July 02, 2008 05:22 pm
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I would like to take this opportunity to recognize some outstanding individuals and their fantastic efforts during the recent flooding situation. I live in Maryland Subdivision which is bordered on the north by newly renovated Thompson Ditch and to the south by busy thoroughfare Springhill Road.
On that Saturday, when the flooding occurred, our neighborhood went from areas of standing water to a waist-to-chest-deep rapidly flowing current of water within an hour or so of time. Members of the Knox County Search and Rescue Swift Water Unit as well as private individuals with various fishing craft aided in transporting residents and their pets to higher ground.
Members of the Indiana State Police, Vigo County Sheriff Department and Terre Haute City Police assisted in searching for victims and protecting property against looters in a mostly vacant neighborhood.
After the initial surge of water had subsided, only three local government officials showed up to provide whatever support we needed. What they saw were house foundations cracked, basement walls completely caved in, buckled floors, saturated walls and devastated people who had lost personal property including vehicles, furniture, appliances and some irreplaceable belongings. It was a sad and sobering sight.
County Councilmen Brad Anderson and Mike Morris waded water to walk the neighborhood inspecting damage and ask returning homeowners what was needed for repairs and to get their lives back in order. It was shortly afterwards that the Red Cross trucks and FEMA and Indiana Homeland Security representatives showed up. Mayor Duke Bennett also toured the neighborhood and realized that with the massive damage done that additional help was needed in the clean-up and recovery stages.
Soon, members of the Terre Haute Street Department with their heavy equipment arrived to assist in our efforts. Duke Energy and Vectren Gas employees worked extended hours to ensure that utilities were returned safely.
After providing rescue efforts and assistance to their township, members of the Otter Creek Volunteer Fire Department showed up with pumps to aid people in slowly removing water from homes and basements and offering words of encouragement. Their assistance didn’t stop there, as they continued to show up with cold drinking water, snacks, cleaning supplies and protective gear. They explained that they had inundated their township with supplies provided by the Red Cross and had extra supplies to provide us.
Many businesses such as GFS Foods and Kim Worland with The Furniture Gallery, as well as numerous churches from near and far, and the Red Cross volunteers provided us with warm meals, much needed ice cold water, sandwiches and cleaning goods and labor assistance.
We as a neighborhood appreciate the endeavors and caring attitudes from Mike, Brad and Duke. Your efforts comforted many people in very trying and stress-filled times. Otter Creek Fire Department, you guys are true heroes with how you treated us and shared our tragedies. Red Cross once again stepped up to the call for help and responded in its typical grand nature of the finest people with always a kind word and warm smile.
Kim Worland and the GFS crew were great with their smiles and caring attitudes. These people did this among the foulest smelling standing water and mud rife with insects, disease, unknown chemicals and most probable raw sewage.
These people are true heroes who jumped to action without being asked. You will never be forgotten.
— Rich Tucker
Terre Haute
Company fails to keep agreement
It would seem that the trash collections people cannot keep to schedule, despite a new contract. Those of us who pay so regularly are dismayed that a contract company cannot keep to its agreements.
Also, we keep hoping that something will be done to indict those who are throwing trash into our streets in Farrington’s Grove and into other areas. We are tired of having to collect the trash of others. Can the police not assist us with this problem? We who reside here are ready for a serious remedy.
— James B. Misenheimer, Jr.
Terre Haute
Thanks to all for prayers and care
The evening of April 30, 2008, was a beginning of a new chapter in my life. That is how I, and my family, have chosen to look at that fateful event.
From the time of my collapse, I was under the watchful eye of God above and a host of friends and colleagues. Everyone, from the emergency personnel in Clay County; the staff at St. Vincent Clay Hospital; the staff at Union Hospital, including many old friends of both Susie and mine, we were well cared for.
I am told that the helicopter ride to Methodist was “something” but I can recall none of the events of that night. I am certainly aware now that the right people were in the right places at each stage of that evening.
What was occurring would be described as a dissecting thoracic aortic aneurysm and I was in a medical crisis. I went through eight hours of cardiac surgery, which all went as it should. My lasting effect of the event, however, is continued paralysis of my legs. My mind, my upper body and my heart are all doing well, but I will be living life as a paraplegic from this point on.
The prayers that were sent in my behalf reached literally all over the world. I have been so humbled by the outpouring of love and well wishes. My words are inadequate to try and express my gratitude.
I would like to publicly say thanks to my patients. Thank you for caring about me and praying for me. It touches my heart to know you have been so kind. Thanks to my colleagues for caring about me and for me, and for “taking up the slack” in my absence. Thanks to the many nurses and nursing staff members for their concern, prayers and cards … keep the coffee on, I’ll be back!
I would not attempt to name all those to whom a thank you is addressed to. But, if you have sent up a prayer for me, or contributed in any way, large or small, to my recovery, I extend my most sincere thanks.
My goal is to be back in my office, seeing my patients — my friends — and going on with life. I may have a different life from a wheelchair, but I have a life — and for that I am most grateful.
God Bless you all.
— Chuck French
Aka Dr. Charles French, M.D.
Brazil
Special event at Indiana Theatre
Terre Haute and the Greater Wabash Valley have a unique opportunity Saturday evening, July 5, 8 p.m., at the historic Indiana Theatre, corner of Seventh and Ohio.
A new signature theater organ, the “Walt Strony Special” digital organ, will make its debut in Terre Haute as part of the American Theatre Organ Society annual convention being held in Indianapolis.
You read that correctly! Indianapolis is coming to Terre Haute!
World renowned organist and designer of the instrument, Walt Strony, will present the first public hearing of this fabulous instrument. You will hear a modern organ in this magnificently restored and historically significant 1922 theater.
Tickets will be available at the door for $12.
What a wonderful way to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend — with a new organ, manufactured by the Allen Organ Company in the United States, being played “theater organ style” in a live concert setting.
Come one! Come all! Don’t miss this!
Be a part of this special evening and opportunity for Terre Haute.
— Trish Eccles
Terre Haute
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