UltraFlight Radio - Benson Days 2005

World's Largest Rotorcraft Gathering Will Be In Wauchula, Florida, April 5-10, 2005

From Ron Awad:

The world's largest rotorcraft gathering will be in Wauchula, Florida, April 5-10, 2005. "Bensen Days," named after the inventor of the Bensen Gyro-Copter, attracts rotorcraft pilots from all over the U.S., Canada, and foreign countries.

"Rotorcraft" are aircraft that gain the majority of their lift from spinning rotorblades. Rotorcraft include helicopters and gyroplanes. Gyroplanes have unpowered rotorblades and an engine-powered propeller to propel them through the air. Most of the rotorcraft at Bensen Days are hand-made gyroplanes.

"Imagine an aircraft that's 10 feet long, seven feet tall, and can fit on a small boat trailer," said Bud O'Neal, president of the Sunstate Rotor Club that sponsors Bensen Days. "Now imagine a 23-foot diameter circle above it containing two rotorblades, and a five-and-one-half foot diameter pusher propeller on the back of a small engine -- and that's what a gyro looks like."

O'Neal added that gyros typically fly at 65 mph, climb at more than 1,000 feet per minute, and are more maneuverable than any airplane you've ever seen.

"We expect more rotorcraft to come to Bensen Days than you'd find at a huge military base, more than anywhere in the world in one place," O'Neal said. "If you'd like to join the fun, come visit!"

Bensen Days is located at the Wauchula Airport on Vandolah Rd., just west of Wauchua, Fla. Wauchula is south of Lakeland, southeast of Tampa, and southwest of Orlando. From the Tampa/St. Petersburg area take I-75 south to Hwy. 64, east to Zolfo Springs to Hwy. 17, north to Wauchula, turn west on Main Street and follow the Bensen Days signs to the Wauchula Airport. From the Orlando area take I-4 west to Exit 23, travel south on Hwy. 27 to Avon Park turn west on Hwy. 64 drive west and at the intersection of Hwy. 64 and 636, take 636 into Wauchula and follow the Bensen Days signs.

While in Wauchula, visit the historic downtown district.* Main Street boasts restaurants, antiques, art and specialty gift and floral shops.* Several renovated properties there are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.* The Main Street Heritage Park is a picturesque centerpiece in this friendly rural community. Many recreational vehicle parks throughout the county welcome both visitors and residents. Hardee County has other local attractions including the beautiful Peace River, Pioneer Park Animal Refuge, Center for Orangutan and Chimpanzee Conservation and the Peace River Refuge and Ranch.****

For more information on Bensen Days, contact Richard or Mary Oxnam, (941)
728-3774, e-mail <rotornut007@yahoo.com>

WAUCHULA BUSINESS DIRECTORY
(Courtesy of Hardee County Chamber of Commerce)

While in Wauchula, visit the historic downtown district.* Main Street boasts restaurants, antiques, art and specialty gift and floral shops.* Several renovated properties there are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.* The Main Street Heritage Park is a picturesque centerpiece in this friendly rural community. Many recreational vehicle parks throughout the county welcome both visitors and residents. Hardee County has other local attractions including the beautiful Peace River, Pioneer Park Animal Refuge, Center for Orangutan and Chimpanzee Conservation, and the Peace River Refuge and Ranch.****

All businesses are in Wauchula unless noted otherwise.
All phone numbers are Area Code 863

AUTO PARTS & SERVICE
G & G Used Auto Parts∑773-3575
NAPA Auto Parts∑∑∑..773-4126
Steve‚s Amoco Service Station ..773-2146
Superior O.K. Tire Co., Inc. ..773-3261

BANKS
Big Lake National Bank ...773-4141
First National Bank of Wauchula .773-4136
Wauchula State Bank . 773-4151

BEAUTY & TANNING
Jan‚s .773-3033
Klassix, Inc 767-6063

BUILDING MATERIALS
Cannon Building Supply ....773-4196

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
Wauchula...............773-6967
Arcadia...................494-4033
Bartow ..............533-7121

CITRUS STORE
The Citrus Store 375-4700

DENTIST
James M. Pyle, DDS .773-3204

DRUG STORES
Pete‚s Pharmacy 773-4525
Wal-Mart .....773-5900

FLORISTS/GIFTS
Cooper‚s Wayside Flowers, Inc ...773-4864
Kay‚s Victorian Cottage 767-0093

