Sharing Stories

Guestbook Comments

9/30

I also am a first cousin of Ted Roberton and Terry.  I just got done visiting with him and Anne here in Reinbeck, Ia, about your disaster in Rushford.  It is something that is hard to believe, just reading about it in the paper and even looking at the pictures on the website.  He has told my mom and me about all of the suffering in the town, about the businesses shut down, people without homes, etc. etc.  And he also talked about the hundreds of people who have volunteered their time, food, money, etc.  My heart and prayers have been with all of you since this horrible time in Rushford!!  May God Bless each and everyone of you.  Keep the faith.  Cathy
 

Cathy Hopkins

Reinbeck, Iowa
 

9/30

I am a first cousin of Ted Roberton.  I spent many summers in Rushford visiting Terry and TS!  I know the town almost as much as I do my small town in Iowa where I grew up!  The last time I was in Rushford was for my Auntie Lois's funeral.  Looking at the pictures and reading about the devistation there, I can hardly believe my eyes!  I will be glad to send a donation to help out!  My thoughts and prayers are with everyone there and I know you will come back to be a stronger town than you were before!  God Bless!",

Jane Smith

Renton WA

9/28

I was born and raised in Rushford and although I left well over 30 years ago I will always consider this beautiful commuinity my home. 

I want to thank all the people from through out the country that have stepped in to help this little part of the world. Your efforts to help people in time of great need puts hope back into the communities.

I also would like to thank everyone that was involved with putting the Root Relief benefit together at the VFW in South Saint Paul. Your did an amazing job.
 

Jim Burke
St. Paul
 

9/21

A month has passed since the flood waters receded and left Rushford a devastated community. Most all the business places have been mucked out, cleaned out, gutted and sanitized. As you drive down the street and look into the windows of empty buildings, you see just the studs. At night there are no cars or people on the street. The neighborhoods are just as empty. Houses are dark and gutted, some have been jacked up waiting for basement walls to be replaced, some you can look right through to the back yard as siding, insulation, and walls have been stripped to above the water line. Some are awaiting demolition. I see it every day but it is still hard to get your mind around it.

As a community Rushford will be back. Rushford will never be the same and it may take a long time but as each day passes, things look a little better. Rushford has been overwhelmed with thousands of friends, families, and complete strangers from near and far that volunteer, send donations, do fundraisers, and pray for us. We would not be where we are today without all those people. We could never do it alone. The new motto here in town:
NEVER EVER GIVE UP

Thank you to Judy for creating this website. It has been 'the site' we tell everyone about when they need information or don't quite understand the impact of the flood.
 

Deb Erickson

Rushford
 

9/19

I'll be at the Fundraiser in South St. Paul.  Hope to see a lot of folks there

John Zanmiller
West St. Paul (and Granger), Minnesota

I was visiting my parents in Houston the weekend of the flood, and planning to head to my cabin in Northern WI early that week.  The rains changed my plans.  Joan Benson was a gracious hostess, inviting my parents and me to spend the "evacuation" at her home on the hill, along with several other Houston residents.  Dianne Poppe and I walked down Grant Dr. the next morning to see an eerily quiet Houston.  Thank God for the levee and the fact that it held.  With the roads leading out of Houston in the condition they were, I decided to stay in town.  On Tuesday, Beth George told me her aunt and uncle, Shirley and Roger Johnson, had their house devastated by the flooding.  The entire George family returned to Houston and spent several days helping the Johnsons remove their antiques and belongings from their home.  Houston seemed relatively "normal" those days, until I ventured out of town and saw the wreckage on the way to Money Creek.  Two weeks later I drove through Rushford, and I felt like I was in post-Katrina New Orleans.  To see people still in such dire straits was truly sobering. 
Hats off to all those who are helping restore southeastern MN during such a difficult time.  Those of us who consider Bluff Country home will need to continue to support recovery efforts for a long time to come.  Thanks to those who are helping in many ways to begin the long journey back.

Denise Rostad

Platteville, WI

 

9/14

Living so far away from family makes situations like this very difficult.  I'd first like to thank my family that's still local for pulling together and helping our parents (Harold & Phyllis Zibrowski) when their home was destroyed by the mudslide.  Next I'd like to extend my sincere appreciation to the community of Hokah for the incredible outpouring of support and assistance.   We heard today that the children of St. Peter's school are taking lunch to Mom & Dad every day.  They are currently living in a house loaned to them from another very generous Hokahite across the street from the church. 

It's very comforting to know our parents are nestled in such an incredibly supportive and giving community.  I would also like to extend our thoughts and prayers to all of the other folks who have been affected by this tragedy.

