Don't look now, but chivalry lives (01/31/2009)

To the editor:

Chivalry isn't dead; it is alive and well and most certainly a characteristic of all the people mentioned in this letter.

The Village Pantry in Portland has become my haven.

I liken it to the "Cheers" theme song where "everybody knows your name" when you walk in.

To fully comprehend these stories, you must understand that I go to work in the middle of the night. The weather of late has left quite a bit to be desired.

Early on Thursday morning Jan. 15, my blower motor failied me when I started my 8-month-old 2008 company truck. Surely it had to be a fuse, right?

Being of unsound mind at 1:45 a.m., I think maybe I can get the truck to Geneva so that the guys can check out the fuse situation. Now mind you, this is the day before the thermometer hit 18 below, but still it was only about 10 above zero.

As I start north on Meridian Street, common sense sinks in that perhaps the windshield would freeze on my trip to Geneva and I would not be able to see at all.

So I stop at my haven, the VP. I walk in the door and ask if anyone knows how to check a fuse.

Here comes Richie Davis, a longtime friend and VP employee, and Amber.

That is about the time that Mike Craig and Larry Brown, VP customers, rose from their nice warm seats and offered to assist. In the meantime, Richie and Amber are checking to make sure they have the right size fuse.

Well, don't ya know, first you have to find the fuse box or boxes, as was the case this time. Then you have to get the manual out to figure out what fuse it was.

Oh, and by the way, I did tell you it was 1:45 a.m. and although the VP's lights have always provided an oasis for me during the night, those lights weren't quite bright enough to see the fuse panel.

Ah, but Mike had a flashlight that they could use on the red carpet at a movie premiere. Do you suppose he had been through something like this before?

At any rate, almost a half hour later, Mike and Larry determined it wasn't the fuse and most probably was the blower motor.

I offered money, but they declined to take any. I was able to buy them a drink and donut. So it was back home to get the car out of the garage.

Fast forward to 2 a.m. on Wednesday morning Jan. 28. I am sure the weather situation at that time is still fresh in everyone's minds.

Truck started, yea! Blower motor, now new, worked. Yea! My 5-foot, 3-inch height is a restriction in removing all the snow from the hood and top of a one-ton 4x4.

I was dumb enough to think that upon pulling onto the highway and gaining some speed, the snow would simply blow off the hood and top.

Speed, ya say? Although you could tell the overworked plow truck drivers had been out, it was coming down faster than they could keep up. What speed?

I was contorted enough just trying to see over the snow to get to the VP.

Now what sane person waits until the blizzard hits to buy a long-handled snow scraper for their new truck? I purchased the longest-handled snow scraper they had, which, I might add, was the only snow scraper they had left.

Richie didn't even let me try. He had Amber get a broom, and he removed all the snow from the top and hood of my truck.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I cannot wait for spring.

I remember when I was a young pup living in Los Angeles and missing winter!

I should have moved there at 60 instead of 22!

But I chose Indiana and in doing so Indiana weather.

And I most definitely accept the friendships I have made at the VP.

Thank you again Richie, Amber, Mike and Larry.

Chivalry is indeed alive and well in Portland, Indiana.

Melodi Haley

Portland[[In-content Ad]]