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Author
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Topic: Reflections: Astronaut Scholarship Foundation Autograph and Memorabilia Show, Nov. 2009
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DChudwin
Member Posts: 1096
From: Lincolnshire IL USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 11-11-2009 10:17 AM
   
Robert Pearlman and Tim Gagnon man the collectSPACE table at the ASF show at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center on Nov. 8: "First and Last" Neil Armstrong and Gene Cernan talk at the ASF Apollo 12 Anniversary Dinner on Nov. 7. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden is in the foreground and KSC Director Bob Cabana is upper left:  James Lovell at the ASF dinner on Nov. 7:  Bill Anders at the ASF tribute to Apollo 12 on Nov. 7:  Tom Stafford at the ASF autogaph show on Nov. 7 at the Kennedy Space Center:  |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 2896
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 11-11-2009 02:46 PM
I want to publicly thank Robert for allowing me to share in his cS spotlight for the ASF Show. It was fun to watch everyone come up to him to say "I visit your site all the time and now I plan to join so I can post as well."
It was great to see everyone and to be able to put a face to the names - thanks to Robert's badges. I was able to gift a few Apollo astronauts with my Apollo commemorative and they all seemed to like what they saw. I also gave Bean, Garriott, Lousma, Gibson, Schweickart and Brand my Skylab commemorative patch. In speaking with General Stafford, I showed him the letter he wrote to me in 1974 thanking me but graciously turning down my request to design the ASTP patch. I told him that I persevered and was finally able to realize the dream of seeing my (and Jorge's) artwork fly. Alan Bean was very generous in his compliments of my two art prints that I brought along. "One Small Step...for a Woman" and "Past is Prologue". They will soon hang in his studio. This kind of weekend is like recharging your batteries. Sharing our collective passion for space exploration with those who understand. A special thanks to Fred and Jackie who added more examples of my art to their museum. Thanks again Robert and please let me know when you and Marina get married. Tim |
bookcollector
Member Posts: 27
From: North Carolina, US of A
Registered: Aug 2006
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posted 11-11-2009 04:55 PM
Usually, I'm just a lurker here, because you guys are so erudite and knowledgeable that you intimidate the bejeebers out of me. But this thread is for opinions, not necessarily facts and figures, and opinions I've got.This was my first ASF show, but it won't be my last. Kudos to everyone involved for putting on a first-class shindig. My wife and I had gold tickets, so we attended the Apollo 13 lunch as well as the Apollo 12 dinner. At the lunch it was really great to see national heroes on stage in an informal, relaxed atmosphere. Capt. Lovell's explanation about the six-year long trail of mis-haps leading to the oxygen tank explosion was fascinating. Fred Haise cleared up some mis-conceptions that the A13 movie may have created about Swigert, and also how his illness wasn't quite as debilitating as the movie made it seem. And the dinner! Mingling in a room full of historic figures was like turning a kid loose in a candy store. I was shaking hands and taking pictures and gushing like the nerd that I am and generally making a fool of myself in front of my heroes. Didn't quite make it to Armstrong, but I met one of his security guards three times! Just by chance, one of my favorite encounters was with an author that everybody on cS knows. I saw him Thursday night at dinner, but as is my policy, I didn't want to interrupt him while he was eating, and when he got up to leave I was too slow in approaching him. I saw him the next day at the autograph show and had him sign a book (I am a book collector, after all) and had a little chat, including telling him I had seen him at dinner, etc, etc. At the Apollo 12 dinner I ran into him again, and I'm sure by now he thought I was stalking him. You can't tell from the picture below, but just before I posed next to him, he checked around to make sure that security was within yelling distance. If meeting the astronauts was cake, meeting a world-famous author was the icing on that cake. Here I am with that famous man, Colin Burgess!   |
AJ
Member Posts: 511
From: Plattsburgh, NY, United States
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 11-11-2009 07:20 PM
I know I already posted a comment, but the more days pass, the more this past weekend becomes less of a blur, so I have but a few things to add. Hopefully I will be coherent and not too boring.  This was my first experience meeting a number of astronauts. I particularly enjoyed meeting Walt and Dot Cunningham, who could not have been friendlier or more charming. They are delightful people. I had purchased Walt's old Rollei 35 camera from Farthest Reaches and I love taking photos with it. When I showed him the camera, both he and Dot lit up and we had a great chat. Walt even teased me that he'd be tempted to put the camera in his pocket. After Walt signed my lunar orbiter photo, he graciously offered to autograph the back of the leather camera case, free of charge. Fred Haise is probably one of the cutest and nicest people I've ever met. He seemed to have a great time at the AS13 lunch and when I met him that night at the reception, he seemed genuinely delighted to chat with everyone. I spent WAAAAAY too much money at the show, but it was worth every penny. I'm already thinking about next year! It was also nice to chat with total strangers without running for the nearest exit. I'm often shy around strangers but at events like Spacefest and ASF we're all there for the same basic reasons. Everyone seemed to be having a blast (no pun intended) and I especially enjoyed chatting with Shane, Sabrina from Australia, and the nice, tall fellow from New Jersey who, after talking to him at two separate shows, I still have no idea what his name is. |
ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2031
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 11-12-2009 05:31 AM
Crikey - was I really there? |
bookcollector
Member Posts: 27
From: North Carolina, US of A
Registered: Aug 2006
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posted 11-12-2009 10:51 AM
That's what the police report says.  |
Andy McCulley
Member Posts: 245
From: Lansdale, PA
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 11-12-2009 11:19 AM
bookcollector, I would have emailed you privately but your email address is not available.What Colin was trying to tell you was that it is not him in the picture, I think it is Francis French. |
divemaster
Member Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002
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posted 11-12-2009 11:48 AM
quote:
Originally posted by ColinBurgess:
Crikey - was I really there?
Didn't get the bar tab yet? |
bookcollector
Member Posts: 27
From: North Carolina, US of A
Registered: Aug 2006
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posted 11-12-2009 03:36 PM
So much for my attempt at humor. I was teasing Francis. Now you see why I lurk. Some times I'm the only one who gets my jokes. |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 11-12-2009 04:09 PM
And my cunning plan to put all my flight and hotel expenses on Colin's credit card is now blown wide open!!It was great to meet and chat with you over the weekend, and thanks again for the very kind words about the books. quote:
Originally posted by drjeffbang:
We met Francis French (and got his book)
Good to meet you all, and much appreciated! |
Andy McCulley
Member Posts: 245
From: Lansdale, PA
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 11-12-2009 09:39 PM
I am a little dense sometimes. Even after you explained it, it took me a minute to get it - but I finally got it. I think its old age setting in.I'll be quiet - no need to just lurk because of me. |
liftoff
Member Posts: 45
From: Watt, Switzerland
Registered: Jun 2008
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posted 11-13-2009 01:43 AM
Wow! Was this an exciting weekend! I feel like I'm dreaming. I never thought that I would experience something like that. So many legends!At the gala dinner I had the chance to sit at the table with Dave Scott and his wife. He is a kind and interesting person. My camera was running hot that weekend. I got plenty of photos on my website. Armstrong, Aldrin, Cernan, Scott and all of them. Special thanks go to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation that has made this event possible at all and that everything went so well. |
jut2y
Member Posts: 260
From: worthing west sussex united kingdom
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 11-13-2009 11:07 AM
Has anyone else noticed in Karl Ranstrom's photo gallery: a very elusive signer appearing to be signing. |
Mark Zimmer
Member Posts: 289
From:
Registered: Aug 2004
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posted 11-13-2009 11:14 AM
And with photographic proof, too! Wish we could have made it this year. |
machbusterman
Member Posts: 1778
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004
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posted 11-13-2009 11:54 AM
Are you sure he's signing Paul? I know it LOOKS that way... |
jut2y
Member Posts: 260
From: worthing west sussex united kingdom
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 11-13-2009 12:04 PM
No Derek, not sure, but it makes exciting viewing and we could all be hopeful he may buckle one day and shock us with an ASF signing. Wishful thinking, eh? |
Paul23
Member Posts: 836
From: South East, UK
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 11-13-2009 12:21 PM
I would have thought if he was signing others would have noticed and he would have been swamped quickly. The other thing that makes me wonder is if you were able to persuade him to sign something, I would think you'd get him to rest on a table or something to get a better signature.Also, the way he's holding the pen, it's quite high up which would again make for a shaky (no Lovell jokes please!) signature. All that said of course I hope I'm wrong and that his return to the signing rotation will be announced shortly! Unrelated though, I have to say attending this event must make your head swim. It just looks so epic with so many astronauts and space related personalities attending. I just can't imagine what it must be like to go to one of these! |
jut2y
Member Posts: 260
From: worthing west sussex united kingdom
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 11-13-2009 12:45 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Paul23:
Also, the way he's holding the pen, it's quite high up which would again make for a shaky (no Lovell jokes please!) signature.
