Co-op News
Co-op Competes in Balloon Race
The Touchstone Energy® Hot Air Balloon helped mark the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway earlier this month. Touchstone Energy pilot Cheri White and her balloon team were among 33 crews that took part in races May 1–3 as part of the Centennial Era Balloon Festival.
Touchstone Energy Hot Air Balloon pilot Cheri White (center) prepares to lift off with two co-op staffers in Indianapolis. (Photo By: Indiana Statewide Association of RECS)
The field was a salute to the 33 cars that traditionally take part in the annual Indianapolis 500 mile race. Besides participating in a tethered balloon glow on May 2, White went airborne with four employees of Indiana co-ops.
“Flying in the Touchstone Balloon really brought home what it means to be a Touchstone Energy partner,” said Ann Bishop, a customer services specialist at Clark County REMC, Sellersburg.
“I felt privileged to have been able to fly in the Touchstone Balloon as part of this historical event,” said Carmen Littleton, a customer service representative at Hendricks County REMC, Avon, who joined Ryan Bewley, an engineer with Central Indiana Power, Greenfield, for the ride.
A gas balloon race was held at Indy in 1909, and Lynn Moore, the Indiana statewide’s director of member relations and development said, “It was very exciting to have Touchstone Energy’s balloon team in a similar event to kick off the centennial era.”
The statewide, Bloomington-based G&T Hoosier Energy and Touchstone Energy co-sponsored the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives Hot Air Balloon Team’s appearance.
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