Sad News

[XCanytime]

I am sad to report that a long time supporter and friend of the local hang gliding and paragliding community has passed away. Brad Foster, the co-owner of North Mountain Vineyards, had been a staunch supporter of the local flying scene, and held the Silent Airshow annual event at the winery each year since its inception in 2013. I first met Brad in 2007 during my first visit to the winery. His height and Texas demeanor reminded me of John Wayne. A year later my wife Judy and I celebrated our 50th birthdays with Brad and his lovely wife Krista, the other co-owner of the winery. Judy and I became frequent visitors, and I landed at the winery for the first time from the Woodstock launch after Mother's Day Brunch 2009 with our daughter. I landed there again at the 1st Annual Silent Airshow in April 2013. along with Dan Tuckwiller. The list of XC pilots who have landed there during the ensuing events include Matt Ingram, Peter Van Oevelen, Charley Fager, Knut Ryerson, and Tom Ceunen. Brad was always very welcoming to all the pilots, and provided free wine to the XC pilots that landed on the winery grounds. Brad and I would share our passion and love for flying during my and Judy's frequent visits there over the past 10 years. I will miss that. Rest in peace buddy. Your friend, Bacil

[John Dullahan]

Bacil,

Sorry to hear about Brad's passing. He and Krista always laid out the welcome mat for pilots, both during the Silent Air Show and at any other time when we showed up.

Congrats on belonging to that small number of pilots who were able to land at the winery during the show (and you times two). I tried a couple of times but never made it all the way.

We will certainly miss Brad. Hopefully Krista and her son will be able to keep the winery up and running.