SEASONAL WORK COMPLETED AT LAKEWOOD LODGE; UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

A group of people are working on a bridge in front of a house.

Nearly 40 volunteers pitched in for what RAF Director Jeff Russell called, “A very successful RAF work party,” in early June at Gillette’s Lakewood Lodge, 14WS in northern Wisconsin. “One small measure of this success was the turnout of so many volunteers willing to roll up their sleeves and dig in to help. Attendance was more than triple that of the 2023 spring work party,” Russell added. In typical fashion, the Gillettes helped with all the projects, and they and their extended family served delicious meals to all the volunteers.

Among other tasks, Florida State Liaison Bobby Capozzi and Florida Ambassador Joe DeLeon led a group of volunteers to erect an 18-ft canvas tipi that Judy had acquired. To celebrate the accomplishment, Capozzi and DeLeon slept in the tipi the next two nights. Gillettes have made the tipi available for visiting aviators to use.

The group repaired the hangar roof, felled a large dead oak, installed the pier and swim raft for the season, and stained the porch on the house. The RAF thanks volunteer Jim Baker for bringing a skid loader and grading the gravel driveways.

Gillette’s Lakewood Lodge airfield features camping, canoeing, cycling, swimming, and fishing – accessible from its 2,137-ft turf runway. Bob and Judy are passionate about aviation, after respective careers in the industry. The RAF is so thankful to share the ownership of Gillette’s Lakewood Lodge and look forward to many years of work parties and celebrations with Bob and Judy.

“We are so fortunate to enjoy the friendship of Bob and Judy and to share their passion for preserving a treasure like Lakewood Lodge! What an amazing paradise they have created,” said RAF Chairman Bill McGlynn.

“A huge thanks to all the volunteers that came to help, to Bob and Judy for their wonderful hospitality, to their nieces, Becky and Karen, and to Max, for keeping us so well nourished. What a special treat that was,” Russell concluded.

Gillettes kindly request that you contact them at 715-865-2902 prior to landing, and leave a message if no one answers. For more information, see the Airfield Guide.

Gillettes wish to remind all of their annual gathering of local EAA chapter 631 and RAF friends to be announced this coming fall. It typically begins on Thursday, with a fish fry on Friday eve, picnic on Saturday, and Sunday morning’s hearty “everything scramble”. The spring work party will also be announced, so watch for a call for volunteers likely in late May or early June, 2025.

Submitted on July 12, 2024
by Carmine Mowbray

Posted in News

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Michigan RAF volunteers had a very successful work party at Hanley Field (5Y7) in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula the October 10-11 weekend. Led by Michigan Ambassador Ryan Minnick, the crew, including Michigan Liaison Tanmoy Ganguly, cut and stacked firewood, repaired the sink and water heater, and relocated the airport sign along the road for better visibility. “We had a great weekend and got a good amount of work done. It was great connecting with supporters from the area,” Minnick said. “The assistant airport manager was there and was very happy with the results that came out of the work party.” Fourteen remained to camp Saturday night. Find more about Hanley Field in the Airfield Guide . Submitted October 21, 2026