December 8, 2007
Cole Palen passed away on this date 14 years ago.
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November 22, 2007 - Thanksgiving Day
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.
1 Chronicles 16:34
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November 14, 2007
One Year Online!
Cole Palen.com was launched one year ago today. I'd like to thank everyone for their support of this website through
content donations, word of mouth and guestbook entries. It's this support that has brought over 7,400 visitors to
CP.com so far. I know that if Rita were still with us, that would bring a big smile to her face.
I would also like to ask visitors who may have photos, videos, or any other materials related to Cole to consider
sharing them through this site. Additional information can be obtained by sending us an email:
donations@colepalen.com. Thanks for a great year!
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November 6, 2007
News
We at Cole Palen.com mourn the loss of Larry Potter:
Lawrence J. Potter Jr.
MUITZESKILL - Lawrence J. Potter Jr., 79, an aviator and master woodworker who followed a lifelong passion for
aviation, died peacefully at his home in Muitzeskill, attended by family on October 20, 2007.
Born February 19, 1928, in Cortland to Lawrence Jennison Potter Sr. and F. Catherine Elz, his love of aircraft started
early, reading about aircraft and pilots. As an Air Scout, he volunteered for the Civil Air Patrol during World War II.
He was a member of the Cortland Thermal Chasers, an accomplished model builder and mechanic who broke many
national records for model airplane flights during the 1940s and '50s. In the same years, he operated a model shop,
assisting local youth in crafting and flying model airplanes.
After graduation from Cortland High School in 1947 and from Morrisville Technical School with a certificate in aircraft
instruments in 1952, he became his father's partner in 1953 at W.G. Potter & Son Hides, Skins and Furs, founded by
his grandfather in 1895.
He married Ruth I. Messick of South Schodack in 1954 at Emmanuel Reformed Church in Castleton-on-Hudson.They
raised three children at 10 Harrison St. in Cortland, spending summers at the great camp he built on Owasco Lake.
His passion for the outdoors, combined with woodworking, led him to build motor and sail boats and a hand-hewn
cabin in Lincklaen. He also enjoyed water skiing, downhill skiing, (a member of ski patrols at Snow Crest, Song
Mountain and Greek Peak), hiking, hunting and fishing.
Larry was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Cortland, the Dutch Reformed Church of Schodack
and a 40-year Mason, serving as master several times. He maintained membership in the Academy of Model
Aeronautics, and took up model building again when his son became interested. Both were members of the Cortland
Aero-Modeling Society Show Team.
In 1985, he closed the family business and briefly worked for Kohlberger Aircraft at Cortland County Airport. At age
57, he returned to school and graduated from Riverside School of Aeronautics in 1987.
Larry and Ruth had relocated to Schodack Landing and Larry commenced working for Command Airways, American
Eagle for eight years.
After moving to Schodack Landing, Larry became friends with Cole Palen, the founder of Old Rhinebeck Aerodome.
He enjoyed participating in weekend air shows, as well as restoring and pioneering vintage World War I aircraft, still
on display at Old Rhinebeck Aerodome today. After retiring from American Eagle, Larry began full time restoration of
antique aircraft at his home workshops - an activity which continued to the end of his life.
In 1997, he purchased a vintage 1946 Aeronca Champ in which he obtained his pilot's license in 1998. Thereafter,
his greatest pleasure was flying "the Champ."
He is survived by his wife, daughters Elizabeth Croft (Timothy) of Schodack Landing, Jacqueline Tucker (James) of
Stillwater, OK; son Charles Potter (Lynn) of Clover, SC; four grandchildren; a step-sister, Carol B. Sasse of
Wappingers Falls; two brothers-in-law; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and
stepmother Helen M. Potter and grandson Adam Tucker.
On October 27, family and friends joined in a memorial service at Kline Kill Airport in Ghent, conducted by John
Barker and Lynn Potter, which celebrated a life lived in humble pursuit of a dream.
To perpetuate Larry's passion, the family and friends have initiated a scholarship fund to assist students interested in
restoration and preservation of vintage aircraft at the Owls Head Transportation Museum in Owls Head, ME.
