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'lOWfl's goodwill, patience shines bright in blackout The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, August 19, 2003-3 The Champion Goodwill, patience and cnsieatn seemed instrumental in steering Miltonians through a power outage that first caused widespread blackouts late Thursday afiemnoon. Different Parts of town were re- connected with electricity through- out Friday, enabling businesses to re-open their doors to, customers. But one restaurant that didn't gel Power resiored helped restore the faith in maxi with generosity that was appreciated by many. 'Me Fifth Wheel Truck Stop on Chisholm Drive had jusi finished setning up a buffet-style barbecue in the parking lot ai around 4 p.m. Thursday %,hen the lights suddenly tumed oft. Afier leaming a short trne later throsîgh radio reports ihat millions of homes in Ontario and many Paris of the eastem US. suffered blackouts, the restaurant feli the next step was a logical une- give the food away for free. Fiftb Whcel cook Cheri Perreault said ai leasi iwo dozen trucks packed the parking lot once the power freeze started. They tumced off tbeir rigs' motors tu chow down on thick, juicy barbecued sausage, prc-prcparcd cold pasta and colder 000 ,iIi..holic drinks. The blackout continued ovemight and into Friday su the barbecuing festivities carried on. Afier aIl, the restaurant was shut down and there was tons of food Io cat and nu permanent refrigeraîlon to keep ix from spoiling. (A refigeraîed truck oui back of the restaurant was used to store the tood to keep it fresh>. -How much'L" every person asked whaî Ms Perreauli was charging as they sniffed their way to the lune barbecue thai was work- ing overtime. its free," she responded, asking what they wanted. "Everyone's been absolutely grea," said Ms Perreauli. tuming over sausage after sausage amid the inîoxicaîing aroma uf cuoked meat. "Wcre giving back iu the communiy. The restaurant expecied poswer lu resumne by 4 p.m. Friday. Alberta trucker Paîxi Bubrge, 62, was heading north on Regionai Road 25 Thursday afiemoon when suddenly traffic siopped. Street lighîs had gone oui everywhere. Slowly she made her way Io the Fifth.Wheel. "These peuple here are awe- some," she said, as Ms Perreauli continually handcd oui sausages. "This isn'î guing to be cheap yen- turc for ihem," noîing tic large .imOunt olIre food they're giving away. Around town, everyone had dif- ferent xhings to do amid the power failure chaos but they ail shared a commun denominator - little Io nu elecîriciîy to help complete their tasks. The only way lu bear through the turbulent trnes was tu be patient, friendiy and stay cool under pressure. The Esso gas station ai the comer of Market Drive and Matlin Street had power restored early Friday. As a resuli, an endless streamn of cars, SUVs, pick-up trucks and even huais ined up bumper-to-bumper to wait for their tum ai the self- service Pumps for much-needed gasoline. Il was hot Friday eariy aftemoon -temperatures excccded a sweaty 30) C- and the idling of engines surely dxdn't hclp. But what did were positive attitudes- "There have been nu probiems, but uts busy' said cashier Raymon Womadan. a slight smile on bis face. Said St. Thomas resident Serge Bavlovets: "Everybody is filling up and going, su nu problems su far.- He evcnîually did the same and drove away. Ai Subway on Markct Drive, air- cundiîioncd cumfort and fresh sadihsaitracted many. ee NO on page 4 mAtIontionVohcloBu ors GET MO à E E VENT CONTINUES % PURCHASE FINANCINO Up to eu0 fs* on vlrtually ail II 2003 modula 5ytiKtkm(Mt owriainWarI,u' L 155 rHP\5 164 ustauto.AC. ABS.iDualIdngdo-rý il- .IW PtM. CIi) st co ,' Yr/ith5j.5( km GM t'oweririuu aeuaniy. 2.2L 140 HP ECOTEC engine. auxo. AC. iheft dexerreni. air bag-s. 60/40 splt ifoiding rmai seau.1 L 185 HP V6.AU, PL, PW PMCD sereoý C e iii iorage nsç e, keyless entry. ra~p'ped S IN "s A. i "iereo 6- Sats, sn- ABS. ,AC Dtý, 1"auminum wtiees 1