More praise for storm helpers (1/14/05)

We want to thank all the good people, angels and caring people of our community.

Most of all we want to tell you about the heroes. We have a teenage neighbor, who is a boy scout and a student at Jay County High School.

His name is Matthew Nibarger. He lives with his parents, Steve and Darlene, and sister Tiffany at 2584 North 600 West, Portland. During our recent ice storm Matthew came to our aid by bringing us sleeping bags, a Coleman fluorescent lantern and gave us hope and good cheer.

We are senior citizens and he was concerned about us. Lots of our trees and limbs had fallen due to the ice, and he just checked us out. So his dad drove him to check us out.

After he saw we were O.K., he returned in about an hour with the sleeping bags and lantern.

In case anyone wonders, there are great teenagers out there, even though se see and hear of many not quite as nice. In our opinion he is an angel and a hero. Bless them all.

Then another neighbor came by to check on us. His name is Mike Lewellen, and he and his family live at 1342 North 500 West, about a quarter mile south of us. He was concerned about us. He goes past our home to work. He saw all the limbs down and stopped to inquire if we needed anything. He brought us water, as with no electricity we had no water. He brought us much good cheer and we did not feel quite so alone.

We also want to thank all the people putting the electric service back in service. May God bless all the caring, concerned people of Jay County.

Thank you,

Mr. and Mrs. Joe Toth

Portland

Beautiful spirit

To the editor:

I don’t know their names but I know their spirits.

Community Home Improvement employees stayed beyond the wee hours of the morning on Friday. With a large line of people waiting on generators and kerosene heaters, the store stayed open.

They were without power and heat. The only means of a generator for them was a truck running outside the business with an electric hook-up gizmo for a light to read by.

Several of us stood in line from 8:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. for supplies. The semi was coming and coming and kept coming until it finally arrived at about 2:30 a.m. Friday.

It did not have the number of generators first declared, but it did have heaters and fuel. To me the wait was well worth the heat my home had from the kerosene heater.

I would personally like to thank the employees of the new lumber company we now have in Portland. Thank you for your dedication to your community.

Thank you for shivering with me so that I may have some comfort in my home. Thank you for being a good neighbor. We will shop at your store for sure.

I would also like to thank True Value for trying to help me get a generator.

I understand that Ken Schwieterman re-opened his store at around 10 p.m. to accommodate the community, as well.

Cindy and Bill Baughn

Portland[[In-content Ad]]