44 MAY 2023 By Rachael Bouley Bucket lists are things people would love to do before they…well, kick the bucket. And for most, “being in the air” in some capacity is one of those items. One of Arizona’s leading air balloon companies has been bringing that dream to life for 40 years. Rainbow Ryders is celebrating not only its 40th birthday but also 25 years as the exclusive ride operator of The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the world’s largest hot-air balloon festival. “It feels inspiring, starting from a humble beginning of one balloon in a garage to now having 40 balloons spread across three states,” founder Scott Appelman said. Growing up in Albuquerque, Appelman was surrounded by hot air balloons. He started as a recreational balloonist before venturing into competitions and launching his company in 1983, with a small team handling rigorous safety protocols, customer service and staff recruitment. “With only two pilots on board and limited technology, the operations were quite challenging,” Appelman recalled. “Despite the hurdles, the greatest obstacle was securing financing for the business due to the niche nature of the industry.” Even with those ups and downs, Appelman and his team remained focused on building a bucket-list experience that people from all walks of life would love, and soon their hard work proved worthwhile. “As the business began to grow, Rainbow Ryders took off and became one of the largest hot air balloon ride companies in the United States, with locations in Albuquerque, Phoenix and Colorado Springs,” Appelman said. Today, Rainbow Ryders’ FAA-certified pilots have flown over 100,000 hours, carried more than 750,000 passengers, and have over 500 years of combined experience. The business is expanding operations and breaking ground on a new building in Glendale. Rainbow Ryders offers daily hot air balloon flights year-round in Phoenix and Albuquerque, plus seasonal trips in Colorado Springs. They also provide ballooning experiences for large groups, corporate events, proposals and weddings. With every flight, passengers are treated to a post-flight celebration with a champagne toast and commemorative certificate, part of Rainbow Ryders’ efforts to create unforgettable experiences. Going forward, the team is focused on increasing efficiency, exploring new opportunities, and maintaining high safety standards. Appelman hopes they will see more Arizonans take to the sky for a different perspective of Phoenix. “Hot air ballooning offers a unique experience that provides an unparalleled view of the Sonoran Desert landscape,” he added. “While weather conditions play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and enjoyment of the flight, passengers can rest assured that safety is a top priority.” Appelman says air ballooning is the oldest and safest form of aviation, as winds and radars are closely monitored to keep everyone safe and comfortable. Flight time also makes a difference. “Hot air balloon rides are scheduled to coincide with sunrise or sunset, when the light is particularly beautiful,” Appelman explained. “If you take an early morning or late afternoon flight, you can expect to see a spectacular sunrise or sunset over the desert.” rainbowryders.com 40 years of high flying fun in the Valley – and beyond By Rachael Bouley St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School has had some busy students this spring – and not just with schoolwork, sports and after-school activities. One of their most important projects was dedicating a new statue of St. Mary to honor former Spanish teacher Mrs. Bobbie Kase. The Women’s Sodality group and friends of Mrs. Kase donated the statue to the school, which hosted an unveiling on February 13, the tenth anniversary of her passing. This included a ceremony with Fr. Joseph Rajan officiating and blessing the statue, followed by a presentation of flowers and a performance of “Jesus Loves Me” by the kindergarten class. Students, teachers, and the Women’s Sodality attended the unveiling of the new statue, which replaced the one originally installed in 2013. It was a fitting tribute to Mrs. Kase, or Señora Kase, as she was affectionally known. The cherished teacher developed the Spanish language program at St. Thomas, working for the school from 1992 through 2011, when she retired following complications from a stroke. During her 20 years there, she taught over 1,000 students, introducing them to Spanish as she shared her love for the language and culture. Señora Kase began her teaching career in 1970 but stepped back when her children were born. Her passion for education remained, and when her daughter started kindergarten at St. Thomas in 1992, she followed her calling to return to the classroom and lead language lessons. Her son, David, acknowledged his mother’s dedication to teaching at the school she loved. “Her favorite place was St. Thomas the Apostle, and she embraced the opportunity each day to work with wonderful people, educate students and serve God through her work with the Women’s Sodality group,” Kase said. “She would be honored to be remembered and have a permanent place there.” The sense of community that Señora Kase enjoyed so much is alive at St. Thomas. The school continues its service project tradition for each grade to help make a difference while encouraging respect and kindness. The preschool classes collected new and gently-used stuffed animals for the Bears for the Brave nonprofit. Kindergarten classes crafted blankets for Project Linus, a nonprofit that delivers blankets to children in need. First graders enjoyed designing bracelets to give to children undergoing cancer and blood disorder treatment at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. The bracelets featured positive words to share the joy and bring light to kids going through a challenging time. “They were so excited to make them and even more excited to see them displayed in the hospital and on the arms of nurses,” Principal Mary Coffman said. The second-graders helped out at Ronald McDonald House, while third-graders headed to local nursing homes to visit with residents. Fourth-graders helped gather clothing for the Community Closet; fifth-graders made blankets for hospitalized veterans; sixth-graders volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul; seventh-graders volunteered at the Sisters of Life organization, and finally, the eighth grade class volunteered with Literacy and Sleep in Heavenly Peace by making beds for families in need. What’s new at St. Thomas the Apostle The fifth-grade class made blankets for hospitalized Veterans. PHOTO COURTESY OF ST. THOMAS PHOTO COURTESY OF RAINBOW RIDERS TR 6 PV Aw M ma ma M T T fl co N T T t k in

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