Hardly a week passes without a letter in the paper thanking our local volunteers for helping in someone’s greatest hour of need. This time, thanks are due in the other direction.

During the recent deep freeze, I spent two nights at the fire department, ready to respond to emergencies, and I am pleased to say that they were both rather dull! While we stand at the ready, and we’ll brave the elements to come to anyone’s aid, it’s always a good night when everyone is safe and well, and our services are not needed.

We experienced far fewer emergency calls due to slips and falls than we expected during such an icy spell, and this speaks to the good judgment of the citizenry of Orcas. Thank you for staying inside when you needed to, for asking someone stronger to handle potentially dangerous tasks, and for checking on your less-abled neighbors to see what they needed.

This community never ceases to amaze and impress me.

Beth Wangen

Volunteer EMT