Unfortunately, it was not meant for Ken and me to make it to the Pumpkin Drop as planned. After working overtime trying to make up for the time off for the trip to Albuquerque and troubles with the van (should we blame Jody who sold it to us many, many years ago or Dickie who won't sell his current one????), we decided it was best to stay near home.
Friday August 31, 2007
Friday at the Walz compound, it is a lovely day. A slight breeze brings pilots into Munith for the beginning of Pumpkin Drop 2007. The third leg of the FAYA Triple Crown begins with spirits high.
Our Balloonmeister, Jody Leatherberry, and Safety Officer Chuck Walz held opening Ceremonies. The first announcement: that we have suffered our first casualty of the weekend. The Cramer’s Van has taken ill, and they will not be able to attend. After a moment of boos, followed by silence, the crowd rallied and was able to “GIVE IT UP FOR CRYSTAL FLASH!!” A beaming Biggs, donning a white t-shirt bearing the word “PROPANE” was cheerful, and ecstatic at the warm welcome. That is until he delivered the crowd-silencing blow…”The cost of this year’s propane has doubled since last year.” The crowd responded with overwhelming thanks and gratitude, thereby again, “GIVING IT UP FOR CRYSTAL FLASH.”
What can only be described as a no-wind flight. The evening begins unremarkably until there comes word that one of FAYA’s finest is caught in the middle of his own “Self-Declared” Watership Down Target in the middle of Portage Lake. Jody was able to make the acquaintance of a friendly pontoon driver to push him near the shore… just then Jody finds himself in a face to face clandestine meeting with the officers of the DNR, the following exchange ensues:
DNR: “Sir…you CAN NOT be here, it isn’t safe.”
Jody: “Look, you have two choices, you can let me land here, or you can call “Jenny” (Granholm) and tell her that I’m in danger and MUST land here.”
DNR: “THIS ISN’T SAFE!”
Jody: “Sir you are talking to a Professional. I just sailed across the Atlantic, and landed at Plymouth Rock.”
The phone calls were coming fast. First an angry Mrs. Cosgrove called “That Jody Leatherberry” and got Amanda…She called “That Jody Leatherberry” and informed him that Mrs. Cosgrove would like a call back about the dangerous situation that just occurred in her front yard. “That Jody Leatherberry” asked his wife kindly to call Safety Officer Chuck and explain the whole situation to him, OMITTING that she had first called and made aware “That Jody Leatherberry”. Wise beyond his years, Chuck was not to be fooled.
Back at the compound, the gang gathered for a critical incident debriefing during which it was decided by charter FAYA members to send new pilot (and pregnant) Amanda to Mrs. Cosgrove’s to smooth over Land Owner Relations. Upon her return, Amanda informed us that a wheelchair bound Mrs. C was livid, as her daughter had been standing under a tree near the scene of the alleged, and unexpected produce drop. As she was instructed during the debriefing, evidence was retrieved, tagged, sampled and photographed for filing under the title of “The Stockbridge Incident”. A photo review of the scene itself was conducted after Amanda stated that Birk’s pumpkin had IN FACT created a crater near Mrs. C’s fence. In order to ease the concerns of the landowner, Amanda, quick on her feet (as she is still in her first trimester) assured Mrs. C that the vigilante pumpkin pitcher had been removed from the Championship Competition.
Be careful what you ask for…
While at lunch Saturday afternoon Chuck made contact with Matt and Lainie who were rumored to be in the Jackson area at Meijer. Chuck asked them to bring back two chickens so that Brian could grill beer can chicken. A plan was then hatched by the Pumpkin Drop’s student pilot, to bring back two live chickens in addition to the two to be purchased at Meijer.
Unfamiliar with the locale and its merchants, a resourceful Matt Niemi contacted local pilot, aka The Balloonmeister, aka Jake Leatherneck, aka Jody Leatherberry to find the closest farmer where he may procure afore mentioned live birds. Following some quick investigation, Jody was able to point Matt and his accomplices to a farm market on Territorial Road. The gracious owner agreed to lend a chicken to the cause.
Once back at the Walz compound, Matt presented a gunny sack full of a live chicken to an unfazed Brian and Cindy. While Cindy was ready to have at the bird, thoughts were turned to the idea of photographing Chuck’s reaction to the package from the farm market. As Chuck arrived to pick up the chicken from Matt, he jumped back at the site of there being an actual live bird on the premises. “What the Hell…That thing is ALIVE!!!” Laughs were had by all, and as you can see, the plan came together in just the way it was intended.
