To the Editor:
Diana and I had no idea just how lucky we were when 30 plus years ago we moved into this wonderful community. The longer we live here, the more we realize just how fortunate we are to be in this most special place. While it was the Damariscotta estuary of lake, river and ocean that brought us here from other Maine parts, it is certainly the people and community that have made it such an incredible place to live our lives and raise our family.
Who would ever think that you could go to a movie as “normal people” with a home and mortgage and come out homeless, with only the clothes on your backs and not even a toothbrush to your name? Wow!
Then, who would ever think that a community could so completely surround you with love and support and provide for your every need before the fire was even out? We can only say “Thank you” to those friends who met us and held us through the night of the fire; who rescued and housed our pets and us; who said, “Anything you need, whatever it is, we are here for you- as long as it takes,” offering and giving the use of homes, gift certificates to local stores, gifts of food, bags of new and used clothes and on and on…
On Saturday morning, an army of friends arrived to help with recovery, working throughout the day to remove and protect the household goods that had “survived” the fire, cleaning, organizing and storing things in neighbors Jim and Betsy Banks’ barn. From the hugs, hot chocolate, coffee and baskets of warm muffins that greeted us to the boxes of pizza from the Newcastle Publick House, our army of friends was fed throughout the day. Every day more gifts arrive. We and our army continue to be supported and fed.
Chris Roberts, of The Lincoln County News, who called during the fire with an offer of his parent’s home, was one of the first people on site in the morning saying “What do you need?” He returned within minutes with boxes and tape gun and worked tirelessly for hours assembling boxes.
Friends and co-workers from Kieve-Wavus have been overwhelming in their support as well, as best wishes poured in from all over the country and beyond.
So many acts of kindness and generosity have moved us beyond words. To Tom and Stephanie Field who made the call to 911 and immediately rescued our beloved pets Moxie and Nik and began the search for us, to friends, who labored to remove the charred and dripping detritus of our lives and lovingly cleaned, organized and stored it in the Banks’ barn.
From Rick Hirsch & Jean Kerrigan, who opened their home to us, our pets and have made us feel like family, providing new toothbrushes and a place to clean up and rest, to Mark Becker and Deb Wilson who have served as another home base for meals and a place for friends to gather, to Leigh and Sharon Morrill and Bobby Whear, who just can’t seem to stop in their efforts, to Alan Baldwin who is working to preserve artwork and irreplaceable handmade treasures, to Waltz Pharmacy and the medical community, to Joy Knowlton, who is helping to coordinate meals and all things “Williams,” to all our “prayer warriors” from every church in the area and beyond, to Dennis Hilton from Cheney Insurance who has been at our side the whole time, and to the rest of our army of neighbors and friends (you know who you are), we can only say an inadequate “Thank you.” We are simply humbled.
Our ultimate appreciation goes out to all the hardworking firefighters and emergency responders who fought through the night to try and preserve our home. You did yourselves proud. Seven volunteer fire companies from the area responded, with over 50 firefighters and First Responders from Nobleboro, Newcastle, Damariscotta, Wiscasset, Bremen, Waldoboro, and Jefferson. They were very well-organized and professional as they fought this most stubborn of blazes into the wee hours.
Kudos to Ryan Gallagher, Nobleboro’s new chief, who was literally in the “hot-seat” as he coordinated the effort for over eight hours. Our most humble thanks to Clayton Huntley, another fearless hero/friend who went in search of our missing kitty and emerged from the wreckage with a drenched, terrified (and PO’ed) cat, to an uproar of cheers and tears. It was truly a “Kodak moment!”
Entering a raging inferno, blinded by smoke and risking life and limb for another human being requires more than guts, good training and commitment. These men and women who volunteer in this most dangerous way to protect our homes and loved ones are angels who walk in our midst every day. They put “volunteering” in a whole new light. We are forever indebted and thankful to you all.
The loss is great and the challenge will be huge as we rebuild, but what a great joy to be able to look forward to the next 30 years in the Mills at the “Top of the Ladder” amidst this incomparable community of friends. We have each other, and that’s all that matters. Just think of what the fish and all wildlife go through every day just to survive!
Compared to what many people endure in their lives, we consider ourselves so fortunate. We look forward to joining our community at St. Patrick’s this Saturday at 5 p.m. for the annual bean supper to support the fish ladder restoration. We hope to see you there. Thanks again to everyone.
Russell W. Williams, Nobleboro
