PETOSKEY -- A Northern Michigan man celebrates his 90th birthday by zipping into the history books at Camp Daggett.
Instead of the traditional birthday celebration of cake, ice cream, candles, gifts and cards, 90-year-old Camp Daggett trustee Ed Hennessey decided to ride the zip-line at the Camp Daggett Adventure Center.
On August 31, the long-time Boyne City resident and Boyne Valley Lion, celebrated his 90th birthday with his wife of 66 years, Irene, John Heinzelman, founder of the adventure center at Camp Daggett, Brent Marlatt, executive director of Camp Daggett, and Edward Leverenz, facilities manager.
Ten years ago, Ed set the previous record of being the oldest zip-liner at Camp Daggett. “My mind is willing and I hope that my body is too!,” Ed jokingly stated as he pointed to a sore knee that he had wrapped with an Ace bandage before leaving his Boyne City home.
Even with a weak hinge, Ed heroically climbed the 28-foot-high pole to the top of the zip-line platform, where Marlatt greeted him with a wide smile and supportive words of praise.
Once Ed was securely connected to the zip-line pulley system, his wife Irene gave him the verbal clearance from ground level and away he went!
“I was very proud and inspired to be part of this record-setting accomplishment by Ed. Ed is a great guy and has served Camp Daggett admirably on the Board of Trustees for many years now. I can only hope that when I hit nine decades that I too will doing a zip-line ride!” stated Marlatt.
Once Ed was finished with his ride and received a round of handshakes, pats on the back, and a supportive hug from Irene, a toast to Ed was proposed by clunking five ice-cold bottles of water. “Here’s to wishing that we all will be here in ten years to do this again, Ed!” concluded John Heinzelman with a grin.
The Camp Daggett Adventure Center (CDAC) is open year-round providing programming opportunities for participants of all ages and abilities.
More informaton on Camp Daggett can be found on THIS LINK.