Support Frieda & Harry
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Our dear childhood friend, Frieda Ellis Harden, and her partner, Harry Curley, are among the families who lost their home and all of their possessions in the fire that destroyed five Oregon towns. They are safe in a motel and have their truck and car with them while absorbing the shock of what happened. We would like to help them cover ongoing needs as they recover and prepare to start a new life. Our friend, Nancy Harris Hemmig, spoke briefly with Frieda before Frieda said that she was running out of minutes on her phone. “We are safe now,” she reported. Any amount that you can comfortably give to help our wonderful friend get by over the next few weeks or months would mean so much to her.
As Nancy said, “If I got a check from friends and classmates in a time of need, it would mean the world to me to know that they care and are thinking of us.”
We are classmates of Frieda's from the CHHS Class of '69 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina where we all grew up. We were thrilled when Frieda was able to fly back to Chapel Hill for our 50th high school reunion last May in 2019. We are hoping to raise funds for Frieda and Harry to pay for relocation costs and replacement of all of their clothing, furniture, and personal possessions that were lost in the devastating fire in Detroit, Oregon as their house is left in ruins. We hope to lend a hand as they recover from the trauma of this great loss.
On September 8th, Frieda posted on Facebook: “Harry and I got a 1:00am urgent call with an ‘evacuate now’ message. We grabbed our stuff, and he drove his truck and I drove the Volvo west on Hwy 22 from Detroit, OR to Salem. We're safe here now, and so are our neighbors, but none of us knows if our homes are still standing or have been burned to the ground. On the drive down, we saw many buildings/homes/businesses that were engulfed in flames, and got a little nervous, but there was nothing else to do but keep driving. All 6 of us are safely here. One couple is staying with family, and we and the other couple are staying at Best Western. Not sure what today will bring.... ”
She added: “There were sections of the road where there were tall flames leaping up on both sides of it. Driving down here was like being in a disaster movie.... not fun, and made me very worried about everyone who lives up Hwy 22. It is still blocked in both directions due to fire hazards for miles and miles.”
On September 9th, she posted: “We have been a little worried about the raccoon family, as well, hoping that they found somewhere to shelter down and protect themselves. Will try to keep posting updates, but I have so many loose ends right now, I get frazzled and muddy-minded.”
On September 10th, Frieda and Harry learned that their home had burned to the ground.
Frieda and Harry met through their mutual love of music. They have been living a peaceful life in their house in the forest overlooking nearby mountains in the small town of Detroit, Oregon. They loved feeding the birds and squirrels and all of the forest critters who came to their deck. They took hikes. Harry cut logs. Frieda sang in a chorus. They loved their quiet life and their neighbors. And, now, their house, their possessions, and their town are gone. They have great spirit and will move on, but it will take time. We hope that we can lend them comfort and a hand while they land on their feet.
Please donate what you can to help our friend restart her life with her “sweetie.” She is the loveliest soul and has the spirit of an angel. Help us reach out and let her know we care as they begin to put their lives back together.
Aftermath of fire in Detroit, Oregon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=55&v=ZQc-C-YuKao&feature=emb_title
Another video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=47&v=talqu2DIWOc&feature=emb_title
Selfie of beautiful Frieda and her sweetie Harry.
Frieda wrote of this photo: "The view out my kitchen window. I love living in the forest!"
Frieda wrote: "Beautiful early morning sunrise today over the peaks across the lake from us. I'm usually not up this early, but I woke up, because we are dog-sitting the neighbors' sweet dog, and she needed to go outside."
Their house that has now burned to the ground, along with the whole town of Detroit, Oregon.
Harry helping neighbors with logs.
Frieda, ready for a performance with her 89-year-old chorus mate.
Harry setting out nuts and seeds for the birds and squirrels.
Mountain quail feeding.
Thrushes.
Squirrel's turn to eat.
Frieda and Harry loved taking care of all of the forest creatures, especially the raccoons.
They gave them a place to bathe.
The little ones came for a visit and treats.
What a beauty in their wonderland.
Lovers of nature and all animals, Frieda says hello to an alpaca.
Harry gets a kiss, too.
Frieda wrote: "I looked out the back window to the deck and saw this leaf which had wafted down from a nearby tree. It had landed so purposefully with its stem wedged between two of the deck floor boards and was standing at attention. The midday sun illuminated it with an almost electrical brilliance, and its shadow revealed several tiny holes that weren't otherwise visible. Ah, Nature."
