Attractions
Their Eyes Were On the Stars: The WASP of World War II
By Shannon Gillette
“We live in the wind and the sand…and our eyes are on the stars,” was the motto of the fearless women pilots of World War II. Eventually known as WASPs, these ladies of the skies made their place in history when the United States needed them the most. Once the war was over, they slipped back into their normal roles as daughters, wives and mothers. It took over thirty years for them to gain the recognition they deserved for their participation. Thankfully, their stories are kept alive at the Official WASP Archive for the Women Airforce Service Pilots, located at the Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas.
The WASPs were the outcome of joining two separate programs, the WAFS and the WFTD. The WAFS, Women’s Auxiliary Flying Squadron, was headed up by Nancy Harkness Love. The WFTD, the Women’s Flying Training Division was under the direction of Jacqueline Cochran. Both Love and Cochran were very experienced and well-known pilots. Both saw a need for women pilots to do such tasks as ferry planes to and from bases in order to free up the male pilots needed for combat duty. In 1942, these two programs merged into the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots or WASP under the direction of General Hap Arnold. Cochran was named the director and Love was appointed as the WASP executive with the ATC Ferrying Division.
In order to be considered for the WAFS, pilots had to have at least 500 logged pilot hours. The thought process was that the first group needed to be the most qualified so that the program would get off to a good start while giving time to train less experienced pilots. By the time the WASP program became official, qualifications to apply to the program included that the women be between 22 and 35 years of age. The age minimum was lowered to 18 ½ in the latter part of 1943.
To read more pick up a copy of the December 2016 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.
On The Road With Dave Alexander
Rarely will you find an event center that includes a music venue, a steakhouse and a wildlife refuge all rolled into one.
Oak Meadow Ranch has been welcoming guests for over two decades with one thing in mind, your complete happy experience.
The Chef Dinner and Exotic Animal Experience includes a four-course meal followed by a hands-on experience with exotic animals.
You can catch up with Dave at the Birthplace of Western Swing Festival in Fort Worth, Texas on November 7, or at the Irving Symphony Orchestra in Irving, Texas on November 9. To read more about his experience at Oak Meadow Ranch, pick up a copy of the October edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print.
To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Lindsey Monk
On Aug. 22, 2024 at 11:40 p.m., the Remington fire jumped the line in Wyoming to burn towards Montana at a high rate of speed. The fire burned 194,459 acres and over 41 miles from one end to the other in a span of two days. Livestock producers will be feeling the effects for years to come.
Pick up a copy of the October edition of North Texas Farm & Ranch magazine, available digitally and in print. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
By: Hannah Claxton | Editor
The GO TEXAN program is a Texas Department of Agriculture initiative dedicated to showcasing and supporting Texas based busi- nesses. During the State Fair of Texas, held in Dallas each year, the program puts together the GO TEXAN pavilion. Within the pavilion, presented by Southwest Dairy Farmers, visitors have the opportunity to sample and shop Texas-based products, learn more about agriculture and participate in family-friendly activities.
In 2023, more than $1 million in revenue was generated across nearly 67,000 products sold. Businesses with products produced or processed in Texas are invited to apply to join the program, and can visit http:// www.gotexan.org/JOIN to apply.
When visiting the State Fair of Texas, make sure to visit the GO TEXAN pavilion to support businesses driving agricultural commerce and explore Texas agricultural commodities outside of North Texas.
The State Fair of Texas is held each year in the fall, and is considered to be the first of the “majors” shows for many students involved in showing livestock. Cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, and even llamas all have a class to enter at the fair.
For those not showing livestock, over a hundred creative arts classes are available to enter. Canned goods, photography, quilts, paintings, and butter sculptures are all displayed throughout the fair’s duration. Another contest judges a variety of antique collections and keeps them on display throughout the duration of the fair.
It’s not the State Fair of Texas without world-renowned food. The Big Tex Choice Awards contest has solidified the State Fair of Texas as the top Fair for great food creations. Each year, State Fair concessionaires fry up tasty and unique foods for a chance to become a finalist in the annual Big Tex Choice Awards competition.
The 2024 Finalists in the Savory category are: Dominican Fritura Dog (by Justin Martinez), The Drowning Taquitos (by Tony & Terry Bednar), Hippie Chips (by Rose and Tom Deschenes), Hot Chick-In- Pancake Poppers (by Palmer and Amanda Fortune), Texas Fried Burnt End Bombs (by Nick and Vera Burt).
In the Sweet category, the 2024 Finalists are: Nevins Nutty Bar- Laska (by Tami Nevins Mayes & Josie Mayes), Rousso’s Cotton Candy Bacon On A Stick (by Isaac Rousso), Strawberry Pop-Tarts Beignettfle (by Justin Martinez), Texas Sugar Rush Pickles (by Heather Perkins), and Tropical Two-Step Punch (by Binh Tran).
Livestock & contests schedule of events is available in the September issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.
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