Letters To The Editor

GIVING THANKS

Our grandparents pulled together

This Thanksgiving, we’re thankful for our grandparents, Lois and Bob, who lost their electricity during the ice storm. They toughed it out for a day without heat or lights. There were no hotel rooms available and we live too far away for them to stay with us. We were worried because Grandma Lois had surgery not long ago and was still sick.

Mom suggested they go over to our Grandma Merlene and Grandpa Sam’s house. Grandpa Bob knew it was the right thing to do, even though they didn’t know them very well.

Grandma Merlene and Grandpa Sam were very nice to them. They stayed until their electricity came back on Saturday. They all had time to get to know each other better. It helped my Grandma Lois a lot and now they have new friends.

We are very thankful for our grandparents, and even with a terrible storm, some good things came out of it. Allison & Katie Hiccox Davenport, Wash.

Thanks, S-R, KXLY, Modern Electric

We at Brighton Court wish to thank The Spokesman-Review staff and the staff of KXLY talk radio for the service they provided to the community during our current disaster. The information in the written word, getting the papers delivered, and the radio contact were critically important lifelines to those cut off without electricity and sometimes telephone contact.

Brighton Court was one of the fortunate senior communities that lost power for less than 20 hours. Because we are one floor, we were able to feed all residents Tuesday evening in the regular dining room, with candles on the tables for light, and hot soup from the chafing dishes. The building cooled to 60 degrees. But, thanks to Modern Electric’s efficient crews, our power was restored in time for residents to have their regular hot main meal Wednesday, in a warm building.

These kinds of events are a little scary for all of us, but they can be critical for senior citizens. Keep up the good work. Kathryn A. Russell, community relations Brighton Court, Spokane

Kindness included an extra step

Thanks to Dana Elder, who not only loaned the propane heater and taught us how to use it, but who split the knotty rounds of maple for us before he gave them. Paul Lindholdt Spokane

Woman opened, operated center for us

We offer our thanks to Esther Sutch. When our neighborhood lost power, Esther contacted her bosses at the American Indian Community Center to see if she could use the center she directs for an emergency shelter. After she got permission, Esther invited all her neighbors and others in need to the center.

Each day, we had a warm place to stay, to play and do laundry. And we had plenty of good, hot food. She endured us through Sunday night. Without her efforts, we would have all been somewhere out in the cold.

Esther also made sure those who couldn’t make it to the shelter received warm meals each day. She did not forget anyone. We sincerely thank her for her great effort and kindness.

Great thanks, also, to Zdena Graper for being Esther’s righthand person through it all. From the folks on 21st Avenue and beyond Spokane

Older friends gave kindness, chowder

The people who helped us 40-somethings cope were senior citizens. It was quite a unique role reversal. We have always been the ones to respond to their requests, to fix this or fix that. But this situation allowed us to maintain our sanity by all their comforting actions.

As residents of Sunny Creek Community, we give a bushel full of thanks to our exceptional neighbors, Opal and Carroll Cumbie, who gave us light, shelter and warm conversation from the beginning of the blackout. In addition, Neil and Nyla Stoughton served the most delicious homemade clam chowder and pumpkin pie - from scratch. They also provided us with heat, hope and humor to keep us going during the big chill.

Their warmth and kindness will forever be remembered. Thank you from the bottom of our toes. Liz and Bill Morig Spokane

Neighbors cleared our yard and walk

We express gratitude to our kind and thoughtful neighbors, Ted Allen, Jim Stolp and Dorothy Lee. They worked all one day, sawing, chopping and clearing trees and branches that had fallen in our yard after Ice Storm ‘96.

The men made many trips to Manito Park hauling the debris.

My husband is recovering from the flu, so Ted has kept our walks cleared of snow.

We also thank our loving family members who have been so mindful of our needs. Stuart and Mildred Stevens Spokane

Couple came to my rescue

A big thank you to John and Kay Scharff. I was all alone in my cold, dark apartment on the South Hill. I had already spent two long, cold nights alone. They called to say their power was now back on and to stay with them.