Their lovely home that they shared with all the critters of the forest.
Moon through the woods. They will find a new place to treasure and call home.
They lost everything tangible, but still have each other and friends and family. We hold Frieda and Harry in our hearts as they absorb their loss and move on with hope and loving spirits to create another wonderful life together.
As Nancy said, “If I got a check from friends and classmates in a time of need, it would mean the world to me to know that they care and are thinking of us.”
We are classmates of Frieda's from the CHHS Class of '69 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina where we all grew up. We were thrilled when Frieda was able to fly back to Chapel Hill for our 50th high school reunion last May in 2019. We are hoping to raise funds for Frieda and Harry to pay for relocation costs and replacement of all of their clothing, furniture, and personal possessions that were lost in the devastating fire in Detroit, Oregon as their house is left in ruins. We hope to lend a hand as they recover from the trauma of this great loss.
On September 8th, Frieda posted on Facebook: “Harry and I got a 1:00am urgent call with an ‘evacuate now’ message. We grabbed our stuff, and he drove his truck and I drove the Volvo west on Hwy 22 from Detroit, OR to Salem. We're safe here now, and so are our neighbors, but none of us knows if our homes are still standing or have been burned to the ground. On the drive down, we saw many buildings/homes/businesses that were engulfed in flames, and got a little nervous, but there was nothing else to do but keep driving. All 6 of us are safely here. One couple is staying with family, and we and the other couple are staying at Best Western. Not sure what today will bring.... ”
She added: “There were sections of the road where there were tall flames leaping up on both sides of it. Driving down here was like being in a disaster movie.... not fun, and made me very worried about everyone who lives up Hwy 22. It is still blocked in both directions due to fire hazards for miles and miles.”
On September 9th, she posted: “We have been a little worried about the raccoon family, as well, hoping that they found somewhere to shelter down and protect themselves. Will try to keep posting updates, but I have so many loose ends right now, I get frazzled and muddy-minded.”
On September 10th, Frieda and Harry learned that their home had burned to the ground.
Frieda and Harry met through their mutual love of music. They have been living a peaceful life in their house in the forest overlooking nearby mountains in the small town of Detroit, Oregon. They loved feeding the birds and squirrels and all of the forest critters who came to their deck. They took hikes. Harry cut logs. Frieda sang in a chorus. They loved their quiet life and their neighbors. And, now, their house, their possessions, and their town are gone. They have great spirit and will move on, but it will take time. We hope that we can lend them comfort and a hand while they land on their feet.
Please donate what you can to help our friend restart her life with her “sweetie.” She is the loveliest soul and has the spirit of an angel. Help us reach out and let her know we care as they begin to put their lives back together.
Aftermath of fire in Detroit, Oregon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=55&v=ZQc-C-YuKao&feature=emb_title
Another video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=47&v=talqu2DIWOc&feature=emb_title
Selfie of beautiful Frieda and her sweetie Harry.Frieda wrote of this photo: "The view out my kitchen window. I love living in the forest!"Frieda wrote: "Beautiful early morning sunrise today over the peaks across the lake from us. I'm usually not up this early, but I woke up, because we are dog-sitting the neighbors' sweet dog, and she needed to go outside."Their house that has now burned to the ground, along with the whole town of Detroit, Oregon.Harry helping neighbors with logs.Frieda, ready for a performance with her 89-year-old chorus mate.Harry setting out nuts and seeds for the birds and squirrels.Mountain quail feeding.Thrushes.Squirrel's turn to eat.Frieda and Harry loved taking care of all of the forest creatures, especially the raccoons.They gave them a place to bathe.The little ones came for a visit and treats.What a beauty in their wonderland.Lovers of nature and all animals, Frieda says hello to an alpaca.Harry gets a kiss, too.Frieda wrote: "I looked out the back window to the deck and saw this leaf which had wafted down from a nearby tree. It had landed so purposefully with its stem wedged between two of the deck floor boards and was standing at attention. The midday sun illuminated it with an almost electrical brilliance, and its shadow revealed several tiny holes that weren't otherwise visible. Ah, Nature."Their lovely home that they shared with all the critters of the forest.Moon through the woods. They will find a new place to treasure and call home.They lost everything tangible, but still have each other and friends and family. We hold Frieda and Harry in our hearts as they absorb their loss and move on with hope and loving spirits to create another wonderful life together.
Organizer
Barby Prothro
Organizer
Detroit, OR