Astronaut to speak at museum

What goes up must come down, what goes around comes around, and Putnam County is fortunate to have space traveler Joe Allen in its orbit again.

Allen will be guest of honor at the Putnam County Museum's Annual Out of This World Gala on Aug. 5.

There will be a special pre-gala event for those who would like to meet Allen up close and personal. Dorothy Crawley-Richards and Bill Richards will host the event in their home from 5-6:30 p.m. Cost is $25 per person, $40 per couple; cocktails - rocket fuel - and hors d'oeuvres will be served. Call Sally Gray (653-4863) by Aug. 3 to reserve a spot.

The Museum's Gala will be from 7-9 p.m. Aug. 5 at the Hangar at the Dixie Chopper Business Center at the Putnam County Airport. A social hour will begin at 7 p.m., with a cash bar, appetizer bar and entertainment. There will also be a silent "Art Walk" auction, focusing on works by local artists and authors; bids may be placed from 7-8 p.m.

Allen's program will begin at 8 p.m., to be followed by the museum's annual meeting.

Cost of the Gala to museum members is $15; the public is invited at a ticket price of $20, which will include a trial museum membership.

Reservations for the Gala may be made by contacting the museum, at 653-8419, by today.

Allen grew up in Crawfordsville and graduated from DePauw University in 1959.

After receiving advanced degrees from Yale University, Allen was selected in 1967 by NASA to be a scientist-astronaut, and in 1982, he and three crewmates blasted off on Columbia to deliver the first satellite to orbit for paying customers. He flew another space flight later in 1982.