Joe Zibrowski

Formerly But Proudly from Hokah -
Currently in Wash. DC Area

 

9/10

I visited Minnesota earlier this year at a Festival and found the people wonderful and friendly. It therefore brings tears to my eyes when I read the stories that were submitted by the flood victims.  Hearing about the disaster on the news is far different from the actual stories. I am in solidarity with you all especially those who have lost love ones.  May your efforts to resurrect be truly blessed.

Dorothy Purge

Kingston, Jamaica West Indies
 

9/10

There is another fund which I inspired. It is for the Rushford Volunteer Fire and Ambulance personnel. They were True to their Pledge in helping their community First before themselves....even in the weeks after the flood.  Half of them suffered severe loss and some lost absolutely everything.  There also was no loss of life in Rushford thanks to them.  I urge you to also post the fund below on this web

Rushford Volunteer and Ambulance Personnel

Wes Peterson
Spring Valley, MN

9/7

I lived in Houston during my 'Wonder Years' K-7.
Houston will always be my hometown.  Remember your roots and give what you can.
 

Krin (Everson) Finger

Northfield, MN
 

9/7

Thanks for the quick reply; I just want to emphasize that we would be sending paper products and cleaning supplies only---no clothing if that makes a difference.  Thanks. 

Corky Fosness

Kiester, MN
 

9/7

It has been humbling to live through this surge of nature. Driving around, seeing the utter destruction and trying to grasp the whole picture, it is. . .impossible. Landscapes that I have known my entire life are unfamiliar. The sense of comfort and security the surrounding hills once gave is quickly turned to isolation and anxiety when the forecast calls for rain. We are living in and adapting to a new world. The reaching out of strangers, neighbors, family and friends allows "things happen for a reason" to creep into my mind. What an experience. In life, there truly are no guarantees

Dawn (Peterson) Henk

Houston, MN - Left then Proudly returned to raise my family
 

9/7

I hope that you get everything you need to rebuild!  I was in Houston the Wednesday after the floods and it was eye opening.  Thank you to Dan K. for the great journal.  I'm sending my thoughts and prayers to your family and friends from Korea.
 

Colleen Hyde

Wisconsin but currently in Jeju, South Korea
 

9/7

I just wanted to pass this on to you. It’s been fwded to me from a camper friend. I know that people everywhere who are trying to clean up their messes are also dealing with the dang mosquitoes. They are just thick! This could be a helpful hint for flood victims. It’s maybe not what you had in mind but if you would like, you could put it on a website for flood victims.

The best way of getting rid of mosquitoes is Listerine, the original medicinal type. The dollar store type works too.
I was at a friend's deck party, and the bugs were having a ball biting everyone. A man at the party sprayed the lawn and deck floor, and the little demons disappeared.
The next year, I filled 4 oz. spray bottle and used it around my seat whenever I saw mosquitoes, and voila, that worked as well.
It worked at a picnic where we sprayed the area around the food table, the children's swing area, and the standing water nearby.
During the summer, I don't leave home without it.

The mosquitoes probably get "tanked" on the alcohol in the Listerine and their jaws go numb and they can't bite!

Pass it on.

Thanks

Carla Fitting

Money Creek Haven

Houston, MN
 

9/6

I visited with a friend, Dianne Sherburne, about delivering some items at the end of September to your area and she gave me this sight to learn more.
Our church is collecting paper products and cleaning supplies during this month and would like you to recommend a place for delivery at that time.  Thank you very much.

Corky Fosness
Kiester, MN

9/6

On Wednesday September 5 I was one of about 15 legislators and staff persons from the MN House touring the devastated area including spending quite a bit of time walking around Rushford.  I fully and completely support doing something SOON to help our neighbors, friends and FAMILY who reside in this and other communities.  I urge all of you to contact the Governor and insist he call a special session of the legislature to enact a flood relief package designed to bring hope and help to those in dire need.

State Representative Jeanne Poppe

Austin MN (formerly and proudly from Houston)

(Governor’s office:  651-296-3391)

9/6

Remember Your Roots, donate, donate, donate!

Carey Dubbs

Originally Houston, now Lake Elmo, MN

9/6

Living in southeastern Minnesota is not the same. We now are labeled as a disaster area and truly that is what it is. However, an observer can sometimes be fooled because the bluffs and valleys have their normal September beauty. But once in the car traveling the washed out roads, seeing the devastation of Rushford, Money Creek, Doblar Road, Storer Valley, Looney Valley, Bush Valley, Hokah, Brownsville and all the other areas outside of Fillmore and Houston Counties, there is no question - disaster hit!  I think of the flood victims daily and wonder how long it is going to be before the "Root River Valley" communities and rural areas are the escape to serenity again.  Please check out the fundraisers and places to donate on this site. 

Judy Williams

Houston, MN