Aviation Ranch – December Newsletter

Season’s Greetings from Aviation Ranch!

As we wrap up a year of community, giving, and growth, we want to take a moment to thank all those who supported our missions and helped make this holiday season special. December was a month of giving, joy, and preparation for the exciting things to come in the new year.

 

A Memorable Weekend After Thanksgiving: A Celebration of Ballooning and Achievement

The weekend after Thanksgiving was a special one at Aviation Ranch as we had the privilege of hosting a fantastic group of pilots and students.

  • Lauren Sawin stayed at the Ranch for her Check Ride, kicking off a great weekend of flight and fun. We wish her all the best as she continues her journey in ballooning!
  • Danielle DePrimo, Jenna Litton and Jett McDaniel brought their balloons and friends to the Ranch, and the skies were filled with excitement as we launched into an unforgettable adventure.
  • Students were able to take flight, enjoying the thrill of ballooning with new friends and experienced pilots.
  • Special thanks to Jenna, Brock, and several others who helped make this weekend’s collaboration with the Maverick group a huge success. It was truly a joy to see such an amazing group of young people joining the sport and bringing their energy, passion, and enthusiasm to the world of ballooning.

What a great addition they are to this amazing balloon community!

Adopt-A-Family: Spreading Holiday Cheer

We are thrilled to share the success of our Adopt-A-Family (Cordele Adopt an Angel) mission. Thanks to the generosity of our community, we were able to bless four families in need with gifts and essential items. These families received:

  • Toys and Christmas gifts for the kids that they had wished for.
  • Household cleaning supplies and baskets filled with essential items like soaps, personal hygiene products, and hair care items.
  • Large packs of toilet paper, paper towels, and laundry supplies to help make their daily lives easier.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our special elves—Brooklyn, Erika, Ginger, Katlyn, Nicole, and Matt—who helped shop, wrap, and make this all possible. We look forward to continuing this tradition next year and adopting even more families in need.

Ranch Updates: New Additions and Projects

We’re excited to share several new updates around the Ranch that are enhancing both our operations and the experience for all of our guests:

  • New 30-Foot Flag Pole: We’re proud to have a new 30-foot flag pole at the entrance, complete with a solar-powered light that shines brightly on our American flag. This addition has become a proud symbol of our community and dedication.
  • Aviation Ranch Flag: A heartfelt thank you to Ginger and Steve Dales for gifting us a beautiful new Aviation Ranch flag, which will be displayed once we’ve finished mourning President Carter. We’re excited to add it to our entrance and show our Ranch spirit.
  • Firepit Area Enhancements: We are currently working on pavers for our incredible hot air balloon fire pit area, graciously gifted to the Ranch by the Nutting Family. This firepit is already becoming a great spot for our cabin guests to gather, and we’re excited to enhance the space even more!
  • Blue Barn Updates: We’ve made improvements to the Blue Barn by installing a new door that will provide more space for equipment storage, ensuring that our balloons and Ranch tools are kept separate and organized.
  • Balloon Barn Reorganization: Tom and Rob have been working hard to reorganize the Balloon Barn for the most efficient storage of our balloon equipment. Their efforts will ensure easy access and smooth operations for the team.
  • Pecan Tree Care: Hunter has been working diligently to clean up around our pecan trees, using pecan ash as fertilizer to boost the harvest for next year. This year, we’ve had a great drop of pecans, and we’re looking forward to a bountiful harvest in the future.

We’re grateful for everyone’s hard work and excited to see these projects take shape!

Holiday Fun: Golf Cart Parade at Georgia Veterans Memorial Park

We also had the joy of participating in the Golf Cart Parade through Georgia Veterans Memorial Park, including the campground. It was a heartwarming experience to see all the kids cheering us on as we helped lead the parade, warming up the atmosphere with our burners. The event was a true success, and we want to congratulate Aviation Ranch for winning 2nd place! Thank you to all who contributed to making this a fun and festive event for everyone involved.

Looking Ahead: Training and Upcoming Events

We’re excited for what’s coming in the next few months:

  • New Student Training: In the coming months, we’ll be training new students to help grow and develop our sport, while also working with seasoned crew members to take on leadership roles.
  • Cordele Balloon Festival: Details will be shared soon—mark your calendars for April 11 – 13, 2025!
  • Sun N Fun International Fly-In: We will be excited to offer more flying, more fun and more adventure during the 51st year of Sun N Fun. Stay Tuned for more details.  
  • Safety Seminar – March 15: We’re excited to announce our Safety Seminar on March 15 at South Georgia Technical College (402 N Midway Rd, Cordele, GA 31015). This event will provide valuable information on safety protocols and best practices.

For those traveling for the seminar, we’re happy to assist with hotel bookings or arrange Dry Camping at the Ranch. Please email us at aviationranch22@gmail.com for more details.

Wishing You a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year

As we close out 2024, we want to extend our warmest wishes to you and your family. We are grateful for your support and are looking forward to all the wonderful things we will accomplish together in 2025. May the new year bring you happiness, health, and success.

Thank you for being part of the Aviation Ranch family!

Contact Us: For more information or to get involved, feel free to reach out to us via email at aviationranch22@gmail.com.