We've been bothered by chipmunks this summer. They drive Lilah nuts, which in turn drives me nuts. Thanks to Howard, the problem is being taken care of ... one chipmunk at a time.

      Meet the newest resident of the McLinden Nature Trail.

On Saturday, September 6, the Air Zoo will be the host site of more than 200 plastic models ranging from space crafts, custom cars and hotrods to airplanes and helicopters.  Modelers from all over the Midwest will gather for the 10th annual Air Zoo plastic model contest.

On average, there will be 200-300 models on display in categories that range from airplanes and cars, to ships, tanks, figures, spacecraft and fantasy/science fiction.  Organized by the West Michigan Chapter of the International Plastic Modelers Society and the Kalamazoo Scale Modelers, this event is one of the largest of its kind in the region. The modelers will be up for numerous awards as their models are judged.
Visitors to the Air Zoo can also participate in the fun by checking out the models between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., which is included in the regular price of admission.

During the event, the Air Zoo will also open the cockpits of the P-47 Thunderbolt—a prominent World War II aircraft—and the Grumman Mallard, an aircraft donated to the Air Zoo last summer.  During this time, the West Michigan Smoke Rings club will be demonstrating line-control aircraft on the Air Zoo grounds (weather permitting). Youngsters will also have an opportunity to build their own model at the make-and-take table.

For details about the event and for contest details please visit www.ipms.kalamazoo.org or www.airzoo.org.

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      Kind of chilly out this morning. I had to go put on a pair of trousers.

  Here we are Friday at the Cracker Barrel out in Oshtemo.

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 Something you won't want to miss:

 Air Zoo news........

On September 13, visitors to the Air Zoo will be given a special treat: flight demonstrations of several aircraft, including many that made a significant impact during World War II. These aircraft will include a Corsair, T-6, T-28, BT-13 and a Stearman.  Other aircraft may also be added for the event. The demonstration is the last installment of the Air Zoo’s “Plane of the Month Series” for 2008.

Many of the aircraft were used as trainers to teach pilots how to fly aircraft during World War II.

“We are all keeping our fingers crossed for perfect weather because this final flying event of the 2008 season will be reminiscent of the great Warbird Weekends that the Air Zoo was so well known for,” says Bob Ellis, executive director of the Air Zoo.

The program—which will begin at 10 a.m. and end at approximately 3 p.m.—will start with a discussion of the aircraft by the pilots followed by a question-and-answer session and finish with flight demonstrations of each aircraft (weather permitting).

“While less structured than the Warbird Weekends, this event will be filled with the sounds and smells of days gone by. You won’t want to miss it,” says Ellis.

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     A great time was had by all at the family birthday/anniversary party held here yesterday. We enjoyed cake, ice cream, and other goodies. As a  matter of fact, we ended up with enough leftovers for everyone to take home.

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          Today is a big day around here. We're celebrating birthdays and anniversaries with cake and ice cream later. Here's why:

   Katy's 27th birthday (today)

   Our 34th wedding anniversary (today)

   Jeff and Gabe's 3rd wedding anniversary (yesterday)

   Mom's 86th birthday (August 7)

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      After my stint at the Air Zoo yesterday, Patty and I picked up Sandy Fuller (Craig's out of town), and headed on up to the Richlandfest. Since it was Kids Day, there wasn't much to do other than grab a bite to eat. In my case, several bites to eat.

    We did, however, take a little drive looking for a place called East Course Grill, which is located in the clubhouse of the Gull Lakeview G.C. Unfortunately, I'd forgotten to write down the name and address of the place, so I was plenty embarrassed when we had to return to Richlandfest to get it. At any rate, we had the opportunity to drive down by Gull Lake, and happened upon another place called Frona's, which also serves breakfast. So there's two new places for the Breakfast Tour to try out.

   Patty found a nice little ice cream stand by the lake, and of course, we had to try it. Sandy was kind enough to buy me an ice cream cone, but Patty wanted a slurpie, so she went across the street and got one at the little store there.

   I wish I'd had my camera, but it wasn't all that great for picture taking, so I'll save that for another time.

      FINALLY!

     After three days, endless frustration, and about twenty printed up pages of instructions, I finally got the computer straightened out. What I had was the Vundo (aka Virtuemonde) virus, and what a nasty little bugger it was. Popups, browser hijack attempts.....you name it. How I acquired it, I'm not really sure, but as a warning to all you folks out there, make sure you have a firewall installed, and some good adware/malware tools.

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      The Breakfast Tour visits The Cracker Barrell out in Oshtemo this morning. Although it's not one of my favorites, we're going because Howard has to use a walker, and it's easier for him to navigate with it.

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