06/16/07 — 
Click image for slideshow
Gentlemen who’ve proposed: Consider yourselves outdone.
It wasn’t enough for Matt Kinzig to pop The Question at a fancy restaurant, a scenic waterfront or some other traditionally-opportune place and time. No, he had to go and raise the bar a couple thousand feet — literally — by bringing out the ring during a ride in a hot-air balloon aptly called “Diamond Girl.”
The perfect time came around 10 minutes after pilot Ken Kus lifted off from Allegheny College’s Robinson Field at Friday’s Thurston Classic launch. Kinzig said he and Kus had to wait until the balloon was positioned well enough that Kus could take on the extra job of videotaping the moment, being careful to not let the cat out of the basket, so to speak.
So, with a gentle breeze guiding the balloon’s basket across the blue sky, he asked. And she (of course) said yes. “It was amazing. And now we’re engaged,” said Kinzig.
“It was just great,” said Kinzig’s now-betrothed love, Jennifer Robinson. “It was the perfect romantic setting. ...I’m really surprised and happy.”
Kinzig, a news photographer at WJET-TV, said he started hatching the plan after riding along in a hot-air balloon on assignment at last year’s Thurston Classic. “I knew when I met her that she was the one. ...I knew I wanted to propose, and I really wanted it to be in a hot-air balloon.”
Robinson said she’d wanted to take a balloon ride ever since her grandfather had taken one. And the thought of Kinzig proposing in one had crossed her mind.
Before Friday’s ride, she said “in the back of my mind, I was thinking ‘that would be cool,’ but I didn’t really expect it to happen.”
And the moment was made “extra special,” she said, when Kinzig gave her the ring, custom-made from a ring that Robinson’s grandfather had given to her grandmother.
That experience “is something we’re going to remember for the rest of our lives,” said Kinzig. “That’s the way I wanted it.”
He thanked Kus and his crew, as well as WJET-TV News Director Lou Baxter and his colleagues at the news station for their help in pulling the plan together. Thurston Classic organizers said while there was an in-air wedding at a past event, Friday’s proposal, to their knowledge, marked the first in the event’s 19-year history.
Kinzig, 25, and Robinson, 26, live in Erie. Wedding plans, they said, will be forthcoming.
But not before they get their feet back on the ground.
You can go
Following are the times of all remaining hot-air balloon events for this weekend’s Thurston Classic. Times are subject to change or postponement due to weather conditions.
Today — Flight over Allegheny College’s soccer field at the Robertson Field Complex off Park Avenue at approximately 7 a.m.
Today — Launch at approximately 6 p.m. out of Allegheny College’s soccer field at the Robertson Field Complex off Park Avenue.
Sunday — Flight over Allegheny College’s soccer field at the Robertson Field Complex off Park Avenue at approximately 7 a.m.
You can help
It costs $40,000 to $45,000 to cover expenses for the Thurston Classic hot-air balloon event. All events are free to the public; funding comes from corporate sponsorships and donations by the public.
Persons interested in making a donation may give at one of the donation boxes at the event or may send a donation to: Thurston Classic hot-air balloon event, in care of Watts & Pepicelli PC, 916 Diamond Park, Meadville, Pa. 16335.
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
Mid-air proposal makes Thurston history
- Local News
-
-
Langley voted in as Meadville City Council's new member
“Pleased” is the word that best describes Bob Langley’s response to the news that he had been selected to fill Meadville City Council’s vacant seat.
-
French Creek conservation group to benefit from environmentalist's talk
When one of the world’s best known environmentalists, the author and activist Bill McKibben, speaks next week at Allegheny College, his audience will likely be putting some money where its heart is — right into French Creek.
-
Vernon Police chief suspects 'human interaction' in Sunday fire
An investigation is continuing into a weekend fire that destroyed a historic structure in Vernon Township, and Vernon police are urging anyone with information to give them a call.
-
Walker hired to fill Meadville's newest administrative position
The City of Meadville’s soon-to-be-newest administrator is a familiar name in the area and familiar with the city.
-
Edinboro protest planned against proposed state budget cuts
If you’re a student or faculty member at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, don’t be surprised if Trevor Belz, a sophomore from Saegertown, shares some strong opinions with you in the next few days — and urges your attendance at a campuswide protest planned for Tuesday.
-
Local legislators: Corbett budget off to a good start
Elected officials representing Crawford County in Pennsylvania’s Senate and House of Representatives are gearing up for what looks like a lengthy budget process.
-
Crawford Central's Heller says new budget plan hobbles school districts
Area educators haven’t had a lot of time to mull over the implications of the budget proposal presented Tuesday to a joint meeting of Pennsylvania’s Senate and House of Representatives by Republican Gov. Tom Corbett.
-
District Judge Chisholm nears record for ‘longest serving’
Magisterial District Judge William Chisholm is in line to set a new record by becoming Crawford County’s longest-serving magistrate.
-
Traveling breast cancer exhibit to make local stop
The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition is bringing its traveling photo exhibit, “67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania,” to Crawford County March 1 through 10.
-
Judge Chisholm’s memories run deep
Looking back over his 26 years as a district magisterial judge, Judge William Chisholm has many memories of special events — even some humorous ones.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Langley voted in as Meadville City Council's new member
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
