CNA-SS-9-15-2016

39

th annual southwest iowa

HOT AIR BALLOON DAYS september 16-18, 2016 creston, iowa

a supplement of the

Page 2c— Creston News Advertiser — Thursday, September 15, 2016

Welcome to Southwest Iowa Hot Air Balloon Days Southwest Iowa Hot Air Balloon Committee Chairperson

School has started; football games and tailgate parties remind us that fall is upon us. It is also time for another weekend celebration of Balloon Days.

Balloon Days will be held this weekend. I would like to take this opportunity to invite you, your friends and family to this wonderful event that has been a celebration for Creston for years.

There is an activity for all ages during Balloon Days weekend. Balloon pilots will inflate their balloons early in the morning and in the evening as well. Please refer to the Creston News Advertiser’s Balloon Days special section for times,

locations and all the other scheduled events during the weekend. Listen to KSIB for updates on flight times and other weather-related information.

While I am the chairperson of this great event, I couldn’t do this without many volunteers.

E l l e n and Peggy at the Chamber Lanning of Commerce continue to put in countless hours to coordinate sponsors, pilots, hotel reservations, food and multiple other tasks that need completed well in advance of the Balloon Days event.

I would like to personally thank the volunteers that

THIS YEAR ...

Balloonmeister: Jim Gebhart of Indianola No. of balloons: 31 Weatherman: Scott Armstrong Announcer: Mark Paulsen Flight conditions: On Twitter, follow CNA Managing Editor Scott Vicker (@scottvicker) for information on whether balloons will fly. assist in so many different areas to make this weekend such a success. I would CNA file photo also like to thank the spon- A hot air balloon coasts by the sun around 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, during the sors who not only provide Southwest Iowa Hot Air Balloon Days. financing, but also are gracious with their time and great host to our visitors. It cause it is a time that our and has fun! Enjoy the acmakes me proud each year community comes together tivities of the weekend. hospitality to their pilots.

Thank you, Creston com- to watch the events unfold munity, for being such a during Balloon Days be-

‘Freedom of floating’ n Father and son Jim and Aaron Gebhart will participate

together in the 39th-annual Southwest Iowa Hot Air Balloon Days, and Jim is the balloonmeister.

By KELSEY HAUGEN CNA associate editor khaugen@crestonnews.com

Aaron Gebhart was 2 weeks old when his father, Jim Gebhart, first took him

up in a hot air balloon.

Ever since, the 34-yearold Aaron has experienced an unparalleled sense of freedom when floating through the air. Following in his father’s footsteps, he

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became a certified hot air balloon pilot.

For the third consecutive year, Jim will be the balloonmeister, or race director, for the 39th-Annual Southwest Iowa Hot Air Balloon Days

held this weekend in Creston. Aaron will fly a balloon named “Step-N-Up” in the event.

Jim, 60, of Indianola has been a hot air balloon pilot for about 35 years.

“Back in 1974, when the national balloon championship was held in Indianola at

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Creston News Advertiser — Thursday, September 15, 2016 — Page 3c

39 Annual Hot Air Balloon Days th

September 16,17,18, 2016 • Creston, Iowa

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

(Subject to Change) (Balloon Flights are subject to weather conditions) (* Indicates the event is sponsored by the Hot Air Balloon Committee)

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 Pork Chop Dinner, McKinley Park ...........................................4:30 - 7:00 p.m.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

*Fun Flight ......................................................................................... 5:00 p.m.

Friends of the Library Used Book Sale, Collectors Nights, Methodist Church, 400 N. Elm St ......................3-7 p.m.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

*Balloon Race......................................................................6:30 a.m. – Airport *Food Stands...................................................6 a.m. -? - Airport/and Uptown *Flea Market ................................................8 a.m. - 4 p.m. – Uptown – Depot YMCA 5K Balloon Days Walk/Run ..........................8:00 a.m. - McKinley Park Caboose Open ........................................................... 9 a.m. - Noon - Uptown Creston Model Railroaders ......................................... 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. – Depot *Craft Fair ................................................... 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. - Uptown – Depot Presidential Doll Display......................................................... All Day – Depot Friends of the Library Used Book Sale, ................................... 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Methodist Church, 400 N. Elm *Parade - Marching Bands, Balloonists and more ..........10:30 a.m. – Uptown Creston Hot Air Balloon Days Show & Shine Car Show, Kilgores RV, 601 Sheldon .............Noon - 4 p.m.