GROCERY STORES
S & S Grocery (Ernest Plaza, Wauchula) ....773-9149
Winn Dixie (US Hwy 17 N, Wauchula) .767-1008
Seller‚s Supermarket (Bowling Green) ..375-2252

HARDWARE STORES
Nicholson ACE Hardware 773-4148

LAW ENFORCEMENT
Sheriff Loran Cogburn 773-4935

LOCKS
Osborne Locks & Service ..773-2008

MOTELS
Colonial Arms Hotel (Wauchula) ........773-9758
Tropicana Motel (111 US Hwy 17 N, Wauchula) 773-3158
Best Western (Arcadia, 30 mi. away).........494-4884
EconoLodge (Avon Park, 30 mi. northeast)........... 863-453-2000
Budget Inn (Bartow).......................533-3155

PROPANE
Coker Fuel 773-4172

RV RESORTS
Crystal Lake Village (Wauchula)..773-3582
Florida S.K.P. Resort (Zolfo Springs)..735-1499
Orange Blossom RV Park (Bowling Green) .773-2282
Pioneer Creek RV Park (Bowling Green)375-4343
River Valley RV Resort (Wauchula)..773-8888

RESTAURANTS
Boat in the Moat (4533 Solomon Rd, Ona)...(863)494-6077
McDonalds (907 US Hwy 17 S, Wauchula).773-4499
Pioneer Restaurant (Wauchula)..735-0726
Sali‚s Sandwich Shop (101 W. Main, Ste. A, Wauchula).....773-2211
Subway (1042 S. 6th Ave, Wauchula).773-4200
Wilson‚s Family Restaurant (Wauchula)..767-0771

SPORTING GOODS
Heartland Sports Center ...773-3401

WELDING
Ullrich‚s ..773-4653

BROADCASTING
Heartland Broadcasting (941)494-4443
Comcast (Cable TV) ..(941)533-9029

NEWSPAPER
Herald Advocate (113 S. 7th Ave,Wauchula) ...773-3255
Highlands Today/Tampa ...(800)645-3423
231 U.S. 27 North
Sebring FL 33870

CANOE RENTAL
Peace River Canoes, Inc. ..773-6370
Canoe Outpost Peace River .(941)494-1215

VETERINARIANS
All Creatures Animal Hospital 773-9215
Slade Hayman, D.V.M, Ross Hendry, D.V.M∑∑..773-5013

More motel info........

Best Western Arcadia Inn
504 S. Brevard Ave. (U.S. Hwy. 17 S.)
Arcadia, FL 34266
863-494-4884
800-528-1234

Lake Brentwood Motel
2060 U.S. Hwy. 27 N.
Avon Park, FL 33825
863-453-4358

Chateau Elan Hotel & Spa
150 Midway Dr.
Sebring, FL 33870
863-655-6252

Kenilworth Lodge
1610 Lakeview Dr.
Sebring, FL 33870
863-385-0111
800-423-5939

Quality Inn & Suites Conference Center
6525 U.S. Hwy. 27 N.
Sebring, FL 33870
863-385-4500
800-228-5151

SpringLake Golf Resort
100 Club House Ln.
Sebring, FL 33876
863-655-0101
800-352-4653

Sunset Beach Motel
2221 S.E. Lakeview Dr.
Sebring, FL 33870
863-385-6129

The Quilters Inn
106 S. 4th Ave.
Wauchula, FL 33873
863-767-8989
877-664-8989

Econo Lodge Sebring
2511 US 27 S
Avon Park, Florida FL 33825

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Arcadia
2709 Southeast Highway 70
Arcadia, Florida FL 34266
1-800-Holiday

Buford Long Grand Reservation
907 S 6th Ave
Wauchula, FL 33873
(863) 773-2388

Little Charlie Creek RV Park
1850 Heard Bridge Rd
Wauchula, FL 33873

Wagon Wheel RV Park
2908 Red Barn Lane
Bowling Green, FL 33834
Tel: (863) 773-3157

Lake Lily Golf & RV Park
6603 Hwy 27
Frostproof, FL 33843
Tel: (863) 635-3685

Lake Glenada RV Park
2525 US 27 South
Avon Park, FL 33825
Tel: (863) 453-7007
Tel: (863) 773-0088