Fall 2017 Volume 39, Issue 3 $4.95

A Romance with Kites

Flying the Big Stuff Should You Buy a 3D Printer? FALL 2017 1 2 KITING Fall 2017, Volume 39, Issue 3

F E A T U R E S

Kite Plans for a Jalbert Barn Door Kite 9 By Margaret Greger Read about the late Margaret Greger on page 46 or enjoy these plans first published in 1992. Pg 15 Flying the Big Stuff (Safely) By Roger Kenkel 12 Tips and suggestions on how to buy and fly big kites. MARK BAKER Hey Brother…We Did It! By Mark Baker 15 They called it the “Megafoil” and it took decades to make it fly.

Faces in the Sky, A Progression In and Out 17 of Focus By David Wagner Exploring the world of art, kites, faces and more, Wagner shares his journey and passion in kitemaking. LINDSEY JOHNSON

A Romance with Kites 22 Interviews with Deb Lenzen and Mike Shaw Two of the most influential kitemakers in America today, Lenzen and Shaw, talk about design, storytelling and how to share a Pg 30 house with kites.

The Magic of 3D Printing By Lindsey Johnson Is there a future for 3D printing in kitemaking? Johnson says, “Yes.” 30 DEPARTMENTS

4 AKA Directory 5 Letter from the President Pg 22 6 People, Places, and Things 8 Empty Spaces in the Sky DEB LENZEN 35 Regional Reports 44 Directory of Merchant Members 46 Voices Fron the Vault Margaret Greger

ON THE COVER: “Loons” made and photographed by Deb Lenzen.

Copyright 2017 by American Kitefliers Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission prohibited. Not responsible for unsolicited material. FALL 2017 3 AKA Directory

American Kitefliers AKA Committees Amount ______Association Web/Internet Outreach Nic O’Neill 706-267-8808 Daniel Prentice, Executive Director Education Fred Taylor

Mailing: PO Box 699, Cedar Ridge, CA 95924

3 yrs. $146 $375 $116 $146 Phone/Fax: 609-755-KITE (5483) Web: www.kite.org Festivals / Competitions E-mail: [email protected] Fighter Kites Andy Selzer 856-728-8870 2 yrs. $98 $250 $78 $98 Officers and Kitemaking Jon Burkhardt Sport Kites Scott Davis 253-732-5743 Executive Committee Kite Aerial Photography Jim Powers 610-659-2094

(Per person add $6/year) Nic O’Neill, President $50 $125 1 yr. $40 $50 Anacortes, WA Organization / Public Service 706-267-8808 [email protected] Ways & Means Cel Dallmer 215-722-4092 Phillip Whitaker, First Vice President Contract Services Gayle Woodul 830-598-24 Enid, OK Safety & Insurance Paul Koepke 580-402-2102 [email protected] By-laws Ted Manekin 301-464-1757 Archives & Records Daniel Prentice 609-755-KITE Brett Morris, Second Vice President Elections Gayle Woodul 830-598-2414 class mail) class mail) st rd Medford, OR Thank You Charlie Program Marla Miller 253-752-7051 Nominations Kathy Brinnehl 630-271-0765 (Sorry we cannot accept Canadian cheques) 541-944-5588 [email protected] via 1 via 3 ______class mail, includes tax deductible contribution) st

______Cel Dallmer, Treasurer Kiting

Kiting Administration Philadelphia, PA via 1 215-722-4092 [email protected] Membership Marla Miller 253-752-7051

Kiting Renewal and Retention Daniel Prentice 609-755-KITE ( Gayle Woodul, Secretary Membership Dues Individual ( ( Canada, Mexico and Overseas Sponsor Charlie Program Additional donation dedicated to the Thank You Please remit in US$ Send this form with your payment to: American Kitefliers Association • PO Box 699 Cedar Ridge, CA 95924 Additional family members in same household For information call 609/755-KITE (5483) Referred by Local kite club Join online at www.kite.org International Linda Sanders (+61) 88556 2681 Marble Falls, TX Industry Liaison Daniel Prentice 609-755-KITE 830-598-2414 [email protected] Club Liaison Mike Dallmer 215-722-4092

Scott Davis, Director at Large Puyallup, WA Annual Meeting 253-732-5743 [email protected] Annual Meeting Phillip Whitaker 580-402-2102 Kelly Mayhew-Nunes, Director at Large Clearwater, FL 727-710-3112 [email protected] ______Lindsey Johnson, Director at Large Zip Lincoln City, OR 541-994-7556 [email protected]

Spence Watson, Director at Large Bellevue, WA ______206-617-8272 [email protected] State Reinstatement KITING Magazine Kiting is published quarterly by the American Kitefliers Cell Phone Editor Association and distributed free to members. Please contact the editor for information on submissions, Daniel Prentice advertising, and deadlines. 609-755-5483 E-mail: [email protected] on the Web at www.kite.org Renewal on Twitter at @AKAKiters Art & Design on facebook at facebook.com/akasocial

______Ellen Baxter

______Autumn issue deadline: July 15 Copy Editor Winter issue deadline: October 15 Spring issue deadline: January 15 Susan Gabrielle Do not publish my name in the Directory New Member Summer issue deadline: April 15

______Membership Application

______Send address changes to: [email protected] ______Founded in 1964 by Robert M. Ingraham, the American Kitefliers Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public in the art, history, technology, and Name Address City Home Phone E-mail URL Other family members joining # Visa/MC/Discover/AMEX Exp. ______Signature practice of building and flying kites.

4 KITING It’s time for the big celebration! You know the one: the big one, the 40th Annual AKA Convention in Ocean City, Maryland. This year we are returning to the same beach where it all began when some AKA members decided to host an annual convention. It has been going strong ever since. This year’s line-up of presenters, workshop coordinators, and classes is looking to be one of the best ones yet! Hopefully, we will see one another there and get a chance to sit down on the beach together and enjoy the moment fully. With this being the 40th, I have spent the past few months looking over Kiting magazines, photo albums, and videos from previous conventions so we can present something special to the members at this year’s convention. It is interesting to see from where our organization has come, how it has weathered various storms, and how the intentions and perceptions have changed over the years. The heart has stayed the same, but the call for change has been sounded. Some of have been hearing that bell ringing loudly, and have decided to take action. What is needed now is an all-hands-on-deck approach to help bring the AKA into the new millennium. We don’t need to change who we are at the core, we just need to change the way we are doing it. Take one look at the new breed of kite festivals (such as the revamped Detroit Kite Festival or Makers’ Faires) to get a glimpse of how millennials and the “new generation” is hosting events. Their reach is significant not only because of the large turnout of people, but also their online contacts. There are some critical lessons to be learned. Perhaps you have had some ideas in the past that didn’t gain traction, or you have some new ideas now. This very moment is the perfect time to bring them up. There will be many opportunities at the Convention to share your ideas in roundtable discussions, interviews, and meetings. For those who will not be able to attend, don’t worry; we will be doing live-feed broadcasts and specialized videos of various parts of the Convention. You will be able to see them on our home page (kite.org) or on our Facebook page (facebook. com/akasocial). In some of these broadcasts, we will be seeking input from the members at home, so make sure to keep checking back and adding your voice to the mix. While a big part of the Convention is about the experience of being there, it is also about celebrating our organization and all of its members. So please raise your voice and share the journey online with your fellow kiteflyers. On a final note, I want to thank every single one of you for being a member. There is a saying: “All you need is a strong WHY. Then you can easily figure out the HOW.” Right now, we have over 1,600 members who are strong “whys.” It is a powerful reason to keep my kite high and keep charging ahead, spending my time working towards a better organization. We fly higher together.

Nic O’Neill

FALL 2017 5 Cheap Green Over the last few years we have reported secure anchors raised a red flag for the many times about Google’s parent authorities because they realized the pull company Alphabet, and their investment involved, hence the “safety concerns.” in trying to generate electricity using kites. “It’s not about someone having a picnic In the last few months, they’ve run into an with their family and flying a Sponge Bob unexpected tangle just as they completed Square Pants kite,” said bylaw officer the technology to actually launch full- Derek Hannan. “It’s the use of space.” scale models—cheaper green energy. It’s Kites over Instanbul recently been announced that in light of The 5th Istanbul International Kite dropping costs from existing clean energy Festival was a colorful scene with 42 sources, support from Alphabet has fallen invited kiteflyers from 15 countries. off, and staff has been cut significantly. Organized by the Istanbul Metropolitan Sponge Bob is OK Municipality and the Istanbul Kitefliers Members of the Toronto Kitefliers Club Association, the festival was held on May were recently asked to remove their 20-21, 2017 near the Bosphorus coast. kites from the Ajax waterfront because Two days before, the festival they were taking up too much space and participants from 12 countries joined in authorities cited “safety concerns.” “I a panel to discuss the history of the kites Museum, Cambodia Kite Museum, the think they were overzealous,” said club and the effects of the kites on the cultures, Thai Kite Heritage conservation group, member Gary Mark. “In our minds, it’s a which was very productive. Guests who and other interested kite agencies were harmless activity.” visited Istanbul Kite Museum, which is among the participants. For more information, contact Istanbul Kitefliers Mark did acknowledge that the show the first and only kite museum of Turkey, Association www.ucurtmadunyasi.com or kites are large, but noted that they were stated that they were very impressed by [email protected]. for the enjoyment of the public. Seeing the museum and the collection. the kites tethered to trees and other A meeting was held to try to establish Tangled Kiteline—an the “World Kite Existential Crisis Museum Association” Australian electronic artist and producer, (WKMA) project, Danny Harley, performs by the name which was organized “Kite String Tangle” which is a curious by Mehmet Naci moniker. Tangle describes his debut Aköz, Chairman of album as follows: “It’s a dynamic album Istanbul Kitefliers that I hope shows many sides to the music Association and the I make and what I’m trying to do, which is founder of Istanbul essentially to reach people and hopefully Kite Museum. provide a soundtrack for their own Istanbul Kite existential crisis.” Museum, Weifang Where have all the Kite Museum, Hippies gone? Pasir Gudang After a break of many years, Belle Isle Kite Museum, International flyers in Istanbul consider a World Kite Museum was once again the site of organized flying Kelantan Kite Association. with the inaugural Detroit Kite Festival, 6 KITING Tony Jetland’s Chinese Dragon at the Lincoln City Summer Kite Festival. sponsored by the Detroit Institute of “For the benefit of Mr. Kite, Horse dances the waltz,’” he said. “The Arts, Techshop Detroit, and the Detroit there will be a show song just wrote itself.” Public Library. The festival kicked off with tonight…” performances by 11-year-old poet King Bigger than a School Bus Moore and the Motor City Street Dance Ever wonder where John Lennon and From Sis Vogel: The call went out, “Bring Academy, followed by kitemaking and Paul McCartney came up with the lyrics your family, friends and kites for the competitions. The crowds were estimated we so often here being repeated when we 11th annual Frontier Kite Fly Festival in at about 1,000. mention kiteflying? Well, it turns out that Naperville (Illinois)!” …and the crowds Lennon found a vintage poster from 1843 came. There was enough sun to cause Local flyer, Gary Maynard, has been advertising Pable Fanque’s Circus Royal some red noses, and the good winds flying at this park with the Windjammers which was performing “for the benefit of allowed all sizes and shapes of kites to since the early 1980s. “We’ve had festivals Mr. Kite” and featured “Mr. J. Henderson, be flown. Along with the oohs and ahs, out here in the past,” Maynard said. “We the Celebrated Somerset Thrower” along there were shouts of “Amazing!” “How do used to have one with the Free Press. The with other equally-obscure performers. they do that?” “Look at all those strings!” Kaleidoscope (a kite festival started in The lyrics edited versions of the phrases “How big is that octopus?” Kiteflyers are 1979) was huge.” from the poster. accustomed to such comments, but no Sabrina Nelson, a studio assistant for matter how often they’re heard, they are In a 2013 interview with Rolling Stone, the Detroit Institute of Arts, remembered still appreciated. Paul McCartney stated he assisted with coming to Belle Isle to fly kites in the the lyrics. “He happened to have a poster David Zavell of Chicago Kite organizes summer of 1977 with her “hippie” mother. in his living room at home. I was out at his the festival with Samantha Walden, “This is what Belle Isle looked like in house, and we just got this idea, because special events coordinator for the the 1970s, except people were dressed the poster said, ‘Being for the Benefit of Naperville Park District. “This is a huge differently,” the 50-year-old Detroit native Mr. Kite’ —and then we put in, you know, event,” said Walden. “Most come out to said. “These are the kids of the original ‘there will be a show tonight,’ and then it see the extremely large kites. The octopus Detroit kiteflyers.” was like, ‘of course,’ then it had ‘Henry the is bigger than a school bus!”

FALL 2017 7 Ines Elvira Uribe

After a long illness, Elvira Uribe now sleeps peacefully. Anyone who had the chance to meet Ines even once could not help but to be drawn to her. She was full of joy and was dedicated to filling our environment with positive feelings through our common hobby of kiteflying. With Ines, Colombia loses one of the country’s biggest kite ambassadors, while the kiteworld mourns for a great friend and a great mate.

