Tell us a little bit about yourself: My name is Tony Reiser. I am 90 years old and live in Bethlehem, PA. I have competed in many Kitemaking/Banner Competitions. I have won awards at the Smithsonian Kite Festival, Wildwood International Kite Festival and Philadelphia International Kite Festival to name a few. I won the AKA Outstanding Volunteer of the Year Award in 1993 and the Bill Kocher Award in 2001. I was a featured Kite Maker at the 1997 Maryland International Kite Festival and was presented with the key to the city for Ocean City, MD.
I can no longer compete in these events as I have limited vision due to Macular degeneration. However, my love of kitebuilding has not ended. I make Tyvek sled kites and take them along whenever I am on the kite field to give away to kids. I find this very rewarding and the kids get a kite to fly. Hopefully, they will get interested in kiteflying carrying on the kiting legacy.
Why did you join the AKA? To get involved in kiting and be up-to-date on the events/workshops and news of the Kiting World.
What is your favorite kite to fly? My Homemade Hexagon Kite with appliqued Egrets
Where is your favorite place to fly? Locally—Louise Moore Park in Easton, PA Non-Local—Wildwood Beaches, Wildwood, NJ
If you could fly with anyone dead or alive, who would it be, and what would you fly? I would fly with my friend, Paul Keeler. I would fly my Homemade Geisha Girl Rokkakku
What is your favorite event or kite festival? Sunfest in Ocean City, MD
What is one thing you wish more people knew about kite flying? I would like people to know how relaxing kite flying really is.
What is the best color combination for a kite? Purple and White
You have been elected ruler of the kite field for a day. What is your first decree? I would mandate that everyone share the air space with all kite fliers.
What is one funny trait about you that most people do not know? Even though I have difficulty seeing and hearing, I am always ready to go fly a kite! I enjoy being on the kite field with my friends and flying the many homemade kites that I have.
Who would you say is your greatest influence in the kite world and why? I would say that Carl Crowell was my greatest influence. In 1993, Kitelines published Carl’s directions to build a Cross Deck Kite. This was the first kite I built and entered into Kitemaking Competition. I have built 6-7 Cross Deck Kites since then.
http://lehighvalleykitesociety.com/members.html
This link has a Bio about me from when I was a member of LVKS
This video is a collection of kites that I have made over the years.
