NDAA Executive Director’s Note by The Staiger Consulting Group

“We know summer 

is the height of 

being alive.”

              -GARY SHTEYNGART

As a true North Dakotan and self-proclaimed lake bum, I view summers as a great gift and precious resource. I am fascinated to see how families and communities awaken and unearth in summertime. We are scrambling to get ready for weekends at the lake and staying up WAY past the little one’s bedtime, in order to get another couple minutes of wonderful driveway conversation with the neighbors as our dirty but happy kids play in their not-so-secret fort.

The extended daylight offers us bonus time in the summer, maybe as a peace offering for surviving its stingy presence in the winter months, when we run to work in the dark and scramble home in the dark. When it’s too cold and too bitter to interact with people outside of our immediate family. When we are snuggling in with a book by the fire, cheering at football games, and enjoying cozy movie nights. Not now though; this is the time of year when we get outside and pack it all in!

Communities awaken in the summer; it’s time for summer theatre, outdoor sports, community pools, zoos and parks, and day trips to museums or pitchfork fondues. I feel more connected to my community in the summer and more inclined to participate in these types of events, as I am motivated by the fact that our precious window of time for these events is rather limited. 

I think this can also be said for the aviation community. I am excited to see all the community fly-ins, which bring people together, fundraisers, air shows, and camps for students. In addition, the air museums have a variety of events happening for those of us who pop our heads out of our winter caves. This is inspiring and I hope you can take advantage of the many wonderful summer aviation activities throughout the state, including all the local fly-ins and fundraisers. What a great way to see the state, support communities, and connect with old and new friends. 

The North Dakota Aviation Association (NDAA) will also be hosting one of these wonderful community events: the Fly-ND Summerfest in Washburn, ND on August 19. Fly in or drive in for a day to celebrate summer and aviation! We will have the Airport Association of North Dakota meeting at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, the NDAA Scholarship Golf Tournament at Painted Woods Golf Course, self-guided activities for non-golfers, a BBQ social at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, combined with a North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame presentation, honoring Bill Beeks. I cannot think of a better way to spend a summer day. We will be raising money for aviation students, spending time with friends, and celebrating and honoring an extraordinary individual who helped build a foundation in local aviation. More information can be found on the Fly-ND website: www.fly-nd.com. Our team is happy to help you sign up.

We sincerely appreciate all the support from the Fly-ND Summerfest event sponsors and the fabulous committee who is putting it all together. We hope to see you there, packing it all in this summer, and maybe even staying up past your bedtime!

Stacy & Mike Krumwiede