew 25 members and friends of the Saratoga Historical Foundation and a surprising array of local aviators. The trip planner was Mary Lynn Dutro, who pronounced it "a wonderful tour" through a little-known treasure.
The institute traces the history of aviation, particularly California's contributions, and on board is a wide variety of aircraft--from a bomber in the front of the former hangar to the dirigible and Stealth glider inside. The group climbed aboard the huge bomber and checked out the cockpit.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the trip was the fact that so many Saratogans have such a strong tie to aircraft. Before their docent arrived, those assembled told about their air connections.
Gordon Werne, for example, is a Saratoga historian active in the museum. Paul Bowlin was a Pan American pilot; Donna Padrick won races and trophies as a woman pilot; Les Landin was a tail gunner; and Ron Haglin was a pilot.
One of the most affected by the tour was Joe Houston, who has something of a connection to the man for whom the museum is named.
First Lt. Houston, a helicopter pilot after the Korean War, received his helicopter rating (the military equivalent of licensing) from Stan Hiller himself in graduation ceremonies at Camp Walters, Texas, in 1958. (Houston had his wings already, having trained in fixed wing flying.)
Stan Hiller was one of the first aviators to design and build helicopters. "It was a great honor to have him there. I remember Stan Hiller as young, brilliant and inspirational," Houston reminisces. His appraisal of the Hiller Aviation Institute: "It's a gem. I've been to a great many aviation museums and I'd put it on a level with the Smithsonian."
After 10 years as an Army aviator, Houston switched to his first love--astronomy. He's been building cameras and telescopes ever since. He's a consultant in optical systems. And those opening shots in M--A--S--H when the helicopter is whirring into camp: "That's the one I flew," he says.
ELECTRIC MC: Saratogan Burt Schraga was master of ceremonies at the recent National Association of Electrical Distributors Conference in Palm Desert. Schraga is president of Bell Electrical Supply in Santa Clara. The keynote speaker was Erik Weihenmayer.
Weihenmayer was the first blind climber to reach the summit of Mt. Everest, and is the author of Touch the Top of the World. He is also one of the youngest people to attempt the Seven Summits. Weihenmayer told the story of an extraordinary journey of triumph and perseverance.
REFUGE FOR POETS: The old Edwin Markham House, having been transferred to History Park, is being readied for use as a refuge for poets, a gathering place for workshops and creative nudgings. Saratogan Mary Lou Taylor is one of those instrumental in saving the Markham house for poets.
Here's her update: "The Markham House is furnished in a way, but it looks so unfinished. I was there today scrubbing and polishing the furniture, a mix of old and very modern, depending upon what dot-com failure or furniture manufacturer or collection center we got it from.
"We have no blinds on the bathroom windows, so paper is pasted to them. Our house needs to be spray-washed, the porch needs repairing and painting. We still don't have our occupancy permit..."
Such are the woes of the poetically inclined. Edwin Markham was a poet who lived in San Jose early in the last century. The grand opening of the Markham House is slated for May 26, so presumably all or most will be shipshape by then.
SURGICAL MARATHON: Gloria Egan survived a marathon surgery--an unbelievable 17 hours--for a brain aneurysm, but is home now and doing well. Her incredible recovery must have been the result of all those people rooting for her, counting on her to resume her very active place in the community.
CLAMBAKE: Rotary's biannual clambake was renamed in honor of its founder. It's now the Jim O'Rourke Memorial Lobster & Clam Bake, and it drew a record 90 people to Ed Porter's digs. The Rotary clambake is based on a pilot program perfected at the Santa Cruz beach some years back.
Those involved in the pilot were Joanne and Jim O'Rourke, Marcia and Randy Hall and Chick and Ed Porter.
NONFICTION AWARD: Steinbeckian Audry Lynch won first place and $400 for nonfiction at a recent conference of the National League of American Pen Women for her book Steinbeck Remembered. Lynch also received a $600 grant from Mission College's staff development office for her presentation at Hofstra University. There she presented a paper on John Steinbeck and James Dean, called Two Rebels with a Cause.
INFO COFFEE: The Assistance League of Los Gatos-Saratoga will hold an informational coffee May 1, 9:30-11:30 a.m., at Faith Lutheran Church, Los Gatos. Jan Ehrhardt is the contact, at 408.356.4274. April 27 is the deadline.
Saratoga, California Since 1955
