The B-29 “Doc” is slowly inching its way to flight.
The restoration began in 2007 when the aircraft returned to its birthplace in Wichita, Kansas, for a complete restoration. The aircraft sat at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in Ridgecrest, California, before being selected from about 30 airframes to be rebuilt and restored.
The restoration has been done with a dedicated team of volunteers and the hope is that “Doc” will fly at EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this year. “Doc” was rolled out of the hangar at McConnell Air Base in Wichita on March 23, 70 years to the day that it originally was delivered to the Army Air Forces.
I have been watching the restoration of this war bird since it began the journey back to an airworthy airplane. I have seen B-29 aircraft on the ground only in static displays and am hoping to see it flying later this year. The dedicated volunteers from all over the country have taken great time and care to breathe life back into this war bird.

Spaghetti dinner 
helps cadets
Civil Air Patrol Squadron 252 of Painesville will host a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. April 11 at American Legion Post 336, 60 Chester St. in Painesville.
Cost is $6 per dinner and includes homemade spaghetti sauce, and meatballs, salad, bread and a dessert. Dine in or take out.
For details, call the post at 440-357-7711.

Blessing of the Bikes at Willowick Post
American Legion Post 678, 570 E. 328th St. in Willowick, will host the second annual Blessing of the Bikes April 12. The parking lot will open at 10 a.m., with the blessing at noon.

Fundraiser benefits 
6-year-old
American Legion Family of Post 214, 4304 Center St. in Willoughby, will host a fundraiser beginning at 3 p.m. April 18 at the post home.
Proceeds will benefit 6-year-old Kallie Kramp, who has been diagnosed with neuroblastoma. Dinner tickets are $10.
A basket of cheer and an iPad mini with a keyboard case will be raffled off. Tickets are $5 each for the raffle. DJ Trenda will entertain from 7 to 11 p.m. Donations are being gratefully accepted.
Call 440-942-7762 after 3 p.m. for more information.

Wickliffe post hosts 
polka party
American Legion Post 7, 29919 Euclid Ave. in Wickliffe, will host a polka dance beginning at 6:30 p.m. April 18.
Tickets are $25 per person and include beer, wine and ethnic foods. Patty C and the Guys will entertain.
For more information or tickets, call the post home at 440-585-4191.

Last-chance pancake breakfast benefits vets
American Legion, Geauga County Council will host a last-chance pancake breakfast benefit for Geauga County veterans in need. The benefit will be 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., April 19 at the Burton American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin Ave. in Burton.

Pancake and sausage breakfast in Burton
Burton-Middlefield American Legion Post 459, 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton, will host a pancake and sausage breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 12 at the post home.
Adult breakfast is $9 and the child’s portion for ages 12 and younger is $5.
For more information, call 440-635-0223.

Catholic War Veterans host membership drive
The Catholic War Veterans of Lake, John Paul II Post 1959, will host a membership poppy drive at Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Wickliffe on April 18 and 19 at all Masses.
The members also will be selling tickets for the Super Raffle that will be Oct. 24 at the Patrician Party Center in Eastlake during the Annual Reverse Raffle.
 Grand prize will be $5,000.
Tickets can be purchased from any CWV member. For more information, call Bill Varga at 440-352-2315.

Deepwood Run begins 
at Gunny’s Hall
The Deepwood Run will be 9 a.m. April 19 at Gunny’s Hall, 8720 Twinbrook Road in Mentor.
The run is $15 per person and will feature a breakfast buffet with bloody marys, a Chinese auction and raffles. Event proceeds will help enhance the quality of life of people with developmental disabilities.
Tickets may be purchased online at thedeepwoodrun.org or by calling 440-350-5209.

Fundraiser helps 
Boulevard of Flags
Boulevard of Flags will host its annual fundraiser from 6 to 11 p.m. April 24 at the Patrician Party Center, 33150 Lakeland Blvd. in Eastlake.
Tickets are $35 and include a sit-down dinner with open bar. Proceeds will benefit the Boulevard of Flags at 35150 Lake Shore Blvd. in Eastlake.
To purchase tickets, call Joe Strand at 440-942-9344 or Lois Sbrocco at 440-946-3439.

13th annual Rally
for the Troops
The 13th annual Rally for the Troops will take place at 11 a.m. April 26 at the Greater Cleveland Veterans Memorial, between St. Clair and Rockwell avenues, west of East 6th Street in Cleveland.
This year, the location has been changed because of the ongoing construction at Public Square.
The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. with Monica Robbins of WKYC-TV Channel 3 as master of ceremonies. After a reading of the names of Ohio’s Fallen Heroes from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, there will be a post-rally gathering at Rock-N-Roll City Harley-Davidson, 14550 Lorain Ave. in Cleveland, from 12:30 to 3 p.m. with food and entertainment.
Group rides will leave from many of the Northeast Ohio Harley Davidson dealerships to the rally, call in advance to determine the plans for each dealership.
For details, call John “Kiks” Kikol at 440-263-8121 or kiksharley@aol.com

To submit items for this column or the online listings, send them to: The News-Herald, Attn.: Larece Galer, 7085 Mentor Ave., Willoughby, OH 44094; fax to 440-975-2293; or via email to LGaler@News-Herald.com.