I arrived cold, tired, hungry and with a hamper full of wet towels and clothes. They fed me, warmed me up and put me to bed. Kay stayed up and did my laundry! They spoiled me rotten from Thursday to Sunday.

These were obviously the best accommodations in Spokane. I can’t thank them enough for sharing their home and taking such good care of me. Mary Anne Mosey Spokane

Willie and Brian, we’re grateful

Residents of East 17th Avenue between Grand Boulevard and Sherman Street - and people who use that stretch of mini-arterial for their daily commute - owe a big debt of gratitude to Willie and Brian, a pair of US West linemen from Okanogan County, who came to the rescue as darkness was falling Monday.

A large limb from a horsechestnut tree had pulled down a residential phone line that morning, and calls to the city and US West had generated little more than, “We’ll get to it as soon as we can, maybe Wednesday.” Residents and visitors moved the limb, but the phone line drooped low over the street. About 4 p.m, Willie and Brian were finishing up a repair job a block away when the owners of the home with the horsechestnut tree stopped to ask for help. People coming home from work and school were skidding to a halt in front of the looping phone line, thinking it was a power line. It was an accident waiting to happen.

The two brought their cherry pickers over, restrung the line better than it was before the storm, and even trimmed a few branches that could have caused problems later on. The cheerful pair said they had come over from Okanogan the previous Friday with orders to stay until Sunday.

By Monday, they’d been told to stay through Thanksgiving, and expected to get a call any time to stay through the following Sunday. Residents of East 17th Avenue Spokane

Bus driver got us through

My thanks go to Dan Weir, driver for the East Sprague bus.

His professionalism enabled a busload of passengers to arrive home safely on Tuesday evening, Nov. 19, in the middle of the ice storm. Driving a bus down a darkened Sprague Avenue did not keep him from his objective of ensuring that his passengers were safe and secure. A bus ride to the Valley Transit Center that normally takes a half-hour took well over an hour.

Thank you, Dan Weir, for doing your job in a safe, professional manner. Louise Sullivan Spokane

Three friends came to our aid

I commend three friends who heard of my plight and came to my aid. When we lost power to our house on Tuesday afternoon (Nov. 19), my wife, who is ill and was recently released from the hospital, and I moved to a motel until power was restored that Thursday.

Wednesday morning, I drove back to my house to see if the electricity was on only to find that two of my pine trees had fallen across my driveway and were blocking entrance to my garage.

On returning to the motel, I called Don Crain in Deer Park and told him my tale of woe. I returned to my house Wednesday afternoon to pick up our mail and found two other friends from the Marine Corps League, Dick Jamieson and Kay Morse, cleaning up the mess with a chainsaw and moving the debris blocking the garage so we could use it when we returned home Thursday.

These men are three great friends. Tom Jamison Spokane

Strangers earned our thanks

Nov. 19, a day to remember! I drove home from work in a daze, seeing all the trees and branches falling everywhere. It truly looked like a war zone.

I rounded the corner onto my street and saw that two huge limbs that had hung out over the street in front of my house were now in the street, blocking traffic. A few neighbors were outside assessing the situation when the power went off. What a nightmare!

About then a van drove up and stopped, a couple of men got out, started a chainsaw and began clearing the street. Branches were still falling, making it a very dangerous situation, but everyone pitched in and had the street cleared in a matter of minutes. Job done!

They drove off to find bigger challenges. They didn’t tell us who they were, and I’d sure like to thank them. Joy West Spokane

Ham operators assure vital links

Spokane-area amateur radio (ham radio) operators deserve a huge thank-you. They are members of the Amateur Radio Emergency Service, a national organization.

These folks have been working in shifts, around the clock since the 19th, volunteering many long hours, supplying communications for the Red Cross between emergency shelters, and for other agencies. They will continue to do so until the shelters are closed.

During emergency situations, ham radio operators have the resources and training to operate their equipment even when electric power is off. When the ice storm first hit, knocking out most power and telephone services, the Spokane ham operators were immediately dispatched to the Department of Emergency Management, the Red Cross, fire stations and the utility companies.

