By: Marcus X. Fry/Mary Lynn Lambert
Good to be crawling out of this memorable winter storm. We know that many experienced some challenging days with no power, water service and/or safe roads to travel. Prayers for those still dealing with the aftermath. Many thanks to the kind souls who helped their neighbors in need, whether in their neighborhood, on the roads, at work, etc. Silerton Baptist canceled two Sundays in a row. Except for Covid, nobody could recall two services being cancelled in a row by weather. On average, Silerton was without power for almost 15 hours and without city (Selmer) water for five or more days. When the power came back on, the water started to go out shortly afterwards. Though he should not be surprised, Marcus found the lack of electricity more annoying than the lack of water. Such has our addiction to electricity and what it brings become.
To paraphrase from a prior Facebook posting: On Thursday, Jan. 29, just before noon, Chester County Fire crews along with mutual aid from Silerton Fire Department and Town of Hornsby Fire Department, were dispatched to an address on Silerton Road for a structure fire. When firefighters arrived on scene, the structure was already fully engulfed, but thankfully, no one was home. Two dogs were rescued by firefighters and are doing well. Fire crews remained on scene for five hours despite the cold, ice, snow, dangerous road conditions and limited water supply. Unfortunately, the structure is a total loss, but the house directly behind the burned building was saved. Thank you to TDOT and Chester County Highway Department for assisting with clearing the road so equipment could make it to the scene. Thank you to Medical Center EMS for medical assistance, Chester County Sheriff Office for traffic control, Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation to help cut the power and a big thank you again to all the mutual aid partners. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time, and the Red Cross is working to assist the owner.
On the goat front: Calamity and convalescence. During this cold spell, two pregnant does were severely attacked, most likely by the feral dog(s) that all too often plague our rural areas. It was very touch and go, but it seems both goats will survive due to Joe Stack’s expert care. Unfortunately, both lost their unborn kids due to the injuries and the resultant stress. We, along with the goats, yearn for the coming of spring.