Contributions may be made to the L.J. Potter Vintage Aeronautical Fund c/o Kinderhook National Union Bank, 2967
Route 9, Valatie, NY 12184 Attn: Laurae B. Hoffman 518-758-4030.
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October 8, 2007
Update
The beginnings of two new aircraft albums are now online! One features five photos of Cole's F.E.8, the nacelle of
which is now on display at the National Air & Space Museum.The other contains photos of Sopwith Camels built by
Cole, Nat de Flavia and Dick Day. Also, be sure to visit our articles page and check out a 1971 article from Boy's
Life magazine entitled "Those Fantastic Planes of World War I".
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September 29, 2007
News
Goodbye summer! Sorry for the delay in getting updates posted here. Although work continues on the new, more
efficient version of Cole Palen.com, progress has slowed due to time constraints. With this in mind, I thought I would
take on the smaller task of moving old (previously posted) and new aircraft photos onto the site. I'll be starting online
albums for the two Sopwith Camels which have flown at ORA over the years, Cole's F.E.8, and possibly some others
as well. Look for them to be online soon!
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August 23, 2007
News
We at Cole Palen.com mourn the loss of Judy Ulfik and Charles Gablehouse...
From Tom Polapink:
Hi all,
I'm very sorry to report that Judy Ulfik (a.k.a Judy Meyers), The Aerodrome's first "Trudy Truelove" passed away
earlier today. Many visitors to the Aerodrome from the early days may recall seeing her sailing down the runway in a
yellow and black, tethered hot-air balloon, being tied to a barrel while planes overhead dropped live bombs, and of
course doing everything she possibly could do to keep from being kissed by the original Evil Black Baron...Cole Palen
himself.
My condolences go out to her two sons, Nick and Sean, and her daughter, Sarah and all of her relatives and friends.
Sarah eventually ended up playing Trudy in the shows at Rhinebeck for a few years and I know that Judy was very
happy to see that happen. Nick also was a great help at the Aerodrome in the shows and behind the scenes helping
in the museum.
Judy had a big heart and she always had a smile on her face and good things to say. She was a big ham in the early
days at the Aerodrome, doing a fine job acting in silent, old-time films directed by Cole that used the aircraft and
vehicles from his collection as props. She was a beautiful lady, and she'll be missed.
Click Here for full Obituary
Obituary for Charles Gablehouse from the Poughkeepsie Journal:
Charles J. Gablehouse
COXSACKIE - Charles J. Gablehouse, age 79 years, of Route 385, Coxsackie, died Aug. 5, 2007 at his residence. He
was born in the Bronx, NY, April 16, 1928 and was the son of the late Charles and Elizabeth Giebelhaus. Funeral
services will take place Saturday, 10:00 am at the W.C. Brady's Sons, Inc. Funeral Home, 97 Mansion Street,
Coxsackie with Rev. Robert Granger, Pastor of The First United Methodist Church of Coxsackie officiating. Interment
will follow in the family plot of The Riverside Cemetery. He has been an area resident for the last 20 years, was very
involved in aviation, and also with the Rhinebeck Aerodrome. He wrote and did many articles in many local
newspapers. He participated in many aircraft meetings. He was an animal lover and loved the outdoors. He was also
interested in submarines. He was a member of the Hose Co. # 3 of Coxsackie, a volunteer member for The Greene
County Council on the Arts, and was also a sergeant in The US Army during the Korean Conflict. He is survived by a
daughter, Mrs. Anthony (Stephanie) Gaeta of Clifton, NJ and two nieces. In addition to his parents, he was
predeceased by his wife, Margaret Eve in 1992. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend calling hours at
the W.C. Brady's Sons, Inc. Funeral Home, 97 Mansion Street, Coxsackie, on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm.
Contributions in his memory may be made to And, 721 Warren Street, Hudson, NY 12534.
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July 19, 2007
Update
A new article by Don Bodeen entitled "Going to the Movies with Cole" is now online in our memories/reflections area.
Cole added a unique touch to everything he did, always creating special memories in the process. In his new article
Don Bodeen shares what a typical trip to the Juliet Theater with Cole was like.