Marleen Hoffmann, audioprosthologist at the Butler Miracle Ear in Moraine Pointe Plaza, congratulates her longtime patient and his wife, George and Carol Pyle of Franklin Township, on their winning of a luxury Hawaiian cruise. More than 16,000 patients across the U.S. entered the sweepstakes. The couple was surprised with the cruise news at George's Wednesday morning appointment.

BUTLER TWP — When George and Carol Pyle of Franklin Township came to George's Wednesday morning appointment for a cleaning and check at Miracle Ear in Moraine Pointe Plaza, they had no idea they'd walk out with visions of palm trees, pineapples and pristine beaches in their heads.

Miracle Ear officials and office staff were atwitter with excitement as they waited with baited breath for George, whose entry for a seven-day luxury Hawaiian cruise was pulled from more than 16,000 filled out in Miracle Ear stores across the United States.

George, who retired from Armco's machine shop in 1999, has been a customer at the Butler Miracle Ear since December 2016, when he got his first hearing aids.

The staff even fibbed to George that office employee Lori Wilson was having a birthday on Wednesday, urging him to come in and enjoy a slice of cake.

After the hoopla died down from receiving balloons, a giant card of congratulations and a cake, George gave a birthday card to Wilson from the couple.

“Awwwwwww,” said Wilson. “My birthday is in January, but I'll keep this card forever because you won the trip to Hawaii.”

The Pyles were gobsmacked at the happy news.

“This is really something,” said George, a soft-spoken man of few words. “It's really overwhelming.”Julie McKelvey, owner of the Butler Miracle Ear store and 31 others in Pennsylvania, was thrilled the winner of the cruise was one of the staff's favorite patients.“I could not be more excited for one of our longtime patients to win this amazing trip,” McKelvey said.She said from an audiological standpoint, George will be better able to enjoy the cruise with his hearing aids.“He'll be able to hear the waves and the Hawaiian music,” she said.McKelvey said the cruise includes round-trip airfare to Hawaii and luxury accommodations aboard the ship.Carol Pyle said George promised her a trip to Hawaii at one point in their marriage, but never delivered.“I've always wanted to go there,” she said. “I watch things on TV about the ocean and the mountains and volcanoes, and it looks so beautiful.”George admitted he never fulfilled his wife's wish to go to Hawaii, but was thrilled he won't have to pay for it.“Your ship came in,” Carol told her husband.George, who said he can't wait to see the hula dancers in Hawaii, appreciated the fuss Miracle Ear made over the news.“I thank Miracle Ear and the girls here,” he said. “I just can't believe it.”

George and Carol Pyle are heading to Hawaii compliment of the Butler Miracle Ear office in Moraine Point.

George and Carol Pyle of Franklin Township were left speechless after being informed at George's Wednesday morning appointment at the Butler Miracle Ear that they won a luxury Hawaiian cruise in a nationwide company sweepstakes. More than 16,000 Miracle Ear patients entered the sweepstakes.