The Annual Car show coming this Saturday will have a special attraction this year, weather permitting. REMAX has arranged to bring its hot air balloon to the parking lot of the Millbrook Library to help make a senior’s wish come true through the Wish of a Lifetime organization, whose mission is to shift the way society views surrounding older generations by fulfilling seniors’ dreams and sharing their stories to inspire those of all ages. With recipient wishes as diverse as the seniors behind them, these occasions are designed to help older adults renew and celebrate their passions, fulfill their lifelong dreams, and commemorate their service to country and community. Sometimes the experiences centre around reunions with loved ones, or trips to revisit sights of personal or even national significance such as the beaches of Normandy for aging veterans. All wishes fulfilled are designed to provide emotional and psychological support to help older adults achieve a long-held, meaningful dream, which is uplifting not only for the immediate recipient, but for their friends and families as well.
Early this Saturday, the Wish of Lifetime organization has arranged to give 92-year-old Belleville resident Mary McLean her wish to ride in a hot air balloon. She will be joined by her daughter Joanna Hoekstra as they launch into the skies over Millbrook in the REMAX balloon which will be operated under the guidance of Cross Country Air Balloons. The ride will be vertical only- the balloon will be tethered to vehicles on the ground, but up they will go, to provide a birds-eye view of the area.
Having lived in a home which was frequently passed by hot air balloons, Mary McLean has been longing to get her own view from above for many years. Her wish is to soar over the Ontario countryside in a balloon. The event almost happened on her 70th birthday, when Mary had organized a balloon ride, complete with a large group of accompanying friends and a bottle of champagne to uncork afterward, but the host company cancelled at the last minute and the event was never rescheduled. Over the past few years, a loss in mobility has increased the intensity of her wish, and on Saturday she hopes to cover more ground in the balloon than she ever could with her walker.
After Mary’s ride is complete, the hot air balloon will be available to the public for tethered rides until approximately 1 pm for a free will donation which will be directed to the Millbrook Family Centre. Also at this location there will be pizza slices for sale from Bewdley Pizza, and drinks will be sold by representatives of the Family Centre. The hot air balloon experience is only possible in good weather, so high winds and serious rain (not light showers) will force the cancellation of all rides.
Rain or shine, there will be cars- shiny, new-looking but none of them new, and familiar faces to visit and old stories to tell. Come on down to the Car Show on Saturday! KG
