Fire victims doing well with everyone's help

To The Eagle:

As many of you know, we had a disastrous house fire on July 9 at our home on Altoona-Pillar Rock Rd. I want everyone to know that we are going to be fine, thanks to the love and generosity of so many friends, neighbors and family.

It is humbling to be loved by so many. We would like to thank the wonderful people from all the fire departments who responded to this fire. Thanks, guys, for saving Shirley Cantrell's (age 92) new home next to mine and also for saving the mountainside and our shop. The house wasn't so lucky, but we will build again!

Thanks to my wonderful neighbors for providing shoes, socks, clothing and food to us as we only had on what we wore to bed. Thank you, Tsuga Gallery folks! My fellow artists are wonderful and I love you all!

We may have lost "stuff", but not our spirit. Stuff can be replaced, but people are the important thing in our life. As we pull up from the ashes of this terrible event, we will always know we are not alone.

Kathy Hamilton

Fred Cantrell

Rainier, Ore.