First on the Moon celebrates its first anniversary
First on the Moon, Inc., a nonprofit 501- C3 organization that helps public understanding of and appreciation for Wapakoneta's identity as the home of Neil Armstrong, is celebrating its first year of existence.
Previously known as the 2019 Celebration Committee, the group came into being to plan for the city’s part in the 50th anniversary celebration of the Apollo 11 mission and Armstrong’s historic first steps on the moon. The group had a practical reason for organizing in 2017: money.
Donna Grube, executive director for Greater Grand Lake Regional Center and a member of the Armstrong committee, knew she didn't want to get into debt as a lot of other organizations might.
"We decided that we were going to pay our way, we weren't going to end up with a big debt that had to be worked off afterwards," Grube said.
So the committee created a logo and started selling items including t- shirts and coffee mugs, and their salesmanship turned out to be a huge success.
"After the anniversary was over and all the bills were paid, there was still a nice amount of money in the bank from all the branded merchandise that was sold," Grube added.
So the committee decided to pay the generosity forward.
"The thought was, ' let's use that money to do some great things for Wapakoneta to promote its heritage as the hometown of Neil Armstrong — to do some public arts, do some things that frankly governments shouldn't be doing and citizens don't generally do," Grube said.
Rachel Barber, the administrator of the Auglaize County Historical Society and a member of the First on The Moon, Inc. board, saw arts and
humanities as a good way to continue and expand Armstrong's legacy.
"We want to continue and expand upon this legacy, and really underscore the unique role that Wapakoneta plays in history," Barber said. "That is being the hometown of Neil Armstrong."
"It just raises [ Wapakoneta] a notch above other communities, and from my perspective I hope that brings people to visit," Grube said.
Besides securing 501- C3 status, in their first year First on the Moon, Inc. has accomplished a number of things, including developing a new logo.
They have also attempted to set a new world's record for most people dressed as an astronaut in one single location with more than 300 ( the current record is 250 and Guinness has yet to certify a new record).
"That was… one fun event," Grube said. "It drew folks from several states, it drew folks from many cities around Ohio… People came and said, ' we've always wanted to be part of a world- recordbreaking [ event]."
John Cerney, a Californiabased artist, selected First on the Moon, Inc. for a roadside mural along U. S. Highway 33, an event that drew volunteers in helping prepare the site. It was also Grube's favorite accomplishment for the organization.
"I personally love the artwork," Grube said. "I love public art and enjoy seeing that around town."
The committee also learned a valuable lesson in the importance of teamwork.
"What we learned during the 50th anniversary was that everything is better when we can work together," Barber noted, "when we can collaborate and bring everybody to the table to talk about this relationship that we have… when we get all the rest of us around the table, we can fill in the other gaps, the things that the museum is unable to do by itself, the things that the chamber's not able to do by itself."
Which is why Barber believes these arts and humanities events help connect people on an ongoing basis.
"The beauty of this is that it's not just something that we say," Barber said. "It's not just a fact that's floating out there. We have that connection with a lot of our build environment, so we can say say ' look, here is his childhood home, here is the high school he attended, here is the plea that he worked to earn money for flying lessons… so it's a beautiful story that is fleshed in our community. We're the only community in the world that really gets to tell that story."
A story Barber, ever the historian, takes seriously.
"It's not only our right, but it's our responsibility," Barber said.
In addition, artwork has also been completed on four electrical boxes, there was a Space Art contest and an art bag giveaway with space- themed activities.
First on the Moon, Inc. also hosted or cohosted virtual events such as the broadcast of the 1969 Homecoming parade and a presentation by retired astronaut Don Thomas. As for 2021, First on the Moon, Inc. already has plans for what they will do, including creating a $ 500 scholarship in honor of Neil Armstrong, another mural and more art on electric boxes. ‘
Deb Fischer is the current president of the organization that also includes representatives from the chamber of commerce, the Armstrong Museum and other organizations within the community.