[A/S] Jackson Center-Homecoming Festival - senior employee Q & A forum - possibility

["Richard McFarland" <estatewagons@xxxxxxx>]

For those who don't subscribe to the VAL e-list - I thought I'd pass
something on that evolved on the VAL as a result of the report
of one friendly Airstreamers positive visit to Jackson Center.  In their
report they mentioned they'd had a tour guide on the plant tour that had
been employed by Airstream for 46 years.

I wrote back the following:
---------------------------
It would seem to me - great PR for the factory - and a great experience for
vintage trailerites - to be able to spend some quality time with a group of
the senior employees - to hear their stories - and to possibly participate
in a question and answer forum.  It's one thing for a tour guide to talk
about the history of something as one understands it and/or remembers it
(from ones own perspective)...it's another thing to be asked about history
from others (with a variety of perspectives and interests) - who knows what
question "out of left field" might jog the memory "here and there" of one of
the long time Airstream employees...allowing "once forgotten stories and
information" to once again return ...and subsequently be shared (and
filmed).

Something to consider?
-----------------------

Several list members replied to support the concept - and Fred Coldwell
(VAC Historian) suggested I contact Jackson Center - in regards to their
upcoming "Homecoming Festival" in June.

So I did.

In fact - less than two hours after I sent them the e-mail...they phoned me
to
chat about my suggestion.

I found that very positive!

Long story short - I do not know what will evolve of our phone chat - but
the Airstream contact I spoke with thought it would be a good addition to
the upcoming Homecoming Festival in June.

That is all I know for now - the suggestion is only "potential" as of now -
but I thought I'd pass it on - if you are interested in checking up on the
Festival
schedule of events - as it evolves.

If and when I learn more - I will pass it on.

Here is the factory link to the event:

http://www.airstream.com/airstreamer/events/homecoming_2003.html

Traditionally - vintage means 25 years old - but I brought the concept up to
mean a question & answer forum that really included any and all questions
about older Airstreams - whatever the age - it's all about the perspective
on
the owner.

I think it would be great for the senior employees to have a chance to field
questions from over the years.  Who knows what questions might trigger a
long forgotten memory and /or story relating to past construction methods
etc.

Obviously - the more people who participate in a forum - the more questions
potentially asked - and that all would result in more potentially
interesting
answers (and information from the past).

I also think it would be great for the senior employees to be able to
participate
in a forum that celebrated their long careers!

RL