VOLUNTEERS PREPARE LAKEWOOD LODGE FOR FLYING SEASON

A group of 27 volunteers organized by RAF Director Jeff Russell gathered at Gillette’s Lakewood Lodge, 14WS near the hamlet of Stone Lake, Wisconsin to prepare the airfield and property for summer flying and recreating. Russell reports that this annual spring work party was a great success in spite of challenging weather. “Regular Lakewood volunteers, Jeff and Patty Plantz and Ted Davis flew in on Wednesday ahead of the high winds. They were the only two planes at the event. But the weather didn’t deter other RAF volunteers from showing up on four wheels,” Russell said.

Over four days they completed a long list of projects suggested by hosts Bob and Judy Gillette. The group installed a new water heater in the hangar, converted light fixtures to LED, felled and bucked dead trees for firewood, mowed the runway and property, filled potholes and the waterline trench, removed stumps and did other brushing and clean up tasks. Judy’s special tipi was erected for the season, and RAF Supporters John and Vicky Van Eendenburg from Bloomington, MN stayed in it Saturday night.

“The John Deere tractor donated by former RAF Director Peter Burwell was in constant use all weekend. It was absolutely invaluable, as was the Polaris side-by-side,” Russell said.

The RAF sends a huge thanks to all the RAF volunteers who helped. “A special thanks goes to Bob and Judy’s nephew, Max Peterson and his friends, Aiden and Ferdy, who cooked for us all weekend long. The food was absolutely fantastic,” Russell added. If you’re interested in helping out at the next Gillette’s work party, contact Amanda, acarbonari@theraf.org.

Submitted on May 28, 2025.