Community Corner

Local Aviation Expert Recognized for Longtime Civic Involvement

Patch profiles George Mitchell, the recipient of Bayport Civic Association's first-ever Civic Pride Award.

George Mitchell’s longtime connection to the hamlet of Bayport through his involvement with the creation of the Bayport Aerodrome Society and other community-related endeavors led (BCA) to present Mitchell with their first ever Civic Pride Award.

The will be presented annually to the individual who has made an outstanding contribution to any aspect of Bayport that fulfills the Civic Association’s Mission Statement, which is to unite the residents of Bayport in order to maintain and improve the quality of life of its citizens; to promote and preserve the rich, historic and unique character of our hamlet; and to undertake projects for the general welfare of the people of our community.

Those familiar with the impetus behind the creation of the BCA in 2003 may be aware that the preservation of the Bayport Aerodrome was and still is the association’s number one agenda item, according to civic president Bob Draffin.

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With Mitchell’s activism in relation to the civic’s original mission, and involvement with all things Bayport, it is only appropriate that this standout citizen received this special recognition from the community organization, Draffin said.

“No one is more deserving of the BCA’s first Annual Civic Pride Award than our very own George Mitchell,” Draffin said.

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To understand the scope of Mitchell’s involvement in preserving the Aerodrome, we have to go back to 1960, when Mitchell sold his wife, Re, on a beautiful little town called Bayport. Though she thought Bayport was a nice place, she didn't quite understand George’s insistence on living there. However, she shortly learned her husband’s little secret, that Bayport had its own Airport.

When word spread that the Edwards family (who owned the Aerodrome property) wished to sell the airport, and developers were interested in the property, Mitchell and his fellow pilots sprung into action, forming the Bayport Aerodrome Society in the mid-1970s, with the help of project leader John Rae.

The group mission was to preserve and present early-20th century aviation at a representative turf airport, in an effort to save this jewel. By 1977, the Aerodrome Society succeeded in persuading the Town of Islip to buy the airport and keep it in its existing form.

The fight did not end there though, as rumors that the Aerodrome might be sold started up again in 2003. Draffin and his neighbors began to meet to discuss ways to once again save the Aerodrome, and the group reached out to Mitchell for help.

By the time the BCA first meeting at the in 2003, Mitchell had enlisted several Aerodrome pilots (who would become longstanding members of the BCA) to attend and lend their support. 

Fortunately, the newly-formed BCA was victorious in saving the Aerodrome, and have since added another layer of protection by gaining National Registry of Historic Places status in 2008. 

“The hope is that we’ll always have this Crown Jewel to cherish, but that is due in no small part to the efforts of George Mitchell,” Draffin said.

For Mitchell, the Aerodrome is a pillar of community and aviation history as well as an educational facility for the younger generation.

"I feel that the airport is an invaluable piece of real estate; it's been here since before before World War II," Mitchell said. "It's important that the youngsters in the area have an advantage to see flight, and to avail themselves the opportunity to come down and learn more about aviation."

His role in preserving the Aerodrome and involvement with the BCA since its infancy (he also helped the civic find a home at the Bayport United Methodist Church after they had been wandering from place to place trying to hold their meetings) isn’t all the community should commend him for, as he continues to be one of the most active members of the BCA and provides updates on Aerodrome news at nearly every meeting.

Draffin said Mitchell is always the first to arrive to help set up for the BCA meetings, and is the last one to leave and turn off the lights. 

Mitchell is modest when discussing his efforts to enhance and preserve the community, and said he wasn't expecting to be named the 2011 recipient of the BCA Civic Pride Award. 

"I feel other people have done more than I have," he said. "I really was surprised, but pleasantly so.”


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