From her husband, Jairo Uribe Medellin, Colombia

Walt Thompson

Walt Thompson was not just a kiteflyer. He was a part of kite history. Walt was a key element of the San Diego Kite Club for its 25 years of existence. He was a consistent board member and held many positions as staff, all the way to Club President. He was always eager to teach people how to fly, how to make kites, and how to share with kid-sized kiteflyers. The local annual fun fly with visually-impaired students was always one of his favorite events. Walt was also an AKA Region 12 Director. He fully supported the mission of the American Kitefliers Association. He participated in many activities at the AKA Grand Nationals, as well as Annual Conventions. Walt flew everything, coordinated everything, and judged everything. His flying skills encompassed every kite genre from fighter kites, dualies, quads, foils, and even miniatures. He was truly an ambassador of kiting. He will be missed. “Good Winds” to you, friend. David Corning San Diego, California

8 KITING JalbertJalbert BarnBarn DoorDoor KiteKite withwith KeelKeel By Margaret Greger

and white glue are good adhesives. Readily available dowels make the frame. If wooden sticks are used, they should be about ¼” thick and 3/8” wide. A flat kite needs a tail for stability. Even this relatively small kite pulls hard and can carry a lot of tail in a strong wind. I use a traditional tail—torn strips of an old sheet knotted together. Surveyor’s flagging tape could be used. Keep adding to the tail until the kite is stable. I attach the tail through the loop with the traditional safety pin. Precision and careful workmanship are vital. Materials: Lightweight wrapping paper Framing string: approx. 15 ½ feet Dowels: ¼” dia., two approx. 30” and one approx. 24 ½” Tail: about 12 yards of torn sheet Gluestick or white glue Tape: ¾” wide strapping (filament) tape for reinforcing Tools: ith delta and sled kite designs and such “modern” materials Cardboard for patterns, pencil, scissors, yardstick, small crochet as plastic, tape and dowels, today’s kitemakers are almost hook, coping or hacksaw for notching sticks, and sandpaper. guaranteed a kite which flies. When I first began making kites fifty years ago [referring to 1942], this was not true. Our two- The kite could be drafted directly on the paper. I make patterns stick kites were covered with heavy brown wrapping paper from because I expect to use them for more than one kite. Either way, mail-order packages, framed with willow poles or sticks split from outline the kite on the paper, including the hems and the keel fold orange crates, and glued with flour and water paste. We were line. If your paper has a right and wrong side, be sure to place the inexperienced, had no models and success was rare. patterns so both halves of the finished kite face right side out. A Three-stick kite pattern from an old Boys Life magazine proved to be a winner for my brother and myself. Many older Finished Kite Pattern kitemakers remember the Three-stick with affection as a solid, stable, forgiving kite which could stand up to strong winds. The irony is that as I began teaching kitemaking to children 20 years ago, the Three-stick, our “easy one,” seemed to difficult for classroom use. I would like to see it return to the kitemaker’s repertoire. The late Dom Jalbert, inventor of the parafoil kite, said, “My favorite kite since I was a little boy was the Three-stick which I now call Barn Door.” In this version, Dom replaced the conventional six-point bridle with a keel. This is a design for the experienced young kitemaker or a parent-child team. It introduces traditional kitemaking techniques and materials, in which the edges of a paper-covered kite are outlined with a glued hem enclosing a framed string. The flat wooden sticks might have been whittled by the kitemaker. A word about materials: Any lightweight, tough paper will do. I like the appearance of brown wrapping paper in the sky. Cotton sting or cord, “store string” we called it, would have been used for the frame. Glue areas are shaded and 1” wide I like buttonhole thread or a piece of kite flying line will do. Gluestick Fold on dotted lines FALL 2017 9 1. Fold the two keel hems. Reinforce the tip with strapping tape inside the fold. Refold and Quality Kite Kits snip about ¼” off the tip. Cut the 48” string and tie a loop about 27” from the end. Glue the keel Fun to make - fun to fly! one hem at a time, with the loop emerging from Schools, workshops, parties the hole at the tip, the string in the fold, and a short length of string exposed at each end. ~Your event~ 2. Fold the keel towards the front and place the Teaching just got easier! kite, keel down, on the table. Apply glue on the long straight edge of the right kite face. Join as shown, with the exposed ends of the keel string www.Kitekits.com 405-624-6231 folded into the glued seam. 3. Fold the outside hems towards the back of the kite. Reinforce the corners with strapping tape as you did on the keel. Refold and snip about ¼” off each corner. Cut a 90” string, find the center and place it at the top center of the kite. Begin gluing at the top, keeping the string on the fold line and pulling it about ¼” out of the hole on each corner. Do not tie loops in the framing string. The final hem is at the base of the kite. Tie the ends of the framing string together. Cut a 41” string for the tail harness and tie the ends together. Tie a loop about 2” above this knot. Find the center opposite the loop. Match the kite center and glue the hem over both strings as shown. Let the glue dry. 4. Measure the sticks to the kite. Allow for the notches (see below). The sticks should hold the cover taut. Insert the cross stick first, slipping the string through the notches. Tie the sticks together with a short length of string. Wrap strapping tape over the edge of the keel and just below the cross stick on both sides. This keeps the wind from tearing the string out of the hem. The tail fastens through the harness loop and the flying string ties through the loop on the keel. Before launching, arrange the tail on the ground in front of the kite. Notching dowel ends: If a vise is available, clamp the dowel with an inch exposed. If no vise is available, hold the dowel against a solid object for good support. Using a thin, fine-toothed blade (hacksaw, coping saw, etc.), saw a slot about ¼” deep. Center the cut and line up the notches on the two ends. Round the ends by sanding.

This article is reprinted from American Kite magazine, Summer 1992. For more information about Margaret Greger see page 46.

10 KITING

FALL 2017 11 By Roger Kenkel wouldn’t break the bank or land me in the dog house with my spouse. When I began hether you’re at a big kite festival, wandering online, or acquiring my first few pieces of show kites reading this magazine, it seems that everywhere you look and laundry, I was very concerned about color matching. I blame my mother— you see people flying big show kites in virtually every conceivable the interior-designer—for this, but was shape and size. As a person who flies these kites, I’m often asked the encouraged that a sky full of multiple predictable questions: “Where do you get these?” “How can you fly bright colors is more appealing than my simple favorite flying colors of red, black, them?” “How do you get them down?” And others… and white. In my early years of kiteflying, a well- be reading here came from him and his Check your local kite store if you known kiteflyer by the name of David writings over the years. have one (see page 44 for a list of AKA Gomberg was gracious enough to guide Where to start? For me the first Merchant Members who offer AKA me through the process. I have to give question was how to create a budget- members a 10% discount). Buying local him credit because most of what you’ll friendly collection of show kites that is important for many reasons. Kite store 12 KITING owners can offer you the expert advice not It will suit your needs for almost anything only about the kite, but also about local you will need to lift now and in the future, flying fields and safety considerations. as more pieces are acquired for your show Ultimately, their recommendations can display. If you can afford to spend a bit help you avoid bad purchasing decisions. more on the first one, it will save money Plus, by keeping your dollars in your in the long term by not having to buy a community, you’re helping to keep that second lifter right away. It doesn’t take store in business for many years to come, long to outgrow a smaller kite. The rule which will benefit you in the process. For of thumb for lifter kites is bigger is better. those who don’t have a local kite store, The larger sizes measure between 75 find an online store that will offer full- and 100 square feet. The price for these service advice and the ability to get you great all-purpose lifters starts at under what you need. $200 for the 75-foot sizes. The price goes A good lifter kite is essential. For the up from there depending on size and money, the best value is a larger sled kite. complexity of sail pattern. They also fit FALL 2017 13 remarkably well into a kite bag with other to say that your imagination is the only In grassy areas, the best options are a sticked kites. Most of them are designed limitation to what kind of character or car, truck, or van. It has been a long-held with tail attachment points to add a animal you want to hang under your kite. belief that metal stakes are the most visually stunning appearance in the sky. Readily available options include cats, dangerous. I agree with this 100%. There I personally own several sleds that have dogs, octopi, whales, aliens, Sponge Bob, is nothing worse than a kite breaking free served extremely well over the years. fish of all varieties, spiked balls, spinners and dragging a heavy metal ground stake Very large deltas can also be used as and twisters, just to name a few. Aquatic through a crowd of parents and kids. So lifters. My recommendation is to go with animals are a favorite because the natural what do you do when your vehicle just one larger than 12 feet. With anything motion of the object in the air simulates cannot be used as an anchor? The next smaller, the lifting ability is limited to the animal’s natural swimming motion. best option is to find a sturdy tree, fence several 6-foot windsocks and/or other Whatever you choose, stay within a post, or structure to tie off to. Heavy small laundry pieces. That said, there are budget and like it—like it A LOT! I have webbing straps and heavy-duty carabiners many situations where always held the belief are ideal for this. I don’t want to hoist that this is one of the As a last resort I will use an anchor serious line laundry; most important aspects stake, but never just one. In this scenario, in that case, deltas of a large kite display, overkill is your best friend. For heavy with tails give me second only to safety. pulling kite trains or large kites, doubling the best bang for What you put on your up is the minimum way to go. Drive the the buck. line will be seen and stake parallel to the flight angle of the Not into sticked remembered much lifter kite. Double larks head the main kites? The alternatives more than the lifter flying line to that stake. Drive another are parafoils or used to hoist it all stake behind the first stake and securely inflatable wings. These in the air. Lots of connect the stakes together with the main kites are offered in small pieces can flying line. Make absolutely sure the kite many shapes, sizes, create a stunning line is taut between the two stakes so if the and even custom color impact, maybe not lead stake starts to loosen even a little, the configurations. You to the same degree second stake prevents it from loosening can design these to fit as a Maxi Peter any further. Check stakes often, and stay personal taste from a Lynn Bear or a close by at all times in case immediate variety of sources. Prices Rolf Zimmerman attention is needed. Remember, the wind start at under $200 for Dragon, but as can change speeds quickly, particularly the smaller sizes, and a beginner, on a at higher altitudes, and you may need to they will serve you well budget, it is a good bring the kite down in a hurry. Educate for many years. They have way to get started. yourself about how to do that before going several advantages over I’ve seen great out to test fly a new kite. This is why it is sticked kites: they take up looking pieces as important to buy the kite from a full- less space both in a vehicle low as $40 that service dealer; if they can’t educate you, go and in airlines baggage make quite the to someone who can. Have a safety plan allowances when flying impact in the sky. in place. If you need advice, ask other to a festival. They also Coming kiteflyers, or contact the AKA at www. have better lifting capacity up with a safe Kite.org. per square foot than sleds method of Finally, build a collection of big kites do. Pound-for-pound, anchoring a large over time and be picky. There are no rules my experience says that kite display can that say it must be done all at once. Stick parafoils and Flowforms get vary depending with something you know will stand the the job done in the widest on terrain, test of time. A generic fish is sometimes wind range. available space, better than a here-today, gone-tomorrow The second step is and other cartoon character from a movie or TV purchasing line laundry. factors. For the show. Because everyone’s perspective and These days there are a beach, it’s hard taste is different make sure your collection multitude of manufacturers to beat a sand reflects what brings you joy, and soon who offer line laundry ranging The best stakes are permanently anchor when you’ll be out flying and answering these from just a few feet to over 100 embedded in the ground [top] and two vehicles are same questions for someone else. stakes are better than one. feet. It isn’t an exaggeration not allowed. 14 KITING Photos and Story by Mark Baker

My brothers and I made numerous kites as kids, and over time, built them bigger and bigger.

In 1979, we finally decided to build After the “failed” flight attempt in the something really big. Our idea was to spring, the kite was stuffed into its canvas The Megafoil (above) now flies regularly in Berkeley, but the Baker brothers’ other make a medium-aspect-ratio parafoil kite bag and stored in the rafters of my kites from the 1970s (below) flew with based on the Jalbert parafoil design found parent’s garage, and time flew by. For varying degrees of success. in David Pelham’s kite book. Mixing this the next 20 years or so, life happened. idea together with my mom’s old Singer School, jobs, relationships, and various ground, but it was flying! Since that sewing machine, miles of sewing thread, moves put our kiting hobby on the back spring, the Megafoil has been a work-in- and hundreds of yards of ripstop nylon, burner. Sadly, I began losing contact with progress. the “Megafoil” was born. my brother, Jeff, during this time, too. Fortunately, after countless re-bridles, The Megafoil’s first real launch attempt Then, in the spring of 2007, my folks design alterations, and other tweaks to was at Mission Bay Park in San Diego, were cleaning out their garage and the flying system, the Megafoil has finally California during the spring of 1988. The asked if I had any interest in keeping the achieved “stable” flight characteristics. kite was originally crown-rigged with Megafoil kite; I picked it up on my next The power it generates is amazing. The visit. Even though 20 years had passed, short bridles and straps. As we soon kite has lifted me (200 lbs.) off the ground I was still bound and determined to get learned, the rigging and angle-of-attack without a problem, and I originally had a the Megafoil airborne like Jeff and I had was better suited to an actual parachute team of four people to launch and land the envisioned so many years ago. than a ground-based kite. During its kite. While I’ve perfected launching and inaugural launch, the kite never rose more After a few basic alterations, the landing with less people, I recommend than a couple feet off the ground or stayed Megafoil actually flew for the first time that anyone flying a large kite always airborne more than a few seconds, so it in April, 2007. The kite was wild in the have help and understand the safety was back to the drawing board! air and quite dangerous to those on the precautions necessary for safe flying. FALL 2017 15 Megafoil Stats and Info: The Megafoil was created by Jeff and Mark Baker. Build start date—1979 Build finish date—mid-1980s Initial launch date—Spring, 1988 Size—36’ x 20’ (720 sq. ft.). There are 48 individual bridles, averaging 112 ft. in length. If connected end to end, the total length of the bridles would be over a mile. These 48 bridles are then attached to a cascading bridle system that help keep the Megafoil’s In its first “launch” in 1988, the Megafoil barely got off the ground for a few seconds at a time and then went into storage for about 20 years. in-flight shape uniform during wind speed changes and angle-of-attack The Megafoil’s home field is Cesar perspective changes of the long bridles in adjustments. Chavez Park in Berkeley, California. the air can be quite hypnotic. Kite fabric—The kite material consists of The flying field’s large open area and Unfortunately, over the years, my family green, red, and blue ripstop nylon from close proximity to the San Francisco Bay and I have been unable to reconnect with the 1970s. Due to the ripstop’s uncoated, winds make for a great kiteflying location my brother, Jeff. He has never seen the stretchy, and slightly porous nature, the year-round. At the park, the kite is either Megafoil actually fly. However, every time Megafoil will soak up moisture during anchored to a thick metal post cemented flights when the humidity is high. The deep into the ground or secured under a water retention significantly increases bolder using a series of three-foot-long the in-flight weight of the kite, and solid metal circus-tent spikes. alters its flying characteristics. In 2010, the Megafoil returned to its original launch site of Mission Bay in San Kite weight—The Megafoil weighs Diego, California, and flew beautifully. around 40 pounds. The kite has flown at the annual Berkeley Flying line—The base rope and main Kite Festival for the past six years. flying rope are rated at over 6,000 lbs. I love watching this kite in flight. Its breaking strength. movements are slow and graceful as it Power—The maximum estimated pull/lift roams the sky. Viewing the constant is somewhere between 500-1,000 lbs.

Steady as she goes with a solid anchor point.

the Megafoil takes to the sky, a little part of me wonders if he might be passing by in the distance, looking up, taking pause, and watching our creation majestically roam the sky. I’m sure that would bring a smile to his face. The thought of it brings a smile to mine.

