I’m pretty sure people will read this column after the fact (the one I’ll mention) but just in case, the next Food for Seniors distribution in Baja St. Martin will be held on Oct. 21 rather than Oct. 28.

I really don’t know why, but I was told this and also that people would be contacting recipients.

I will do the same for people over here, whether you read this ahead of time or not.

Unless that’s changed also, don’t forget that in November the Food for Seniors boxes are doubled and then there are no more until after the first of the year. So don’t miss either one if possible, then you’ll know what to look forward to and when.

Like the rest of the world, I’ve been watching the mining rescue in Chile for days. I had a lump in my throat the whole time, fearing that something awful would happen any moment, like the cable would break and that cage would plummet in free fall, or someone would accidentally fall in the pipe at the surface.

I sure hope it’s well covered when this is all over, so some poor animal doesn’t fall in.

After having a MRI, I discovered that I have claustrophobia, so when I imagined being in that half mile-long pipe literally gave me the chills.

The whole thing was truly amazing. Now that everyone is safe, I’m hearing that 75 percent of them will be suing the mining company, that this mine may never reopen and that the miners have been offered tons of gifts.

I suppose all this aftermath is to be expected.

The weather has been wonderful and I hear it will be even cooler. The spillway level is falling and the mud flats are increasing along the banks.

The big food festival to raise money for the Pierre Part Volunteer Fire Department was a smashing success. I don’t know how much money was raised, but it must have been a bundle.

There were mobs of people and tons of food. The Swamp People were there for pictures. I’ll bet Troy, Clint and Jacob have never held so many tiny babies dressed in alligator costumes.

Two donated golf carts were sold for $3400 and $4000 at the live auction.

Pierre Part Volunteer Fire Department fire chief Don Breaux thanked the crowd for the whole fundraiser and had just about everyone in tears when he spoke about a recent house fire. He told how awful it had been for his fire fighters to deal with the fire in Bayou Tranquille a few weeks ago, where two grandparents and two very small grandchildren were burned to death in a house fire.

I wonder why the Belle River Fire Department doesn’t hold some kind of community event to raise money? I know Stephensville does.

(Teche News’ Lower correspondent, Linda Cooke, can be contacted via email at lcooke9417@bellsouth.net.)