Letters we receive

Dear editor:
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
To Jean Boyhan, Crystal Williams, the lady and her daughter (living on Main Street), Chief of Police Johnnie Torres Jr., Stockbridge ambulance personnel and Stockbridge fire first responders.
At 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, Jean Boyhan and I started to take our daily hike. We proceeded to walk east on the Lakeland Trail at the cemetery. When we arrived at Michigan 106, I decided to leave the trail and we walked south on an abandoned farm overgrown with weeds and vines – almost impossible to follow. However, we managed and really enjoyed the quiet solitude of nature. At the end of the old farm road on the left was an old sod farm long since abandoned. This farm had been purchased a few years ago by the Ingham County Nature Conservation Department. I had walked this area for many years and we thought nothing of the now dense forest of weeds. The old path to the east was now invisible, however, we stupidly proceeded.
The term “shin-tangle” is a very poor description of what we encountered! What had once been grass grown on mulch was now 12 to 18 inches high, however, not upright – but in a tangle! The weeds at times were 10 to 12 feet tall. One step, then move a little, grab some weeds, pull on them to help to move ahead. Briars and nettles! Fall down – sweat in 90- degree and 80 percent humidity – try to keep moving now in a northern direction.
I twisted my right knee, fell down and could not get up. Jean thought I had broken my leg. Knowing we needed serious aid, she struggled on, assuring me that she would return as soon as possible.
She moved in the direction of M-106 (East Main Street) Finally, unable to continue walking, she dropped to her hands and knees and crawled several hundred yards to high ground. Jean then walked to the road again and flagged down a car driven by Ms. Crystal Williams, of Cherry Street in Stockbridge. Williams called 911 and stayed with Jean waiting for Chief Torres and first responders to arrive.
A very pleasant lady from across the street brought water and a very appreciated popsicle.
Chief Torres and several first responders entered the swamp in the fire department Jeep.
I, still flat on my back, heard them calling and I responded loud enough for them to find me. These very strong men got me upright and I limped to the Jeep – finally out of the swamp at 7 p.m.
Stockbridge Ambulance personnel put me on a stretcher and into the ambulance, where they took my vitals and hooked me up to some monitors. After giving me some oxygen, I was quite revived. The paramedics agreed that my vitals were satisfactory, but cautioned me that if I felt at all ill that Jean should call them to get me to the hospital ASAP.
Fortunately, I felt well. A glass of wine and a bath and off to bed at 9 p.m. I enjoyed uninterrupted sleep until 9 a.m. Sunday.
Thank you all again,
Walter Jarvis