16 KITING Story and Photos by David Wagner

I have been building kites all Art of the Japanese Kite. has resulted in a number of my life. As a kid, I loved the Like many artists working series I have developed over dramatic printed imagery on in kites at the time, this the last 20 years. some of the old Hi Flier paper created a profound shift in In the late 1990s, I was diamond kites, and always my perspective. Kites could presented with a large Shirone found the later solid color feature complex hand-applied kite from a group of Japanese nylon kites to be uninteresting images and be regarded kitemakers brought to the by comparison. During art as both static and kinetic U.S. for a big kite festival we school in the 1970s, I tried art. Tal’s book and his later organized in San Francisco. framing and bridling some work made it clear that both The “Peach Boy” painted on of my silkscreen prints—and the wall and the sky could that kite was a classic subject flew them—but didn’t feel they serve as a legitimate canvas from Japanese folklore and were successful. My fellow and backdrop for properly I kept it on my studio wall designed aerial art. Twenty for years. I flew it often and years later, I met Tal and we studied its effect in the room became good friends, working and in the air carefully. The together on a number of powerful color, dramatic pose, sculptural and aerial projects. and associated imagery still He became an important has a significant effect on me. mentor, and 10 years ago I moved to Santa Fe to be closer This kite also established to him and continue the shape I have used for our work. almost all of the aerial pieces I’ve created in the last two THE FACE decades. It is the Japanese The Japanese kites that Edo planform. I chose this most impressed me featured design and layout because it enormous faces glaring fiercely has the classic dimensions of students made it quite clear down from the sky. I thought a portrait, which serves the Inspired by the traditional Japanese Shirone “Peach Boy” that they were not successful of them as aerial gods, and felt imagery. The Edo is simple (below), Wagner worked with they fitted in perfectly with to build, has tremendous because they were kites. appliqué on “Brute” (top) and both Asian and Western visual effective sail area, and when Then I discovered Tal a combination of appliqué, storytelling. This inspired a properly bridled is a very paint and printed ripstop on Streeter’s seminal book The direction in kite imagery that stable and efficient flyer. In “Amerikan Boy” (center). FALL 2017 17 addition, the simple framing I had a lot of fun with their different designs form in the sky. and tensioning system results design and fabrication. One series, Amerikan Flag, in a smooth, taut surface This series also employed exclusively red, for the applied artwork. It demonstrated the effectiveness white, and blue colors, along requires minimal bowing of flying a number of these with more complex printed and there is almost no sail portraits in a formation. imagery and text. Some of the distortion in flight. I settled on The Edo is so stable that I kites in this series, along with a size of 2 x 3 meters, and have found I could fly four or six of the following Frustrated Flight used this proportion almost these kites in closely-spaced series, became so detailed that exclusively in my kites since. configurations in the steady much of the imagery was only With so much sail area, these kites will fly in surprisingly low winds. In higher winds, there is a certain moment of excitement during the launch and climb, but they quickly find their space on top of the breeze and the pull is easily handled. I usually stake the line and launch them myself. In my initial sets of series, I worked with simple, stylized face images crafted in appliqué with some paint. These images were usually emotive and glaring; I was emulating the feel of the wild Japanese warriors, but in a more contemporary, almost graffiti approach. I occasionally experimented “Lei Kwai,” from the opera mask series. with the Rokkaku and other shapes, but always returned to the rectangular Edo configuration. onshore breezes at California’s accessible when viewed nearby One earlier digression, The Berkeley Marina. I would on a wall. I briefly considered Opera Mask series, came from launch and stake them in the wall as the final destination almost a decade of living in place to form lines, squares, or for these pieces, but felt that Southeast Asia. For years, my other formations—all of this a more significant balance architectural glass work there by myself. At kite festivals, between the room and sky was influenced by Chinese I separated the top two and could be struck. My next goal lower three sets of rigging into was to produce work that was Using dye-sublimation printing textile and ornamental motifs, two lines with padded handles effective when experienced up to create evocative sectional and I had always enjoyed portraits in the air. Chinese opera with its visual so they could be maneuvered close, as well as far away in the emphasis on extremely stylized very easily up and down in the sky, and still produce a feeling makeup and hair styles. The air by individual flyers, who of intimacy and detail. Opera Mask series used these are eager and easy to find at My early work in printing powerful colors and exotic these events. I would hand for this next stage of series features to great effect, and out 10 of the kites and watch was made possible by Ken 18 KITING Conrad of Great Winds Kites, printed sails made up of a very good friend of mine, enlarged pixels—each ball of and a master craftsman and information consisted of 76 innovator. His research and differently shaded squares. The control of the dye-sublimation effect was an intriguing, mildly- printing process gradually toned abstract composition made a lot of my appliqué with undulating waves of dark and painting techniques and light areas. unnecessary. I began to In the air, these compositions work closely with Ken in revealed themselves as sensual the development of the last floating slices of a woman’s two series. His dedication to face and hair. I felt them perfection in his printing is to be soft and evocative impressive and recognized by a number of kite artists who also work with him. EDIE EDOS My friend Edie has a remarkable face with some Pixelation patterns as seen up close (left) and in the sky on interesting structural one of the “Edie” series kites moments. Several years ago, I (above). took a number of photographs of my earlier series. With of her which I cropped and several of them in the air at enlarged. Ken and I modified sectional portraits that were once, the effect is mysterious the pixelation patterns with more interesting to me than and understated. This feel has the goal to produce large the strikingly colorful pieces directed my work since.

“Birthface” and one of “Edie” series, as wall art.

FALL 2017 19 As well as I know my only child, more of his personality becomes private and somewhat hidden from me as he gets older. My first look into his face at birth seemed to reveal everything to me.

THE KID AN INVITATION The most current series Professionally, I work developed out of a printing primarily in public art. Most prototype from the Edie series. of my pieces are large in It was a partial view of my son, scale, and architecturally Wagner with Tiger’s, face at birth in 2007. integrated, usually in glass his son, Tiger I produced a limited series for and steel. Still, I always strive (above), whose face is portrayed a museum show in Las Cruces to include depth and content on kites. last spring that I titled the in my pieces, and appreciate Birthface series. it in the work of others. I feel As well as I know my only that even large conceptual child, more of his personality works should include detail becomes private and that rewards patient and somewhat hidden from me closer examination. Kites as he gets older. My first look that function as a single into his face at birth seemed brushstroke are often effective; to reveal everything to me. however, our craft could Now, he changes and grows benefit from the perception every day, and I feel I have just of kitemaking as a form of glimpses into his thoughts. artistic expression, drawing I’ve attempted to portray this from approaches that experience in the Birthface include a deeper and more carefully-planned intent. This series. perception inspires my work, The three kites depict and I would encourage other Tiger’s face at birth, and at designers working in this ages five and eight. The show exceptional medium to take was well received—viewers advantage of the great range were encouraged to view of available possibilities. Fine the abstract layouts with the quality printing on ripstop camera function of their smart fabric is an example of a recent phones, which easily replicated opportunity that significantly the look of the kites in the air increases the range of and revealed the true image. expression while reducing the I feel I have some ways to go in fabrication workload, allowing this direction, and have found it designers and builders to a very rewarding progression in spend more time planning and focus both in visual art and life. experimenting. Let’s take our kitework seriously. Our time and skills deserve it.

20 KITING bridle attachment points through the comb and to a single carabiner attached to my bicycle, which is on its side on the court 100 feet away. (I ride my bike to the court). I run the lines two at a time—two lines to the kite, attach—then attach two more lines and walk them back to the comb and secure them to the carabiner. The lines run right off the spool as I walk. This takes about 25 minutes. The next process slowly brings each pair of opposing lines to a center point on the kite, walking this equalized distance I have been asked many times how I am able to produce back to the comb and securing them to a secondary bridle a large number of big kites with their complex bridles, so I line. There are five of these: two top sets and three bottom thought I would make a brief mention here. There are four sets, and each to a single, main bridle line (really just a factors: loop). 1. All of the kites are the same size, so spars, sails, and Final adjusting at the field is done with the kite in the air, reinforcement pieces are cut more or less in bulk at one time gripping the five secondary lines and adjusting the overall for a series. If you can hem a tablecloth, you can sew up an flying angle. You shouldn’t need to touch the horizontal Edo kite. sequence. Secure the adjustments to the main bridle line and 2. Ken and I buy ¾ oz. ripstop polyester in 1000-yard lots. you’re done. If there is a high or gusty wind on the first day, I He and Suzanne at Great Winds also source and provide all of sometimes attach long clothesline rope at the bottom corners the spars for my kites. to keep the kite more stable during adjustments. 3. Find a good source of coarse- The bridle may seem unwieldy and easily braided Dacron line. A single tangled, but with practice you will never Edo bridle requires 1700 tangle them, and the whole pile can be feet of 110 lb. and 100 braided up quickly. The result is a very feet of 320 lb. line, so stable kite and there is nothing as this is no small issue. pretty as 17 white lines cascading down tightly from a big kite. 4. I can bridle The Edo is the only kite I’ve seen one of these in which the bridle is a beautiful kites in an hour part of the visual experience, and 45 minutes, without detracting from the including set sail imagery at all. up and clean up. On a These big Edos are so good Monday stable that we started building morning, I can 14 footers of white ripstop, do a pair of them flying them at night, and at the local tennis projecting films on them from court well before the ground. It was easy to keep lunch. the image on the kite, but the Aerial Cinema is another story. The method consists of arriving at the tennis court in the morning, assembling the kite and securing it upside down to the chain link fence. This will work at any public tennis court, and I have bridled Edos at courts in Oakland, Singapore, and Santa Fe. They provide a clean, smooth, and level surface to work. There are 17 lines to an Edo bridle, each one 100 feet long. I make a firm plastic rectangular line organizer, or comb, with 17 holes in the same arrangement as the 1700 feet of bridle line is a points on the kite. I run the lines back and forth from the beautiful addition to an Edo. FALL 2017 21 By Daniel Prentice Photoswith by Deb Lenzen andKites Mike Shaw

What was your early Did you fly kites as a kid? family life? Deb: We flew kites as Deb: I was born in Portland, children. Dad would love to Oregon. My mother grew up in fly box kites, Mom would fly North Dakota and when I was diamonds and we did that a year old she thought North most summers. Obviously in Dakota would be a better North Dakota, there wasn’t choice to raise a family than a lot of winter flying, but we Oregon. Dad always said that would get out and enjoy the “it was going to be easier for spring and summer winds. me to be a big fish in that little My dad owned the Conoco pond.” I was educated pretty gas station on the outskirts of wonderfully and had the basic Underwood and my uncle had middle class values: enjoy life, a field next to that gas station, work hard, watch the parents so we could go out into that work hard. I have one sister field and fly kites. That would Mike and Deb flying in Seaside, Oregon, 2016. and she is three years younger be my first memory…with dad than I am and we are best and his box kite and see how friends, still to this day. Her far we could let it go. I was wo of the most influential name is Kathy and she’s just probably in the third grade. kitemakers in America today—Deb spectacular. I’m very lucky to Mike: I remember flying a Lenzen and Mike Shaw—have have her. little and building a little, mesmerized the kiteworld for over Mike: I was born in probably junior high school 20 years with their distinct kite southeastern Wisconsin about age is the earliest I can designs, their event organizing, 45 miles from Milwaukee, and their soft-spoken kindness. As oldest of three siblings. I grew a couple, their synergy makes it up with working parents. easy to see them as a duo, but their Being the oldest kid, I ended up being the leader of the pack individual stories are each worthy of at home and school. Somehow its own feature story. For this article I’ve always ended up at the Deb and Mike were interviewed front of the room even though separately over two week in July I always felt I was an introvert 2017. Neither heard the responses and had to work hard at it. of the other, and their answers to With kiting I still do that—I similar questions are as enchanting want people to look at the kite as are their kites… and not look at me. Deb’s “Loons” from 2009. 22 KITING remember. I built a winged the beach behind a 3-stack of box kite, and even then I Hawaiians, and that was my tended to build kites bigger introduction to kites as an than me, using bed sheets and adult. I bought a Trlby and big sticks. We probably went a 6-foot rainbow by Spectra down the lumber yard and and brought those back to the bought the biggest, hardest North Dakota prairie and that dowels we could find, probably began my love-affair with broom stick quality (chuckle). kites again. Like all boys, I let lots of line What kind of work were out, watched it break and you doing at the time? fly away. Mike: In my work life, I was Did you continue to fly as a data-processing manager, kites or did you take very much in the line of fire a break? on the production side. I Mike: I didn’t fly kites again would carry a pager 24/7 until the late 70s. I bought a and my family life was often house and my brother gave interrupted by work calling at me a housewarming gift of 2 a.m. or on Saturdays. There a single line rainbow delta. I was a lot of work. I stayed in flew that a few times and then that career all my life until I it went into a closet. In the late retired. I got further up the 80s, we took a trip to Oregon management ladder, so the and saw the kiteflying beach pager went off less, but at the experience. I came home with end I was the manager of a a Skynasaur and my son who large data center in Colorado, was 7 learned with me to fly so there were still 24-hour that. Reza [Ragheb] had a kite days on occasion. shop two miles down the road Deb: In college I studied where I bought a Hawaiian education, and after I Team kite. Very exciting. My graduated was a school teacher little son learned to fly the in Strasbourg, North Dakota. Hawaiian Team by having I brought kites into the several of his friends hold classroom and started making him down by the waist. My sled kites with second-graders daughter never got interested. as part of our drug-free Deb: There was that time curriculum. It was “Fly High for about eight years between with Kites, not Drugs.” So high school and college that every second grader who came I didn’t fly. I actually found through the school would kites again in 1985 on a trip to Lincoln City, Oregon. I was staying at the Sea Gypsy motel and opened the curtain and a Mike’s “Off-Kilter Chicken” 90-foot spinsock was spinning (above) with the piece of right outside the window! I’d pottery that inspired it (inset), never seen one before. There and Deb’s rok “Journey” (below); both won honors was also a kid kite skiing down in Seaside, 2016.

