PTC Slates April Take-off
From Arnold Palmer Airport
Many of us remember the autobiographical Frank Sinatra anthem, “My Way,” penned by singer/song writer Paul Anka at Sinatra’s request, which in effect, marked the close of Sinatra’s illustrious big band and solo recording career.
On April 25, ARPCA’s Porsche Touring Crew plans to open the driving season “their way” with a drive and dine feast at DeNunzio’s Chop House and Sinatra Bar (www.denunziosrestaurant/latrobe). The “Chairman’s” namesake eatery is a well-known destination throughout Westmoreland County offering great food seasoned with a birds-eye view of the main runway at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport.
Arnold Palmer and his Cessna Citation 10
The airport location is one of three different DeNunzio venues. At the Chop House, Executive Chef Joe Weaver, who was voted the Laurel Highlands’ Restaurant Association’s “2019 Chef of the Year,” offers a wide variety of innovative Italian and seafood entrees. The Chef’s, “My Three Sons” sampler: (Grilled chicken parmesan, cheese ravioli, and fettuccini alfredo) and Seared Diver Scallops are prime lunchtime temptations***, balanced by the restaurant’s famous chopped salad and other health-conscious choices.
The entire DeNunzio appetizer and entrée menu will be available, but if PTC ’s last landing at the Chop House is any indication, several of our “pilots” and “co-pilots” will also be placing pre-flight take-out orders for Mrs. D’s Chocolate or White Bavarian Cake, or De Nunzio’s homemade Almond Torte or Tiramisu.
“Arnie’s Airport” has a storied past, as well. It was conceived back in the 1920’s when a group of men across the road (Rt. 30) – including a handful of WW I pilots — were routinely landing airplanes in a clover field that eventually became the site of St. Vincent College’s Rooney Hall. That first iteration of the airport, called Longview Flying Field, was partially constructed by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a New Deal work relief program that gave millions of young men employment during the Great Depression.
Longview hosted its first flight in 1924, and among other things, became the site of the first scheduled airmail pick-up in the U.S. (May,1939)! The early pick-ups were made by a slow-flying single-engine airplane dragging a sharp hook dangling at the end of a wire cable. As the airplane made a low pass across the field, the hook “grabbed” a heavy canvas mail sack suspended above the ground – a maneuver that eliminated the time and fuel needed for a full-stop landing and takeoff!
As an additional feature, we have invited Mr. Gabe Monzo, Executive Director of the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport to talk about its history, and what it’s like to manage an air facility in the modern era.
The PTC glide path (conversations with new and old friends) for this landing has been dialed-in for between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. in a dedicated parking area at the Arnold Palmer terminal building. with Porschephiles and guests expected to raise their seat backs and lower their tray tables in the dining room just before Noon.
Seating is limited, so register for this luncheon, and all Porsche Touring Crew events at Motorsportreg.com today!
The Porsche Touring Crew is a social program of the Allegheny Region of the Porsche Club of America), and its activities are open to all ARPCA members and their guests. PTC is always open to suggestions and new places to visit and dine. For more information contact Tom Mueller (ermtcm@verizon.net), or Marc Frumkin (frumkin@ptd.net).
*** (With apologies to both Fred McMurray and Lloyd Bridges!)
