Goderich, Ont., regroups after deadly tornado

Ontario tornado kills one3:00

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Goderich, Ont., is renowned for its beautiful sunsets, parks and beaches, but residents in the tiny town on the eastern shore of Lake Huron awoke Monday to downed trees, crushed cars and businesses reduced to rubble after a deadly tornado ripped through the downtown core a day earlier.
"Canada's Prettiest Town," as the town's official website calls it, is now in a state of emergency after Sunday's powerful storm.
Access to the downtown area is blocked off, and police have closed all entrances to the town for safety reasons and likely to discourage looting, says CBC's Dan Sherman, reporting down the shoreline in Bayfield, Ont., because of the restricted access.
Instead of awaking to a bustling summer day filled with tourists, Goderich, a community of about 8,000, was mourning the death of Norman Laberge, 61, of Lucknow, Ont., who was working in a salt mine when the storm hit, and struggling to make sense of the devastation.

'We saw tables and chairs outside of the café flying and then saw an SUV roll like a tumbleweed right in front.'—Cassandra Phillips-Grande, 16

At least 37 people were also injured in Sunday's tornado, which struck after thunderstorm warnngs were well in place and just 12 minutes before a tornado warning was issued at 3:48 p.m. ET, CBC meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe said Monday.
"Environment Canada has confirmed the tornado and [it] has been given an initial high-end rating of F2 [250 km/h]," she said.
Some witnesses described cars being picked up and tossed like toys.

Windshields 'blown out'

Sherman said resident Bob Earnest recalled hearing what he thought was a jet plane flying too low. He became disoriented, and then the side and back windshields of his vehicle were "blown out" by the tornado.
Herb Marshall, the owner of the Park House Bar and Restaurant, said the scene was right out of the movies.
"[The storm] came up the hill off the lake ... and just took everything with it," Marshall said. "I believe I saw a garbage bin up in the air going by."
Cassandra Phillips-Grande, 16, was in a coffee shop in the town square when the wind started to pick up, and that she tried to help some of the injured, including suffering from gashes and things falling on them.
"We saw tables and chairs outside of the café flying and then saw an SUV roll like a tumbleweed right in front," she said, adding that everyone in the shop moved to the back of the building.
"About two seconds later, we heard this really big crash and the roof collapsed in the spot where we had all been. When we went outside, we saw that some apartments had collapsed right in front of the café."
Sherman reported that the community began pulling together shortly after the mighty storm toppled the town.
A at the local Knights of Columbus Hall quickly became a relief centre Sunday night, feeding storm victims and repair crews.
"Goderich may have taken a hit, but the resiliency of this community is evident," Sherman reported. "Everyone is doing what needs to be done and pulling together."

It may be some time before Canada's Prettiest Town is restored to its pristine beauty, but townspeople are determined to pick up the pieces, and live up to its vows to visitors to its official website that, "Once you visit Goderich, your heart will never leave."

Seen It, Heard It, Read It

Seen It

Extraordinary Measures

This was a sweet and touching movie, inspired by a true story about a father (and mother) doing absolutely everything in their power to help their sick children. Harrison Ford was a great addition to the cast of Brendan Fraser and Keri Russell.

Better Off Ted

Jenny suggested that we watch this when we were in Savannah. Heather and I hadn’t seen it before. We continued to watch it on instant Netflix during our roadtrip. It’s such a funny show and I’m so sad it’s no longer on. I love that the episodes are short, we’ve almost watched both seasons already.

Bridesmaids

I went into this movie expecting it to be the female counterpart to The Hangover. It was to some extent, but it was also a really great story. I could actually relate to Annie a little bit, which at some times was scary, haha.

Heard It

Nate Fowler: Wherever You Go

This was one of the cds on our roadtrip playlist. Besides hearing him open for Tyrone Wells I hadn’t heard him before. But when a couple of his songs came on I was able to identify them, weird!

Kate Nash: Made of Bricks

This takes me back to my California days. I hadn’t listened to it in a long time, but added it to the roadtrip playlist because I knew all of us would enjoy it. The music is so fun and the songs are unique and creative.

A Fine Frenzy: Bomb In A Birdcage

Heather and I listened to this a lot last summer while we were working. I love it. I love Alison Sudol. I can’t wait for more music from her. I won’t tell you about the time Landon Pigg opened for her (our second to last night in California) and we left before she even went on.

Rilo Kiley: Under The Blacklight

This will always and forever remind me of California (is there a theme here?), but more specifically the beach. I’d always bring my itouch along to the beach and sometimes I’d take out my headphones so we could all listen to music. This was a favorite and always fit the mood.

Finally, a different kind of heard it:

If you watched our video blog about our trip from Boise to Savannah, then you’ll know that getting from Atlanta to Savannah was our biggest challenge. We met a mom and daughter on the plane who were coming back from New York. Hannah, the daughter was a student at University of Alabama in Birmingham. She experienced the tornado there first hand and sadly lost a sorority sister to it. Her first hand account was moving and terrifying. She sent a text to her parents and brother telling them that they’d never know how much she loved them. She didn’t think she’d make it. I can’t begin to imagine.
If you would like to donate to help the tornado relief in Birmingham or Joplin you can do so HERE.

Read It

Forever Faithful Series
Waiting For Morning by Karen Kingsbury
Moment Of Weakness by Karen Kingsbury
Halfway To Forever by Karen Kingsbury

I started reading this series when I was waiting for new books from the library. Literally a sentence into the first book I remembered I’d read it before. I figured that I’d re-read them since it’d obviously been a long time. I was surprised at some things I didn’t remember from reading them the first time. The first two books of the series are separate stories and in the third book they cross over. They deal with hard issues. The first book is especially difficult because of the bitterness of one of the characters. It’s amazing though to see how God works in their lives and remains ever faithful.

Women of Faith/Timeless Love Series
A Time to Dance by Karen Kingsbury

I read this on my way to Savannah and finished it before we left on the roadtrip. It was really hard to read through the hurt and pain the characters were experiencing. It ended up being a beautiful story.

A Time to Embrace by Karen Kingsbury

I didn’t start this sequel until after I had got home from the trip. When I first started it (perhaps because I had been so tired) I totally forgot it was the sequel. I loved learning more about the characters from the first book and to see their faith continue to grow through the struggles and trials they faced.

Amanda’s Blog

My amazing friend Amanda started a blog in April. She is starting a new chapter in her life and is sharing her journey. Her blog is honest and she lets you see into her heart. Amanda is an incredible woman who has been through her share of struggle and pain. She wants the best out of life and she is going to change the world. She is truly an inspiration and I’m so proud of her. Read it HERE. Follow her on twitter HERE.