For a time, they were the only means of communication for these people to ensure safety for the community. Kyle Pugh, E. Wash. American Radio Relay League Spokane

Nurse, doctors helped my feelings, too

Thank you, Guy (the nurse who helped me in the emergency room), and doctors at Sacred Heart Medical Center. Thanks for helping me when I slid into the car. I was scared and you made me feel better. Also, thank you for the wooden cross necklace. Guy - you are special to me. Emma Brostrom, 8 years old Spokane

Neighbors cared for home and kitten

We were out of town during the ice storm. Our neighbors, Herb and Phyllis Hambrook, were keeping an eye on our house, picking up the mail, and looking after our new kitten, Hoops.

Our power was out until Sunday morning. Herb and Phyllis brought a hot water bottle over for Hoops every five to six hours because the temperature in our house was gradually dropping. They also put a kerosene space heater in our house close to Hoops’ basket to keep him a bit warmer.

We are so thankful to them. And little Hoops will never know how lucky he is to have such wonderful neighbors. Greg Marshall & Maisie Bauer Spokane

Thanks for coffee, shower, warmth

I thank my neighbors, Craig and Angie Buchanan. They had power almost immediately after we lost it on Tuesday night (Nov. 19) at 5:05 p.m. They were generous enough to let me come in and make my morning coffee, get warm and chat a little bit. On the second and third day, I used their shower. Without them, it would have been almost impossible to live without my coffee and showers.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Alla Neel Spokane

Linemen doing good, hard job

Jeff, my husband, is an equipment operator for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (Local 77). When the union hall sends him on a job, he could be running equipment to install underground power or sending a worker up into live lines carrying thousands of volts of electricity.

In his 21 years with the union, he has run everything from 40-ton cranes to the boss’ pickup with a spotless safety record. He has operated equipment in areas where he has to be tied off to keep from sliding down a mountainside. Boy, can he tell stories!

On ice storm Tuesday, he left here for his job at the Post Falls Outlet Malls. Since then, I saw him for a few hours when he ran home to get his clothes and say,”Don’t worry, I’ll call when I can.”

The crew he’s working on got called out on “storm damage.” This is a regular part of the power line construction field and it means long hours. His first day was 24, until power was restored.

He told me on the phone last night they were on a tough job. The crew drove their truck to the end of the road. From there, all four crewmembers grabbed as many tools and supplies as they thought they’d need. Then, they walked through three feet of snow up the side of a mountain for a mile or so to fix the downed line.

He says the country is so beautiful - and trees are still snapping.

These people are heroes - operators, linemen, groundmen - all of them. It’s true, when the going get’s tough, the tough get going. And my hubby’s tough! Lori Vaughn Spokane

Kindhearted people, ‘thanks very much’

The winter brought many difficult and unpleasant things. For three days, I didn’t have lights, heat or the use of my stove. But many lovely people live near me: Willi and her husband; Teresa, who was always joyous and polite. These kindhearted people were caring, especially in the difficult times. They served me hot coffee. They cooked soup and carried it to my apartment. They brought hamburgers and hot suppers. Thanks - very much. Nina Bizyuk Spokane

Outbreak of goodness warmed spirits

The trying events of recent days taught me many valuable lessons. I was so blessed to see people caring for and helping one another in so many ways, large and small. It reinforced my firm conviction that at the center of everyone is the divine principle of love.

Sometimes, it takes really tough times to bring that fully into focus.

I give special thanks to the Christian Science Reading Room on Monroe and Garland for being open during the power outages and adding even extra hours as a place to keep warm and find spiritual refreshment. Tom Durst Spokane

‘We will make it through’

Ice storm 96:

I felt the surrealistic wake

All around me,

The freezing rain of 1996.

It’s weird and ire,

As if we were on a different planet,

Coping - yet not,

No rhyme or reason.

The sounds are unreal,

Cracking whack - then cracking again.

Our trees fell all around,

Like matchsticks!

Looks like a war zone,

Remain with us

One and all; shelters are provided,

Bone-chilling cold due to

Downed electrical power all around.

We have gone through so much,

With more to come.

Pull together,

We will make it through.

God bless us one and all. Dusty Niendam Elmer City, Wash.