By Polly Lynn
posted
Aug 23, 2012
One year later, much has changed, but little has been
forgotten.
Stories of progress and repair as well as efforts to help those
still in need, continue to circulate in our everyday conversations.
However, as the anniversary of the Tropical Storm Irene approaches,
more and more stories arise.
In an effort to put together a collaborative and thorough
reflection of the varying experience in our communities, we gave
folks an opportunity to write their own reflections. Many touched
on the the high points and the low points, recounted specific
memories or the challenges ahead. While the specifics varied
greatly, the focus didn't. Nearly everyone's story ends with how a
selfless neighbor, friend or stranger in the community reached out
to help.
The strength of our community was evident immediately.
When I was flipping though The Mountain Times edition dated,
Sept. 1-7, 2011 I found this excerpt written by Jason Mikula. It
was the first edition he and I had a hand in producing; and we did
it from Barnard's dining room table. (The sale of The Mountain
Times, which was scheduled for Sept. 1, 2011, had to be postposed
until Oct. 1 due to the Storm.)
The excerpt from Mikula's story reads:
In such times of need, the community spirit of small Vermont
towns thrives. The personal accounts we've heard here at The
Mountain Times, of neighborly support are heartwarming and inspire
hope. In the days, weeks and months it will take us to repair and
rebuild, our reliance on each other and focus on common goals to
restore our towns will be of paramount importance. Right now it's
hard to imagine, many of us haven't even been able to assess the
extent of the damages yet. But if the community-minded support we
have witnessed in the past two days is any indication of the times
to come, we will we will build anew together. If there is a kernel
of hope in this disaster it can be found in the
townspeople.
One year later, we remember our community spirit and neighborly
love, in the face of devastation. We thank you for doing your part
to support our community through its challenges, past, present and
future. There is always more work to be done.
Tagged:
hurricane irene, Reflections
