Editor’s note: this is a letter sent by Cheryl Borthick, president of the Kernville Chamber of Commerce, to Tina Terrell, Sequoia National Forest Supervisor.

Dear  Tina,
I just wanted to  inform you of a series of events that are very important to our community and I think you will be pleased with, knowing how you have espoused working together with  us.

This last week there was a death in the community that affected not only my diner, as he was my employee Sandy Smith's husband, but he was a coach at the high school for 28 years.  He was  also an avid roper, hunter and horseman well known in the community.  He suffered a heart attack while out hunting on Sunday last.

Since I am a close friend and also president of the Kernville Chamber of Commerce, Sandy came to me and asked  if the rodeo grounds could be used for his memorial service (last) Saturday. Many friends from Bakersfield, the high school and members of the community would be attending.  We, of course, said yes, but the grounds  were pretty shabby since we had not held an event there since Whiskey Flat Days.   

(I thought) the usual folks who volunteer could not possibly get the grounds in shape in that short of  time.  I remembered that several hot shot crews had used the baseball field on Sunday afternoons lately and had  volunteered to do anything we needed, so I asked Rick Larson, our district  ranger, if they could be used to help us clean up the area.

On Wednesday, the crew from Engine 43 showed up in the afternoon and I told them what we needed.  They started in and it  looked good when I came back in the later afternoon.  On Thursday, the Rincon Hot Shots showed  up along with Engine 43 crew and the place (was) absolutely beautiful.  I might mention that another young man  from the community, Kenny Carver, scraped the dirt parking lot for us.   

Some of these  kids on the crew were coached by Denny Knight, the fellow who passed away.  This made the spirit of giving all the more real to all of us in the Kern Valley.  

We cannot thank you enough for this  generous effort done with such loving kindness.  Hope to see you soon in  Kernville.

Sincerely,  Cheryl Borthick