Dinner is on…
Chef Brian and his lovely assistant Chuck were hard at work grilling mouth watering roasts, and beer can chickens, while a cauldron of chili continued to simmer, as it had all day, over hot coals. At about 4:30 p.m., everyone sat down to another sidesplitting meal complete with corn on the cob and nearly any other kind of dish to pass you can imagine. Crews were then spotted rolling their pilots out from under the tents to their vehicles.
Lainie volunteered to step up to the plate and serve as reporter for this event. Here is what she had to say:
Pumpkin Drop 2007
Friday August 31, 2007Friday at the Walz compound, it is a lovely day. A slight breeze brings pilots into Munith for the beginning of Pumpkin Drop 2007. The third leg of the FAYA Triple Crown begins with spirits high.
Our Balloonmeister, Jody Leatherberry, and Safety Officer Chuck Walz held opening Ceremonies. The first announcement: that we have suffered our first casualty of the weekend. The Cramer’s Van has taken ill, and they will not be able to attend. After a moment of boos, followed by silence, the crowd rallied and was able to “GIVE IT UP FOR CRYSTAL FLASH!!” A beaming Biggs, donning a white t-shirt bearing the word “PROPANE” was cheerful, and ecstatic at the warm welcome. That is until he delivered the crowd-silencing blow…”The cost of this year’s propane has doubled since last year.” The crowd responded with overwhelming thanks and gratitude, thereby again, “GIVING IT UP FOR CRYSTAL FLASH.”
What can only be described as a no-wind flight. The evening begins unremarkably until there comes word that one of FAYA’s finest is caught in the middle of his own “Self-Declared” Watership Down Target in the middle of Portage Lake. Jody was able to make the acquaintance of a friendly pontoon driver to push him near the shore… just then Jody finds himself in a face to face clandestine meeting with the officers of the DNR, the following exchange ensues:
DNR: “Sir…you CAN NOT be here, it isn’t safe.”
Jody: “Look, you have two choices, you can let me land here, or you can call “Jenny” (Granholm) and tell her that I’m in danger and MUST land here.”
DNR: “THIS ISN’T SAFE!”
Jody: “Sir you are talking to a Professional. I just sailed across the Atlantic, and landed at Plymouth Rock.”
We can only now imagine the rest of the conversation, and which party walked away with the narrow victory, as “Jake Leatherneck” returned to the compound with his very weary Team Phoenix. After a post flight briefing to the crowd, Jody Leatherberry took a few moments to sit down with our own FAYA Special On-Site Correspondent Lainie Niemi:
LN: Did you think you were going to die?
Jody: My first instinct, naturally, was to panic. However, after a deep breath, and a quick prayer to the FAYA Founding Fathers, I was able to regain some my composure.
LN: Have you been in this situation before?
Jody: Only a few times have I been near the water, but never in a landing situation. Few have been able to experience the thrill and exhilaration of “Jake Leatherneck’s” Famous Acrobatic Water Stunts.
LN: Were your passengers scared?
Jody: Much to my surprise, the passengers kept their cool; much better than I did-I must admit. I was shocked, but they mustn’t have been able to sense the pure panic, and sheer terror that was seeping from my pores.
LN: Did you consider jumping?
Jody: I did think about it. But, it was after I weighed the fact that I’m still making payments on the balloon, and the more sobering fact that I do not currently have the aircraft properly insured…that I reconsidered and decided that I; just like a real Phoenix must rise from the ashes and start A NEW. I must fight for the innocent lives of my passengers.
LN: If you find yourself facing the same situation again, what would you do differently?
Jody: Differently—Yeah, Yeah—Yeah, I’m just gonna bail.
After the interview concluded, our on-site correspondent met with Mrs. Leatherberry, and asked how she handled the news of her husbands harrowing experience:
“I racked my memory, and tried to remember if he left the lottery ticket at home.”
Other sources close to Mrs. Leatherberry stated that upon being notified of Jody’s decent in to Portage Lake, she immediately began making arrangements to elope with FAYA’s most Eligible Bachelor, Trace Christenson.
