by Mark Chapdelaine
While autumn has already changed
some of the landscape up north, here in south Florida its still warm and
beautiful and time ( Oct. 17-18) for the Rainbow Festival Balloon Rally
sponsored by Club Med. Who needs a pilot pack with the amenities provided
by our host. For six years Club Med has provided the pilots with a beautiful
room, all the best cuisine (three times a day) one can devour, refreshments
and plenty to do.
The Rainbow Festival wanted the balloons to do a "glow for show" on Friday and Saturday evenings. The committee also decide to add a race on Saturday morning, but give everyone Sunday off. Yes, we keep this laid back.
The two glows were held at the New York Mets training facility in Port St. Lucie. Friday night was windy but in the spirit of balloonists, some did actually hot inflate for a few minutes. Saturday morning was a typical Florida morning with blue skies, clouds over the ocean and little wind on the ground. But at 500' it was a different story. GPS's indicated up to 24 mph. Being the hare (or hair less), I landed and set out the "x" after 20 minutes of flight. This gave everyone plenty of time to set down.
The Saturday night "glow for show" was perfect. No wind, no mosquitoes and no fire ants.
Mike Spencer, of Davie, Florida, (considered a clown in his own mind) decided to try the Club Med circus training facility, especially the trapeze portion.
We could hear the screams on the golf course when he had to let go, somersault and then catch another trapeze. I don't need to tell you what happened. Thank God for safety nets. All the while his wonderful (and pregnant) wife, Julie, can't stop laughing. Julie is due in December and is masterful at crewing, as long as she doesn't get lost during the chase.
Paul and Gail Wilke were here from Sarasota. Paul was the recipient of the first "Swamp Grass Award" for ballooning. It all happened behind the New York Mets training facility and we have it on tape! You might be wondering what that is. I'll let him tell you. His phone number is in the BFA membership directory.
Bill and Trish Whidden brought the new Sky balloon to show and fly. I still don't know how they can spend all summer, on the road ballooning, and then come to our event. I'd be out of hot air by then or is it our charm and wit? In the need to know column, how did you get that dent in the roof of your van, Bill? I know that Trish didn't do it. They don't call him "Bill, put the top out, Whidden" for nothing!
And as usual Kenny Shumate and Grant Aiello were here to entertain us. Both firemen from Orlando, I think they got to close to one-to-many fires. I would also like to thank them for putting on their own personal "glow for show" at Club Med.
Bill and MaryJane MacDonald, our balloonmeister and scorer, cruised up the St. Lucie River and parked their boat at the Club Med Marina. What a life! Bill just recently received his "massage therapy" license so that he can continue working after he retires from Grumman. You have a nice pair of hands, Bill!
Special shapes we do not have, but special people we do. Pete Eberhardt and Joanie Jutras brought the "fish bowl" balloon which the children love to see. Steve and Barbara Stokoe came from Tampa to support us for the third year. George Weber, from West Palm Beach, actually drove up with his crew instead of flying in ahead of them. Way to go, George! Wayne Hodnett, Sam and Ron Nettles, Ed LaMere and Debbie Hoechst again supported our event as they have in the past.
I won't bore you with the details, but our first place prize was a blown glass and wire balloon sculpture won by Sam Nettles.
Special thanks go out to Elsie Gilson and Florence and Red Merchant for the beautiful "baggies" they created for this event. I don't think that anyone wanted to use them, but instead wanted them as a "keepsake". They were all returned to the pilots. Jerry Ellis, Sue May, Rick Pendarvis, Joe Walega and Joe and Donna Secoro rounded out our committee.
$10,000.00 was raised for the Young Floridian Scholarship Fund which is divided equally among ten deserving high school seniors who will be furthering their education.
