Rainbows in the storm ... Readers share their weather experiences

Readers are invited to share their weather experiences: Neighbors helping neighbors ... close calls ... tips for getting through the storm ... messages of thanks to someone who lent a helping hand.

Send an e-mail — photos too — to rwalker@sanjuanjournal.com and we'll post it and publish it.

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From Richard Walker, The Journal of the San Juan Islands:
OPALCO general manager Randy Cornelius reported Friday that Shaw Island residents housed his workers who worked late into the night — past the last ferry — to restore power there.

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From John Boyd, john.boyd@centurytel.net: Well, the recent spate of storms sure reminded me of why it's good to have great neighbors. Living on the 'far side' of the island (a 22-minute journey to town), when the power goes out and the winds are crashing against the house and the rain is pounding on the roof, you remember that the vital links to power, phone, TV, and friends become more pronounced.

We tried to go to town to listen to some live music Wednesday night, but after going only three miles and having to cut our way through three trees with a chainsaw, we gave up and came home. Next day we had trees all across our road, and we helped a neighbor get to work by cutting a gap in the trees with the chainsaw yet again. Of course, Mother Nature laughed as she belted us with three more storms. And then yesterday, after what we thought was the last of the storms, nine neighbors got their grubby clothes on and spent 2-3 hours pulling branches into pile, filling holes in the road from the fallen trees, digging out ditches.

Neighbors didn't complain, instead we had a rare moment of shared camaraderie as we put our schedules on hold and helped each other out. Good neighbors are a great asset indeed.

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From Carmen Dixon, Friday Harbor: THANK YOU, OPALCO. To the entire staff of Orcas Power & Light: Thank you so much for all the hard work, long hours, in dangerous conditions. The residents of San Juan County appreciate all you do.

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From kathy_c736@yahoo.com:
I want to send out a big thanks and lots of kudos to the ferry captain on the Yakima, Nov 18, 2009. I was on said ferry that almost wasn't, due to Mother Nature and her winds. I think our captain's name must have been Noah because it was an E-ride for sure and we all made it back safely. Thanks again and wowzer - what a ride!

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