May 31st, 2024

No: 2409

Memorial Day Activities

The Estrella Warbirds Museum was well represented this past Memorial Day weekend. Our three volunteer pilots, George Marrett, Bob Kelly, and Scott Stelze, all donate their time, aircraft, fuel. They completed six Memorial Day Flyovers honoring our fallen veterans with flights for the opening on each day of the Santa Margarita's "Best of the West Event" which ran from Friday May 24th to Sunday May 26^th. On Memorial day, Flyover coverage encompassed three locations; the Atascadero Veterans Memorial Celebration, and the Templeton and Paso Robles Cemetery Celebrations. They finished out Memorial day at the Cayucos “Lost at Sea” Celebration. Each flyover was performed in a “missing man” formation with the third plane flying up and out of the formation, symbolizing an aerial salute to the fallen. As a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit, all donations made for these flyover events goes directly to the Museum. Thank you Pilots for representing the Estrella Warbirds Museum well. We are so proud! 

This writer has always had a deep passion for Estrella Warbirds Museum which began in late 2002 and then in 2009, with the beginnings of Woodland Auto Display and subsequent growth over the years of both organizations. However, with unexpected health changes and requirements, I have no choice but to retire from my work with this incredible organization and all the awesome people I have met and worked with over the past 20 plus years. There are, however, multiple key roles that need to be filled immediately in my absence. More information can be found on the following positions here.

1. Google Ads

Responsible for a $120,000 Ad grant per year. Must know social media tagging/key words. PLENTY of online training available.

2. Google Admin/Email and Apps

   Responsible individual to maintain emails, trouble shooting (rare), trustworthy, must understand how to set up email on multiple devices.

3. Google Reviews.

   Normally also responsible for social media. Responds to reviews. Responds to ALL Google requests.

4. Cognito

   Be responsible to develop forms on line and database information collected, i.e. registrations, dinners, events, FA-18 scheduling.

5 Constant Contact.

  Develop a monthly newsletter which goes to all our followers/subscribers. 

6. Social media.

Schedule daily postings to Facebook for EWM and WAD, daily postings to Instagram for EWM and WAD.  Must understand how social media works.  

7. Website Manager.

  Must know basic coding information to maintain and update both ewarbirds.org, woodlandautodisplay.com, the ability to import forms from Cognoto, create new forms (for database retention)

8. Warbirds Wings & Wheels Assume all registration and website ownership and be accessible for questions from anyone associated with the event.

Warbirds Wings & Wheels 15 +

National Motor Fest 2

The 15^th annual Warbirds, Wings & Wheels, on May 11, 2024! This was the first-time collaboration between Estrella Warbirds Museum and Stier Events LLC, and included National Motor Fest! A heartfelt "Thank You!" goes out to anyone whom had anything to do with the planning, set-up, production and cleanup after the event! Your help was very much appreciated!

Check out all the pictures located online here where you can see winners, request high resolution copies (if available) of any vehicle or if you have pictures to share, you can also upload them to us for publication on the website.

As is with any new event, we know there are always things that people like, some you may not have liked or even suggestions we can consider when planning next years event. We tried some new things. What worked for you, what didn't? Your personal opinions are highly appreciated. We want to know what you think! Personal identification or even emails are not captured unless you request a personal response. Your response to this survey is greatly appreciated!

Although not known at the time this image was taken, there are actually three winning classes of vehicles shown. In the foreground is David Warren's Special Interest vehicle entry, a 1967 Go Cart covered with a replica mini VW Bus. In the background to the left is Glen Barker's 1956 Jaguar D Type, which was chosen by EWM Presidential Choice Award and for the first time in our 15 year history, the same vehicle was also chosen as the Woodland Best of Show award! At no time did the Woodland's nor John Couch (and his son) consult the other on choice. Congratulations goes out to all 2024 class winners. A full list of winners can be found here.