Caring neighbors Lambert High School senior says life in 'the middle of nowhere' has many advantages By Bill Vander Weele Sidney Herald Deep in her heart, Lambert High School senior Amy Vaira realizes her growing up in the Elmdale area has been something special. The friendly girl says that she's a "city girl stuck in a farm girl body." But then she talks about her life. The daughter of Kelly and Jenifer Vaira shares stories about summer softball games near Elmdale Hall, water fights at night while staying at St. Bernard's Church, the senior citizens who are always ready to donate a few dollars and the neighbors who will drive through the snow during all hours of the night to see if you're all right. Vaira smiles and rethinks her earlier statement. "I guess I'm a lot like a smalltown girl," she said. "I don't like farming, but I love the neighbors." Vaira's home is located 45 miles from Sidney, about the same distance from Circle and Culbertson, and about 22 miles away from Lambert and Richey. "I live in the middle of nowhere," Vaira jokes. At times, while in Sidney, she's been offered a ride to her home. "OK, do you know how far that is?" Vaira tells the friend. "But we get so used to it, the distance doesn't seem so far." Taking care of each other is a lesson Vaira has learned in her part of the county. She mentions an annual "slave day" in Elmdale when youngsters do a variety of jobs for the area's senior citizens. "It's nice to give back to them too," Vaira said. "They do so much for us." Duties for the "slaves" have included hoeing gardens, picking weeds, washing windows and planting flowers. "We deliver cookies to older people from our church, so they know we're thinking of them," Vaira said. "They appreciate it so much." She said her worst experience during "slave day" was when she was helping wash an automobile by using vinegar. Before you knew it, a water fight broke out. "I got soaked from head to toe in vinegar water," Vaira said. After a hard day of work, the students enjoy an overnighter at St. Bernard's Church. A water fight is a tradition for that night. "The boys always win, but I did tie Ryan Irigoin to a chair one time," Vaira proudly said. At school, Vaira remains just as active. As well as playing in three sports, she is also involved in National Honor Society, VICA and Abstinence Till Marriage. In her remaining free time, she is a member of 4-H, Junior Catholic Daughters and Richland County Leaders. Vaira enjoys being in a senior class of seven students. "You can only get by with certain things in small schools. You won't be able to do some things in larger schools," Vaira said. She also still enjoys life in eastern Montana despite the unique winter conditions, which have made her life a little interesting in recent weeks. During the blizzard the last week of January, the Vairas were stuck in their rural home with no electricity. "It was cold, but it wasn't that bad," Vaira said. "Someday, I'll look back at it as a good family bonding experience." The Vairas went to bed wrapped in layers of clothing and covered with blankets. When Jim Steppler and Don Steppler came to their house, after plowing through the snow, the temperature was 32 degrees in the Vaira home. "That's the great thing about a small town," Vaira said. "You can depend on someone plowing you out at 3 in the morning." A week later, Vaira and other students stayed at Rodney and LeeAnne Evenson's place for three nights when visibility was too poor to drive home. "We told LeeAnne the reason why us girls did so well at the tournament was that we had all that team bonding at their place," Vaira joked. That's all part of the life of growing up in the rural parts of eastern Montana. Vaira may talk of being a "big city girl" inside, but wherever her future may take her, her smalltown girl heart and caring for her neighbor will surely follow her. |