FALL 2017 23 newspaper which I glued to the frame. After it flew, make I started making the fabric a kite and for it. It’s the worse kite to we’d go fly them for a assemble I’ve ever made and day. After five years, I decided still is. That kite was followed I wanted more than being a Contrasting styles as seen by a sled kite. My third kite history teacher, and worked (above from left) Deb’s “Desert was a Hopi Octagon that I flew Delta,” Mike’s “Stallion’s on getting my Master’s in at WSIKF. It made the cover of counseling and became a Sunset,” their cooperative kite the winter issue of American kites. Then in 1992, I thought “Shards of Gold,” and Mike’s school counselor. Kite in 1996. I should bring kites to North “Bushidou Train.” How did you get into Shortly after that, the Dakota, so I started a kite kitemaking? following spring was the Avi festival in Garrison where I Mike: I kept looking at Reza’s kite festival. There was no was working as a counselor. work and finally succumbed wind and we were setting up Garrison is on the north shore to buying a Reza Rok and then kites and leaning them against of Lake Sakakawea, so I called a 16-foot genki right off his trees and everybody was the festival called “Sky Dance sewing table. He made a bag looking at the kites. With mine at Sakakawea.” [Sakakawea for it, and I put it together there was so much laughter was the name of the Indian in my basement. I said to with disgust that something guide of Lewis and Clark.] my wife, “I have to learn to that was sewn so poorly could The first year we had make these because if I keep ever make the cover. That’s nine people show up. At the buying them, I won’t be able where I learned from Scott height, we had upwards of to send my kids to college.” So Skinner about the 50 foot rule. 1,000 people coming to the I borrowed my wife’s sewing It’s how they look up in the air festival. I did the kite festival machine and asked if it came that matters. My stitches were for 20 years. On its eighth with a book, then I looked at all over the place, with ragged anniversary, Mike showed up Reza’s kites, got Pelham’s book edges from the appliqué. No at that festival and that was of kites, and away I went. finished edges on the kite at my first real interaction with all, horrible pockets. I had My largest first kite, to a kitemaker. At the end of never been to a class. learn as much as I could, was that festival, Mike said, “You a double butterfly with 42 Deb: After ‘85, I really fell in should make a kite.” foot of sparring in it. I first love with Lincoln City, and My first project was a hex. tied the rods down in the I’d go back every other year Mike had given me a small one shape I wanted and then used and buy a better selection of because I needed something

24 KITING American Kite. I knew of him Deb’s “Native Totem” (below). but did not know him. When he showed up at the kite festival in 2000, that was my first real interaction with a kite maker—first chance to see how kites go together. Were there fireworks? Deb: (laughter) I will admit, to work from. That was an Wait, we’re skipping over honestly, I was smitten. I opportunity to take something the best part…how was had been out at my kite field that I knew would fly and I your first meeting? decorating for the event and this van pulled up. This scaled it up. It went from an Mike: She tells a little bit gentleman got out of the 18-inch to a 36-inch. I had a more glamorous story than I van and I felt the butterflies. design that had been given do, which always make me a Mike was oblivious I think to me by Tracy Manywounds little embarrassed but makes to anything other than flying from the Standing Rock Indian me feel good. Reservation. The design was kites. I don’t know if that’s actually for a beadwork belt Deb: In 2000, I got an a guy thing or not. He was but I took the design and put email from Mike Shaw saying, living in Denver and I was in it on a sail in Native American “Looking for a kite festival. North Dakota, so there wasn’t colors. From the start, I always Can I come to your event?” I going to be much chance of wanted to be respectful and thought that was like Michael anything. I was so happy to honor a tradition that I was Jordan asking if he could have him at the festival. His representing. I can’t own it come play at our high school kites were so unlike anything myself because I don’t have basketball tournament. So I that I’d had at the festival any Native American blood in said, “Yes, of course. Please before, so it was a real shot me so I really want honor the bring your kites.” He’d already in the arm for the festival. So culture I’m trying to represent. been to France flying kites. even though there might have So that was the first kite. He’d had a front cover on been feelings that I really liked

FALL 2017 25 this guy, it all became about bow-tie Edo came from that me over time, and she’ll kites and a nice opportunity time. probably tell you she’s not to get to know someone who It was my immersion very successful at it, but she’s was an interesting person. For activity. It was the one place a master of colors, the art the next 10 years, we met at where I felt I could really side of things. I try and be a festivals. And Mike became a succeed and feel really good little more artful than I used regular at my festival. about myself. For me, there’s to be. John Pollock would Mike: Deb and I stayed enjoyment in the creation of probably disagree with that friends for the following years. the kite, the actual building, (laughter). But Deb has added We would get together at kite making the thing from the raw to my kitemaking colors, the festivals and maintained a materials. I took a Jose Sainz prettiness of my presentation. kite friendship. We would class at Junction, I started For me, I try to get her to email and I was sometimes paying attention to trimming, think outside the box and try suffering in my post-divorce and I started using zigzag different kinds of framing. depressions and she was my stitches and started finishing She’s so wonderfully focused counselor from afar with edges. In my work world, on the art side and I so enjoy her compassionate side. We we were paid for service but the creative architect side that maintained that relationship the other state agencies were we kind of stay in our same until 2007 when I retired and forced to use us so there were box, but if we do something moved to Bismarck to be not any customers, which together, we get something with her. made it a pretty “thankless” like “Shards.” So back to the job. With the kites I could How did Shards come kitemaking… make something that could be together? seen and enjoyed by others. Deb: I spent a year trying to Mike: We moved to Arizona make my first hex kite. Then How did you influence in August of 2013 and decided I got an opportunity to go each other’s kitemaking? to go to the convention. We the festival in Long Beach, Deb: As a kitemaker, I start both liked competing, and we Washington, and they had with color. I find a palette that a category for “trains,” so I touches me at that time and added two more in the Native as a platform I will try to see American theme, took those how I can move those colors three kites, and went to WSIKF into a different platform. In in 2001. When I was flying the current, my desert color those kites Scott Skinner--who scheme, how many different With two kitemakers in the I had not met yet but knew as platforms can I find? I’m house, rooms have multiple a kite god--came up behind me real traditional in using kite uses. Mike’s “Pueblo Eagle” and said, “Make two more and designs that have been made (right). take them to Billings [site of previously that I know will the 2001 AKA Convention] and fly. I like to be able to look at that’s how “Native Tribute” the Pelham book or Margaret was born. Greger’s book. I am jealous of Mike: While holed up in my Mike who can take an image first little one-room apartment and say, “Oh, I can frame that in the late 1990s, I was pretty and I can make that fly.” I rambunctious with my sewing. don’t have that gift, so I need Some of my kites came from to find things that are tried that period, like the stallion and true. sunset, the big Saruga. The Mike: Her influence on

26 KITING Mike flying his “Bow-tie Edo” from the late 1990s. Deb flying her “Dakota Diamond” from 2005 (right). decided to do a “co-operative kite craft. We talk about ideas history where their treatment kite,” thinking we might have but when it comes to the actual was horrible. My best friend time to do one if we worked work, he’s got his stuff and in high school was Native together. She had become I’ve got my stuff. We have American. My roommates in enamored with Southwest art to coordinate who’s going to college were Native American. and wanted to work with that, use the overhead projector, I’ve had this rich opportunity so I said give me a big square who gets the bedroom wall to have it be a part of my life and I’ll do a big Ho-dako. I at this point, who gets the for such a long time, and I love had done a little one once and floor the next couple of days, being able to share even the I really liked the way and be willing to say that if least little piece of what I’ve it presented in the someone comes to visit they’re come to know as a great group sky. In very little time going to see a messy house of people who honor she completed that and you have to be okay with the earth. sail and gave it to me, that. (laughter) I think when When it comes to using their and I started building we bought this house we fell art, I really want people to reinforcements, in love with it for so many understand that it’s not mine. ordering spars and reasons and then realized I own several pieces of original edges. We got strings there really isn’t any good craft art and will use some pieces off on it as we were room, so you make-do. We of that. When you look at any going out the door to have to be creative and flexible of us as a people, who we are go to convention. The and it works! and what we create deserves first time it flew was How has Native American to be honored. For me to take the morning of the art influenced your a piece of someone else’s art competition. work? and change is not respectful, Deb: Shards is the Deb: It is art that speaks besides copyright laws and only kite that Mike to me most clearly in my all that. and I have worked admiration for a people Mike: The fabric on my on together, so who are still vibrant, still Kachina kite is mostly hand- we are very much appreciating their culture in dyed, and that was very independent in our spite of a time period in our important because I wanted FALL 2017 27 Above from left: Mike’s “Snow to use the colors of the Hopi framework is completely that is telling a story of what Kachina” is made with hand- mesas. I’ve been honored original, somewhat like a losing somebody important dyed fabric, but no sacred as a white guy to get to see a three-spine noodle. For the to you means. I think that’s symbols. Deb’s “Desert Noodle” couple of Kachina dances; they Chicken, I saw a piece of one example of storytelling at from 2016 exploring colors of the Southwest. Her hex paint their bodies with a paste pottery in South Carolina and I its finest. I love that we have train,“Native Tribute,” was her from the colors of the ground. said that’s going to be my next an opportunity—whether it’s first AKA competition kite in So that’s why I was after the kite. I wanted to get various fantasy or real or honoring 2001, followed by “Native browns in that kite. grays and that was my first someone—that kitemakers as North Star” in 2002. Kachinas are very sacred to attempt at Ron Bohart’s dying storytellers is what we do. the Hopi and I honor that with techniques. After a couple of You were invited to fly every breath I have. Only Hopi tries, it works, it turns out. your kites in Cervia, Italy. people can make Kachinas. That kite is sewn off-center, How was that? non-parallel lines because I So this is Kachina-like. It is Mike: Absolute grand representative of the snow wanted it to match the crazy chicken look of the face. experience. We were fortunate Kachina but there are no exact that 8 of the 11 days were near replicas of sacred symbols on Deb: The story I’m trying perfect for flying. Getting to my kite. It is very important to to tell is an important part fly with my kites mixed in with me that people know that. of any kite I design. When the wonderful European kites Can you talk about your people look at it I hope they’re was a grand experience. I’d design process? going to say something more walk around and take pictures than, “Ahhh, what a pretty Mike: The Kachina and the of their kites and then come kite.” Currently, there is a back to my little edge of the OKC (Off Kilter Chicken)— Kitebuilders Against Cancer both are kind of a log cabin field and they’d be there taking project to raise money by pictures of my kites. That quilting technique, but the having each person make a kite 28 KITING kitemakers who have been so special in my life—JoAnn Weber, Barb Meyer, Alexa King, Sharon Musto, Mary Gabby, and others. They’re all inspiring. I’m very proud to be a part of this wonderful hobby. I try to never lose track of the fact that I play with a toy—that what I do is just a toy, so I can’t be too serious about it. Mike: That’s a good question. I like it, I love it, it’s a lot of fun, but no part of my life depends on it whatsoever. It’s what I do for an enjoyable for 11 days, and not ever get hobby. I also like to be out on bored and not ever want to a motorcycle. I like to sample stop. To be able to be on a from my Scotch collection. I field with individuals I’ve like travelling the country with admired for so many years Deb. I like all those things was astounding! and kiting is just extremely There was this enjoyable, but what is amazing moment when I important is Deb. Kites, not was exciting. Every picture of was flying one of my trains so much. Deb during that trip has an and Shula Shavit from Israel ear-to-ear grin that was on came over and started taking a her face 24/7. 35 countries pictures of my kite! I couldn’t represented. No politics, all believe it. In my heart, I’m just flying. still this little girl from North One of the neat little Dakota who loved kites and moments was when they had had this magical opportunity their special entertainers to see the world because of a on stage; it turned out to be kite. It’s such a fairytale when Native American dancing with you think about it, and I’m some folks with bloodlines to so lucky to live this part of it. Arizona. We checked with the I do feel so blessed every performers to see if it was okay single day. with them that while they did Can you talk about the dancing we did some Native importance of kites in American kiteflying behind the your life? stage. There we were in Italy Deb: The wonderful with our Arizona friends. surprise of all of kiting is Deb: Oh my god. It was how wonderful everyone is. the most amazing, most They share everything they wonderful. It was such a gift know, they’re so supportive, to be there. I did not know so wonderful. I especially that I could happily fly kites want to mention the women

FALL 2017 29 The Magic of Printing

Story and Photos by Lindsey Johnson

You might have seen short PhantomStarKites.com in About 10 years ago, I got videos of 3D printers quickly 2004. We produce workshop interested in 3D printing. The building objects one layer at kite kits of various styles for a small desktop printers that a time, but have you ever broad range of ages and abili- were available at that time considered whether 3D printing ties. We also design and make were very experimental and has a future in kiting? My other kite-related products. not quite “there” yet. Waiting answer to this question is yes, absolutely. In this article I will discuss Tametomo made by how I have, over the past couple Chris Hanson in 2016, of years, used 3D printing using 3D printed parts. in the design and construc- tion of kites that utilize kite fittings designed from scratch, or those I have been given permission to copy. I will also cover a wide variety of plastics suitable for kitemak- ing. The subject is too large to cover in one article, so it won’t be a “how-to” as much as a “how-I-do-it.” I hope that by sharing some of the things I’ve learned, you will be inspired to pursue 3D printing on your own. I have been a maker of things my entire life. My mother was a seamstress, and when I was young she taught me how to lay out patterns, cut fabric, and sew. As I grew older, I built model cars, moved on to building and racing my own cars, and then owned and Detail of a custom part printed operated a cabinet shop for by Hanson for a box kite. over thirty years. My wife, Ronda Brewer, and I started

