Hits....and Near Misses

The pace is quickening in Pearlington - I can feel it and so can others. More is getting done and ideas are surfacing, solutions are being found and help is coming from unexpected quarters. Good work, everyone. I would like to think this journal had a little something to do with that....

Let’s not let up - there is still much to do and folks are counting on our support.

Joseph Keys and Nancy Semple:
Yesterday, Joe Keys - a respected member of the black community in Pearlington - took my Canadian friend Nancy around to meet and do casework on many of the black families still struggling in Pearlington. Many of us have spoken privately of our anguish in seeming to be somewhat unable to reach this segment of the local population. Keep your eye on Adopt-a-Home. I now have valuable information provided by Joe and Nancy that will enable us to reach out here in a way we have not been able to before. Good work, Joesph.

I know how hard this has been for Nancy and I applaud her courage. Yesterday, as I was talking to her on the phone in Pearlington, one of the worst summer thunderstorms in recent memory swept across Ontario. I had to hang up, as I watched an enormous limb of one of my elder Black Walnut trees come crashing down....on her car!

Below is a picture taken during that storm. As it turns out, it narrowly missed her car (and one of ours) and left only debris and a small surface smudge or two on her finish. Someone is clearly looking out for you, girlfriend!

And speaking of storms....

"Tropical Storm Chris":
Warren Tidwell of Alabama is a friend of Pearlington and an amateur meteorologist. He has been tracking this storm for us and reports this today:

9:45 EST:
"Significant weakening overnight as the storm is now tracking over the islands and towards Cuba. Again I hate it for them but it is the best way of dissipating this storm. Looking much better today but no need for an obituary yet."

11:41 EST:
"Downgraded to a depression. Looks like it's weakened as it has dealt with some cool air. We're not out of the woods yet but it's looking a good bit better. If it tracks across Cuba that will severely weaken the storm and impede any development. The further west it tracks after that will be better for the gulf coast. Right now it's looking pretty good for Mississippi but we still need to keep an eye on it."

Warren will keep me informed over the coming days, until the threat has passed. Thanks, Warren.

Where Y’all From?
Below are maps of Canada and the U.S., outlining the states and provinces that have sent volunteers to Pearlington. Have I missed any? As you can see even thus far, the response has been overwhelming.

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