One of the three balloons rising from the Ocean Grove beach. Photos by Ted Aanensen
Ted and Gayle Aanensen were walking along the boardwalk Friday evening when they saw hot-air balloons flying across Ocean Grove. They were being launched from the beach and then blown inland by a breeze coming in off the ocean.
Considering the terrible consequences of fires in Ocean Grove, the Aanensens hurried over to see where these balloons were coming from, and hoping to stop whoever was sending them up.
“We found out one of the women was sending her brother’s ashes into the sky and wouldn’t stop as she sent the last white balloon up,” Ted said. “I don’t think she realized the danger that exists here with fires.” The woman launched three balloons in all — two red ones and one white one.
Aanensen took a few pictures, but didn’t get anyone’s name. “Fortunately,” he said, “as far as we could see the balloons did not land in Ocean Grove.” — CL
The unidentified group of balloon launchers.
Dear people on the beach, I know you’re trying to do the right thing, but with all due sympathy, please check the wind direction next time. A person’s ashes raining down on the ocean may be a beautiful thought, but raining down on your neighbors’ heads…?
Neat idea in concept, but incredibly stupid in reality. Most of the time around the wind belows East to West, from the Ocean to the inland. Thank you to the Aanensens for keeping an eye on the situation. I’m sorry the lady lost her brother, but the level of cluelessness they exhibited is truly jaw-dropping.
Besides stupid, how about selfish as in, “I’ll do exactly what I want when I want to and no matter who it bothers or inconveniences.”
I’m wondering why the OG beach was selected. . .perhaps the deceased brother lived in Ocean Grove. Or worse yet. . .perhaps this misguided woman is a Grover.
Fire prevention is a critical concern of Ocean Grovers…historically and recently.
It has been suggested to the OG Home Owners Association that it focus
one of its early summer meetings on the issue, focusing on what Neptune
Township currently requires in preventative measures plus having an
outside “expert” tell us what else we should be doing as homeowners and citizens of Ocean Grove and Neptune Township.
Norm, you must have missed the meeting when the OGHOA had fire chief David Shotwell Jr. as the program. Perhaps the association can invite the OGFD chief again
Good idea IF he can tell us what are Neptune Township’s code requirements. But obviously we have to do more than “the usual.”
We need that outside “expert’s” advice also to further protect us.