We'll miss Ann and Mike

The Wiscasset Municipal Airport may not be well known throughout the state by ordinary people, but it's become very well known, among aircraft owners and pilots, as the Friendliest Airport in Maine. And it's all because Ann Walko and Mike Muchmore had the talent, expertise, and vision to make it what it has become today,

These two hard-working individuals, doing business as "Wicked Good Aviation," have been the Fixed Base Operators (a government term for those who run airports) for nearly 10 years. And in that time they have been instrumental in protecting the airport's operation when outside forces threatened it; they have been a down-home welcoming committee for anyone who arrives; they have put on special events to promote the use of the airport with fly-ins, burger rallies, and their annual chili cook off; they have sponsored special days at the airport for children to receive free airplane rides; most important from an economic standpoint for the town, the number of airplanes based at the airport, and the number of hangars, has increased dramatically, bringing in more than enough money to make the airport a profit-making venture, rather than a burden on the taxpayers.

Mike sent a letter last week to the town, announcing that Wicked Good Aviation would close because "It is time for me to move on to retirement and Ann is flying corporate jets, which has been her personal goal." We also received a more informal E-mail which Mike sent out to his many friends, neighbors, airport buddies and pilots, which reveals the essence of how these two operated. Saying their decision to relinquish their responsibilities at the airport at the end of January was a very difficult one, Mike humbly described his and Ann's managing of the airport as "successful." But in typical fashion, Mike hands off the success to others: "This only happened because of the support from all of you," he wrote. "I can say thank you, thank you, thank you, and still feel that I should repeat it many times over."

Tragically, as Mike and Ann were making plans for the next chapter in their lives, Mike's brother, Butch Jaskiewicz, was killed in an accident on the West Shore Road early Saturday evening. Mike's brother's girlfriend, Kristi Kukowski, was also in the car, but was not seriously injured. Butch had been working at Bintliff's Sheepscot Harbour Village & Resort in Edgecomb as the lead carpenter. Kristi had left her home in Beaufort, S.C. to spend the holidays with Butch in Maine.

Our hearts go out to Mike and Ann, and to all their family members. There is never a good time to lose someone we love, but it is especially hard during the Christmas season. As we offer prayers of thanks during this special time of year, we thank Mike and Ann for all that they have given to Wiscasset, our prayers that they will find solace in their time of sorrow, and our sincere good wishes for what is to come in their future.