The Westfield Technical Academy’s Aviation Maintenance Program showed its appreciation to Mrs. Murphy’s Donuts in Southwick in a way that only it could, by offering a thank-you ride in a 1942 Stearman bi-plane to owner Shane Murphy. Mrs. Murphy’s Donuts celebrated 50 years in business on July 12.
“Mrs. Murphy’s has been a staple of our community for 50 years, constantly giving back to Southwick, Westfield and the local public schools. Most recently, Shane generously donated all the donuts, pastries, muffins, and coffee for this year’s Westfield Technical Academy Aviation graduation ceremony,” said AMT instructor Scott Hepburn, adding, “This flight is our program’s way of giving them some well-deserved recognition for half a century of community support.”
Hepburn and his brother Ed Hepburn, who was present for the occasion, have a long association with Mrs. Murphy’s Donuts, having worked there for many years in their youth, along with their sisters and nieces.
They originally offered the flight to Rose Murphy, who passed it to her daughter, Shane, who now runs the business with two of her children. Rose was on hand to see her daughter take off. “I could not do that, but she loved it and thought it was such a great opportunity,” she said, adding, “This is better than Six Flags.”
Ken Dromgold, president of the AMT advisory board and owner of the vintage WWII trainer, piloted the flight. He said the plane started as a Naval trainer, and after the war, spent some years as a crop duster, as many retired planes did.
Dromgold said he got the plane six years ago and has restored it a few times, keeping everything original, although he did recently put a new wooden propeller on the radial engine. He called the plane pretty rugged but said it has taught a lot of people to fly.
Now Dromgold’s goal for the plane is to “keep it looking good and give rides.” He flies veterans and auctions off rides for charities. Hepburn said Dromgold also flies every student in the AMT program every year.