Featuring
Steve Snyder
Wednesday, Aug 4th, 2021
No Host Bar: 5:30 p.m., Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m.
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A graduate of UCLA, Steve Snyder lives in Seal Beach, California. In 2009, he retired from Vision Service Plan (VSP) after a 36 year career working in sales and sales management. He then began his quest to learn more about the World War II experiences of his father, pilot Howard Snyder, and the crew of the B-17 Susan Ruth. It became his passion, and after 4 ½ years of dedicated research, resulted in his book, SHOT DOWN, which has received 25 book awards. A member of numerous World War II organizations, Steve is past president of the 306th Bomb Group Historical Association.
SHOT DOWN is set within the framework of World War II in Europe and recounts the dramatic experiences of each member of a ten man B-17 bomber crew after their plane, piloted by author Steve Snyder’s father, was knocked out of the sky by German fighters over the French/Belgium border on February 8, 1944.
Just a reminder for attendees: there will be a great assortment of raffle items available. Dinner is catered and open to the public ($20/person), reservations are required prior to 6 p.m., Monday prior to dinner, either On-line HERE or call 805 296-1935. Dinner price: $20/pp.
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There Were Audis Every-where!
July 10th was an "audible" day for Ken Newman, Museum Coordinator. It was here an Audi, there an Audi, and everywhere you looked, there was an Audi!
SLO DRIVE 2021, a combined effort from Audi owners from San Jose to Los Angeles, utilized Estrella Warbirds Museum as a destination cruise for Audi groups. Of course it was pre-planned, but the original thinking would include 50-75 Audi's and their owners. But, once the dust had settled, it was nearly 250 Audi aficionados picking one of the hottest days for the month for a visit and tour of the museum. But that's ok, fun was had by all. The visit also generated the highest number of comments and feedback on Instagram that we've seen yet from any group visiting the museum. They were so impressed! The most common response seemed to contain the phrase, "I can't wait to come back again next year!"
It just goes to show that after a rather anemic year for visitors due to the "pandemic," walk in traffic has steadily improved! The museum saw 1655 visitors in May, a 13% increase over the previous month. June totals will be even higher!
Yes, Ken is looking forward to even more Car Club "Destination Tours" all of whom are discovering that the museum is a whole lot more than a few old military airplanes and some race cars. If you have not visited the museum this year, plan now, come early, and expect there to be tremendous improvements over previous visits.
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Home to the world class Woodland Auto Display:
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The Estrella Warbirds Museum has always been "the place to go" for local meeting, group dinners and even company events. We greet visitors from around the world!
If you enjoy new people and groups, love history and want to be involved in a community project, we'd love to hear from you! We always need volunteers in our gift-shop, or docents in the museum or Auto Display. Maybe you want to get involved in restoration?
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805 674-3939
805 674-3939
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Please choose Estrella Warbirds Museum, from over one million organizations to support.
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Estrella Warbirds Museum Is The Recipient Multiple Grants
During this past year, both the board and staff have been working as efficiently as possible to insure that the museum remains open in spite of all the restrictions imposed by the state, which in turn, kept people in their homes. The museum has always been a non-profit organization and revenue normally generated via admissions and other activities severely limited our budget even though there are always expenses incurred, whether the museum was open or not. But, it was also during this time that the staff has also been busy applying for any available grants offered by the state or federal level. We owe a really big gratitude of thanks to Cindy Bergin, our Treasurer, for taking the tedious steps required to apply for such grants. The great news is, she was very successful. One grant helped to cover the portions of salary our small paid staff would have lost, and the latest was a grant for just over $77,000 which was recently approved for certain venues which were closed. Thank you, Cindy!
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We are looking for a volunteer who likes to take snapshots. You don't need to be a professional, just available occasionally to take some photos of life around the museum. Must have camera or phone and ability to email the photos. Great place to make new friends.
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Looking for FA/18 Flight Sim Operators |
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LIke to fly? Never learned how to fly? Can you understand the basic operations of a computer? Now that we've resumed operating our Flight Simulator, here's a great opportunity to learn something new. Pilot's license not required. If you enjoy meeting people and don't mind talking to strangers, we need a few more flight sim operators to help us out. Got a few extra hours in the month and want to volunteer in your community? We can use you. We also can train and show you the ins and outs of the Sim. Guaranteed to have fun! If you are interested, stop by the museum and talk with Ken or click here and drop us a line and let us know when you are available.
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Warbirds Wings & Wheels Is Coming! |
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Now Is The Time To Register! |
Happening October 2d, just over two months from now is Warbirds Wings & Wheels plus Swap Meet. Get your registration in early! |
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Featured at The Woodland Auto Display |
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The Woodland Auto Display is home to some very unique and nationally popular historic racing vehicle. Right here in our own back yard!
Very possibly, this race car, in conjunction with the owner/driver, Bill Vukovich, Sr., was the most famous and most written about combination in post WWII short track racing in America. Painted bright red and named "Old Ironsides," it was a popular racing combination while Billy Vukovich drove for the Edelbrock Dirt Racing Team throughout the west coast URA (United Racing Association) at venues such as the Rose Bowl and the Colliseum in Los Angeles, as well as numerous short tracks which allowed him to race 7 or 8 times per week! This combination won the URA championships in both 1946 and 1947 even though this 2 cylinder Drake powered race car was pitted against the flathead V-8 Fords and often again the dual overhead cam 4 cylinder Offenhauser power plants that Dale Drake helped design and manufacture. Incidentally, this Drake 2 cylinder was a Harley Davidson Water cooled 89 cubic engine V-Twin, gasoline fueled engine. It is our understanding that this car, with Bill Vukovich at the wheel, and with the help of his mechanic brother Mike, won the equivalent of approximately $900,000 in 2009 prize money dollar value. "Old Ironsides" eventually found its' way back to Mike Vukovich, who along with his son-in-law, Frank Prieto, restored it back to this original condition.
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Estrella Warbirds Museum is Turning 30 Next Year! |
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Look what's planned! The lower section represents the 10 acres just west of the current facilities. You could play a major role in helping us make this a reality! Interested?
Stay tuned for this "developing" story!
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Warbirds Wings & Wheels and Swap Meet |
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Warbirds Wings & Wheels 12
& Swap Meet
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Contrary to a previous announcement, due to state COVID restrictions, an event the size of Warbirds Wings & Wheels can not be held until later this year. Consequently, we have postponed this combined event until October 2d.
Registrations are open for vehicle entries, swap meet, vendors, sponsors.
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Membership has its benefits! Why become a member? The museum is supported solely from private sources. Minimal membership dues go a long way in helping to preserve history for tomorrows generation. Membership gives you free access to the museum and our wonderful research library. Individual memberships are pro-rated at $75/year or $125/year for families. We have six different categories. You can find more information on membership and how to sign up the the link listed below. |
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4251 Dry Creek Road
Paso Robles, CA 93446
805 238-9317
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