Now & Then 4/23/26

Monday (April 13) – I often play Menominee bingo on Mondays. It is Senior night. Seniors receive a discount. I often have the opportunity to visit with other senior players that night.
However, there were storm warnings for later in the evening, and I opted to stay home and watch American Idol (my favorites are Hannah, Brooks and Braeden). When the downpour came, I was glad I was home.
On Tuesday (April 14) I called a senior bingo friend, soon turning 90, to be sure she got home alright. She said “the ride home was challenging. It was raining quite hard and at times it was hard to see.” She added, “I was really glad to get home.”
Later in the day I turned on social media, and it was then that I learned many surrounding communities were having flooding issues. My heart raced when I saw my hometown, Marion, was evacuating residents. I quickly called my sister-in-law. She said she was safe, but she was concerned about family members and friends.
Next, I saw Embarrass was experiencing some flooding as was Oconto, Keshena, Pella, Waupaca, New London, Navarino, Tigerton, Caroline, to name just a few. I prayed for safety for everyone.
We live across from Judd Park. We had been watching the water levels rise. We saw a city truck bringing sandbags for a city owned home at the end of our street, and located very close to the river.
Then the Park Director put up barricades closing Judd Park (and all city parks) due to the rising water and for the safety of residents. We knew the water was rising, but we weren’t overly concerned at that point for our own home.
My hubby went to bed and so did Sissy and Maggie (our cats). I stayed up and watched Hallmark Mystery Channel. There was a scary show on when suddenly I heard a knock on our door.
I was afraid to go to the door, and I knew hubby was sound asleep. The knocking turned into a pounding. I knew I couldn’t talk through our double doors. I went to the kitchen window to see if I would recognize the car if there was one. It was a police car.
I quickly opened the door, and the officer told me there were concerns about the stability of the Balsam Row dam. He said if the dam didn’t hold, then no doubt the Shawano dam would be compromised too. He suggested we prepare for evacuation if the dams went out. I thanked him and he continued on his way to advise other residents.
I quickly woke up my hubby. We got dressed, gathered up our medications, and packed some clothes. We stayed up all night praying the dams would hold.
On Wednesday the Sheriff’s Department posted on social media that a berm was built on the sides of the dam and so far, it was being held.
We watched the news and learned Shiocton was evacuating all its residents. We also learned that the Big Falls dam might fail. There were so many disasters occurring in many Wisconsin communities.
In spite of all the stress and damage, I was so proud to observe people helping people. The Shawano Highway Department, along with others had stayed up all night building the berm.
Law enforcement, fire departments, street departments, electrical and water departments and churches in many communities stepped up to the plate and helped residents and businesses in a variety of ways.
Community members in all affected areas rose to the occasion. They filled sandbags. They helped neighbors to get to safety. Some went out in deep water to rescue pets. People supplied food to workers.
Residents lent others pumps, and helped them remove items from their flooded basements. It was so heartwarming to see such goodness.
I too experienced a wonderful act of kindness. Some time ago I met a delightful couple at bingo, Chris and David. Before bingo we often visit. David is a veteran, well-traveled, and a former chef. He loves history too and I enjoy visiting with him.
David’s wife Chris is a kind and caring person, and someone I instantly liked.
She wears her heart on her sleeve, a very large heart, I must add. I am always glad when they are at bingo, because Chris instantly brightens my day. Her hilarious life stories keep me in stitches. I told her someday I would like to write her story. I’m quite certain it would be a bestseller. I never had a sister, but for some reason, she feels like one.
Anyhow, when this couple learned from a post I made on social media that we might have to evacuate, Chris immediately sent me their home address, along with an invitation to come and stay with them.
My hubby met them a few times at bingo, but other than that, they don’t know us well. Thinking they would open their home to us just touched my heart.
Our son and daughter-in-law live nearby, and we would have gone to their home, but I will long remember their invitation and the many acts of kindness I observed.
My mother often said, “The cream always rises to the top.”
In spite of all the devastation, I think there was a lot of cream rising.