Hospitality Within Uncertainty

Photo by Chuck Hoffman © Genesis+Art

Holden Village, Washington  

Five Villagers including myself were airlifted back into the Village Thursday morning and are now onsite working with the Forest Service/hotshot crews. We are working on utilities and providing practical support to the firefighter leadership team. Peg remains down lake at the Holden B&B where she is managing operations with a group of Village staff as well as coordinating communications with the Chelan USFS.

Last night we hosted over 40 hotshot firefighters for dinner. Dale Smith, Village Lead Cook in 2012 and current hotshot medic, prepared steak, salmon, and corn on the cob at the end of a long and exhausting day. Today began early with a 6:30am briefing. Crews continue to prep the buildings and take down trees that pose threats to our buildings. The Village is extremely smoky, but the temperature has stayed on the cooler side. The weekend forecast is for rain and thunderstorms.

The weather is helping by giving us more time to complete our list of projects. Working with the hotshot leadership, our small-but-mighty Holden crew, led by Operations Manager Marc Rerucha Borges, has been busy taking down power lines and enhancing the water system that will supply our Rain Bird sprinklers. Chalet back porches are being cleaned off and wrapped in foil.

While we are trying to get as much information out to you as we can, it never seems enough. We know how much you love Holden, and the memories that have been created here, so we understand how disconcerting this event is. Our faith in our Creator and in each other will draw us closer, and together we will overcome the perils that lie ahead of us.

With good courage, Chuck

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