On Sept. 19, hot air balloons raced across the sky in the annual Great Forest Park Balloon Race. One of them carried 76-year-old Karen Lindner, a resident of Cedarhurst of Tesson Heights, who was granted her wish to ride in a hot air balloon through the senior living facility’s Dream Come TRUE program.
Lindner went up into the sky on a hot air balloon during the race, an event at Forest Park’s Emerson Central Fields which draws thousands every year. It was her first time riding in a balloon and even attending the Great Forest Park Balloon Race. Prior to the race, Lindner said she just hoped that her balloon might win.
“This is my first time,” Lindner said. “I’m hoping that there will be a whole bunch of balloons around, and we’ll all go up together.”
Through the Dream Come TRUE program, Cedarhurst randomly selects seniors in their facility to make a wish — a chance to cross off a bucket list item. According to communications manager Ryan Davis, Cedarhurst will make 51 Dream Come TRUE experiences come to fruition this year across approximately 50 locations. Seven of those experiences will be hot air balloon rides.
“Dream Come TRUE is about learning our residents’ stories, their passions and the things that are meaningful to them and then finding ways to bring those experiences to life,” Davis said. “Every dream is different. It could be trying something completely new, reconnecting with a lifelong passion or returning to a place that holds special memories. Ultimately, it’s about creating meaningful experiences for our residents and their families.”
It was Lindner’s first time entering the Dream Come TRUE contest — she was shocked and excited to be selected. She said that she chose the hot air balloon ride in honor of her mother-in-law, Rose Marie Lindner, who had the chance to do the same when she was young.
“She dearly loved hot air balloons,” Lindner said.
Prior to the race, Lindner said she was growing more calm and comfortable with the idea of going up into the sky.
“I’m getting more relaxed. A bunch of people were trying to make me more nervous about it,” Lindner said. “They were saying, ‘Well, I wouldn’t go up in a hot air balloon!’ Even a helicopter pilot was saying that. I thought, ‘Okay!’ But yeah, I’m excited.”
At Cedarhurst, Lindner is a member of the Tesson Heights Cheerleaders. The senior cheerleading troupe had the chance to perform a few of their routines at the Great Forest Park Balloon Race, and one was about going up in a balloon.
