Local heroes

I have been writing feature stories for the UDJ since the onset of COVID-19 and have had the pleasure of Zoom-interviewing with many of our community leaders.

There have been a multitude of times, during these long months, when I have felt disheartened, frightened and lost: the onset and longevity of COVID; the recurring fires; the smoke from hell that covered the valley; the tedium of days with little social interaction; the constant news of Trump’s lies and corrupt machinations; personal problems; lack of sleep; fear of the unknown; fear of the future.

I have wanted to hide under the bed; flee north, south, east or west; lie down and give up; scream; cry—anything to change the reality we have all been living.

Then I would make a call, set up an interview on Zoom and talk with someone in the community, who, in spite of the fact

that they were experiencing the same difficulties as I, were looking at the problems and figuring out solutions—digging into the issues at hand, taking the bull by the horns, and persevering to solve the problems for themselves and for the greater community.

They inspired me, almost on a daily basis, to keep the faith, do what I can do and most importantly, not to give up. Thank you.

I realize I have left people out, that there are many more heroes out there than I have named, but these are the ones that came to mind as I perused stories I have written since the end of March: Zach Schat, Deb Kubin, Jim Flaherty, Drew Colfax, Tam Adams, Liz Elmore, Lori Rosenberg, Michele Shaw, Jacque Williams, Jacque Orozco, Juan Orozco, Ted Williams, Shannon Barney, Shannon Riley, Mary Anne Petrillo, Shirley Matilton, Heidi Purcell, Anne Nix, Jen Lyon, Gloria and Stephen Decater, Leslie Williams, Laurel Near, Dina Polkinghorne, Megan Barber Allende, Martha Barra, Essence Roque, Taylor Pederson, Christopher Struett, John Strangio, Gowan Batiste, Ray Taglio, Robert Gernert, Devon Jones, Katrina Kessen, Rachel McDavid, Bernadette Byrne, Carol Huffman, Laura Cover, Jeff Hansen, Corinne Jones, Kathy Johnson, Scott Cratty, Deborah Edelman, Mike and Nadine Boer, Jody Martinez, KC Meadows, Jake Burgess, Megan Van Sant, Susan Rounds, Melissa Eleftherion Carr, Drew Iacomini-hair.