Every year about this time our gardening club has a "Balloon Party", this year was no exception, but last year was. Last year there were drainage pipes being laid over a large portion of the comples so that the drainage would work better. Everything was torn-up and a right mess...so the committee decided to cancel it (on short notice). There were members that were a little miffed at this and I think that it shone through this year by the meagre turn-out. Oh well, the kids and grandkids that did come seemed to have a great time. To begin with, the kids got to look at things through a microscope. They could look at the scales of a butterfly, canal invertibrates, leaves and other things. Whilst rummaging about looking for things to investigate under the microscope someone came uponthe bones of a long-dead cat. The bones were gathered-up and ttaken back to the clubhouse where the microscopes were set-up and then after cleaning the bones up a bit...they were laid-out and assembled like a puzzle. The children found this extremely interesting. After 1½ hours of activities, it was time for the balloons. What happens here is that the children fill out a little card with their names and an address. This is then sealed in plastic and tied to the helium-filled balloon with a string. What the idea is, is that the children then release the balloons...and the child that gets a reply from the furtherst away gets a prize awarded at the annual genmeral members' meeting in January. Here are some of the kids getting everything ready with the help of their pasrents and the organizers. Once everyone was ready...3-2-1 was counted off and the balloons were released. There was a good wind that day and the balloons were quickly carried-away to the South-east. After all the excitement, everyone went back to the clubhouse for refreshments and a snack. This wasn't a big turnout, as I saidf...but it does show what our organization does during the course of a year. Personally, I like social activities and I feel that it serves to bind the members.
What a nice event! The kids look quite engaged in it all. I wonder how far the furthest balloon will go? Your lottie complex continues to appeal. I like social activities too -- my neighbors and I are trying to organize a block party for the same reason... binds everyone together. Looks like it was a beautiful day for the balloon party too.
What a shame that more people didn't show up. Mind you the ones that did seemed to be enjoying themselves. I'd have loved to have been there to see the skeleton of that cat - I know I'm really weird that way!!
Sjoerd, what fun activities. We have done a balloon lift-off at the nursing home where I work. We rented a helium tank and filled over 300 balloons! Our residents received replies from people finding the balloons from many miles away. Those party poopers missed an opportunity for a lot of fun at the Balloon day event.
There you go again showing pics of your quaint little village and all the neighbors participation and fun. Just love it. I'm like DB...I am an organizer and like to plan activities that get folks involved. Thanks for sharing Sjoerd.
Thanks folks for your remarks. I sure hope that next year will have more participation as in the past. We'll see. Social events are always fun.
What a nice day for everyone. Those that didn't show up just missed out on the fun. Hope the kids get some responses to their 'balloon-o-grams'
I believe those who were there were the ones meant to be there... More balloons for those who were there too!
What a lovely event Sjoerd. Our allotment site is so small and very anti social that we don't have half the fun you guys do. It will be interesting to hear where the furthest balloon was found.
I know...it sure will. If the balloon makes it across the channel it may well land on your island somewhere...otherwise it'll be heading out across the broad Atlantic, and who knows where that will lead.
What a great thing to have going on...I hope I find one of the balloons, I sure would reply if an address was in it. I do hope next year brings a bigger turn-out for everyone. Maybe it just wasn't a good day for it. Around here you should not have an open house if you are selling your your home on the day of a Packer football game...no one shows up..
