Bell Museum Staff Plans 11th Annual Rotors Over Mentone

August 23, 2020 at 9:47 p.m.

By Jackie [email protected]

MENTONE – The Lawrence D. Bell Aircraft Museum, 210 S. Oak St., Mentone, will hold its 11th annual Rotors Over Mentone  Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Rotors Over Mentone was started to bring attention to the museum, as well as make  money as the museum sells concessions and gift shop items, said Marsha Scott, secretary of the Lawrence D. Bell Aircraft Museum.

This year’s theme is “Celebrating the Rich History of Mentone.”

Scott said Rotors Over Mentone is highlighting the cement block building that originally held the Bell Aircraft Museum. Once the aircraft museum outgrew it, the museum was moved into the larger room or building it currently is in. The original building/room is now filled with items strictly from Mentone’s history and is referred to as the Mentone Room.

“Just last year, we decided to rename (the Mentone Room) to the Mentone Historical Museum,” Scott said. “We are going to be highlighting that area this year, rather than so much the  helicopters, although they’re a part of it - them and the veterans. But we haven’t really much to say ‘Hey, we’re going to try to expand this, but we need money.’”

Rotors Over Mentone hasn’t always had a theme, but has highlighted the Huey helicopter. One year, Rotors Over Mentone celebrated female veterans and another year, they celebrated the 47 helicopters.

“We need to start highlighting what we’re doing,” Scott said of why this year’s theme was chosen.

The program starts at 11 a.m., and R.J. Hill will be talking about the history of Mentone. Hill is a longtime Mentone resident and was on the museum board at one time.

This year’s event will still have the helicopters the event is famous for.

Scott said she thinks Rotors Over Mentone ended up with 10 helicopters participating in the event last year. She doesn’t know how many will be there this year.

“They don’t sign up, they just show up. Usually like Samaritan and Lutheran Air show up. They don’t always get to stay because they get calls, but they show up,” Scott said. “So we just never know.”

The helicopters will be in the grassy area around the church next to the museum. They will be on display and people can go up and talk to the pilots if they want.

“If there’s overflow, we’ll find room for them,” she said. However, she did say it’s getting harder and harder to find helicopter pilots.

Cleveland Helicopters will  be continuing to give rides this year as far as Scott knows. American Huey 369, Peru, will also be at Rotors Over Mentone and will give membership rides that cost $100.

Scott said she hopes people leave the event with more knowledge of the museum, Mentone and helicopters.



MENTONE – The Lawrence D. Bell Aircraft Museum, 210 S. Oak St., Mentone, will hold its 11th annual Rotors Over Mentone  Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Rotors Over Mentone was started to bring attention to the museum, as well as make  money as the museum sells concessions and gift shop items, said Marsha Scott, secretary of the Lawrence D. Bell Aircraft Museum.

This year’s theme is “Celebrating the Rich History of Mentone.”

Scott said Rotors Over Mentone is highlighting the cement block building that originally held the Bell Aircraft Museum. Once the aircraft museum outgrew it, the museum was moved into the larger room or building it currently is in. The original building/room is now filled with items strictly from Mentone’s history and is referred to as the Mentone Room.

“Just last year, we decided to rename (the Mentone Room) to the Mentone Historical Museum,” Scott said. “We are going to be highlighting that area this year, rather than so much the  helicopters, although they’re a part of it - them and the veterans. But we haven’t really much to say ‘Hey, we’re going to try to expand this, but we need money.’”

Rotors Over Mentone hasn’t always had a theme, but has highlighted the Huey helicopter. One year, Rotors Over Mentone celebrated female veterans and another year, they celebrated the 47 helicopters.

“We need to start highlighting what we’re doing,” Scott said of why this year’s theme was chosen.

The program starts at 11 a.m., and R.J. Hill will be talking about the history of Mentone. Hill is a longtime Mentone resident and was on the museum board at one time.

This year’s event will still have the helicopters the event is famous for.

Scott said she thinks Rotors Over Mentone ended up with 10 helicopters participating in the event last year. She doesn’t know how many will be there this year.

“They don’t sign up, they just show up. Usually like Samaritan and Lutheran Air show up. They don’t always get to stay because they get calls, but they show up,” Scott said. “So we just never know.”

The helicopters will be in the grassy area around the church next to the museum. They will be on display and people can go up and talk to the pilots if they want.

“If there’s overflow, we’ll find room for them,” she said. However, she did say it’s getting harder and harder to find helicopter pilots.

Cleveland Helicopters will  be continuing to give rides this year as far as Scott knows. American Huey 369, Peru, will also be at Rotors Over Mentone and will give membership rides that cost $100.

Scott said she hopes people leave the event with more knowledge of the museum, Mentone and helicopters.



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