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Letters
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- Written by: Samantha Taylor
My mother, Maria Holt, was on her way to Laytonville to spend a weekend with her best friend for the first time in years when they were hit head on by a speeding vehicle. My mom has been in the hospital since early in the morning on Sept. 12, and is recovering very well. A few of her injuries were slight bleeding in her head, bruising and swelling in her face, a broken nose, fractured chest, contusion on her left lung, eight broken ribs, fractures in her pelvis and a broken femur in her left leg. Upon arrival at the hospital they removed her spleen.
The 10-year-old rear passenger also had major injuries, including a shattered shoulder, separated pelvis and two broken ankles. Her legs were completely reconstructed. She is recovering well and has returned home in the care of her family.
Third-party information has said that the driver of the offending vehicle was not drunk. It has been said that he had purchased the car only a few weeks prior to the accident and was “just testing out the speed.” Apparently he had a nitrous oxide kit installed and it was his first time to use it on the night of the accident when he lost control. Again this is not first-hand information, only word-of-mouth. (If anyone would like to comment on this information feel free to message me.)
To the families of the others involved in the accident we want to extend our deepest condolences. We want to see everyone receive a full recovery. We feel not anger or hostility, but sadness. And we pray that what has happened will change everyone's lives, and help us all to realize that our time here is never certain and to cherish every moment and every person in our lives.
To Char and her family, she will not be forgotten. She was a beautiful person and a loving soul, and her memory will live on in our hearts, as well as in our deeds.
Thank you all for the support we have been receiving, and please keep all of our families in your prayers.
Samantha Taylor lives in Clearlake.
Editor's note: At the time of the crash, the California Highway Patrol reported Taylor's mother's name as being Maria Hill, but family has informed Lake County News that the surname she goes by is Holt.
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- Written by: Jaclyn Ley
Our next event will be the Pear Festival on Sept. 26, in Kelseyville where you will have another chance to purchase books and tickets for our quilt raffle on Nov. 22. The money raised from the raffle will go towards the Ely Stage Stop Project.
Special thanks go to the volunteers who staffed our booths. They are Michael Anderson, Jean Beeson, Greg Blinn, Floraine Chalk, Linda Drake, Mary Fortman, Ruby Glebe, Claire Grieve, Tony and Claudia Marchese, Don McCloud, Linda Morrison, Val Onellion, KC Patrick, Florence Peck, Sabrina Pickersgill, Randy & Jackie Ridgel, Bonnie Skee, Shelly Skee, Vi Smoley and Mike Weeden.
Jaclyn Ley is with the Lake County Historical Society, www.lakecountyhistoricalsociety.net .
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- Written by: Herb Gura
On Saturday while broadcasting live for KPFZ from the Bluegrass Festival at Anderson Marsh, I talked about the “history of Anderson Marsh” in an attempt to help gather support for opposition to the State of California’s plan to possibly close Anderson Marsh to the public because of budget cuts.
I made a brief comment based upon my own personal recollection of the political events that took place during my 30 some odd years in Lake County. I went back as far as the late 70s, when the place that is now the park was a privately owned ranch.
I talked about developers’ efforts to turn that land into an apartment complex. I told the story of how archaeologist John Parker had mounted an effort to save that land from destruction and how his efforts and the support of the community ultimately saved the land from the bulldozers and preserved it as a public resource. It is an inspiring story and true one.
Unfortunately, I made no mention of the rich history of the native people on that land that preceded the Anderson Ranch. John Parker’s archaeological interest in the Pomo people’s history played an important role in both his desire and ability to get that land set aside. More importantly, my attempt to recount the “history” of Anderson Marsh without talking about thousands of years of native history was insensitive.
I didn't hear Jim Brown’s KPFZ radio show Tuesday but I heard second-hand that Jim had commented about my failure to acknowledge his people’s important role in the history of Anderson Marsh.
Although no disrespect was intended on my part, my mistake is one too often made by non-native people and I apologize for it.
Herb Gura lives in Clearlake Oaks.
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- Written by: Kirk Macdonald
The first year we were able to help with food baskets for the needy during the holidays and with cash awards for the winners of the “Patriots Pen” writing contest at the local school.
This year we were able to help a graduating high school senior with a $1,000 scholarship, food baskets for the needy, help two veterans in need of money for car repairs, and help a veteran in need of funds for rent.
Also we were able to help a woman and her family coming out of a domestic violence center that had nothing but the clothes they were able to carry when they fled their home. Through the donations we receive for our yard sales we were able to help with furniture, beds and bedding, clothes and kitchen ware.
With our last yard sale coming up in less than three weeks, Oct. 3 and 4, we once again found ourselves in a position to help a disabled veteran who had moved to our county and was in need of house wares also. Working with Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 951, in a matter of hours from the time we found out about her needs, we filled her empty cabin with furniture, a bed and bedding, kitchen table and chairs, TV, microwave, stereo, kitchen ware and a check for $200.
It is through the generosity of the people and organizations in our local community and members of our VFW Post 2015 that we are able to help others in need in our local community. Thank you all who help and supporting us.
Kirk Macdonald is adjutant of VFW Post 2015 in Lakeport.