To the editor:

Jan. 14 was as cool as it gets. People from all corners of our Western Mountains came together because of a house. The Porter House has allowed us to celebrate new life, marriages, holidays, time with loved ones, first dates, graduations, homecomings, too much wine and always with great service. It sheltered us as we mourned the loss of family members and made us all a little addicted to celery seed dressing and Porter House Haddock. That house, along with its stewards, Greg and Sandra, Beth and Jeff, Brian and Sue, was not just a restaurant but a place to go home for dinner.

The support for its employees was overwhelming and we can all sleep well knowing we helped our neighbors make it through a tough time. No one knows what will happen to the remains of our beloved Porter House, we can only hope.

What we do know is that its employee will be OK because of the love of their community and we all will just keep telling our own stories of our own macaroni necklaces.

Thanks EVERYONE for stepping up, especially during this time in our world and showing again why this is God's country. The view is nice but it is the people who make this part of the planet home.

Sincerely, Wendy Darienzzo

Stratton