Well he's certainly steadying the folder with his left hand. |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 11-13-2009 12:50 PM
That is my head immediately behind Anders. I was privy to the conversation, which was a private business discussion and no, he wasn't signing...Anders did of course kindly sign an Earthrise photo for the ASF auction. |
andrewcli
Member Posts: 328
From: La Jolla, CA, USA
Registered: Jul 2007
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posted 11-13-2009 01:27 PM
According to Dr. Chudwin, Gen. Anders would sign for a fee donated to his museum. Don't know how much that fee would be, but I would imagine it would top Gen Stafford's and Buzz's given it is for a worthy cause. Maybe if we all send our requests to Linn and ASF, they might be able to pull something off. Baby steps.
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AJ
Member Posts: 511
From: Plattsburgh, NY, United States
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 11-13-2009 03:45 PM
I'd like to know just how big of a donation. |
disglobes
Member Posts: 594
From: Orting, WA
Registered: May 2000
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posted 11-13-2009 03:56 PM
He was just writing his info down on where and how much to donate to the museum. He was not signing anything at the dinner. He also offered the same deal to someone else that evening.Charles |
DChudwin
Member Posts: 1096
From: Lincolnshire IL USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 11-13-2009 04:29 PM
I did talk to Gen. Bill Anders about signing for collectors. He pointed out that he was signing an "Earthrise" canvas for ASF and that he did not want to take anything away from ASF's fundraising efforts.I persisted and talked about all the collectors who wanted to complete their Apollo 8 items. At first, he said he would autograph a piece for $500 over the high bid for the "Earthrise" canvas (which turned out to be $3300). He emphasized that the fee would be payable to his foundation and not him personally, and noted that it would therefore be tax deductible. At the time I was not aware of how much was the winning bid for the ASF canvas, so I asked him again for a fee quote. I believe he gave me a figure of a $2,500 donation to the foundation, but I will attempt to clarify that with Gen. Anders. (It sounds high to me, but it's his right to set whatever price he wants). I should note that Gen. Anders was very friendly and willingly posed for a picture. I had told him that I interviewed him via a tape-recording in 1967 when I was a high school reporter and he was a new astronaut, and that I had sent him the tape. "It's probably in the archives," he laughed. I had never met him before, and it was a positive experience for me. Edited to add -- From Anders' biography: Anders retired from General Dynamics in 1993 and moved with his wife to their present home on Orcas Island in Washington State's Puget Sound. He has established the philanthropic Anders Foundation supporting educational and environmental concerns and the Heritage Flight Museum dedicated to collecting and flying vintage "warbirds". |
disglobes
Member Posts: 594
From: Orting, WA
Registered: May 2000
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posted 11-13-2009 06:08 PM
$2500 is what I heard too. Maybe the ASF can get him to do a signing like Tom Stafford, Bob Crippen and Owen Garriott did. |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 11-14-2009 06:35 AM
"Private business discussion" or not, there had to be at least one who tried to get an autograph at the dinner, didn't there?I was at Anders' table where he pre-empted any discussion of autographs with the "$500 over the winning bid" offer. He handed out his business card (HFM) but soon ran out! Did anyone try it on with Neil? There was a (possibly apocryphal) story that his silverware disappeared - no doubt to be cut into small pieces.  |
albatron
Member Posts: 2732
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 11-14-2009 11:22 AM
quote:
Originally posted by DChudwin:
At the time I was not aware of how much was the winning bid for the ASF canvas, so I asked him again for a fee quote. I believe he gave me a figure of a $2,500 donation to the foundation, but I will attempt to clarify that with Gen. Anders. (It sounds high to me, but it's his right to set whatever price he wants).
Holy Schnikey. |
AJ
Member Posts: 511
From: Plattsburgh, NY, United States
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 11-14-2009 11:23 AM
I can't help but laugh about the silverware story. I kind of hope it's true in a way, because I like the idea of someone showing off a spoon and saying, "Neil Armstrong ate off of this!!" At Spacefest in San Diego, while packing up, Paul Calle and I rather gleefully helped ourselves to the nice sharpies Buzz had used (sorry, Kim!). I brought one of them to an event Alan Bean was at (to use for signing, not to show off, cos it's really just a pen) and when a gentleman needed to borrow it, I said, "that's a Buzz Aldrin sharpie" and he justifiably looked at me as though I'd just told him to lick Alan Bean's face. You can't win 'em all, I guess. |
MCroft04
Member Posts: 1634
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 11-14-2009 08:36 PM
quote:
Originally posted by gliderpilotuk:
Did anyone try it on with Neil? There was a (possibly apocryphal) story that his silverware disappeared - no doubt to be cut into small pieces.
