Dear Friends

It’s Jan filling in for Don in the next couple of issues of Kibbles & Bytes as he and Grace take a well-deserved break. It will be difficult to live up to his editorial standard, but I will do my best!

The Mad River Valley was hit hard by tropical storm Irene. Waitsfield, our home base, saw homes and businesses flooded and ruined beyond repair. My 16-year-old son volunteered with the Waitsfield Fire Department on Sunday during the height of the storm, and when he returned home, he relayed story after story of devastation and dramatic scenes. Huge propane tanks and hay bales floated down the rushing Mad River while firefighters, police and volunteers watched helplessly, unable to stop the river’s fury. Landmarks throughout the valley have been damaged or destroyed, and countless numbers of families have suffered tremendous losses to their homes, businesses and farms.

Our beloved covered bridge in the heart of Waitsfield held firm for the most part, but surrounding homes and businesses were lifted off their foundations by the flood waters. Here at Small Dog, the water came within six inches of our doors before beginning to recede. We were very, very lucky since the Mad River runs directly behind us and could have brought devastation to our doors as well.

Numerous Small Dog employees helped the community on Monday by pushing water and mud and helping others recover their belongings. We’ve donated computers to local towns to help with disaster recovery and have posted links on our Facebook page to local and national organizations that are directly involved in the efforts here in the Valley. If you would like to make a donation, here are two organizations providing flood relief in Vermont:

The American Red Cross of Vermont and the New Hampshire Valley online

Text FOODNOW to 52000 to donate $10 to Vermont Foodbank

In our next issue, I hope to report that the Mad River Valley is well on its way to recovery and displaced families are back in their homes.