Saturday September 1, 2007
Briefing began at 6:30 a.m. with some strong coffee, and heavy eyes. Again the wind seemed to have missed roll call. Joining the hunt this morning is Shawn Raya, whom arrived under the cover of darkness with Sandra and the kids in tow. After a few orders of business from Chuck and Jody the crew was off to the VFW for the first launch of the morning.
Nearly eleven balloons lifted off into the beautiful azure skies above Stockbridge. A nice slow flight gives pilots three opportunities to hit a variety of targets in the area. As the flight progresses, it would seem without incident, until word of a pumpkin drop gone awry made its way throughout the crowd…
LN: Did you think you were going to die?
Jody: My first instinct, naturally, was to panic. However, after a deep breath, and a quick prayer to the FAYA Founding Fathers, I was able to regain some my composure.
LN: Have you been in this situation before?
Jody: Only a few times have I been near the water, but never in a landing situation. Few have been able to experience the thrill and exhilaration of “Jake Leatherneck’s” Famous Acrobatic Water Stunts.
LN: Were your passengers scared?
Jody: Much to my surprise, the passengers kept their cool; much better than I did-I must admit. I was shocked, but they mustn’t have been able to sense the pure panic, and sheer terror that was seeping from my pores.
LN: Did you consider jumping?
Jody: I did think about it. But, it was after I weighed the fact that I’m still making payments on the balloon, and the more sobering fact that I do not currently have the aircraft properly insured…that I reconsidered and decided that I; just like a real Phoenix must rise from the ashes and start A NEW. I must fight for the innocent lives of my passengers.
LN: If you find yourself facing the same situation again, what would you do differently?
Jody: Differently—Yeah, Yeah—Yeah, I’m just gonna bail.
After the interview concluded, our on-site correspondent met with Mrs. Leatherberry, and asked how she handled the news of her husbands harrowing experience:
“I racked my memory, and tried to remember if he left the lottery ticket at home.”
Other sources close to Mrs. Leatherberry stated that upon being notified of Jody’s decent in to Portage Lake, she immediately began making arrangements to elope with FAYA’s most Eligible Bachelor, Trace Christenson.
Saturday September 1, 2007
Briefing began at 6:30 a.m. with some strong coffee, and heavy eyes. Again the wind seemed to have missed roll call. Joining the hunt this morning is Shawn Raya, whom arrived under the cover of darkness with Sandra and the kids in tow. After a few orders of business from Chuck and Jody the crew was off to the VFW for the first launch of the morning.
Nearly eleven balloons lifted off into the beautiful azure skies above Stockbridge. A nice slow flight gives pilots three opportunities to hit a variety of targets in the area. As the flight progresses, it would seem without incident, until word of a pumpkin drop gone awry made its way throughout the crowd…
The phone calls were coming fast. First an angry Mrs. Cosgrove called “That Jody Leatherberry” and got Amanda…She called “That Jody Leatherberry” and informed him that Mrs. Cosgrove would like a call back about the dangerous situation that just occurred in her front yard. “That Jody Leatherberry” asked his wife kindly to call Safety Officer Chuck and explain the whole situation to him, OMITTING that she had first called and made aware “That Jody Leatherberry”. Wise beyond his years, Chuck was not to be fooled.Back at the compound, the gang gathered for a critical incident debriefing during which it was decided by charter FAYA members to send new pilot (and pregnant) Amanda to Mrs. Cosgrove’s to smooth over Land Owner Relations. Upon her return, Amanda informed us that a wheelchair bound Mrs. C was livid, as her daughter had been standing under a tree near the scene of the alleged, and unexpected produce drop. As she was instructed during the debriefing, evidence was retrieved, tagged, sampled and photographed for filing under the title of “The Stockbridge Incident”. A photo review of the scene itself was conducted after Amanda stated that Birk’s pumpkin had IN FACT created a crater near Mrs. C’s fence. In order to ease the concerns of the landowner, Amanda, quick on her feet (as she is still in her first trimester) assured Mrs. C that the vigilante pumpkin pitcher had been removed from the Championship Competition.
Be careful what you ask for…
While at lunch Saturday afternoon Chuck made contact with Matt and Lainie who were rumored to be in the Jackson area at Meijer. Chuck asked them to bring back two chickens so that Brian could grill beer can chicken. A plan was then hatched by the Pumpkin Drop’s student pilot, to bring back two live chickens in addition to the two to be purchased at Meijer.
