Babs Young writes: Here at Blue Heaven on Torch Lake we like to have celebrations and last night was no exception. Alex LaBrecque was 18. He graduated from High School this year and will be off to Michigan State soon. Thus 36 sky lanterns were launched in his honor last night. Since it took a while to get all 36 lit and launched, one photo would not capture them all. I”m working on trying to get a launch of at least 25 at one time for a more dramatic photo, but in the meantime this will have to do. These lanterns are magical as they ascend.
The lanterns themselves are a wonder, but think of how lovely it is to return every summer to a place where people watched you grow up, and wish you well. A place where they release giant fireflies in honor of your birthday. Up, up and away . . .
Torch Lake Views 
Fee
August 8, 2011
What a lovely way to celebrate a birthday.
I remember an incident where a load of lanterns had been released and when spotted in the night sky, were reported as UFOs. Hope that didn’t happen!
Gerry
August 8, 2011
Ah, Fee–but these are UFOs.
Sybil
August 8, 2011
What are they Gerry ? Lit with what ? Fire ?
Gerry
August 8, 2011
Glowing orbs woven of silken webs and moonbeams, lit by all the light gathered by Torch Lake that day.
Babs might have a different answer, but that’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.
Karma
August 8, 2011
I was just going to ask the same question as Sybil, but I see there won’t be a straight answer – what fun is that after all? For those of us from Away (or at least for me!) this is a first encounter with sky lanterns.
Gerry
August 8, 2011
Well, maybe Babs has a different answer. Life is full of new perspectives.
Babs Young
August 8, 2011
Well, I must tell you that I think Gerry has the best answer. But if you go to http://www.wholesaleskylanterns.com, you will find them.
Gerry
August 8, 2011
There goes the romance.
Karma
August 9, 2011
Thanks Babs! I was quite curious. They actually remind me a little of my time at Old Sturbridge Village (a living history museum of New England in the early 1800’s). We used to do a demonstration of toy hot air balloons, made of tissue paper. We’d heat up a little stove, fill our tissue balloons and set them free.
marlee
August 8, 2011
That isn’t what I see in the middle of Torch Lake today?
I hope not.
Gerry
August 8, 2011
Maybe if you paddle out there and examine your find closely you’ll be able to figure that out. Maybe you could even take a picture. Then we’d know.
P.j. grath
August 8, 2011
Completely surprising and completely beautiful.
Gerry
August 8, 2011
I like surprises, especially beautiful ones.
Carsten
August 10, 2011
They (the lanterns) are beautiful. I’m afraid they would collect all too much light here for them to be sent safely away over Værløse city. Neither the forest would like concentrated light.
It will soon be time for collecting moonbeams. You should always have some in stock for preventing dark thoughts.
Gerry
August 10, 2011
These are long days in the north. It’s a good time to save up visions of light for when we need them during the long nights to come. You’re right, too, about the moonbeams. They’re especially magical on fresh snow.