FLIGHT HISTORY IN DOWNTOWN SPOTLIGHT SATURDAY, TUESDAY
"ALOFT," New Book by Gerry Higgs to be Released at Film Presentation
April 3, 2003
By: Dave Rogers
Book Cover - Aloft . . .by Gerry Higgs
The Author - Gerry Higgs
The State Theatre will soar into the wild blue yonder Saturday night, April 5, and Tuesday, April 8, with historical, literary and musical presentations about flight, including local aspects centering about James Clements Airport.
The presentations have several facets:
1-The Saturday night show will highlight old film footage and photos from the early days of the 20th century, narrated by television personality Eric Jylha and author Geraldine Higgs. I have seen this footage and it is amazing, worth the price of admission in and of itself.
The production will show the amazing history of early aircraft experimentation in Bay City, 1912-1962, involving early pilots Henry Dora, Lionel DeRemer, and Jeanette Lempke Sovereign.
Also featured will be the record-breaking 1935 Explorer II balloon ascension from James Clements Airport under direction of Auguste Picard. The ascension was arranged by the first U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Oscar Westover, a Bay City native.
The new book, "ALOFT," by Geraldine Higgs, will be available at both the Saturday night and Tuesday night performances, both scheduled for 7 p.m. curtains. Mrs. Higgs has long been an active writer about aviation topics, especially concerning the Bay City/Bay County area. She has published several books.
Sponsors of the Bay County Historical Society film and narrative presentation are the Bay Arts Council and Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, with support from the Bay Area Community Foundationand Monitor Sugar Co. and Growers.
On Tuesday night, Chicago's Face to Face Productions will present "The Wright Stuff," described as a musical celebration of the Wright Brothers first flight. That flight took place 100 years ago and the centennial of the event is being celebrated this year. This presentation is underwritten by a grant from the Dow Corning Corporation.
For more information contact the Bay Arts Council, 893-0343, or www.BayArtsCouncil.org.