To the editor:
Merrill and Shirley Bailey, of Nobleboro, lost both their home and barn in a fire the evening of Jan. 10 and in the early hours of Jan. 11. The fire consumed the barn quickly and then ignited the home just after the Baileys were awakened by Devin Benner, son-in-law and neighbor, and brought safely away from their home. We are fortunate to still have them in our lives.
I’m writing on behalf of them and the family, as their youngest daughter of six children. Many people know Merrill and Shirley, who have lived in that house on the corner of Borland Hill and Bayview Road, in Damariscotta Mills, 52 of their 56 years of marriage. They raised six children there who made this corner property, including the barn, their playground. It is a tragic loss for Merrill and Shirley, as well as their children.
Many have requested to know where they can donate to help them rebuild their lives and homes. There will be a benefit dinner at the Nobleboro Central School on Saturday, Feb. 11, from 5-7 p.m. (If there is a snowstorm it will be held the next day, Sunday, Feb. 12).
This event is headed by the kind and generous folks from the First Baptist Church of Nobleboro, who will be supplying a potluck-style dinner where donations will be collected for Merrill and Shirley. If you are unable to attend the event, donations can be mailed to the church, or to Merrill and Shirley directly. We are hoping people who want to support them also support area businesses where Merrill and Shirley will be shopping for items for their future home.
They essentially are starting completely over. They escaped the building only in minimal clothing. Their immediate family and friends are helping them get basic needs met, but there’s a long way to go before they have all that’s needed to furnish a new place and fully clothe themselves for seasonal wear. We are recommending people to send donations also to Hunt’s lumber, where we will be purchasing materials for their new home construction.
If you know our parents, you know that Shirley Bailey is the first to bring you flowers and a home-cooked meal with dessert if you are a friend, live in the surrounding area, or are a member of her church and are going through a tragic or stressful event. She is truly a kindhearted, thoughtful person. She lost a lot of personal and cherished possessions in the fire, but some family photos and antiques can be salvaged if cleaned by professionals.
She’s usually on the other end of a situation like this and my folks are the last to be out asking for help. But honestly, they could use some helping hands.
Our father, Merrill, has defined himself by his ability to fix anything and build anything that we’ve all thrown his way. He’s a hard worker and has spent his years supporting Shirley in raising six children.
He’s a fine craftsman and woodworker, making and building all sorts of furniture for Shirley and their children, including their beautiful kitchen cabinets, china cabinets, chairs, tables, staircase, and more. He is a mechanic as well and has brought a vehicle into a garage less times than you can count on one hand. He’s a welder and pipe fitter also and can fabricate anything out of metal.
Everything in that barn that allowed our dad to create and fix things for us all was lost. This also included his John Deere tractor and motorcycle. Yes, at 81, our dad, and our mom, at 75, still cut and split wood for the winter using that tractor, and my father was still taking our mom for rides on a motorcycle too!
We’re asking for your support in any way you can. This may just mean stopping by and inviting them over for a meal or calling and checking in. Other donations are obviously welcome, but letting them know they have friends in their neighborhood is also supportive and welcomed. They still receive mail at their home box at 267 Bayview Road, which is being forwarded to them, and are currently residing with Yvette and Devin Benner, their neighbors on Borland Hill Road.
The family wishes to say thank you to all who have stopped in and shared kind words and who have donated items, including meals and groceries, clothing, gift cards, personal checks, and hugs. They are all greatly appreciated.
Again, we want to thank the First Baptist Church of Nobleboro and its pastor, Stan LeQuire, for heading the benefit dinner at the Nobleboro Central School. We also want to thank the Nobleboro Central School for letting us use the cafeteria. The church can be reached for further donations and questions regarding the dinner at 563-5816.
We also need to thank the local and surrounding fire departments, the sheriff’s office, and the ambulance crew. We could not believe the number of responders who came to support the family. These people deserve a round of applause from us and our community!
Fire trucks lined the roads while these volunteer firemen risked their lives to try and save the house, and to keep the barn from spreading to the home as well as a neighbor’s property. The conditions were difficult that evening. There were incredibly strong winds and the barn was so large it generated a fire that was enormous. They were truly amazing in their efforts and we were so impressed by them all.
We also want to send a special thanks to Sarah, Merrill and Shirley’s neighbor’s girlfriend. She just happened to be staying next door that evening, and awoke to the smell of smoke and a glow in the bedroom window. She ran to and woke Yvette and Devin Benner at their home, just in time for Merrill and Shirley to be rescued. Without this young lady, we would have lost our parents that night. Thank you! And thank you to all who have been there with support.
Andrea Bailey
Phillips
And the rest of the Bailey gang
