Some Arkansans Saved by Big-Hearted Neighbors in Winter Weather
By: Marci Manley, KARK 4 News
Updated: December 27, 2012
"Power's right across the street," he said, a finger extended from beyond his darkened front yard.
Clark Drummond can point out the places where winter weather has spared some houses.
"All the way down here they have power," he sighed. "Back this way though, there's nothing."
The freezing rain and snow had left him living on the wrong side of the road.
"You can look right across the street and see all this warmth and happiness. We're over here in despair," he said with only a hint of a laugh.
Freezing temperatures have turned their home into a frozen fortress. They're on day three of shivering inside and out.
"What was the thermostat? Forty-five degrees I think?" Courtney Booker said.
"Yeah, it's just been freezing cold ever since. We're just in survival mode," Drummond nodded.
But less than a block away, warmth resides within Stephano and Ashley Sutherlin's home.
"Nobody should be without heat," he said.
The owner of Stephano's Gallery in the Heights, opening his home. The masterpiece on display: a hot bowl of chili and a seat by the fireplace. Suddenly, sheer survival is surpassed by something close to contentment.
"We are having a party with people who want to get warm," Stephano laughs. "We take care of our neighbors that's what life is all about."
Drummond and Booker might be forced to wait a while longer for Entergy to turn on their lights.
"We saw one truck, and it was like the best thing ever," Drummond said. "But nothing since. We called and actually reported it as an outage. So, maybe that will help."
They won't have to wonder if there's somewhere to stay warm in the meantime.
"We couldn't have made it so far without our neighbors," Booker said. "You can never have too many friends," Drummond agreed.
Clark Drummond can point out the places where winter weather has spared some houses.
"All the way down here they have power," he sighed. "Back this way though, there's nothing."
The freezing rain and snow had left him living on the wrong side of the road.
"You can look right across the street and see all this warmth and happiness. We're over here in despair," he said with only a hint of a laugh.
Freezing temperatures have turned their home into a frozen fortress. They're on day three of shivering inside and out.
"What was the thermostat? Forty-five degrees I think?" Courtney Booker said.
"Yeah, it's just been freezing cold ever since. We're just in survival mode," Drummond nodded.
But less than a block away, warmth resides within Stephano and Ashley Sutherlin's home.
"Nobody should be without heat," he said.
The owner of Stephano's Gallery in the Heights, opening his home. The masterpiece on display: a hot bowl of chili and a seat by the fireplace. Suddenly, sheer survival is surpassed by something close to contentment.
"We are having a party with people who want to get warm," Stephano laughs. "We take care of our neighbors that's what life is all about."
Drummond and Booker might be forced to wait a while longer for Entergy to turn on their lights.
"We saw one truck, and it was like the best thing ever," Drummond said. "But nothing since. We called and actually reported it as an outage. So, maybe that will help."
They won't have to wonder if there's somewhere to stay warm in the meantime.
"We couldn't have made it so far without our neighbors," Booker said. "You can never have too many friends," Drummond agreed.