30 KITING was tough. By 2014, the of Bath in England. The first discouraging, understand machines had advanced RepRap printer was made from that it will take some time to enough to be taken a little parts printed on a commercial learn. Both of these options more seriously. So off to printer. In September 2006, are produced by Autodesk, and Kickstarter I went and tossed the very first part made by Tinkercad’s terminology trans- my 400 bucks into the ring. a RepRap was printed. The lates fairly well to Fusion 360. After several months, my baby RepRap project grew rapidly There are other programs out Micro3D showed up. It was a around the world. In 2009, there, but these two work the bit of a toy, but it worked and Bre Pettis and a couple of best for producing models that got me into the process. Two other MIT students founded years ago, I purchased my MakerBot and the desktop 3D current machine; it now has printer craze was underway. a younger brother that is a bit They developed low-cost kits more robust and smarter. and started shipping them The term 3D printing, or in 2009. MakerBot has since additive manufacturing, refers released six generations of 3D to the processes used to create printers and was purchased by a three-dimensional object. Stratasys in 2013. See https:// These processes are a combi- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maker- nation of digital data created Bot for further information. in computer software that will Here are the basics of 3D be explained later in the article. printing. The first thing needed There are many different to print an object is a digital methods and materials used in model of that object. You can printing an object. I will focus design and build one in a 3D on FDM—Filament Deposition modeling software program, Modeling—also known as FFF you could have someone build or Fused Filament Fabrication. a model for you, or you could 3D printing has been download one from one of the online design repositories. around for a few decades. print with the fewest errors. The most popular of these is In 1983, Chuck Hall of 3D One of the best parts of this Thingiverse.com. Systems filed a patent for his journey is that there are many stereolithography manufacturing But wait a minute. How many online resources available, system; in 1988, S. Scott Crump kite fittings are on these sites? specifically on YouTube. developed fused deposition The truth is, not very many. So Next, let’s talk about print- modeling and formed his that means that it’s time to go ers and getting that idea out company Stratasys. During the back to school and learn to use of the computer and into your 1980s and 90s, many other a digital design program. Don’t hand. Most 3D printers use types of additive manufacturing despair. It’s not that hard. onboard computers to read the processes were developed There are a number of easy- data from the slicing software to that use a variety of materials to-learn programs and they are build your part layer-by-layer. Top three photos show the including plastics and metals. free. There is Tinkercad; it has This type of printer uses an anatomy of a printhead from You can learn more about a somewhat shallow learning XYZ coordinate system to which molten plastic is “drawn” onto a print bed building the backgound of 3D printing curve. The next option, which move the print head around the part layer by layer as at https://en.wikipedia.org/ to deposit molten plastic onto I use, is Fusion 360, and you’ll illustrated in the graphic below. wiki/3D_printing need some climbing gear if a build plate. There is at least In 2005, the RepRap project this is your first adventure into one “stepper” motor for each was founded at the University 3D modeling. Without being axis. The motors are driven FALL 2017 31 via commands called G-code, manufacturer either by phone, good things to look for in your made up of the XYZ coordi- email, or online chat. If you search. Most manufacturers nates created by the slicing have a hard time communi- are working on user-friendly software. The printer’s “drivers” cating with them, move on. printers closer to plug-n-play. send signals that rotate the What sold me on the Original Just remember: I said, closer. shaft of the motor in very small Prusa i3 by Josef Prusa, based Whether choosing a kit or steps. The plastic comes in the in Prague, Czech Republic, an assembled machine, make form of a filament, with a di- was that they responded to my sure it has a heated bed. This ameter of 1.75 to 3mm, wound online chat inquiry at 10 p.m. is the print surface onto which onto a spool. The filament their time. The kit I purchased the plastic is extruded. With- is driven by a stepper motor cost $600 and was shipped via out a heated bed, you will be into what’s called a hot end, a UPS in three days for under severely limited in the type of kind of sophisticated hot melt $80. One thing to note is that plastic that you can print. This glue gun. The hot end heats if your printer is shipped from will also influence how strong the filament to a temperature a foreign country you will have the parts will be. I would of up to 280℃ or 536℉. It is to pay duties for amounts over also recommend purchasing extruded through a nozzle with $800. A number of foreign a printer that uses 1.75mm an orifice typically .4mm in manufactures now have dis- filament. There are greater se- diameter. The molten plastic, tributors that import them to lections of plastics available in at this point, is “drawn” onto avoid the extra costs. this diameter. Keep in mind, if the print bed and builds the Another consideration is you are not a tinkerer at heart object layer-by-layer until how “open” the machine is. then an assembled machine completed. The typical Two of the steps designing the When selecting a printer, that uses proprietary software nose fitting for the Tametomo thickness of each layer is 200 I look for one that can use and plastic may be just what is kite using design program Fu- microns or .2mm—roughly the any brand of plastic filament needed to get started. sion 360 include the sketch (top) thickness of a business card. If and any third-party slicing in real world dimensions and Having given some thought you have ever seen a topo- software. There are machines then converting the sketch into graphical map or an architec- to the design software and a 3D model (middle) where one using proprietary filament tural model (see photo page choice of printers, it’s time to can edit features. The machine loaded onto spools that have discuss the type of plastic to is capable of making precise 31), this will give you an idea. electronic chips read by the be used. threads (bottom) that will fit a The printer design, mechan- printer. Some also restrict store-bought screw. ically speaking, hasn’t changed the use of their own slicing PLA—Poly Lactic Acid is the much over the past few years software. Not my cup of tea. most common. PLA filament and probably won’t for a while. The leaders in the “open is inexpensive, easy to print, There are the originals out source” slicer arena are Cura relatively strong, safe to use, there, their clones, and clones and Slic3r, and both are free. and the best choice while of clones available. The prices Personally, I use Simplified 3D learning. It is made from plant range from $200 to $3000 because of its robust features, starch, mainly corn. It is bio- and up for what appear to be and the cost for a two-comput- degradable and compostable, the same machine. Most are er license $150. so you can print to your heart’s content and not feel guilty kits, but some are assembled. Technology is growing at Needless to say, it can be about throwing away failed a rapid pace, and it’s hard to confusing. My first recom- prints, which may be many. keep up with all of the new With regard to kite fittings, it mendation is to decide if you printers coming to market. want to build a printer from a is not the best option. It is too When shopping for and com- brittle, affected by heat, and kit, which can usually be done paring printers keep an eye over a weekend, or purchase will degrade with exposure to open for terms like mesh-bed sun and moisture. an assembled machine. Next, leveling, self-leveling, and au- I would attempt to contact the tomatic z-zeroing. These are all ABS—Acrylonitrile Butadiene 32 KITING Styrene has been considered moisture, but I haven’t found is the best source. a good option for strength this to be an issue. On the plus Time to explore the concept and cost. Most plastic objects side, nylon parts can be dyed and design process. Under- we use are made from ABS. to match the color of a kite by stand there is a considerable However, it is not a good boiling them in Rit fabric dye. amount of time from the idea choice because it is difficult to TPU—ThermoPlastic Poly- stage to a well-engineered, use with the types of printers urethane. There are a number strong, and functional part. under discussion. It is tem- of filament suppliers offering During the learning process, perature sensitive and affected different tensile strengths and you may want to start by re- by ambient temperature and durometers, the measure of verse engineering a fitting that drafts. hardness and flexibility. This already exists. Having said PETG—Polyethylene Tere- is an amazing plastic. It pretty that, my philosophy is if I can phthalate Glycol-modified. easy to print, and produces buy one already made, why This is my go-to filament. It parts that are almost inde- reinvent the wheel? This is is inexpensive, strong, easy to structible. I use it when I want the basic workflow I try to print, light, and not affected by strong and flexible parts. adhere to: sun and moisture—think soda It can’t be emphasized enough: 1) Concept pop bottles. It is available in do your homework and use the 2) Design/Engineering many colors. The only negative vast resources available online. is that it is fairly brittle. Engi- YouTube is my go-to service 3) Proof of Concept neered correctly, though, it is for reviews regarding printers 4) Execution/Build/Production usually not a problem. and plastics, and to stay cur- My choice of design software, Fusion 360, is a parametric solid modeling pro- gram. PC Magazine explained it this way, “in a parametric building modeler, if the pitch of the roof is changed, the walls automatically follow the revised roof line. A parametric mechanical modeler would ensure that two holes are always one inch apart or that one hole is always offset two inches from the edge or that one element is always half the size of another.” This gives tremendous control over the design of parts. It allows the ability to design a A Sea Gull kite made with custom 3D parts (shown at right). part then easily modify, say, a Top two photos show standard different angle, or a hole size of store-bought parts compared to Nylon—Taulman Alloy 910. rent on 3D printing trends and a different diameter, without 3D printed parts (bottom three) that are custom built to slide, This is an excellent engineer- uses. Tutorials are offered by a redrawing the entire model. grip or fold-over to match the I also discovered that the 3D ing plastic: very strong, some slew of presenters. Not all are specific needs of the Sea Gull flexibility, and high tensile professional and polished, but printer is quite precise and kite. strength. Nylon is hygroscopic, still informative. If you decide very repeatable. I can design which means it will absorb to learn Fusion 360, Autodesk a leading edge connector and FALL 2017 33 The leading edge connectors rough dimension, the use of a were next, and here’s the template and jig system, and “magic” bit. The part of the the snap-on 3D printed lon- connector on the leading edge geron and cross spar pockets, has just enough grip to hold it these kites can be built in a in place, but was loose enough one-day class. to slide during assembly. The The challenge for those who other part that the cross spar are new to this technology is goes into has more grip so it to get their heads around the won’t come out without some concept, and understand how effort. The cross spars stay rapidly parts can be modi- Tametomo kite built with adjust the size of the hole that in place, and because of the Ronda Brewer. All the fittings the spar runs through to make TPU’s flexibility, they can be are 3D printed as shown in it loose or tight. Using the TPU folded to store flat against the photo below. plastic, I no longer have to leading edge. The dihedral glue on stops to keep it from is sized so that it won’t slide sliding. With the combination during flight, and the cross of the CAD and Slicing soft- spars can be easily removed ware, I can create designs with when disassembling the kite different internal structures for storage. Another thing that to increase strength. They can happened that wasn’t planned: be made lighter, to change the because of the flexible nature flight characteristics, or more of the NinjaFlex, it gave the flexible, so they can be folded wings some movement that the for storage. rigid fittings didn’t allow. The kite now looks more lifelike A number of years ago Ed in flight and has extended its The printer will run by itself Grys, AKA Region 6 Direc- wind range by allowing the but it’s fun to watch. Ask Simon tor, approached me to see if I wings to flex back. would be interested in taking a Crafts. sewn seagull kite he had built Ronda and I were asked to using soft Tyvek®, and con- design and build a collection of vert it into a no-sew version. four white memorial kites. We fied and tuned. Sure, some I accomplished the task and based the design on a Japanese parts may take upwards of 30 both of us have used it in a Tametomo with the addition of minutes to print, but most of number of workshops. I used a long streaming tails. The main the fittings in this kite only Cochranes dihedral, modified sail is seven feet tall with a to- took 10 to 20 minutes, with a vinyl end caps and fiberglass tal length of approximately 20 cost of under 50 cents each. tubing and rods to frame the feet. As we designed the kite, One thing I have learned over first kite. It worked well. With we took our time sorting out as the years is the value of my my second printer, the Origi- many details as possible. From time and how much time these nal Prusa i3, I wanted to make the beginning of the design machines save. Remember, There will be a workshop at the some improvements to the process we were committed to while the machine is making AKA Convention where these fittings. My first piece was the make the modified Tametomo the part, you can be working “Falenas” will be made using 3D as a part sewn/part no-sew on something else, like sewing printed parts as shown. dihedral, which was printed using a TPU from NinjaFlex. workshop kite with snap-on your kite—or not. As kitemak- That’s when I discovered the 3D printed fittings. Hence er, Simon Crafts, discovered, ability to size the parts to fit the name, “So-Sew Tameto- the process is mesmerizing to

the rods and tubing to the mo.” Because students bring witness, almost like magic. exact needs. a pre-appliqued sail cut to a 34 KITING Region 1: New England (CT-NH-MA-ME-RI-VT-NY) Maggie Engvall, Cranston, RI 401-942-3603 [email protected] End of term: 2019

Region 1 has had a busy summer in spite of the heat and rain. Our region’s clubs have had flys at Bug Light in Caption South Portland, ME, Gratwick Park in North Tonawanda, NY, cooperate. Brief gusts of ‘sucker winds’ event was organized by Wind Wolves and Harkness State Park in Waterford, CT, would show up for short periods of time. friends. It was a great way to start off the Colt State Park in Bristol, RI, and at Pope Kevin Reynolds flew his low-wind kite and summer for local and visiting kiteflyers. John Paul II Park in Dorchester, MA, entertained the children with bubbles. just to name a few. Check with a local kite Other kite events included Kites at Dave Tuttle tried several low-wind kites the Pier at Long Branch, NJ. The South club or the AKA calendar for good places that he made. Don Tuff tried flying from a to fly kites near you. Jersey Kite Flyers along with Wind Wolves golf cart. helped to entertain folks at Chester County Marblehead Festival of Arts Kite Day Upcoming events: East Meets West Balloon Festival. With the political turmoil took place July 1-4, on Devereux Beach, Kite and Cultural Festival, Pope John in NJ, all state parks and beaches were Marblehead, MA. It was founded in 1963 Paul II Park, Dorcester, MA, August 26- closed, putting Fourth of July celebrations and subtracting for a few years without a 27. Capriccio Festival of Kites, Ogunquit in jeopardy. It was not until a budget was festival, this was their 50th. Beach, Ogunquit, ME. September 9. Don’t signed at the last minute that Wind Wolves Newport Kite Festival took place forget the AKA Convention in Ocean and friends were able to put on an amazing July 8-9 at Breton Point State Park in City, MD, October 9-14. Please list your display at Liberty State Park and save the Newport, RI. This festival has been upcoming events on the AKA Calendar at day’s festivities. Please contact me with any held for over 30 years and is one of www.kite.org kite events in Region 2, so I can include the top festivals in this area. It always them in my reports. I hope to see many of attracts large crowds. For the last few you at Ocean City AKA Convention. years the festival has been hosted by Region 2: Northeast Upcoming events: Ron Kitt of Kitts Kites. This year, kites (NJ-PA & lower NY) October 1: (1st Sunday) South Jersey Kite large and small dotted the sky. AKA Kurtis Jones, Hackensack, NJ Flyers 23nd Anniversary Edeiken Award recipient Archie Stewart 201-921-5518 organized all the kiters on the demo field, October 6-9: 3rd Annual Long Beach [email protected] including the dual-line and quadline Island Kite Festival End of term: 2017 flyers. There was also a demo by Gary October 9-14: 40th Annual American Engvall and crew on how to fly large Kitefliers Convention, Ocean City, MD kites. He used a Peter Lynn Trilobite. Region 2 has seen October 22: 4th Annual Belmar Kite The traction kiters also gave demos a busy summer of Festival on buggies. Master of Ceremonies and kite events. The big November 5: The 32nd Annual Olan and Region 2 Director, Kurtis Jones, gave a kickoff was Memorial Bernice Turner International Invitational running commentary on the microphone Day weekend with Open Peanut Butter Cookie Kite Fly and about what was happening on the field. the iconic Wildwood Bake Off International Kite Edgewood Mountain Kite Festival Festival in Wildwood, NJ. This event is December 3: SJKF’s Annual Holiday took place July 22-23 at the Edgewood organized by Sky Festival Productions and Party, Randi’s Restaurant and Bar, from Golf Course in Laurens, NY, near draws flyers from all over. 12-3 PM. Location: Grant Plaza II, 1619 Cooperstown, NY. This was the fourth Grant Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19115 year for this festival. We were on top Up at the north end of New Jersey, there of a mountain overlooking the valley. was the debut of the Sky Art Kite Festival, Contact Cel Dallmer [email protected] Unfortunately, the winds did not at Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ. This or 215-722-4092 FALL 2017 35 has an opportunity. Other WOW members and Joyce King) somewhere to showcase have been flying at Sandy Point State Park, our talent. And a special thank you to The MD, over the summer. Joyce and Jeff King King and Queen of Corolla for getting us ventured north of the border for the Saint- cleaned, fed, relaxed, and on our trip north Honoré dans l’Vent Kite Festival in Quebec, with clear heads. Cheers to good winds, Canada. So, while things have been slow in great friends, and an amazing life! our area of the country our members have From Alan Pritchard: I have been flying been venturing to other places for flying kites with students ever since I started opportunities. working with the Georgetown County Several Region 3 members attended the School District in the mid-1990s, but I had Wright Brother’s Fly in Kitty Hawk, NC. never flown kites with students having There was a good bit of rain during the special needs until I worked at Waccamaw festival, but they still managed to put on a High School on Pawleys Island, SC. There show. In August, the Got Wind Kite Club is a new joy to kite flying with these had a unique opportunity to support a local students that lingers long after the kites event called Cirque Du Floyd—think old- are put away. Their smiles and enthusiasm time circus event like those in the movies. just make your day, bringing a new joy to The club decorated in the form of banners an old pastime. Please consider visiting a and ground displays, as well as flying special needs group; you will have a kiting Doug Stout flying at Liberty State Park, gliders and making bubbles before the experience unlike any you have had before. New Jersey, on Memorial Day weekend. main event. Before you know it, you’ll be promising to September will have a few favorite festivals come back to fly kites again, having had the including the Mile High Kite Festival most fun possible. Region 3: Mid-Atlantic in Beech Mountain, NC, on Labor Day Many thanks to all the Waccamaw High (DC-DE-MD-VA-WV) weekend and Sunfest in Ocean City, MD, School teachers and Paraeducators: Mrs. Donald Jacobs, Copper Hill, VA later in the month. Both of these are fun Mary Tester, Mrs. Sharon Patula, Mr. 540-293-1325 or festivals to attend, so make plans for a late Mackey Altman, Mr. Bob Nettles, Mr. Eric email [email protected] summer weekend flying kites. Sparkman, Mrs. Jo Welsh, Mrs. Cathy End of term: 2019 Check out the AKA website and McGee, abd Mrs. Leona Miller. Most of all, Facebook page, along with the Regional a big thank you to Mrs. Tester’s students for making kite flying such fun. As of this writing, Facebook pages, for updates. Again, we it has been a bit of hope that many of you will be able to From the Central Florida Kite Club: a slow summer in attend the 40th Annual Convention in early We’re proud to introduce our next club our part of Region 3. October. building project: It’s a twofer! We will be This will soon change building a transition tail and a delta kite to with the upcoming fly it on. Does it get any better? Why, yes fall festivals and, of Region 4: Southeast it does. We will be partnering with IBEX course, the 40th annual AKA Convention. (AL-FL-GA-KY-MS-PR-NC-SC-TN) Puppetry and the Big Potato Foundation If you have not already registered, we John Layton, Ft. Walton Bch., FL for this build on August 19, starting at 10 hope you will do so soon, and come join 850-803-7513 or AM. We will be at the IBEX workshop, 66 us in Ocean City, MD. The convention email [email protected] Station St, Apopka, FL, until we finish. To committee has been working hard to make End of term: 2019 cover costs, there will be a $30 fee due by this one of the best conventions yet. This August 1 (cash, checks, or money orders) year there will be sewing workshops in mailed to Pat Mozier, 14272 Southern Red addition to the usual workshops, so make There’s been a lot Maple Dr, Orlando, FL, 32828. If you have preparations to bring your sewing machine. going on in Region 4 a sewing machine, you’ll want to bring that If you have any kites you would like to get as reported below: along; if you don’t have one, let us know rid of, please consider donating them to the From James and we’ll arrange one to use. This is going auction or one of the bag raffles. Also, don’t Fletcher: The to be a fun-filled event for one and all, but forget your cash so you can go home with Kitty Hawk Kites there are only 10 slots, so don’t be left out. some new kites and accessories. 39th Annual Wright Kite Festival was a From Kewl Kites: The monthly fun The Richmond Air Force (RAF) is getting great weekend. It was held at the Wright flys on the Mississippi Gulf Coast are back into the swing of First Sunday flies Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil continuing with average attendance at Dory Park; contact any member of the Hills, NC. Thank you to Kitty Hawk Kites ranging from 20 to 60. We are currently RAF for details. There have been some for the hospitality, Kelsey Hammell for the working on themes for each month as an live Facebook feeds from James ‘Fletch’ use of the beach house, John Harris for added bonus, with prizes for the kiteflyer Fletcher of Wings over Washington giving us (Will Smoot, Jim Cosca, Marc who, in some way or another, best portrays (WOW) flying whenever and wherever he Conklin, Glenn Davison, Jeff King, the theme. We’ve had a lot more rain than 36 KITING Region 5: Great Lakes (MI-OH) John Graves, West Chester, OH 513-777-2228 or email [email protected] End of term: 2017

