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Nannette's Interests
General
Balloons over the Mississippi, playing the piano, reading, crosswords, CARS (Fast ones), Going to the races at the local dirt track, socializing, voluteer work in the community with different events. Camping and fishing if I ever get the chance.
About me: Thank you for checking out this site on myspace. This site is not about me. It is dedicated to promoting an annual event my husband Clark and I work year round to achieve. We put our heart and soul into providing a FREE Family Event for Southeast Iowa. With eight other committee members and many volunteers helping us, we believe that this is a Premier Destination Event for our community. We receive nothing in return, only the satisfaction of see 7000 plus people enjoying themselves.
BALLOONS over the MISSISSIPPI
JULY 11TH & 12TH, 2008
FORT MADISON, IA
The 6th Annual Balloons over the Mississippi proved to be quite an unique event with all the up and downs, just like a hot air balloon pilot trying to find the perfect altitude to steer their aircraft in the correct direction to hit the target.
Mother Nature was not kind Friday evening as she blew in too strong for the pilots to fly. She had not let up by Saturday morning and by afternoon she was angry. Finally by Saturday evening, she calmed down to allow a show like no one has seen before. There was a collage of activity with one thing in common, HOT AIR BALLOONS. Instead of a mass launch, the target was set up on the field for a fly-in. For the first time, the evening spectators witnessed the maneuvering skills of the pilots as they crested the tree line on the west side of the field in hopes of tossing their bean bag on the target. As each pilot floated over, the crowd clapped and cheered. A special applause was given to the third place finisher Al Reusch from Macomb, IL, the pilot of Knot Again, as his basket held two 80’ish year young ladies on their first ever flight. One says she can cross another item off her bucket list. As tradition would have it, they flew over the Mighty Mississippi for a nineteen mile journey.
The romantic fever of hot air balloons floating by caught on for Rick Provost as he bent down on one knee with microphone in hand and proposed to Nicole Witek. Both Steve and Nicole are from Kissimmee, FL. While on a job interview in Moline, IL, Steve happened to see a listing for the Balloons over the Mississippi on the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce website. This only added to the goose bumps almost everyone had as the excitement grew and the evening cooled.
As dusk drew near, the crowd expanded to the single largest viewing audience yet to attend. The time had arrived for the ever popular night glow which lasted almost an hour and a half, twice as long as usual. With the baskets lined up in a row, the emcee Balloonmeister Bob Corey from Louisville, KY entertained young and old with commands for an All Glow, Wave, and Flicker Burn. There was a first time ever request for a Skip-Wave from a youngster in the crowd. She asked the pilots to light every other balloon going down the row. Ever eager to please, the pilots delivered on cue.
The evening was turning out to be so perfect that Father Moon came out from behind the clouds to enjoy the show. The much anticipated Firework Finale, which tripled in size from last year, completed yet another “Balloons over the Mississippi".
PLEASE ENJOY THE FOLLOWING SLIDE SHOW FROM 7-12-2008
PHOTOS COURTESY OF: Stewart's Digital Photography
319-528-6103
EVENT POSTER
IF YOU SEE ANY OF THESE SPONSORS, SAY "THANKS FOR HELPING MAKE BALLOONS OVER THE MISSISSIPPI 2008 ANOTHER SUCSESSFUL YEAR!"
Who I'd like to meet: ..
LET US KNOW WHERE YOU'RE FROM
I wish I could have made it. I was busy moving apliances and cleaning my apartment. I had to switch refrigerators and washers and get one of my extra stoves out of storage. It was a long day.
I would have much rather been up there taking it easy. I have been spending every minute trying to get this apartment ready so I can move.
I had to have it cleaned and ready for the exterminator to come on Tuesday to spray for bugs before I move in. It was a busy weekend and I'm still not done cleaning and ready to move in to it. But, they came yesterday and sprayed for bugs, so hopefuly it's bug free for a while. I HATE moving let alone moving from my house to an apartment. It's pretty depressing!
If I still have a business next year I will try to be a sponsor again. I missed it, just didn't have any spare time at all this past weekend.
This woman has strengths that amaze me. She can handle trouble and carry heavy burdens. She holds happiness, love and opinions. She smiles when she feels like screaming. She sings when she feels like crying. She cries when she's happy and laughs when she's afraid. Her love is unconditional. There's only one thing wrong with her, and that is that sometimes she forgets what she is worth. Pass this onto every beautiful woman you know, I just did : )
How was the vacation? I am still trying to be a sponsor if it's at all possible. It might be too late for this year, but I am trying. I still would like to crew if I can.
Nannette, thanks for adding the Jessica Horn Band. We're coming to Ft. Madison this month, so I was just checking out the town. We'd love to be a part of your balloon event, too, if you're looking for any bands. Maybe we'll see you on the 29th- and Happy Valentine's Day! Jess