Unfamiliar with the locale and its merchants, a resourceful Matt Niemi contacted local pilot, aka The Balloonmeister, aka Jake Leatherneck, aka Jody Leatherberry to find the closest farmer where he may procure afore mentioned live birds. Following some quick investigation, Jody was able to point Matt and his accomplices to a farm market on Territorial Road. The gracious owner agreed to lend a chicken to the cause.
Once back at the Walz compound, Matt presented a gunny sack full of a live chicken to an unfazed Brian and Cindy. While Cindy was ready to have at the bird, thoughts were turned to the idea of photographing Chuck’s reaction to the package from the farm market. As Chuck arrived to pick up the chicken from Matt, he jumped back at the site of there being an actual live bird on the premises. “What the Hell…That thing is ALIVE!!!” Laughs were had by all, and as you can see, the plan came together in just the way it was intended.Dinner is on…
Chef Brian and his lovely assistant Chuck were hard at work grilling mouth watering roasts, and beer can chickens, while a cauldron of chili continued to simmer, as it had all day, over hot coals. At about 4:30 p.m., everyone sat down to another sidesplitting meal complete with corn on the cob and nearly any other kind of dish to pass you can imagine. Crews were then spotted rolling their pilots out from under the tents to their vehicles.
Back to the skies…
Later that evening, there were more pumpkins dropped from the sky. Joey Gauthier made a nearly catastrophic throw, as he and Pat threw a pumpkin over-board to “make room” as it nearly landed on the hood of his own chase van!!! Thankfully the pumpkin narrowly missed the van, and made contact with the pavement only. This being the first flight that was completed without incident, everyone headed back to the tent to partake, and mingle…spirits remained high even as the group was besieged by the largest mosquitoes known to man…where we continued to “GIVE IT UP FOR CRYSTAL FLASH!!!”
Later that evening, there were more pumpkins dropped from the sky. Joey Gauthier made a nearly catastrophic throw, as he and Pat threw a pumpkin over-board to “make room” as it nearly landed on the hood of his own chase van!!! Thankfully the pumpkin narrowly missed the van, and made contact with the pavement only. This being the first flight that was completed without incident, everyone headed back to the tent to partake, and mingle…spirits remained high even as the group was besieged by the largest mosquitoes known to man…where we continued to “GIVE IT UP FOR CRYSTAL FLASH!!!”
Sunday September 2, 2007
A final mass launch took place after the final briefing, where the wind finally made it for roll call. After the tasks, the results were in…
Finishing in first place in the FAYA Triple Crown: Phil Clinger, followed closely in second place by Jim Birk. The only two pilots in attendance during all three legs of the crown.
Finishing in third place of the 2007 Pumpkin Drop was Chuck Walz. Second Place was taken by Shawn Raya, with Jody Leatherberry of Team Phoenix Racing taking home the first place trophy. Jody graciously accepted the trophy after a long, drawn out, and at times painful, tear-streaked Closing Ceremony.
Thanks were rightfully doled out, and yet another huge round of applause were handed to Chuck and Cindy for opening their home to another successful Pumpkin Drop, and the throngs that it drew. And one last time, we “GAVE IT UP FOR CRYSTAL FLASH!!!” A tired, and hung-over Pumpkin Drop crowd packed up and headed out.
Until next time…
A final mass launch took place after the final briefing, where the wind finally made it for roll call. After the tasks, the results were in…
Finishing in first place in the FAYA Triple Crown: Phil Clinger, followed closely in second place by Jim Birk. The only two pilots in attendance during all three legs of the crown.
Finishing in third place of the 2007 Pumpkin Drop was Chuck Walz. Second Place was taken by Shawn Raya, with Jody Leatherberry of Team Phoenix Racing taking home the first place trophy. Jody graciously accepted the trophy after a long, drawn out, and at times painful, tear-streaked Closing Ceremony.
Thanks were rightfully doled out, and yet another huge round of applause were handed to Chuck and Cindy for opening their home to another successful Pumpkin Drop, and the throngs that it drew. And one last time, we “GAVE IT UP FOR CRYSTAL FLASH!!!” A tired, and hung-over Pumpkin Drop crowd packed up and headed out.
Until next time…
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