Page 43 - April 2024 Issue.indd

engage so that it will lock the ratchet into place Sam Fearins. Volunteer fireman extraordinaire, hero to some, a big part of

after each round of “click-click-click.”? Oh, I getting the new fi rehouse built in Preston. Good-hearted. Sam did, though,
didn’t? Well, probably not important. More well, have a personality. I don’t think he knew what to make of the oldest

clicks. I’d made it nearly ten feet! Th is worked. neighbor kid, even on a good day. The kid who didn’t have a real job, who
Boy, did it work! Just a bit further and I’ll give spent his time hauling home piles of junk TV sets, trying to fix them then

it a tr...CLICK WHIRRRRR SPLASH! setting the remnants on fire, smoking up Sam’s yard. Sam was standing in that
yard, staring at Bryan and shaking his head.
Wha?

The gig was up.

That catch was important. And this cheap old
come-along had a weak one. When the pres- “How did you get that truck in the pond? How did you get it in the backyard?”
sure was on, it waved the white flag. 10 minutes No matter, he let me know, he was going to get me out. I don’t know how he

prior, the back tires of my S-10 were maybe 30 got his 4x4 Ford back there; I was too embarrassed to watch. I honestly don’t
feet from the edge of the pond. They were now remember any part of the extraction. I still feel my face turning red 30 years

in the pond. This was not good. Okay, Mom later. I’m sure I thanked him and he drove off. I never quite knew how to talk

doesn’t know. Alright. In the distance I hear to him after that. I still don’t know that Mom ever knew; unless Sam told him,

our neighbor. I hope he doesn’t look over this Dad never knew.
way. I will figure this out!

I needed a hand, needed it bad, but was afraid to ask. But, Sam wanted to help
Did you know that Bryan has this one fault and though he might have sounded a bit gruff about the whole thing, I know

(okay, I have plenty, but let us concentrate on it really thrilled him to put his Ford in 4 low and pull that puny Chevrolet up
just one at a time, okay?) and the fault is that out of that pond and up the hill. I later did similar favors to others, pulling
he doesn’t like to ask for help. And I could have them out of a tight spot, and I know how I felt.
used it right then.

Mr. Sam left us much, much too soon. He gave a lot to his family and his
“Mom, I’m just going to run back uptown for community. Drive through his town tomorrow and look for him, on a banner
a minute.” hanging across from the town museum. A hometown hero, that man with a
smile. He was part of a day that taught me some things, like patience, common
“Is everything okay, honey?”
sense, keeping a good sense of humor...and knowing when to ask for help.
“Sure, Mom, just working on a little project.” Because, you know, somewhere out there…there is always a Good Sam.
“Okay, sweetie! Be safe!”
Did I mention Dad never noticed me walk in
and grab the come-along? Didn’t the second Free for 1st Annual
time, either. I sneaked right past his employ- public
ees and grabbed all the chain I could carry. I CLASSIC
noticed a newer, much nicer come-along hang-

ing there on the wall. I left it behind. Th e rusty, CAR SHOW
greasy wad of chain got tossed in the trunk of
Mom’s shiny white Mercedes. Back home. To
the backyard. Once again I hooked everything
up, this time using all the chain to reach the

nearest tree trunk. Okay. This time it will work.
Click-click-click, etc, etc. Soon I was out of
the pond, if only barely. A thought crosses my
mind: I could put something behind the tire,
just in case. A 20 second walk would carry me
to a big pile of old cinder blocks. A 22 second APRIL 27 • 10-3
walk (give or take) would take me to a pile of
firewood roughly the size of a Chevy Suburban. Rain date Linchester Mill

After a quick moment of quiet contemplation is May 4 Preston, MD 21655

I poo-pooed this idea. Click-click-click. Click Pre-registration is $10. Day of registration is $15.
WHIRR SPLASH!!!
Contact Debbie at 443-786-8173
My friends, my dear friends. All four tires were
now in the pond. God, thank you it was only FOOD VENDORS • VENDORS • MUSIC
6” deep back there! Such a sight to behold!
Proceeds to Benefit the Historic Linchester Mill
And, then, “Brian! What are you doing?!” It
was the neighbor.

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