What a glorious summer it has been here in Region 5! The Great Lakes Kite Festival in Grand Haven, MI, attracted a myriad of kiteflyers and spectators, as has happened in the past. My wife, Bridget, and I spent 10 days there, including the festival. Of course, I traveled back to Cincinnati with what seemed like half the beach spread between the camper, the truck, and all the kites. Two weeks later, it was the Breeze From the Carolina Kite Club: on the Bay, possibly the area’s smallest kite festival. Jerry McGuire, Dave Bush, normal this year, but rainy days and days line laundry to celebrate the upcoming Jack Quinn, and I provided kiteflying that have been too hot have been well spent holiday. It looked like a small festival at entertainment on the beach in East Tawas. in the store building kites. We also have Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach, Then it was down the state of Michigan to some new show kites that are currently NC. Many visitors, in town for the holiday, Lyon Township. Yet another day in the sun. being made for us in China! came down to the beach to see the kites and Travel was in the offing again, as the Looking forward to fall, we are excited add their kites of various colors to the skies. PIGS traveled to Boone County, Kentucky, about participating in the Ascension hot air Check out the AKA Region 4 for a for the annual kite fly in Boone County balloon festival coming up September 22- constantly updated list of events. Park. The wind was disappointing, but fun was had by PIGS and kids alike. But then, 23, and the Great Mississippi River Balloon September 9-10: Outer Banks Stunt Kite aren’t we all big kids at heart? Race in Natchez, MS, on October 20-22. Competition, The Soundside Event Site, NC Thanks to Emerald Coast kiteflyers and the Bridget and I took a break the next September 17-18: Flying High on the local Long Beach, MS, community for all weekend while the rest of the PIGS went Harbor Kite Festival, Okaloosa Island their support. to Kenton, OH, for a good windy day on a Boardwalk, Fort Walton Beach, FL From the Carolina Kite Club: Our club great field. I was told that I missed a great was invited to put up a kite show for the October 7: Sculptures in the Sky Kite time, but sometimes things should happen Annual Maritime Day at Gallants Channel Festival, Sculpture Fields of Montague on the home front. Being an amateur location in Beaufort, NC. The Friends of Park, Chattanooga, TN radio operator, I participated in Field the Maritime Museum in Beaufort sponsor Oct 28-29: 30th Anniversary of the Day, testing the set-up of operations for the old-fashioned family-oriented picnic Carolina Kite Fest hosted by Kites emergency situations, just so you know I to celebrate the maritime industry and Unlimited and Bird Stuff, Atlantic Beach, did stay busy. the benefits it brings to the area. It was a NC, http://www.kitesandbirds.com As I write this, I am recovering from relaxing time of food, music, games, and November 4-5: 12th Annual Cape Fear three days of kiteflying in Northwest Ohio education about ships, seafaring, and the Kite Festival, Fort Fisher State Recreation and Southeast Michigan. On July 14-15, activities of the Maritime Museum. The Area,Kure Beach, NC Bridget and I were in Oregon, OH, outside kite club put on a colorful sky show that Toledo, at the Maumee Bay State Park could be seen for miles, and displayed a November 11-12: Veterans Day Fall Kite Weekend hosted by the Black Swamp wide variety of kites. Members of the kite Fly, Treasure Island Beach behind the Airforce. Several kiters from Michigan, club talked with attendees about kites and Thunderbird Resort, Treasure Island, FL Indiana, and Ohio were there, and kiteflying, and encouraged them to give it a November 18-19: New Smyrna Beach celebrated the lack of wind with wonderful try at the weekly community kite fly. Festival, New Smyrna Beach, FL conversation both days. On July 16, we traveled to Michigan to the home of the The Carolina Kite Club themed its November 25: Kites with Lights, Jockey’s Wind Jammers, Belle Isle State Park, just weekly community kite fly on July 2 as Ridge Crossing, NC Red-White-Blue Day. Members put up a outside downtown Detroit for the first variety of red, white, and blue kites and Detroit Kite Festival. Good strong winds FALL 2017 37 ruled the day, and my all the best; Keep Looking Up and Hold Peter Lynn pig was one on Tight! of the first things one could see crossing the bridge to the island. Region 7: Great Plains This has to be one of t (CO-KS-MO-ND-NE-SD-UT-WY) he best park setting Roger Kenkel, Gibbon, NE venues I have ever seen. 308-240-9266 With a few weeks’ or email [email protected] lull in the activities, End of term: 2017 we await the North Coast Championship sportkite competition, I can’t speak for in conjunction with the everyone, but I for Cleveland International one am glad the Kite Festival, August intense summer 19-20. It would be heat is now behind interesting to fly a kite Green Bay, Wisconsin, police officer wins the Running of the us. Not that I am during a very short Bols at Fly A Kite Fest, June, 2017. looking forward to the ultra cold temps that are just around the night-like period, so The Wisconsin Kiters Kite Club has been good thing the great eclipse is coming up. corner, but that is the time of year I usually active with other flys as well, including start on kite repair and maintenance for Remember the AKA Convention in Canal Days in Portage, the Family Kite anything that may have gotten damaged October in Ocean City, MD. There will be Festival in Milwaukee, the Seafood Fly in during the spring and summer. Being the many things to see and do, and some of Two Rivers, the Green Bay Kite Fest, July type of person who doesn’t know the first them will even involve kiting. Bridget and 4th Joe McCaughy Memorial Fly in Grafton, thing about how to use a sewing machine, I have registered, have our hotel room and the Wausau Balloon Rally in Wausau. my repairs usually involve ripstop tape and booked, and are getting excited about going. The largest of these events was the Green a hot glue gun. Anything beyond that and In the meantime, support your local kite Bay “Fly a Kite Fest,” where over 400 kids I enlist professional help. There is not a lot dealer(s) and your local kite club(s). Let made kites. The weather was good and the one can do with the limited skill set that me know of anything happening in your field was expanded by a factor of two from I have. If your kite inventory is in need of area, and I’ll see you in Maryland. last year. Flyers from all over the Midwest repair don’t be afraid to seek out help. attended and helped raise funds for Family This will be my last report as your and Childcare Resources of Northeast Regional Director. My tenure is up and Region 6: Midwest Wisconsin. This event continues to grow I have chosen not to run for a second (IA-IL-IN-MN-WI) each year with help from Unique Flying term. My replacement will be named at Ed Grys, Shawano, WI Objects and the Wisconsin Kiters Kite Club. the annual business meeting at the AKA 715-526-9399 Dale Bowden hosted his annual National Convention. For the record, I or email [email protected] hometown Phun Phly in Pittsville. WI. A have thoroughly enjoyed my time serving End of term: 2017 small but eclectic group of flyers surprised as your RD. I have met a lot of fine people Dale and came to enjoy the day. in the last three years from kitemakers to the Board of Directors of the AKA. I’d Coming up September 2-3 will be the It has been a nice like to extend a hearty thank you to all the 12th annual Kites Over Lake Michigan summer for flying festival organizers who have allowed me festival, one of the largest gatherings kites in the Midwest. to be a part of their festivals and put in my of kiteflyers in the country. Later in the The season began with two cents’ worth from time to time. I have month on September 9, the 15th annual the spring fly called had a blast traveling around the region Prairie Winds Fly will be held in Jackson, “Kite Komotion” in to festivals in Leoti, KS, Canon City, CO, MN. The following day, on Sunday Shipshewana, IN. Callaway, NE, Fort Collins, CO, Salina, KS, September 10, the DeKalb Fly will be The weather was not perfect, but everyone Jamestown, ND, Omaha, NE and Aurora, celebrating its 12th anniversary. enjoyed getting kites in the air and helping CO—just to name a few. over a hundred kids make kites. It is also worth mentioning that I’ve made lots of great friends on this U-MAKE 2018 will be held March 2-4, The “Fair in the Air” fly at Fair Oaks journey, and it is my sincere goal to spread 2018. So far they have announced some Farms, IN, had a good turnout with light the joy of kiteflying to many more people of the teachers—Linda Sanders, Dan winds in the morning and better flying in as many areas as I can. I will continue to Kurahashi, Ken McNeill, and Barb Meyer. conditions in the afternoon. One kite travel around and help all those that reach Others will be announced soon. escaped almost unnoticed by the kiteflyers, out and ask for a hand or bit of advice. My but was spotted by the Fair Oaks staff and This will probably be my last article as inbox is always open roger.sskites@gmail. recovered. Regional Director. I wish the new director com for any and all questions, concerns, 38 KITING invitations, and any other items of interest you may have. Events coming up in the Region include the annual Callaway Kite Flight in Callaway, NE, as well as a new festival in Pine Bluff, WY, on September 30. As always please send your kiting information to [email protected] for inclusion in Kiting magazine and the regional report.

Region 8: South Central (AR-LA-NM-OK-TX) Jason McCaleb, Tulsa, OK 785-383-5157 or email [email protected] End of term: 2017