Historical Complex Open ..........................1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. - McKinley Park *Pet Show.......................................................................... 2:00 p.m. – Airport *Pedal Pull ......................................................................... 2:30 p.m. – Airport *Balloon Race..................................................................... 4:30 p.m. – Airport *Night Glow .............................................................................. Dusk – Airport

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

*Balloon Race..................................................................... 6:30 a.m. – Airport *Food Stands................................................................... 6 - 10 a.m. – Airport

Come Join in the Fun!

2016 Balloon Sponsors Action Photo Agriland FS American Legion Post #70 Bunn-O-Matic Creston News Advertiser Creston Radio Creston Super Eight Motel Crop Production Services, Inc. Elite Staffing Farm Bureau Financial Services Fastenow Family Ferrara Candy Company Gavilon Grain LLC Green Valley Pest & Lawn Care Hometown Insurance Hy-Vee Iowa State Savings Bank

Medicap Pharmacy Mr. Clean Carpet Care Phil Price Construction PCSB Bank Pokorny BP & Automotive Service Powers Funeral Home Pryor Concrete Construction R. E. Lewis Refrigeration Rieman Music Southwest Distributing Stalker Chevrolet Supertel Inn and Conference Center United Farmers Cooperative Winterstien Construction

Shirt Color - WHITE CRESTON Adult T-Shirts S-XL-$13 • XXL-$14 • XXXL-$15 Hot Air Balloon Adult Sweatshirts S-XL-$20 • XXL-$21 • XXXL-$22 Balloon Pin - $5 Days Official PARKING Sweatshirts, Proceeds going to: Balloon Days Activities At the airport south of Creston on Cherry Street. and Creston FFA T-Shirts & Pins $1 per vehicle each time Available at… Creston Chamber of Commerce, 208 W. Taylor • 782-7021 Hot Air Balloon Committee • P.O. Box 471, Creston, Iowa 50801 (641) 782-7021 www.crestoniowachamber.com SM-CP3559130915

Page 4c— Creston News Advertiser — Thursday, September 15, 2016

FREEDOM: CONT. FROM | 2c

the Simpson College football field, it was a block away from my house, and I went out and got intrigued by it,” he said.

In 1981, Jim went through the process of earning his pilot certificate, which required about 12 hours of instruction, two hours of solo flight, a written test and check ride with a professional flight examiner.

While working as a generator salesman for Interstate PowerSystems, Jim finds time to fly as much as possible and has participated in events all over Iowa, in Illinois J. Gebhart and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

“Albuquerque is the International Balloon Fiesta, and it’s a weeklong event that attracts more than 650 bal-

loons, and it’s just nice to be part of that group,” Jim said.

“You fly off the mountain ridge there and you’re landing basically in sand or dirt. ... The wind currents down there are totally different than Iowa, so we do different flying. In Iowa, we have straight winds. In Albuquerque, there’s a box. You can actually take off and fly back and around and almost land where you took off from.”

Jim has been involved in Creston’s event for several years since he became certified.

“This event’s been going on for 39 years, so it’s a good, stable event, and it’s a nice area to fly – around the city and airport,” Jim said. “I had basically been helping Rob Bartholomew, who was the race director for 25-plus years, for the last 10 or 12 years as his scoring official.

He finally retired and asked me if I would take over his position three years ago.”

Aaron, 34, of Milford will be flying Step-N-Up, a yellow, red, blue and green 2016 Lindstrand 77X, under

his father’s direction.

About 12 years ago, Aaron became certified as a pilot. But, he’s been hooked on hot air balloons since childhood.

“The best part of flying for me is the freedom,” Aaron said. “You get to be up in the skies, and the only noise we have is the burners. It’s just the freedom of floating with wherever the wind takes us.”

Every year since becoming a pilot, he has participated in the Creston event.

“I always look forward to the sponsors,” Aaron said.

“They always welcome the pilots, welcome the balloons. The people in Creston are fabulous. Going to that event and seeing everyone come out to see the balloons and welcome us, it’s just a great time.”

For Aaron, the most challenging part of flying in balloon events is the competition portion.

“It’s getting the right winds, the right fields and the right spot at the right time,” Aaron said. “Wher-

ever they place their targets at, they give us the coordinates to the field, so we have to hit the right winds to get us to that right field.”

As the event fast approaches, Jim most looks forward to spectators being “in awe” over the hot air balloons.

He hopes to continue as a pilot for another 10 to 12 years, so long as he is in good health, as flying often provides memorable moments – especially when he has a couple aboard. Jim has so far aided with about 10 engagement proposals in his hot air balloon basket.

