Santa Brings Custom Chapter Calendars and Chapter Patches to EAA 1041

By: Henry Hartman, EAA 278710, president of Chapter 1041, and John Egan, EAA 336835, senior chapters manager    

Every December, EAA Chapter 1041 — “The Gettysburg Barnstormers,” located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania — hosts a Christmas party. As is the case with many EAA chapters and squadrons, an end-of-year event is a celebration to thank the many volunteers who make the chapter the local focal point for recreational aviation. 

Highlights every year include the surprise gifts that “Stormer Claus” brings and hands out to attending chapter members and guests. Each season, Stormer Claus identifies a creative item that is both aviation-related and can be customized with the Gettysburg Chapter 1041 name and logo. This year, the jolly person from the North Pole decided to employ the printing elves to make custom chapter calendars. The colorful 13-month calendar contains a full page identifying chapter and significant aviation-related event dates on the lower half and a collage of chapter activity photos on the upper page.  

The calendar portion has monthly chapter meeting dates and locations, IMC/VMC dates, fly-outs, movie nights, and, of course, the chapter’s twice-a-year fly-in/drive-in pancake breakfasts. “We hope having these calendars in the hands of each member will help to increase attendance at our already well-attended gatherings and events,” said EAA Chapter 1041 president Henry Hartman.

“Stormer Claus is actually one of our members, Jack Hoke, who portrays Santa on a professional level,” Henry said. “I can tell you our members had a real surprise when he showed up and entertained the group! He wore a flying cap or helmet, and his sleigh had to dodge a presidential TFR to get to the party on that same Tuesday evening. But he made it and pleased everyone with gifts of the chapter calendar wrapped in holiday paper, as well as Oh Henry! candy bars for all. We had every member and guest get their photo with Stormer Claus, and everyone had a great time.”

An annual party is a great time to not only enjoy the holiday season, but also to thank the many chapter members who contribute their time and resources throughout the year. It’s a terrific opportunity to recognize the chapter and squadron members using the chapter service award pins and certificate program offered by EAA.

Chapter 1041 also created chapter patches for its members to add to their favorite aviation gear. Using EAA’s free chapter logo offering, Chapter 1041 now has beautifully embroidered chapter patches. 

New or existing chapters can adopt a design if they haven’t yet created a logo or patch. Chapters can select one of three designs, and EAA will provide the customized logo art work with the chapter number and location. To learn more about custom EAA chapter logo opportunities, please visit eaa.org/chapterlogos. Once your chapter has the artwork and digital files provided by EAA, you can then use a local embroidery or custom clothing shop to have them fabricated.  

On behalf of each and every Gettysburg Barnstormer, have a happy new year!