The Wonder Woman of kite world
Children’s book author makes donation in honor of local legend
BY M.J. CODY
N
early 40 years ago Jim Mockford met
Long Beach Peninsula’s resident kite
icon, Kay Buesing.
His memories of their friendship were so
powerful, he wanted to do something spe-
cial to honor the former executive director
of The World Kite Museum after she died at
age 86 in February. The author has chosen
to donate several of his books to the local
community to keep her legacy alive.
“Kay had a great amount of energy,” said
Mockford, reminiscing about their bond.
“You might call her the Wonder Woman of
the kite world.”
Mockford became acquainted with Bues-
ing and her husband, Jim, through inter-
actions at festivals and at the kite shop the
couple owned in Long Beach, Washington.
However, he says they formed a close con-
nection years later at the American Kitefliers
Delegation at the Weifang International Kite
Festival in 1987 in China.
“What an awesome time,” said Mock-
ford, who ended up winning Weifang’s
prestigious dragon kite trophy.
Mockford and the Buesings were part of
a group of five that traveled to the festival to
represent Washington. He says traveling by
bus and train together throughout China was
a bonding experience.
“You really get to know your compan-
ions when you’re so far from home,” said
Mockford. “In subsequent years, Kay and
I would run across each other at kite fly-
ing events and of course, at The World Kite
Museum.”
The Buesings were members of a ded-
icated core of kite devotees on the Long
Beach Peninsula who banded together to
create The World Kite Museum. Jim Bues-
ing secured the property, and the widow
of local kite enthusiast David Checkley
donated his collection of 700 Japanese,
Chinese and Malaysian kites to create the
exhibits. Today, the museum displays a col-
lection of 1,500 kites from 26 countries.
“Kay was not content to be just another
person who owned a kite store,” Mock-
ford said. “She took a leading role in the
museum, organizing and promoting the col-
lection and festivals. She knew everyone
and was doing really amazing, remarkable
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TOP: Kay Buesing
holds a modern kite
of Japanese style
crafted by a Seattle
artist in 2012.
ABOVE: Jim Mockford
sharing his book with
his two grandchildren
in China.
LEFT: Buesing was the
founding executive
director of the World
Kite Museum in Long
Beach, Washington.