“Proposals are nice memories to have, when there’s ony one balloon and the bride and groom-to-be in the basket,” Jim said. “A lot of times, they call the National Balloon Museum and get four or five names of pilots who do balloonfor-hire and then they ask if I’ll do it.”

“I say, ‘Sure. I just don’t know what he’s gonna do if she says no,’” Jim joked. “I hope she’s saying yes.”

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Pictured is Balloonmeister Jim Gebhart’s hot air balloon, named “Step-N-Up,” that his son Aaron Gebhart will fly in the 39th-Annual Southwest Iowa Hot Air Balloon Days held this weekend in Creston.

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Creston News Advertiser — Thursday, September 15, 2016 — Page 5c

Meet the pilots: New, experienced pilots coming to Creston Name: Mike Reinert Age: 65 Hometown: Alta How long have you been coming to Creston for Balloon Days? I don’t remember the first year, but I would say 15 years.

Balloon you’ll be bringing: “Air Forge,” a pink, black and white Lintstrand AX7 77X Why do you come to Creston for Balloon Days?

Creston is a good place to fly and we’ve had a very good relationship with our previous sponsors.

Favorite activity here when not ballooning: Resting and visiting with my sponsor

Name: Chase Sanders (shown below left) Age: 25 Hometown: Ankeny How long have you been coming to Creston for Balloon Days? It’s my first time flying.

Balloon you’ll be bringing: “Pyro,” a black, grey, red and yellow checkered 65,000-cubic-foot National racer (pictured at right) What made you decide to come to Creston for Balloon Days? I just got my license about 2 1/2 months ago. I chose Creston because of timing, the proximity and it’s a pretty good competition.

What are you most looking forward to doing in Creston other than ballooning? Probably checking out the town. I was briefly there before, but I don’t know much about it. I’ve heard the sponsors there are very hands-on, so I’m looking forward to that.

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Age: 34 Hometown: Carlisle How long have you been coming to Creston for Balloon Days? Almost 10 years Balloon you’ll be bringing: “Yellow Brick Road,” a 77,000-cubic-foot yellow, black and green spiral (pictured below) Why do you come to Creston for Balloon Days? I’m from Iowa and it’s just nice to have your own kind of local events. I’ve become really good friends with my sponsors at this event.

Favorite activity here when not ballooning: Usually we golf with (our sponsors).

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Name: Mike Shrum (pictured above) Age: 51 Hometown: Fort Collins, Colorado How long have you been coming to Creston for Balloon Days? It will be my first time participating here.

Balloon you’ll be bringing: “Storm’s End,” a 105,00- cubic-foot blue, green and yellow spiral (pictured at right) What made you decide to come to Creston for Balloon Days? I know several of the pilots that have flown it for many years. My real job takes me traveling to many different cities. I’ve worked

in the Omaha area off and on for nine years, but never have been able to make the event. Now I can make it, so I applied for it and they were gracious enough to let me in and my girlfriend can come fly, too.

What are you most looking forward to doing in Creston other than ballooning? We’re looking forward to the parade. I understand that’s a big hit there. We’re going to make a showing at that. We’re excited about being able to participate in it.

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Page 6c— Creston News Advertiser — Thursday, September 15, 2016

Folley’s first Creston adventure

By BAILEY POOLMAN as well as instruct future reach out and touch it.�

CNA staff reporter bpoolman@crestonnews.com

Tamie Folley hasn’t been flying hot air balloons as long as some people, but her passion burns just as bright.

Folley, 47, lives in Fort Collins, Colorado, but travels all over the country, and sometimes even visits other countries, to pursue her passion for flying hot air balloons.

Folley, who used to live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, grew up seeing the balloons float through the blue sky, and since 2010, has been doing the flying as well. “I got into it about six years ago,� Folley said. “It was a daily thing to see so many balloons in the air in Albuquerque, so it was already a passion. I suppose as far as being a pilot, it was just something I felt the desire to do.�

In 2010, Folley purchased a pink camouflage Kubiecek-brand balloon from a friend and became the proud owner of “Tamo.�

Pilot Folley became a private pilot before expanding her education. “For my private certificate, it took a little over a year,� Folley said. “And then, two years later, I became a commercial pilot.�

As a commercial pilot, Folley can fly for money,

hot-air balloonists. “We currently have a couple students that we’re working with,� Folley said, “but, mostly, I fly professionally.�

Long jumping Before gaining her private certificate, Folley did a solo flight 5,000 feet above ground level. After that, she’s loved experiencing extreme flights, also known as a long jump. “By the time I got to my solo flight in my training process, I was read. It was peaceful and an escape from the world,� Folley said.�

Folley said once a person gets to about 2,000 feet above ground level, everything goes silent. That, she said, was her favorite part about flying. “I flew a hot air balloon over a 14,000-foot mountain in Colorado, at Pike’s Peak,� Folley said. “We fly had to go over 16,000 feet to clear the mountain.

