North Strand Roundup | Brunswick County resident speaks on flying with U.S. presidents

Howie Franklin’s dream when he was growing up on the south shore of Long Island, N.Y., was to see the world. As a teen, he worked at Talisman Yacht Club on New York’s Fire Island where he trained under chefs from Yugoslavia, Turkey, Italy and capitals he yearned to visit. He cooked for and served celebrities, including Carol Channing and Ray Charles, and developed confidence interacting with the stars.

His idyllic life came to an abrupt halt when he received his draft notice in 1965. The Air Force presented more appeal to him than the Army, so he enlisted and was assigned to food services in Guam, preparing box lunches for B-52 flight crews going to Vietnam.

“It was not what I expected,” he said. “We were doing KP work.”

Two years later, he had the opportunity to be flight attendant for “the general.” In this capacity, he would prepare and serve meals to military personnel and make sure all the passengers on the flights received first-class attention. He loved the job and got a taste of the wanderlust he desired. His optimism translated into a promotion to being steward on flights transporting V.I.P.s such as Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

He was with Kissinger in South America when he got a call asking if he wanted to be on Air Force One. Proving to be super-competent, he was named chief flight steward in 1990 and held that post until he retired from the Air Force in 1994.

“I am the only person in the world who has been steward for five presidents and never been fired,” he said.

He is now director of Cape Fear Regional Jetport at Howie Franklin Field in Oak Island, N.C. He has written his memoirs, “Yes, Sir! Mr. President,” with Jack Grady, and is featured speaker at the Museum of Coastal Carolina July 14. His book and further information is at howiefranklin.com.

Other upcoming events on the North Strand are:

Train Show

What | Intracoastal Model Railroad Club presents the annual Train Show

Where | Brunswick Plantation, U.S. 17, three miles north of the N.C./S.C. border, three miles south of N.C. 904 at 380 Brunswick Drive, Calabash, N.C.

When | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 11-12

Cost | Free

Contact | Bob, 910-287-5049

Details | Whole family is invited. Train raffle. Lunch sold 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Special services include lubricating trains in running condition, renovation services for trains that don’t run. Bring your trains to run on the club’s tracks.

Meteorologist gives presentation

What | Scott Dean, chief meteorologist on WWAY-TV3, Wilmington, N.C., presents “Hurricane History in North Carolina”

Where | Ingram Planetarium, 7625 High Market St. (off Sunset Boulevard), Sunset Beach, N.C.

When | Noon July 10

Cost | Free

Contact | 910-579-1016, www.MuseumPlanetarium.org, susan@museumplanetarium.org

Details | Dean focuses on notable hurricanes that affected North Carolina’s coastline and inland areas.

Meet and greet artist Jill Hope

What| Artist Jill Hope opens “Fusion,” an exhibit of her various works of arts, with a meet and greet.

Where | Sunset River Marketplace, 10283 Beach Drive, Calabash, N.C.

When | 12-4 p.m. July 11

Cost | Free, no reservations required

Contact | 910-575-5999, www.sunsetrivermarketplace.com, lassiter@sunsetrivermarketplace.com

Details | Watercolor, jewelry, acrylics and other works of art comprise this collection. Hope uses various materials including copper, rice paper, turquoise stone and other items in her artworks.

Master Gardeners answer questions

What | Bring lawn and garden problems and questions to have Master Gardeners give answers.

Where | Hickmans Crossroads Library, 1040 Calabash Road, Calabash, N.C.

When | 9 a.m.-noon Fridays through Nov. 13

Cost | Free

Contact | 910-575-0173 or Christi.Iffergan@brunswickcountync.gov

Details | Free soil sampling

Shallotte farmers market

What | Home-grown fruits and vegetables, home-baked breads and sweets, handcrafted pottery, jewelry and other items

Where | Riverside Park, N.C. 130 and Main Street, Shallotte, N.C.

When | 8 a.m.-noon Saturdays through Sept. 12

Cost | Free

Contact | 910-754-3728 or 910-754-4032

Feed marine animals

What | Feed the sea stars, hermit crabs, conchs, sea urchins and other marine life in the Touch Tank.

Where | Museum of Coastal Carolina, 21 E. Second St., Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.

When | 11 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

Cost | All-day admission, 13-61, $9; 62+, $8; 3-12, $7; 2 and under, free

Contact | 910-579-1016, www.museumplanetarium.org

Details | Docents supervise the feeding and answer questions.

Coastal Shag Club dance

What | Monthly shag club dance, includes shag and line dancing and other dances, 50/50 raffle

Where | Shallotte Moose Lodge, 253 Holden Beach Road, Shallotte, N.C.

When | 6:30-10 p.m. July 18

Cost | $5 for members of any shag club; $8, guests. If you mention BOGO (buy one/get one), one gets in free.

Contact | boyd_pat@yahoo.com,www.Coastalshagclub.org

Details | Club meetings are first Thursday of the month at 6 p.m., Shallotte Moose Lodge. Dances are third Saturday of the month at 6:30 p.m.

Lady and Jeanne Maxon

What | Jeanne Maxon, along with Lady, her golden retriever and therapy dog, will discuss their book, “Becoming Lady.”

Where | Hickmans Crossroads Library, 1040 Calabash Road, Calabash, N.C.

When | 3 p.m. Aug. 6

Cost | Free

Contact | 910-575-0173

Support group for stroke survivors and caregivers

What | The public is invited to attend the group with Karol Asbjornson as facilitator.

Where | Seaside United Methodist Church, 1300 Seaside Road, Sunset Beach, N.C.

When | 1:30 p.m. second Thursday of each month

Cost | Free, no reservations required

Contact | Karol, 910-575-2452

This story was originally published July 9, 2015 at 2:00 AM with the headline "North Strand Roundup | Brunswick County resident speaks on flying with U.S. presidents."