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Prairie Flyers of Central
Illinois: a century of aviation in America's Heartland
New book now available at Ink & Imprint
Books in Lincoln
[July 01, 2025]
A collection of stories of
Midwestern aviators and others whose love of aviation changed their
lives was recently released by co-authors Edith Brady-Lunny, Denis
Hambucken and John Warner.
Prairie Flyers of Central Illinois: a century of aviation in
America’s Heartland shares the stories of barnstormers who learned
to fly on grass strips along farm fields, NASA engineers, flight
attendants and commercial pilots. Crop dusters, World War II bombers
and Vietnam helicopter pilots from across the area are among the
aviators in the book published by The History Press.
Brady-Lunny and Hambucken will join
readers for three events at the Vespasian Warner Library in Clinton.
A July 15 book signing will be followed by a presentation July 22 by
Nelson Thorp on his father’s World War II service, including his
father’s time as a POW. On July 29, a panel of Vietnam helicopter
pilots will share their stories during a discussion moderated by
Hambucken. All events begin at 5:30 p.m. and are free admission.
Prairie Flyers of Central Illinois: a century of aviation in
America’s Heartland, is available at Ink & Imprint Books, 125 N.
Kickapoo Street in Lincoln.
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Many of the
stories in the book were part of a successful 2022 special
exhibit at the CH Moore Homestead and DeWitt County Museum in
Clinton. The three authors worked with the museum to create a
professionally curated exhibit focusing on the history of
aviation in DeWitt County.
“When we closed the
exhibit, we were left with a list of stories left untold and decided
to move forward with more interviews for a book project. The
artifacts people have collected, including original photos, bring
the stories to life,” said Brady-Lunny.
Brady-Lunny is an author and former reporter for The Pantagraph and
correspondent for WGLT. Hambucken, who resides in New Hampshire, is
the author of seven other works related to history. Warner
contributed to the new book before his death in 2023 in an accident
in New Hampshire.
[Edith Brady-Lunny]
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