City Honors Spruce Creek Flyers At Umatilla Airport

    The skies around Umatilla were buzzing Saturday morning, when dozens of flights took to the air during a special day at the Umatilla Municipal Airport. The Experimental Aircraft Association welcomed an estimated 100 children for flights as part of its Young Eagles ‘get young people interested in aviation’ program, and pilots from the Spruce Creek fly-in community brought 15 planes over in that community’s largest ‘visit Umatilla’ day yet.
   The event brought a large crowd of participants, their parents, and general aviation enthusiasts to the airport, making for a busy morning at Umatilla’s community airstrip.
   The special occasion was marked by both the City of Umatilla and the Umatilla Chamber of Commerce. The chamber welcomed the public with complimentary Florida’s Natural orange juice, and the city honored the Spruce Creek contingent with a special proclamation recognizing that community’s regular appearance in Umatilla, which often includes mini-air shows that include flyovers and the emission of special smoke.
   Umatilla Mayor Kent Adcock read the proclamation, and was joined by council members Kaye Adams and John Nichols. In return, the Spruce Creek leadership awarded the city a copy of the group’s special 2022 calendar.
   The city proclamation read as follows:
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Umatilla wishes to recognize The Aviators at Spruce Creek; and
WHEREAS, the Aviators at Spruce Creek carry with them a vast amount of history in the world of aviation; and
WHEREAS, the Aviators at Spruce Creek continue to support the City of Umatilla Municipal Airport by flying in on a regular basis; and
WHEREAS, specifically, the Aviators at Spruce Creek have made it a point on several occasions to fly into the Umatilla Municipal Airport when Umatilla is hosting the Young Eagles Day; and
WHEREAS, when the Aviators at Spruce Creek fly into Umatilla, they are setting a positive example for, as well as encouraging enthusiasm about general aviation in local residents and the youth. The City of Umatilla also works hard to foster interest in aviation through the provision of a flight simulator and by hosting Young Eagle events where youth are given the opportunity to fly in locally owned and operated aircraft.
WHEREAS, the Aviators at Spruce Creek, through their contributions to promote general aviation and encourage youth members of the Young Eagles, have made it a point to patronize the businesses of Umatilla, including the municipal airport.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Kent Adcock, Mayor of the City of Umatilla, do hereby extend a warm welcome and heartfelt appreciation to the Aviators who fly into Umatilla from Spruce Creek. You are always welcome to visit and fly in to the Umatilla Municipal Airport, as we are fortunate to have you all bring your history and your support to the City of Umatilla.