![]() ![]() ![]() Thirty years is a long time for a person to be missing, but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth finding. Beyond the Fitchburg Art Museum, Beck’s vision includes a rebirth in the arts for all of Fitchburg. Art doesn’t have to be elitist, it doesn’t have to be inaccessible, it simply has to tell a story, and the museum’s collection does that, Beck said. That means showing those who are unfamiliar with the vast exhibits - with works ranging from prehistoric to modern, from global to local - behind the museum’s walls. An artist, educator and creator of Lowell’s Revolving Museum, Beck was hired to engage the community in the museum in downtown Fitchburg. In his generosity, Mohamed embodies the true spirit of a community businessman - one who gives back with love, hard work and spirit.Īrt should be for everybody, says Beck, who was named the marketing director for the Fitchburg Art Museum in June. The 2011 Feed Our Community Day served more than 1,000 people. Local officials volunteered their time to serve the free Italian lunch to their guests, who were treated not as charity cases but as VIPs. So for 20 years, Mohamed has been returning the favor, opening his doors and serving a special meal before Christmas to the area’s homeless, elderly and disabled communities. When Mohamed - who owns the Il Forno restaurant on Airport Road in Fitchburg - started his business, the community welcomed him with open arms. Here are the 25 most fascinating people and groups in North Central Massachusetts, as selected by the staff of the Sentinel & Enterprise: ![]() Some of the people whose stories captivated us in 2011 may never be household names, but they stuck with us. They searched for the missing, helped others find faith, soared into the sky and came back from their darkest days. They restored great machines to their old glory and restored pride in their communities. “The 16th birthday was the big one,” he said.įollow Jack Minch at /jackminch.They fed the hungry, fought to save lives, reached seemingly impossible goals. Vinal must log more solo flight time, including some cross-country flights and some night flights before earning his license, Coolidge said. “This is like the first big step,” Coolidge said. Vinal must be 17 years old before he can get his pilot’s license. He hopes to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with plans to be an air-traffic controller. It’s not something everybody my age is doing, and I’ve never been a jock, so it’s something I can identify with,” he said after landing. The youngest Vinal fell in love with flying the very first time he took off. ![]() Vinal’s grandfather is a pilot and his father is an aerial photographer. “It doesn’t matter who it is, but they always remember their first solo,” he said. Valera was concerned about the wind but happy to see Vinal make his solo. The program offers introductory flights in helicopters and airplanes to children 8 to 17 years old to stir interest in flying, Valera said. Vinal got his introduction to flying about three years ago as part of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program, sponsored by the Fitchburg Pilots Association. Those landings looked textbook,” he said. “It’s just a long life of worrying now.”Ĭoolidge congratulated the young pilot when the plane stopped. “I feel really happy for him,” Kristy Vinal said from the edge of the runway. Vinal made his final landing of the day in a strong, cold wind at 11:03 a.m.Īs he drove past the airport tower, about a dozen family members did the wave, normally reserved for sporting events. He had to take off, land and come to a complete stop three times as part of his solo flight exam. Vinal, wearing a Cheshire grin, dropped off Coolidge and taxied back to the runway in the 110-horespower two-seater. The wind was blowing hard during the first three laps and there was concern among a small crowd of pilots who gathered to watch whether Coolidge would let Vinal fly solo.Ĭoolidge was aware of the wind and said he watched Vinal on the three laps, looking for any reason not to let the young pilot make his solo flight. The flight plan called for three laps around the airport at 1,000 feet with Coolidge in the passenger seat and then three solo flights around the field. Vinal passed the exam and arrived at the airport’s FCA Flight Center, where instructor Peter Coolidge was waiting at about 9:50 a.m.Ĭlouds were not a problem but the wind was picking up, with gusts forecast to 27 knots, a lot to handle for a new flyer, said Charley Valera, owner of FCA. ![]()
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