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ANR
Dear Editor:
On Halloween night our 89-year-old mother was handing out treats to trick-or-treaters. While doing this she fell and broker her shoulder. She was unable to get up from the floor. She yelled for help each time the door bell would ring. She also pushed her guardian emergency button.
Finally, a young girl heard her and stepped into the door. Our mother asked her to run next door to get help which she did.
Our mother would like to meet this “Guardian Angel” and say thank you. If you know who she is please call 308-379-8351. Whoever you are, our entire family says, “Thank You.”
Matt and Sandy (Romsdal) Hoffman, Waterpark, Minn.; Terry and Barb (Romsdal) Giese, Estes Park, Colo.; Greg and Lynn Romsdal, Lawrence, Tenn.; Alan and Sharin Romsdal, Springhill, Tenn.
Smalls devastated by motor home fire
Dear Editor:
Fire destroyed the motor home and minivan of Chris and Michelle Small on Nov. 18, 2022. The contents of both, approximately 90 percent of everything that they owned, including their personal belongings and handyman tools, were a total loss. The Smalls were traveling from Portland, Ore., where they had worked for 2-1/2 months on a home remodel. They planned to winter in Alamogordo, N.M., on the property of Michelle’s father, Henry Uttke.
After a grueling 5-1/2 hour slog through Los Angeles traffic on the evening of Nov. 17, the Smalls were eager to sleep overnight at a rest stop east of L.A. The next morning they did their normal “morning check” of the vehicles and got on the road. After stopping for fuel, they headed towards the Arizona border.
They stopped at the Cactus City, Calif., rest area and Chris got out to check the fluids. Chris’ shout of, “Get out, we’re on fire!” changed their plans that day. Firefighters came from 30 miles away and worked 45 minutes to contain the blaze. Neither Chris, Michelle, nor their dog Sundance was burned. Chris sustained smoke inhalation but did not seek medical attention.
Chris and Michelle traveled by rental car to Alamogordo for the next two days. Their insurance company will pay replacement costs for the 2000 motor home and 2006 minivan. There is no insurance coverage for the possessions in either vehicle.
The Smalls lived in Aurora from 2016-2021. During part of that time, Chris served as director of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce and Michelle worked at Heartland Jewelry. They developed a long clientele list for their handyman business. Some of their last work in Aurora was the painting of store fronts for Grafton Law office, Susan’s Gifts, and Mo-Net’s. They sold their home in Aurora in May 2021, and planned to live full-time in the motor home, evangelizing at campgrounds and supporting themselves with handyman work.
As you know, Chris and Michelle are Bible-believing Christians with a strong faith in God. In spite of the shock and grief over this immense loss, they believe God has a good plan for them and are ready to follow as He leads. Please pray with them as they wait for the Lord’s guidance to their next job and ministry.
This letter is to inform you of the Small’s great loss, and to ask if you would like to contribute a financial gift to help the Smalls replace their personal items and livelihood. A goal of $15,000 has been set. A gift of any amount would be greatly appreciated. Please mail your personal check directly to Chris and Michelle at this address:
Chris Small, 1500 White Oaks CT, Alamogordo, NM 88310
Digital giving can be done at https://www.gofundme.com/f/fire-claims-all-couples-possessions-in-rv-car
JoAnn Bjorkman,
Aurora