One of the things The 10,000+ square foot Mega Flag Kite, owned by Gomberg Kite Productions I love most about International, flew at the Grants Pass Balloon and Kite Festival. being part of the AKA is the diversity of the Edmond, OK, for over 20 years, and I could being hosted, and the venue is spectacular. kiteflyers! When you sense he was proud of his accomplishment, say “kite” to someone As soon as this heat wave passes, there as was I. I could not pass up the who does not fly, they will be some amazing events on the opportunity to fly a kite on KiteFest Lane, all imagine the same diamond-shaped or calendar for the fall. Please stay tuned and so I attended LibertyFest this year. Terry delta-shaped kite. To a kiteflyer though, thank you for being a part of Region 8! told me they put up the street signs just in you never know what “kite” might mean or time for this year’s festival. He also let me what another might enjoy. It is always fun know I was the third person he called when to see those who have mastered one kite try he found out about the street naming. Region 9: Intermountain one they know nothing about. I can’t express how good it feels to (ID-MT-OR) For example, did you know some people represent such an amazing group of people Brett Morris, Medford, OR fly kites indoors? Mike and Peggy Swaim with such remarkable achievements. 541-944-5588 of Conroe, Texas, do! With temperatures or email [email protected] Have you made your reservations for in Region 8 staying in the hundreds on End of term: 2018 the AKA Convention? I will not be able to a regular basis, many of the region’s kite attend this year, but I encourage everyone clubs are taking kiteflying indoors. to attend. There are some great workshops Visualize going to The Swaims belong to the South Houston the coast and finding Area Recreational Kiters. They recently the beach lined with hosted an indoor fly. Several people “No Trespassing” attended to make an indoor kite and give signs posted on it a try. Gary Moss of Sulphur, LA, is a fences blocking your kitemaker of some very large foils. Gary way to the ocean. tried his hand at making an indoor kite at This is not the situation in Oregon. The their event, but I have a feeling he is going state of Oregon has unrestricted public to stick with making foils! access to all of the state’s beaches. In 1967, There are several active clubs around the legislation was passed called the “Beach region. If you are looking for a group to fly Bill”, which guaranteed public access to all with, let us know. We can connect you with of Oregon’s 362 miles of ocean beach. On ways to beat the heat and still fly a kite. July 8, 2017, my wife, Diane, and I, along with Rod Thrall, Lindsey Johnson, and In other news, here’s what makes Region Deb Cooley were invited to participate in 8 so great. Long-time AKA member Terry the 50th anniversary of the “Beach Bill” Officer of Edmond, OK, recently reached at the State Capitol in Salem, OR. Oregon out and told me his city council had State Representative David Gomberg was approved the naming of one of their public on hand to greet the crowd, as was his city streets, “KiteFest Lane.” Terry has Ed Davis of Oklahoma City setting up some wife, Susan. We had a great time with kids’ been organizing LibertyFest KiteFest in shade on KiteFest Lane. FALL 2017 39 some. This year we will also have the bonus of the eclipse being nearby, and hope to be able to view it at 90% or so. September 30–October 1 is the Lincoln City Fall Festival. Bring your super hero costumes to join in the fun. October 9-14 is the 40th Annual AKA Convention in Ocean City, Maryland. Don’t forget to make your plans, as this is one convention you don’t want to miss. Go to www.kite.org and to the left just below the first photo is the registration/information button. This was where the first AKA convention took place forty years ago. I hope Genki by Tim Feld of the Wisconsin Kiters Club showing the Algoma, Wisconsin, shoreline. to see you there. It continues to be another outstanding kitemaking, banners, and loads of color in Terry Lee and Drake Smith from kiteflying season. Thank you to all who the different ground displays. I even got Montana were busy this summer traveling help at each festival, knowing that it takes some time in on short-line quad flying. Rod around the West with the Flying Buffalo many hands to put on each event. If you was able to air up his 40 ft. whale shark Project Kites. Three new, original pieces are not helping, you are truly missing out enough that kids could crawl into it. What of art created by three Native American on getting to meet amazing people. Event a great family event to remind us of such artists have been added to their collection organizers know the helpers, and like to an important bill passed fifty years ago. this year. Good crowds turned out at the invite many of them as featured flyers. We are thankful for the foresight in 1967 Madison Buffalo Jump to watch the big Remember these are family events where to make Oregon beaches state parks, and kites fly and to make their own. There accessible to all. were drummers and singers and a plant A vision, a farm, hot air balloons, and walk, with blessings given at the start of kites made up the first Grants Pass Balloon the day by an honored medicine man. and Kite Festival in June. When the winds The First People’s Buffalo Jump also had were too strong for the balloons, the kites singers and dancers in attendance while filled the skies. It was a great first-time the kites flew above them. They also went family event that even showcased the to Browning during Native American Days 10,000+ sq. ft. Mega Flag kite in the air and had classes and demonstrations for five different times. two days. This year was their 6th annual visit to the Vore Buffalo Jump in Wyoming. Rockaway Beach Kite Festival was Terry also was a guest speaker for the another popular event with lots of people Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail awesome kites, and kiteflyers. Lincoln Foundation’s Sunday breakfast meeting City Summer Kite Festival was once again at the Doubletree in Billings. The Lewis an amazing event with thousands of and Clark kites were on display above spectators gazing at all of the kites in the the attendee’s heads in the ballroom, and air. This summer was the 25th anniversary Terry told the stories of the making of the of the SOKF (Southern Oregon Kite kites. Between traveling on weekends and Festival) in Brookings, OR, and it certainly doing local kite activities during the week, didn’t disappoint. We thoroughly enjoyed Terry Lee and Drake Smith have had a full connecting with kiteflyers from all over summer of kite activities. the west coast and beyond who are invited there to fly on such a tiny field. It was August 21-27 is the Washington State truly an amazing experience. Thanks to all International Kite Festival (WSIKF). who made this a wonderful community- This is a weeklong event that has almost sponsored event. everything for kite enthusiasts, and then

40 KITING many children are watching and listening, Region 10. The Festival of Colors 2017, and thanks to those who understand that and its sponsor and organizer, Ocean Region 11: N. California smoking, drinking alcohol, and profanity Shores Kites, never disappoints. The event (Northern CA-NV) are not appropriate around the public. We never discriminates among any age, creed, Tom McAlister, Richmond View, CA all want to be positive role models for fun. color, invited, or not-invited, and was 510-235-5483 truly a spectacular event. Kites of every or email [email protected] shape, size, and color adorned this coastal End of term: 2018 Region 10: Northwest community for nearly two miles. A job well (AK-WA) done to Andy and his immediate family, In early July, I Pete Zweifel, Federal Way, WA and to all those in attendance, for putting attended a first- 206-718-3301 on a spectacular show. time festival at or email [email protected] From the community of Ocean Shores the Coyote Point End of term: 2018 and its many tourist attractions, we headed Recreation Area, a to the small community of Grayland, WA. few miles south of The Westport Windriders put on their San Francisco. Low Rest is not idleness, annual kite festival in a grand fashion. key family kiteflying, free kitemaking, and and to lie on the The amount of dedication that this small a giant kite exhibition gave this event a grass under the kite club exudes towards its kite festival is nice balance, and it looks like the parks trees on a summer’s of an unparalleled nature. The same can department may make it an annual event. I’ll day, listening to the be said for those kiteflyers that show up keep my fingers crossed and keep you posted. murmur of the water, to this event year-after-year. Great job by or watching the My life in August is largely about president Barry Crites and his small, merry wrapping up July’s Berkeley Kite Festival, clouds float across the sky, is by no means a band of kiteflying brothers and sisters. waste of time. And so it can also be said of and there is always plenty of work to be flying your favorite kites. The peacefulness Never to be outdone and always done. There is Chavez Park clean up, and serenity that kiteflying brings is impressive are the Region 10 membership signage removal, meetings, and packing captivating, and is one of the many reasons of the great state of Alaska. Neither rain, away the many tools and materials that we love kites and are passionate about them. nor sleet, nor gloom of night or even cold make the event possible. Just when I weather will stop these dedicated flyers to think I am finished, there are even more As is the case with any organized event, the north from putting on a spectacular meetings. After about a week or so, I begin the success or failure of those events show in and around Anchorage proper. to catch up on all my other projects and depends on the dedication and heartfelt chores. desire of a select few to breathe life into Upcoming events: Many years ago when I was a young it. This is the case with the events within September 8-10: 25th Annual Up Your man, I would manage the BKF like it was Winds Kite Festival, a sprint, dashing from one task to the Pacific Beach, WA, (360) next. Now I see it as a marathon done in 276-8377 stages. This year’s marathon really got me September 10: to thinking about recycling, economy of BCKA September Fun resources, and even economy of energy. Fly, Garry Point Park, In order to conserve all of these things, I Richmond, BC have learned that I must stay out of the September 16-17: way, trust my crew, and understand that Whidbey Island Kite they know what their jobs are and how to Festival, Camp Casey do them. Maintaining the discipline to stay Conference Center, out of the way is something I continue to Whidbey Island, WA struggle with, but with each passing year it seems to get better. September 16-17: NWSKL Sport Kite As fall approaches, I am looking forward Competition, Whidbey to the Walker Kite Festival in Walker Island, WA California, September 23-24, and after that our AKA Convention in Ocean City. I hope September 23: to see many of you soon. Windriders Fun Fly, Grayland Beach, WA September 28: PCKA Meeting and Fun Fly, University Place, WA

Memorial fly at the Lincoln City Summer Kite Festival. FALL 2017 41 awards of appreciation go to Syd “the sound guy” and my hardworking partner in festival crime, Susie Skinner. In closing, I again ask all of you reading this to keep in mind the AKA receives requests for all types of kite-related support throughout the year, where your talents (in any form) may be needed. Please contact me if you are interested in helping in any fashion. Enjoy convention and I hope to fly with you sooner rather than later.

Region 13: International (The rest of the world) Linda Sanders, Willunga, SA Australia +618-8556-2681 or email [email protected] Mega-flying at the Berkeley Kite Festival. End of term: 2018

Region 13 – we are put just about anything in the right spot. diverse, global and The free fly area had a linear space of Region 12: Southwest full of fabulous kite about 460 feet. When the textbook winds (Southern CA-AZ-HI) festivals. If your event came up, the Octopus slithered back into Glen Rothstein, San Pedro, CA isn’t here, please its bag and OUT CAME THE FUGU!!! 213-407-3515 become a contributor, That surprise was enjoyed by all due to or email [email protected] and report – often? End of term: 2018 Richard’s generosity. And just to prove that flying kites can get you so excited that NEW ZEALAND–Anne and Peter you make mistakes, I want to CORRECT Whitehead write, “Matariki is the Māori an error of mine from the last issue. name for the cluster of stars also known As we prepare for the The Trillobyte flown at the Otis Festival as the Pleiades. It rises in mid-winter and 40th convention, here was Richard’s, not the Schultz family as for many Māori, it heralds the start of a is a recap of other originally reported. Ken and Arlene’s new year. Matariki literally means the ‘eyes events that have been family are becoming fixtures at a lot of our of god’ (mata ariki) or ‘little eyes’ (mata going on in our region. events; they provide great color in the sky riki).” Matariki Festival 2017 featured The Santa Maria and wonderful ground support to other fliers. kiteflying throughout New Zealand on June 11. According to Auckland’s Council Public Airport District came in with major The next weekend had us in Morro spokesperson, “Other kites flying in the sky support to make the 8th annual Santa Bay for Shaun Farmer’s 11th Annual above Ōrakei Marae on Sunday included Maria Valley Discovery Museum’s Family Event. No treacherous tides or Berkeley a giant 30m-long Blue Whale from Kite Festival a great success. While the winds invaded the beach this year. In Ashburton-based world-renowned kite organizers had a few surprises in store fact, Sunday’s temperature and winds designer, Peter Lynn, who regularly travels for the participants, one that was not were perfect for a day to just chill on the the world with his kites and holds the 2005 expected was that local law enforcers coast. We kept the demo field at the same Guinness World Record for one of his forced vendors to move their cars off the chill pace. The crowds truly appreciated special custom designs.” grass. I do not bring this up as a complaint, Penny, Joanna, Anthony, Mark Q, Miguel, but as information for planning future Airzone (x4), Carol and Cass, and the ISTANBUL–The 5th annual festival in events. Don’t forget about the parking and Lummas family’s casual ballets. The flyers May was where the AKA was represented conveniences for the folks who assist in enjoyed a well-deserved restful afternoon by USA’s Spencer Watson, Thailand’s Ron making your events prosper. of demos, as opposed to their normal fast- and Baew Spaulding, plus the Chairman One of the surprises we had planned paced festival atmosphere they sometimes of Istanbul Kitefliers Association, Mehmet worked out perfectly. AKA Member have to put up with. Of course, the show Naci Aköz. Their new Turkish flag kite Richard DeLisio hauled out a 90-foot kite folks, Eric and Erica, Richard D., Mike was ably assisted by Will White of New Octopus with two anchors and wowed North, Burnett, Sharon, and Gordon made Zealand. The Istanbul Kite Museum, the crowd at Rotary Centennial Park. Yes, sure co-organizer Brian Champie did not Weifang Kite Museum, Pasir Gudang given enough of a safe zone allows you to have to work too hard either. Two other Kite Museum, Kelantan Kite Museum, 42 KITING Cambodia Kite Museum and the Thai Kite the first time at this event; it was a hit. Checking the map, Kevin’s not far from Heritage conservation group were DENMARK–Fanø’s main attraction is Knowlesville, where a kite festival was held all represented. the beach; it’s 15 km long and 1 km wide, in May. Kevin believes kiteflying to be the ITALY–AKA members enjoying the and the ideal place for the “Biggest Kite most friendly activity, and says he has yet Cervia Kite Festival this year included Flyers Meeting in the World.” Kiteflyers to meet any kiteflyer who is other than a France’s Loik Lamalle, Australia’s Robert gather in June each year from all parts of great person. Hello to Len Froebe, new Brasington and Trevor Reeves, plus the globe. Many fantastic YouTube videos member from Steinbach, Manitoba, who Germany’s Katja and Markus Flender. As to watch, including this one from Akiyoshi says his local park, known as “Abe’s Hill,” always, a great event, fabulous location— Odagawa - https://www.youtube.com/ is a great place to fly his kites. every artist’s paradise. watch?v=MG0oxGANAaM AUSTRALIA – The Port Douglas FRANCE–Festivals were held in June in Markus and Katja Flender (Germany) Carnivale Beach Day was a hit once more Cayeux sur Mer and also Fécamp on the witnessed three generations of “Invader” in sunny North Queensland. No rain this French Channel coast, not far from Dieppe. kites flying together—an original from Jilly time! Queensland doesn’t really have a Loik Lamalle attended both and spent time Pelham, a group made by Werner Ahlgrim, winter, and with an azure blue ocean as with all his new-found kite friends. Oh, and and one most recently made by Robert our backdrop, husband Kevin, Robert occasionally flying a kite or two. Brasington. Finn Andersen of Denmark Brasington, Michael Richards, and I filled was joined by his family and grandchildren 8-Mile Beach. Robert was ecstatic—he PORTUGAL–At the 15th International totally emptied his kite bag! Kite Festival in Alcochete, Israelis, Eli, and who thoroughly enjoyed the exhibition of Shula reported “great little festival with old Japanese kites. “Simply the best day!” Which festival will you travel to next? good winds, good food, good organization, he said. E-mail me with “where and why” of your friendly people and a good atmosphere.” CANADA–Kevin Boucher of Hanwell, favourite event(s) to [email protected] What more could anyone ask for!? Shula’s New Brunswick, considers the Dieppe Until next time, less talk… more fly! new log-cabin patchwork Geo-pointer (plus International Kite Festival in New guidance from Jon Trennepohl) flew for Brunswick his favourite kite festival.

