Sisters salutes...

Bill Anttila wrote:

The Pole Creek Fire will soon be one for the history books, thanks to the heroic efforts of the firefighters, Forest Service, police officers, volunteers, other public service workers and the rain. However, I would like folks to know that there were other "heroes" involved with the fire: Paul and Allison Weston of Weston Equine, and Phil and Patti Gresham on Cloverdale Road.

As the fire spread in the first week, my daughter Chelsea had to evacuate her horses from the Crossroads area.

During that evacuation, her horse she was going to ride for Sisters Rodeo Queen competition, Trigo, was injured by another horse, and fractured his left rear leg.

After a few days of vet care, we needed a clean stall to house Trigo, as the first week was touch-and-go for his recovery.

Paul and Allison offered their barn and stalls, without payment, for over two weeks.

Another vet visit and extension of fire evacuation made it necessary to find facilities closer to home.

Phil and Patti Gresham offered their barn and arena so Chelsea could try to get her replacement Arabian horse, Tikki, used to the competition a week before the competition.

Phil trimmed up the arena daily for her.

Phil and Patti did this without payment.

While Chelsea wasn't selected as this year's Sisters Rodeo Queen, she, her mom and I think that special "heroes" of Sisters such as the Westons and Greshams should be recognized for their generosity and kindness during a fellow equestrian rider's need, and for making it possible for Chelsea to complete with Tikki. It is people such as the Westons and the Greshams that make Sisters Country a great place to live.