I could have picked up his half eaten cheesecake after he left (I sat ~ 15-20' from him), but a rare moment of integrity set in. But I did seem to pick up a bunch of hair fibers on my shoes when I walked by his seat. What a mess! |
328KF
Member Posts: 1234
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 11-14-2009 10:43 PM
quote:
Originally posted by MCroft04:
I could have picked up his half eaten cheesecake after he left (I sat ~ 15-20' from him), but a rare moment of integrity set in. But I did seem to pick up a bunch of hair fibers on my shoes when I walked by his seat. What a mess!
Hey Mel, I'll start the bidding at $20... |
CPCM
Member Posts: 46
From: Spring, Texas, USA
Registered: Dec 2007
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posted 11-15-2009 11:24 PM
Can't wait til next year. It is always a blast (no pun intended). Have the fun is spending time with fellow cSers! |
BC
Member Posts: 30
From: Springfield, IL, USA
Registered: Nov 2008
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posted 11-16-2009 05:21 PM
quote:
Originally posted by MCroft04:
Did anyone try it on with Neil? There was a (possibly apocryphal) story that his silverware disappeared - no doubt to be cut into small pieces.
Hey Mel, I was eyeing that cheesecake as well, but mustered up the energy to walk on by! |
rickdiii
Member Posts: 105
From: west melbourne, fl
Registered: Aug 2009
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posted 11-16-2009 08:22 PM
I had my first experience at this show, and I was very impressed with Buzz Aldrin. Yes it was expensive to have a photo signed for my 5 year old son, but I was amazed that Buzz not only signed his name, but also wrote 'Contact Light, Engine Stop" and also put Apollo 11 under his name. He did not charge for all this extra writing, and it meant a lot to us, as he had just explained what his words were, and what they meant. I had not realized that there were probes under the legs of the module, and that they caused a light to go on, upon contact. What a memorable day for us both. |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 11-16-2009 08:56 PM
I just got home from Florida today having stayed on an extra week after the show. All I can say was wow. What a great show. I had fun last year but this year was amazing. Not sure where to begin. Some of the highlights for me were talking with Hoot Gibson about air racing. I saw him race in Reno a few years back flying the Seafurry "RifRaf" and he was understandably proud of his 6th place at the Gold race this years event. I had a good conversation with Fred Haise about his early involvement in the lifting body program. And I also spoke to Vance Brand about the Skylab rescue mission training. I really enjoyed talking with Hoot Gibson. He and his wife Rhea Sedden are really nice people. I also had good conversations with Hank Hartsfield, Jack Lousma, Bob Springer and Charlie Duke amongst others. In fact I found all the astronauts in good form and the cocktail party was one of the highlights of the weekend. The best part for me had to be diner with Tom Stafford and his wife Linda. I was seated beside Linda with General Stafford on the other side. Frankly I was star struck a little, but soon found both General Stafford and his Wife very nice and really willing to talk. General Stafford has such an amazing recall. I was listening to him talk about the difficulties of orbital mechanics during rendezvous he and Gene Cernan had during Gemini 9. Wow. I was really impressed. His mind is as clear today as it was 45 years ago. I was surprised when he told me he was still very active in the program as Co-Chair of the ISS Oversight Commission. After the show I regretted not getting him to sign an item I brought but had already blown my budget by that time. From what I understand that may have been his last public signing. The two funniest moments of the weekend for me both took place with Gene Cernan. The first was at the cocktail party when I asked someone to take a photo of the two of us and they tried with the camera upside down and backwards. By the time it was sorted out Gene Cernan had me rolling laughing. The next night at the diner, I found myself in the men's room when in walks Gene Cernan and Bill Anders and the banter between the two of them in a bought of male humor had me rolling again. On Saturday afternoon I was back at the hotel with my family around 3pm and looked over to see Charlie Bolden standing at outdoor hotel bar alone watching a football game. I congratulated him on his appointment as Director and then let him watch the game in peace. I met Charlie Bolden last year and he was great and it seems he has changed very little. Before the show I had met up with artist Ron Woods. I really enjoy Ron's paintings and he brought a couple of his prints over to the hotel for me the day before the show. It was a real pleasure meeting him have talked with him over the phone. At the