“Invaders” kites spanning three generations in Shula and Eli Shavit’s Geo Pointer in Log Cabin patchwork, flying Fano, Denmark. in Portugal. FALL 2017 43 Merchants in BOLD sell Kiting! MerchantMembers

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ARKANSAS Kite Stop MARYLAND Kites Unlimited - Atlantic Bch KaleidoKites 224 Cheney Highway The Kite Loft Atlantic Station Shopping Ctr. 1-C Spring Street Titusville, FL 32780 511 Boardwalk PO Box 2278 Eureka Springs, AR 72632 321/613-8697 Ocean City, MD 21842 Atlantic Beach, NC 28512 888/836-6251 www.kitestop.com 410/289-7855 252/247-7011 [email protected] www.kiteloft.com www.kitesandbirds.com Kite World CALIFORNIA 115 S. Miramar Avenue MASSACHUSETTS Kitty Hawk Kites Candy & Kites Indialantic, FL 32903 Blue Hill Observatory 412 Front Street 1415 Coast Highway 321/725-8336 Top of Great Blue HIll Beaufort, NC 28516 PO Box 8 Observatory Road 252/728-6670 Bodega Bay, CA 94923 Kitty Hawk Kites Milton, MA 02186 www.kittyhawk.com 707/875-3777 Harbour Walk Village 617/696-0562 www.candyandkites.com 34 Harbour Blvd. www.bluehill.org Kitty Hawk Kites Destin, FL 32541 Timbuck II Highline Kites Of Berkeley 850/837-2800 Sea Side Kites 785L Sunset Blvd. 6809 Del Monte Avenue www.kittyhawk.com 1 Pleasant Street Corolla, NC 27927 Richmond View, CA 94805 Cohasset, MA 02025 252/453-8845 510/235-5483 Kitty Hawk Kites 781/925-3277 www.kittyhawk.com www.HighLineKites.com 1450 Miracle Strip Pkwy. www.SeaSideKites.com Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Kitty Hawk Kites Kite Flite Of San Diego 850/796-0102 MICHIGAN Monterey Plaza Seaport Village www.kittyhawk.com Kites & Fun Things 819 Ocean Trail San Diego, CA 92101 40522 E. Ann Arbor Trail Corolla, NC 27927 619/234-KITE Windworks Inc. Plymouth, MI 48170 252/453-3685 www.kiteflitesd.com 13009 Village Blvd. 734/454-3760 www.kittyhawk.com Madeira Beach, FL 33708 www.skyburner.com San Francisco Kite Company 727/320-9463 Kitty Hawk Kites Pier 41, Fisherman’s Wharf www.floridawindworks.com MISSISSIPPI 1216 Duck Road San Francisco, CA 94133 Kewl Kites Duck, NC 27949 415/291-8770 Zephyr Kites 206 Jeff Davis Avenue 252/261-4450 www.sfkites.com www.zephyrkites.com Long Beach, MS 39506 www.kittyhawk.com 228/206-0322 Second Wind GEORGIA www.kewlkites.com Kitty Hawk Kites 1805 N. Highway 1 Piedmont Kites MP 12.5 Bodega Bay, CA 94923 1451 Piedmont Avenue, Suite B MISSOURI 3925 S. Croatan Highway 707/875-WIND Atlanta, GA 30309 Flying High With Charon Nags Head, NC 27959 www.secondwindfun.com 404/815-4271 5633 Carlton Drive 252/449-2210 www.piedmontkites.com St. Louis, MO 63049 www.kittyhawk.com Up Up And Away Kites 636/677-3029 139½ Main Street HAWAII [email protected] Kitty Hawk Kites Seal Beach, CA 90740 Big Wind Kite Factory Waves Village // MP40 562/596-7661 10 Maunaloa Highway MONTANA 24502 Hwy. 12 www.upupandawaykites.com Maunaloa, Molokai, HI 96770 Livingston Kite Company Rodanthe, NC 27968 808/552-2364 113 W. Callender Street 252/987-2297 COLORADO www.bigwindkites.com Livingston, MT 59047 www.kittyhawk.com Into The Wind 406/222-5483 1408 Pearl Street ILLINOIS facebook.com/livingstonkitecompany Kitty Hawk Kites Boulder, CO 80302 Chicago Kite/Kite Harbor Island Shops 800/541-0314 5445 N. Harlem NEBRASKA 39432 North Carolina 12 www.intothewind.com Chicago, IL 60656 Breeze Catchers Avon, NC 27915 773/467-1428 5428 S. 185th Street 252/995-6060 Rocky Mountain Flag & Kite Company www.chicagokite.com Omaha, NE 68135 www.kittyhawk.com 12503 E. Euclid Drive 402/895-2331 Centennial, CO 80111 Smooth Winds www.breezecatchers.com Kitty Hawk Kites 303/745-9035 847/606-0086 5848 Hatteras Landing www.rockymountainflag.com [email protected] Show Stopper Kites Hatteras, NC 27943 600 Pine Avenue 252/986-1446 CONNECTICUT The Kite Site Gibbon, NE 68840 www.kittyhawk.com Sky Dog Kites 105 W. Main 308/240-9266 220 Westchester Road Cabery, IL 60919 [email protected] Kitty Hawk Kites Colchester, CT 06415 815/953-8303 Community Square 860/365-0600 www.thekitesite.net NEW JERSEY Ocracoke, NC 27960 www.skydogkites.com Air Circus Kite Shop 252/928-4563 KANSAS 1114-1116 Boardwalk www.kittyhawk.com DELAWARE Kansas Kite Connection Ocean City, NJ 08226 Rehoboth Toy and Kite Company 1806 16th Street 609/399-9343 NORTH DAKOTA 1 Virginia Avenue Great Bend, KS 67530-4110 Prairie Wind Kite Company Rehoboth, DE 19971 316/793-6164 Cobra Kites 207 Cimarron Drive 302/226-KITE 2608 Route 37 East Roseglen, ND 58775 www.rehobothkite.com Wings Of The Wind Kites Toms River, NJ 08753 701/743-4500 550 N. Rock Road www.cobrakites.com Rehoboth Toy and Kite Company Wichita, KS 67206 70 Rehoboth Avenue 316/684-8383 Rehoboth, DE 19971 [email protected] 302/227-6996

44 KITING AKA members receive a 10% discount from these member merchants.

OHIO TEXAS Big Kid Kites Kitepower Australia 3 What’s Up About Kites 14236 142nd Avenue NE 302 Grand Parade 4500 Chagrin River Road 713/305-6777 Renton, WA 98059 Sans Souci Chagrin Falls, OH 44022 [email protected] 206/713-2366 Sydney, NSW 2219 440/247-4222 www.bigkidkites.com (+61) 2 9529 6894 [email protected] B & S Kites 2812 Padre Blvd., Ste. B Brooxes.com KiteSmart Australia OKLAHOMA S. Padre Island, TX 78597 312 N. 83rd Street 21 Roxby Street Kites In The Sky 956/761-1248 Seattle, WA 98103 Manifold Heights, VIC 3218 www.kitekits.com www.bskites.com www.brooxes.com (+61) 3 5221 6908 www.kitesmart.com.au Big Mike’s Kites Great Winds Kite Company promo code = AKA2013 OREGON 8851 CR 946 Gomberg Kite 312 N. 83rd Street Celina, TX 75009 Productions Int’l. Seattle, WA 98103 OzFeathers 214/406-7852 PO Box 113 www.greatwinds.com PO Box 758 www.bigmikeskites.com Neotsu, OR 97364 Willunga, SA 5172 Hi-Flyers (+61) 8 8556 2681 541/996-3083 Family Fun Kites 55 Main Street www.ozfeathers.com.au www.gombergkites.com 14100 South Hwy. 281 Pacific Beach, WA 98571 Santo, TX 76472 In The Breeze 360/276-8377 BRAZIL 817/360-2720 PO Box 6417 [email protected] Kite Site www.familyfunkites.com Bend, OR 97708 Rua Trajano Viera de Macedo, 143 800/847-1417 Ocean Shores Kites Sao Jose Dos Campos Fly It Port A www.inthebreeze.com 172 W. Chance A La Mer CEP 12240, Brazil 405 West Avenue G Ocean Shores, WA 98569 (+55) 12 8146 2408 Port Aransas, TX 78373 Northwest Winds - Lincoln City 360/289-4103 [email protected] 361/749-4190 130 SE Highway 101 [email protected] www.facebook.com/pages/ Lincoln City, OR 97368 CANADA Fly-It-Port-A-Kite 541/994-1004 The Kite Shoppe Boreal Kites/Gothic Design www.NWWinds.biz 866/ROK-KAKU 45960 Sparta Line, R.R. #4 G & Z International www.thekiteshoppe.com Saint Thomas, ON N5P 3S8 11424 Chairman Drive Northwest Winds - Seaside 519/775-2527 Dallas, TX 75243 19 Broadway Pizazz Kiteworks www.gothicdesign.ca 214/342-1900 Seaside, OR 97138 PO Box 266 www.gzintlinc.com 541/994-1004 Coupeville, WA 98239 Great Canadian Kite Company www.NWWinds.biz 360/678-6266 4517 Harvest Green New Tech Kites www.pizazzkites.com Taber, AB T1G 1A1 Phantom Star Kites 7208 McNeil Drive, #207 877/382-3956 2818 SE 23rd Drive, #C-3 Austin, TX 78729 Wind World Kites www.canadiankitecompany.com 512/250-0485 PO Box 988 115 Pacific Avenue S www.newtechkites.com Lincoln City, OR 97367 Long Beach, WA 98681 Le Gite Du Cerf Volant 541/994-7556 360/642-KITE 935 Rte De La Seigneurie www.phantomstarkites.com UTAH [email protected] Saint-Roch-des-Aulnaies A Wind Of Change PQ G0R 4E0 PENNSYLVANIA 2825 Rose Park Lane WISCONSIN 418/354-2182 Salt Lake City, UT 84116 Burlesque Kites Aerial Stunt Kites® www.legiteducerfvolant.ca www.awindofchange.com 189 Analomink Street 121 Wrigley Drive The Kite Guys East Stroudsburg, PA 19301 Lake Geneva, WI 53147 P.O. Box 606 570/421-6562 VIRGINIA 262/203-5534 It’s A Breeze Specialties 4901 50th Avenue www.kitesonconsignment.com www.askites.com 8221 Little Florida Road Bentley, AB T0C 0J0 Quinco Kites Mechanicsville, VA 23111 403/658-5483 Gift of Wings 1670 Limeport Pike 804/779-0183 www.kiteguys.ca 1500 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive Coopersburg, PA 18036 www.itsabreez.com 610/707-2957 Milwaukee, WI 53202 414/273-5483 JAPAN [email protected] AGAIN Jackite www.giftofwings.com 3612 West Neck Road Joyfull Tsurumai 1F RHODE ISLAND 3-14-16 Chiyoda Naka Ku Virginia Beach, VA 23456 Gift of Wings Narragansett Flags and Kites Nagoya, Achi 460-0012 877/522-5483 9955 W. Saint Martins Road 909 Boston Neck Road (+81) 52-339-3830 www.jackite.com Franklin, WI 53132 Narragansett, RI 02882 www.agagas.co.jp/again 414/425-8002 401/782-0318 Kitty Hawk Kites www.giftofwings.com www.riflags.com 320 Laskin Road NETHERLANDS Virginia Beach, VA 23451 Bults.Biz_KAP.com Unique Flying Objects SOUTH CAROLINA 757/351-3959 Broek 2a 2022 Washington Street Dyna Kite Corp www.kittyhawk.com Holthees 5824AC 5628A Amboy Avenue Two Rivers, WI 54241 (+31) 478-636707 866/UFO-4FUN N. Charleston, SC 29406 Life’s A Breeze Kites www.KAPshop.com www.uniqueflyingobjects.com 843/744-6410 2715 Fenrother Court [email protected] SCOTLAND Richmond, VA 23228 WYOMING 804/405-4515 Gentles Limited Have Kite Will Fly Kites Fly’n Hi [email protected] 11 Corbiehill Avenue The Rainbow Market 2141 Essex Edinburgh, EH4 5DT 40 N. Market Street Casper, WY 82604 (+44) 131-3365472 WASHINGTON 307/472-0753 Charleston, SC 29401 Above It All Kites [email protected] 843/577-3529 312 Pacific Avenue AUSTRALIA UNITED KINGDOM Long Beach, WA 98631 Kitepower Queensland Kiteworld UK TENNESSEE 360/642-3541 2/10 -22 Hornibrook Esplanade, 6 Cottage Grove Flags and Kites www.aboveitallkites.com 3846 Shores Road Clontarf Clacton-on-Sea Queensland Australia 4019 Essex CO16 8DQ Murfreesboro, TN 37128 Air Sports Unlimited (+61) 7 3284 1186 www.kiteworld.co.uk 615/896-7201 211 Ranchette www.kitepower.com.au www.flagsandkites.com Selah, WA 98942 509/571-3113 www.airsportsunlimited.com

FALL 2017 45 Voices from the Vault Margaret Greger

By Patti Gibbons

A beloved pioneer in the kiting world, author and kitemaker Margaret Greger discovered a talent for writing transparently clear kitemaking instructions that helped generations of newcomers, day flyers, and expert kitemakers alike get their handiwork up and soaring. Born in the 1920s in Nebraska, Margaret saw her first kite at age thirteen, and soon afterward learned to make two-stick kites from brown packing paper and willow poles under the guidance of a boy who moved to their town. “We didn’t know much about what we were doing,” but as Margaret recalled, at the edge of the dust bowl, “we had wind” that kept even imperfect kites aloft. In 1977, Margaret published Blown Sky High, the first of four Bright, with a can-do spirit, Margaret was the valedictorian of instructional kitemaking books. “Self published all the way,” her high school class and studied journalism at the University of Margaret “worked with a small local press to get it into shape.” Nebraska. There, she met George Greger, and the couple married Starting with a modest 500-book print run, the title sold out, in 1947. A few years later, when George got a job on the nuclear and the feedback she received was excellent. “What happens, to Hanford Project, the couple relocated to western Washington my surprise, when you publish a book is that other people who and set down roots, raising seven kids, and championing social have kites in the same genre will write to you and say ‘You might causes and civil rights activities. Margaret was a teacher, writer, like to know about this one.’” Gathering plans and ideas and later volunteered as the librarian for her local chapter of the for other kitemaking projects, Margaret tested and perfected Audubon Society. instructions for new kite styles in her classes. Rather than Kites reentered Margaret’s life when she enrolled her children reprint Blown Sky High, Margaret gathered new instructions in summer camp and went looking for a new craft activity to and published Kites for Everyone. With a non-stop circuit of teach them. The family had recently visited the Seattle World’s testing new ideas in workshops for children, teachers, adults, and Fair and bought a snake kite. “I was so amazed at how it flew,” seasoned kitemakers, Margaret later went on to write More Kites she remembered. Later, at home, Margaret noticed her bamboo for Everyone and Simple Fabric Kites, leaving her mark as the blinds and, in an aha moment, “realized I could make that kite” go-to person for kitemaking instructions. and put up curtains instead. In the end, summertime camp Margaret joined the AKA early on, and corresponded activities kicked off the beginning of her informal kitemaking frequently with influential kiteflyers. As one of the club’s pillars, career and involvement with organized kiteflying. Margaret helped take the frustration out of kitemaking and Teacher and den mother, Margaret’s lessons evolved into ensured that flyers found fun. “I have come to enjoy watching kitemaking workshops—thousands of them, and later Margaret other people fly and make kites, and helping them with their partnered with educators who could teach kitemaking to children kites is almost more fun than flying them myself.” In 1996, in their classrooms. As her workshop classes grew, Margaret American Kite magazine named her their person of the year, and began writing instructions for her students, which also helped the World Kite Museum inducted her into Kiting’s Hall of Fame her build tool and material lists. “These instructions have been in 2002. Sadly, Margaret passed away in 2009, but her books vetted by many, many people who didn’t know anything when remain the definitive source for kitemaking instructions. they started out and were able to succeed.” Class after class, Margaret observed where students got stuck and she polished Voices from the Vault articles are based on interviews recorded for the and refined her instructions to make learning seamless. “After World Kite Museum’s Oral History Project. Want to share your story? a few years of that, I realized I was halfway through a book Please contact the World Kite Museum at [email protected]. of instructions.” 46 KITING Hardwood Spools & Winders

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FALL 2017 47 Tametomo kite by Ronda Brewer and Lindsey Johnson.

FALL 2017 48