To The Editor:
The Bridge Street scene following Tropical Storm Irene will always be a vivid memory. What we remember most about the aftermath was the roving clusters of volunteers who offered their help in removing the huge accumulation of mud, ruined furniture and equipment, and the tons of wetted sheetrock that lay in piles all over the place and inside buildings. The miraculous appearance of free food for those involved with the cleanup, the constant filling and refilling of the dumpster on Bridge Street and the creation of a storefront full of cleaning supplies, available for the taking, was amazing. The community spirit and the camaraderie were pervasive. People did not have to be asked to help out, when they saw a need for some help, they just pitched in. Our building was hard hit, as were others, but could not have recovered so quickly without the help of so many people. I know the names of some of those volunteers, but there were numerous others whose names we will never know, and we are grateful for their physical and moral support. They really showed up.
Sydney and Norman Abend
4403 Main St. (Historic Waitsfield House)
