Just before Christmas, our 30-year-old, 40-foot blue spruce was uprooted in that windstorm. Our family came for Christmas prepared to cut it up, but my 89-year-old husband decided to hire it out.

Then my neighbor, Vicky Barty, said, "We can do that," and every time my husband went out, here came Vicky -- very, very hardworking Vicky. Les thought he could keep up with that pretty Montana gal, but found she wore him out. Also another neighbor, Wright Fujakawa, also came to help and haul away branches.

Many, many thanks, Vicky and Wright.

LES AND JO SCHILKE, Pasco