By By MaryClaire Foster
My first weekend started off in quite an exciting manner.
Close to 11 p.m. I was headed home when I heard sirens. Being my weekend to work, I knew I couldn’t go home and hit the hay like I wanted.
I missed hearing the address on the police scanner and got in my car hoping to see an emergency vehicle to chase.
Spotting a fire truck, I promptly began my pursuit.
Being the softy that I am, I had to frequently remind myself that I was an unbiased, unemotional professional journalist.
Eventually I just gave up with that and hoped I wouldn’t cry too hard or at least would be able to run off and compose myself before anyone else saw the tears.
When I arrived at the scene I saw two police officers on patrol and asked what was going on. They told me a house had caught on fire and a power line was down and live.
I asked if they thought it was safe for me to head back there, we were about a half-mile down the road, and they said I could do what I wanted, but they were staying put.
I headed back to my car to change into some better shoes than my open-toed sandals and saw a guy pull up and throw on his fire gear.
He asked the best route to the fire and taken a back I said, “I don’t know I was going to follow you.”
He flew off into a sprint and I followed as fast my ballet flats would let me.
As I was running I could hear the popping of the downed power line and kept in mind to steer clear.
I’d never covered a fire and found it to be much calmer than I had anticipated.
I expected lots of yelling and running, but the fire fighters were calm and collected, a fact that made me feel even safer.
It was hard not to get choked up watching the fire consume the family’s house, but knowing they were all safely out of town consoled me.
On another note, Sunday night my friend Carly stopped in Atmore to spend the night with me. She was on her way to Gulfport, Miss. to volunteer with Toms Shoes for Tomorrow.
Toms sells shoes inspired by an Argentinean design and is a fun and fashionable way to give. For every pair of shoes purchased, Toms donates a pair to a child in need.
They give these shoes through events called Shoe Drops. They have previously only had Drops in Argentina and South Africa and this will be their first in the U.S.
Carly interned for Toms this past spring and was eager to help out with their Drop. You might have seen me wearing my Toms around town. Some people have even asked if they were my house shoes.
Wait, you thought I said fashionable didn’t you? Well, I did, and I should mention comfortable too.
Toms has shoes for men, women and children so you can make sure the whole family is up on their fashion. I’m particularly excited about their new boots. Check out their Web site, www.tomsshoes.com, and treat yourself and a kid in need too.
MaryClaire Foster is news editor for the Atmore Advance. She can be reached at 368-2123 or via email at lifestyles@atmoreadvance.com