Pocono News Section

Tornado Victim Fundraiser

Tornado Victim Fundraiser - Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 4:44PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Thursday, Nov 5, 2009 @ 04:44pm EST
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY- The Blakeslee family been hammering and cleaning for more than three months, but the family still has a long way to go.

Blakeslee Family Farm Owner Russell Blakeslee said, "We will get something back up. It's just going to take time."

Blakeslee was working in a barn when a tornado tore through his family farm in July.

He said he heard a sound like a roaring freight train.

"The next thing I remember is just picking myself up off the ground, standing up looking and seeing nothing at all. And just, just cried," said Blakeslee.

The wind flattened his fields, destroyed his home and knocked down all of his barns.

"You go from having one two three four barns to where you have nothing now," said Blakeslee.

A local author found a way to help this family get back on track. Business owner Rose Schoch wrote a book. It's called "Cherry Valley: The Blakeslee Story and Cookbook."

Rose told us when she saw the damage on the farm she just had to help.

Rose Schoch, owner of Schoch's Harley Davidson said, "There wasn't even tears. It just made you feel numb."

Her book is about the tornado and the rich history of Cherry Valley.

There are also a lot of old fashioned farm family recipes and local secrets.

"The very last page of the book will tell you what's special about the name Cherry Valley," said Schock.

The Blakeslee family said they can't thank Rose enough.

The book costs $19.95. They can be found at Schoch's Harley Davidson in Snydersville. All the profits of the book will go to the Blakeslee family.