A birthday week to remember

By Mark Ribble

As Leamington resident Nany Kettle’s 65th birthday approached, her two close friends — Terry Johnston and Ruby Cowan — thought they’d better do something big to celebrate it.

On Monday, May 9, Ruby and Terry picked Nancy up and told her they were taking her out for the day, but they actually took her on an all-expenses paid two-day trip to Stratford, where they saw the musical Chicago.

Larry Kettle pictured on the balcony at Fiore Towers with his wife’s 65 birthday balloons.

Photos courtesy of Terry Johnston

Unbeknownst to Nancy, the two friends then ordered 65 balloons of all shapes and sizes from Leamington Canadian Tire.

“The three of us are great friends and we pretty much do everything together,” said Terry Johnston. “We wanted to give Nancy a birthday she would remember.”

On Wednesday, May 11, Terry and Ruby made their way to Canadian Tire to pick up the balloons and then carefully made their way up Erie Street with Terry holding on to the balloons in the back seat of the car, turning heads along the way to Nancy’s apartment building at Fiore Towers.

Upon arrival at Nancy’s place, Terry and Ruby enlisted the help of Nancy’s husband, Larry, as the trio took the next two hours to attach the 65 balloons to the balcony railing.

Terry Johnston holds on to the 65 balloons as they prepare to drive up Erie Street to Fiore Towers.

Passersby noticed the gaggle of balloons as they drove along Erie Street and two young ladies even stopped and sang Happy Birthday to the surprised honouree.

“Nancy just about flipped when she saw what we had done,” said Terry.

They topped the week off by bringing Nancy’s grandchildren to the building on Friday evening for a pizza party.

As another surprise, two of Nancy’s brothers arrived Saturday — her actual birthday — and a large family birthday gathering was held Sunday at Kingsville Golf and Country Club.

“It was a week full of birthday celebrations,” said Terry. “She deserves it.”