That is probably my most memorable moment. “It’s high. It’s cold. It requires perfect weather and oxygen during the flight.

It took six months to plan.

It was like flying in a 3D movie,� Folley continued. “As we flew over the peak, it looked as if you could

Folley doesn’t have any other long jumps in the works, but that won’t stop her from doing another one in the future.

Creston Before traveling to Creston for her first visit, Folley has visited sites all across the United States and even ventured into the Philippines and Canada for hot air balloon events.

Over the past weekend, Folley visited Council Bluffs for a ballooning event. For her, Creston is more for the entertainment and advertisement factors. “I usually don’t compete, and I don’t usually participate. The balloon is more of an entertainment piece for the crowd,�

Folley said. “When you fly an event, sponsors are extremely important to an Contributed photo event, so that’s my first Pictured, at right, is Tamie Folley’s balloon, “Tamo,� flying next to her boyfriend Mike priority.�

Shrum’s balloon.

As a new place for Folley to balloon in, she’s looking forward to the whole expeNJOY rience. “It’s a new location, a new place for me to fly, IN RESTON and one of the best things about flying is meeting new people and having a new place to fly,� Folley said. “So, I’m looking forSee all the latest innovations in appliances ward to that the most.�

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Creston News Advertiser — Thursday, September 15, 2016 — Page 7c

Past winners of Southwest Iowa balloon competition 2015

1. Jon Shelton 2. Holly Pfeifer 3. Scott Armstrong 4. Brad Craig 5. Devin Burnham 2014 No competitive races; too windy 2013 1. Matt Fenster 2. Brad Craig 3. Todd Isley 4. Leroy Clair 5. Adam Boden 2012 1. Grant Pfeifer 2. Brad Craig 3. Scott Armstrong 4. Terry McGonegle 5. Todd Isley 2011 No competitive races because of cold, wind and rain.

2010 No competitive races because of cold, wind and rain 2009 1. Jon Shelton 2.

Cory Bloom 3. John Jensen 4. Bill Clemons 5. Jeremy Rubin 2008 1. Dale Dommer 2. Brett Wiltse 3. Cory Bloom 4. Al Appenzeller 5. Gary Foutch

2007

1.Todd Isley 2.

Brad Craig 3. Bret Wiltse 4. Ryan Kintzel 5. Bill Clemons 2006 No races, wind and weather 2005 1. Rob Bartholomew 2. Todd Isley 3.

Scott Armstrong 4. Chris

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Steve Hoover 1989 1. John Johnson 2. Brian Bennett 3. Denny Cox 4. Charlie Cook 1988 1. Denny Cox 2. Dave Edmister 3. Jim Thompson 1987 1. Jim Thompson 2. Dave Simpson 3. Carol Sherman • Records before 1987 were not kept by the Creston News Advertiser

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2-Todd Netiey 3. Chuck Schrader 4. Gary Fouche 5.

Dave Edmister 1998 1. Ralph Rieck 2.

Rob Bartholomew 3. Dan Corbin 4. Norm Fee 5. Matt Fenster 1997 1. Gordon Acuff 2. Ralph Rieck 3. Richard Jaworski 4. Terry McGonegle 5. Mike Hadley 1996 1. Dave Edmister 2.Terry McGonegle 3.

Ralph Rieck 4. Mike Hadley 5. Dick Drake 1995 1. Mike Hadley 2. Chuck Schrader 3. Jim Fromm 4. Gary Miklus 5.

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Paul Randleman 3. Dick Drake 4. Karin Wohler 5.

Dave Edmister 1993 No races; rained

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Page 8c— Creston News Advertiser — Thursday, September 15, 2016

CNA file photo

Jon Shelton of West Dest Moines flies his balloon “Straylight 2” into Creston Municipal Airport during the 2015 Southwest Iowa Hot Air Balloon Days. Shelton won the 2015 event with a total score of 5,133.

CNA file photo

Bret Wiltse of Storm Lake prepares to fly over a farm pond in his balloon “Mr. Wizzard” during the 2015 Southwest Iowa Hot Air Balloon Days. Wiltse placed seventh overall out of 33 balloons at the Southwest Iowa Balloon Days.

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Sponsor Tim Jennett, right, stands next to the Green Valley Pest Control and Lawn Care balloon as pilot Dale Dommer runs the burner during the final minutes of 2015’s night glow.

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