27th Annual Airport Awareness program sees many happy first-time flyers
This year everything came together perfectly, as kids and parents who attended the event were introduced to the magic of first-time flying. For that, youngsters receive a Young Eagles certificate that places them in the ranks of the official National Young Eagles program.
A dedicated group of flying enthusiasts coordinated the day's busy events and continues to volunteer their time to the pastime, whether they are part of the Civil Air Patrol or members of the Airport Zoning Commission.
Bernie Marvin
A family observes a plane participating in the recent Dean Memorial Airport Awareness Day program as it taxies into position prior to taking off with two first-time flyers aboard. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin
North Haverhill, NH – The weather gods were in splendid moods last Saturday, September 12, 2026, as they allowed clear and crisp weather with light breezes to settle over the area, allowing the 27th Annual Airport Awareness Day to launch from 11 AM to 4 PM.
That's the time window needed to operate successfully, according to airport officials involved in this popular, long-time program. The day's activities have many moving parts, and they all have to click for the program to succeed. I have covered every one of the Airport Awareness Day’s events from the start. It has been a good experience.
This year everything came together perfectly, as kids and parents who attended the event were introduced to the magic of first-time flying. For that, youngsters receive a Young Eagles certificate that places them in the ranks of the official National Young Eagles program.
A dedicated group of flying enthusiasts coordinated the day's busy events and continues to volunteer their time to the pastime, whether they are part of the Civil Air Patrol or members of the Airport Zoning Commission.
They were there for initial briefings for the eight pilots who flew their aircraft to Dean Memorial Airport to participate in the program and give first rides to the waiting kids. It is always exciting to see anxious youngsters await their initial ride in an airplane, like so many others before them who have attended the Airport Awareness Day program over the past 27 years.
Airport Awareness Day official and long-time Airport Zoning Commission member Matt Bjelobrk told Bridge Weekly during the program Saturday that the Medical Rescue UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter was on site throughout, along with displays from the Haverhill Fire Department, Police Department, and EMS units.
He said food was available, as it is every year, and the Civil Air Patrol Cadets were also there to
assist any units asking for help; they also worked on the parking situation for cars entering the airport venue from Airport Road.
The Young Eagles Program launched nationally in 1992 and has been part of the first Airport Awareness action since the program began in North Haverhill in 1999. Former US Air Force pilot, the late Joel Godston, instituted the Young Eagles program locally, mainly because of his friendship with Young Eagles Board Chairman at the time, test pilot Chuck Yeager.
Godston also helped establish a well-endowed scholarship program and provided a steady hand to help run the program until he and his wife, Anne Marie, relocated outside the area.
Today, Young Eagles has ensured that more than 2.5 million youngsters have taken a free plane trip introduced to them through the Young Eagles program. This has been an important option for youth aged 8 to 17 years. No doubt because of the Young Eagles program locally, many have explored aviation through both civilian and military programs.
Airport Awareness program official and member of the Haverhill Airport Zoning Commission Matt Bjelobrk, at right, speaks with a group of Civil Air Patrol Cadets who assisted with the Awareness Day program. They were most helpful with a number of activities, including vehicle parking and also assisting with static displays for the public. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin
Civil Air Patrol First Sergeant Victoria Vigneault keeps a close watch on flight line action during the Dean Memorial Airport Awareness Day program. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin
The registration table was busy signing up first-time flyers at the recent Dean Memorial Airport Awareness Day event. Seen at center are Haverhill Airport Zoning Commission Chairperson Susie Tsann and Registration Assistant Donna Batchelder. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin
A National Guard Medical Evacuation UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter flew in from Concord and landed at the Dean Memorial Airport to become part of the day’ events. There have been helicopters on display since the program began 27 years ago. The Dartmouth-Hitchcock medical helicopter flies in and goes on display when available, as well. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin
Airplane Pilot Rick Sayles, at left, chats with two of his first-time flyers from Piermont, Bowen Clawson, at left center and Milo Hodgdon, at right center as they prepare to board handsome red and white Sayles’s airplane. At right is Haverhill Airport Zoning Commission Chairperson Susie Tann. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin
Civil Air Patrol Members Hit The Ropes
There was plenty of activity on the perfect summer day. Throughout the area, visitors enjoyed the vendor booths, listening to several political candidates chat with voters, and hearing some great music by the group Counting by Sevens during the picnic session.
An interesting historical exhibit by the Newbury Historical Society was enjoyed at the one-room schoolhouse just down the road from the Hall.
Bernie Marvin
Upper Valley Stewardship Center’s Ropes Course Instructor Mike Adamkowski, at left speaks with Civil Air Patrol officers during a recent session on the intensive course. Seen from left to right are Adamkowski, Captain Evelyn Chadwick and Major Richard Kardwell. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin
East Haverhill – A total of 15 Civil Air Patrol Cadets from three squadrons in the New Hampshire North Country hit the intense ropes course located at the Upper Valley Stewardship Center in East Haverhill two weeks ago, and according to people passing by or who participated, it was a spirited and eager participation by enthusiastic Cadets.
Captain Evelyn Chadwick told the Bridge Weekly during a roadside interview that her Cadets had been working on the ropes course for the past five years, and they were happy to be back there learning more techniques.
Captain Chadwick was there with cadets from squadrons in Whitefield, Woodsville, and Laconia. She said each year the group grew larger; it was only the White Mountain Cadets back then, but as word spread about how exciting the ropes course was, more attended each year.
Major Richard Cardell said that the ropes course provides an excellent chance for Cadets to practice leadership and teamwork skills, as they spend their day assisting others to do more, go higher, and improve their rope techniques. He had great praise for the ropes course director, Mike Admakowski, who has worked with the Cadets for the past five years.
Navigating the ropes course directly fulfills the CAP's weekend activity mandates for character development, team building, and rigorous physical fitness training. The Cadets were challenged to solve complex physical and technical problems as a team, building mutual reliance and overcoming personal fears.
Members of three Civil Air Patrol Cadets Squadrons at work doing the ropes course at the Upper Valley Stewardship Center in East Haverhill. The students work on ropes that guide and belay other Cadets who are high atop the pole structures, accomplishing various aerial maneuvers to move from one station to another. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin.
A Civil Air Cadet Instructor completes his session on the ropes course located in East Haverhill at the Upper Valley Stewardship Center. Checking his progress is the Squadron Commanding Officer, Captain Evelyn Chadwick, at right. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin.
A tricky act of balance and confident ropes work are guiding this Civil Air Patrol Cadet onto her next station at the Upper Valley Stewardship Center Ropes Course, where three different Squadrons of Cadets trained on the course on a recent weekend. The Bridge Weekly/Bernie Marvin.