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Balloon connection takes Bracken man bearing gifts to Texas

By WENDY MITCHELL Staff Writer

Thursday, December 21, 2006 10:24 PM EST

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DALLAS, Texas -- He may not have arrived with eight tiny reindeer, but Bracken Countian John Parker arrived in the Big D in time to spread cheer to a creative pair of children there.

The back story has been told of the balloons sent by Carlos and Johanna Cardona of Dallas, with letters to Santa Claus that landed on Parker's Bracken County farm last month. The attention, including translation of the letters from Spanish to English and their delivery to Santa Claus, stretched from the northern Kentucky region more than 800 miles to WFAA television in Dallas, which sent a video crew to the area last Friday to document more of the story. The crew interviewed Parker and the folks who helped bring the story to light.

Even Augusta school children pitched in by making Christmas cards for the family -- in Spanish -- which were sent to the Cardonas.

How to get the items on the modest Christmas lists, that included some toys, but also a request for educational books and clothes, to the children in time for Christmas, was yet to be determined when the television crew arrived.

Like Rudolph's red nose, a light went off and the decision was made.

"Donna went shopping and we decided to take the presents down there," said Parker earlier this week.

A whirlwind round trip took less than a day, but the experience may last a lifetime, said Parker.

The children did not want Parker to leave, he said.

It was nearly emotionally overwhelming for the participants, said Parker who took many photographs to show his Kentucky helpers and remember the trip.

"Words cannot describe ... What wonderful children; what a wonderful family; what a wonderful feeling ... it's Christmas!" said Parker upon his return Wednesday.

Parker thanked everyone who helped turn the simple activities of wishful children into a lifetime of memories.

To view the WFAA television report got to www.maysville-online.com and click on the link at the top of the page.

For more area news, go to www.bracken-online.com

Contact Wendy Mitchell at wendy.mitchell@lee.net or call 564-9091, ext. 276.

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