show I purchased a print of his new painting of Pete Conrad's Space suit. Ron was and still is in charge of the NASAs space suits and he suggested it might be interesting to have the print signed by Alan Bean and Dick Gordon. I thought it was a great idea at that print is now a prize addition to my collection. I managed to get some great photos including Neil Armstrong and was glad I was nearby to see Robert Pearlman have his photo taken. No one deserved it more. I also had several nice conversations with Dee O'Hara. What a really nice women. I had forgot my copy of Into that Silent Sea and lucky to find a copy at the space center gift shop. When I went to pay for it who was standing in line in front of me...Francis French who was nice enough to sign the copy along with Dee O'Hara and Scott Carpenter. Another humorous moment took place after diner when someone jokingly asked Al Warden to put Neil Armstrong's leftover cheesecake on auction. His response was 'Did he sign it?" All I can really say is it was a great weekend and I am already looking foreword to next year's event. |
PerryM
Member Posts: 71
From: Temple, TX USA
Registered: Nov 2009
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posted 11-17-2009 04:02 PM
At the event I was not a member but now I am and it was the best time I ever had. I even had my own story to add Thursday at the hotel a group of us were by the pool. Wanting to check my bid on an item in the auction left. When I came back Buzz had taken my seat. He offered to give it up but I said no he could have it. If you ever loos your seat that is one man I have no problem loosing it too. Everyone made me feel at home since I had no clue who was who. After spending more than an hour talking to Hank Hartsfield not knowing he was even an astronaut. Can't wait for the next event like this. |
Playalinda
Member Posts: 152
From: Peoria, AZ, USA
Registered: Oct 2009
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posted 11-18-2009 01:21 AM
Has anyone seen the pad leader at the show? I know he is living near the Cape. I wonder where Guenter Wendt? I hope that he made an appearance and that he is doing well. The "Fuehrer" is an amazing man and he can tell many interesting and funny space stories. I have met this legend in Burbank/CA and San Antonio/TX. |
MCroft04
Member Posts: 1634
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 11-18-2009 07:21 AM
Guenter was present, and although moving a bit slow, he got around quite a bit. He even made it up to talk to Neil! |
Playalinda
Member Posts: 152
From: Peoria, AZ, USA
Registered: Oct 2009
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posted 11-18-2009 12:26 PM
Thanks. Good to hear. Sure some time has passed since he helped Neil, Buzz and Mike into their spacecraft to journey into the history books. |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 11-18-2009 10:31 PM
I sat across the table from Guenter, Dick Gordon, and Tom Jones for breakfast on Sunday. Guenter had a great time telling us some of the stories that didn't make it into his book! |
Dave Clow
Member Posts: 236
From: South Pasadena, CA 91030
Registered: Nov 2003
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posted 11-19-2009 10:58 AM
There's a very disturbing aspect to these shows. Every time I see these guys I wonder why I'm the only one getting older. |
divemaster
Member Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002
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posted 11-21-2009 12:28 AM
I have to admit that after all these years, I make it a point to sit down with Guenter for at least an hour. I've heard some of the stories dozens of times, but he never fails to fascinate me. My [non space geek] girlfriend asked him about his education in Germany - and I immediatly went "uh, oh" - but he was very open about his schooling in Berlin and some of his favorite professors and their dreams of spaceflight. In all of the years that I've had the pleasure of speaking to Gunter, this was the ONLY time I've ever heard him speak of Germany other than a quick passing comment. His course load was incredible. But he never fails to impress.At dinner, I had the pleasure of sitting next to Michael "Lt. Worf" Dorn. While, at first I was a bit disappointed that I wasn't sitting with an astronaut, Michael was telling wonderful tales of his love of flying. He sold his F86 to Frank Borman [which was a very funny story] and he's trying to buy an F104 at this moment. The man loves his jets. Naturally, we DID make a few jokes about being a turtle head - and I came VERY close to cracking a Wally Turtle Joke, but figured it would get lost in the translation with no one to back me up. But he was a helluva nice guy. He's Vegan. So, when he ordered dinner, he insisted that his dinner didn't have parents. I thought that was incredible way of getting his point across exactly to the wait staff.
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