A community responds

From the instant word emerged that Sandy Rutherford hadn’t returned from fishing on West Lake on Saturday afternoon—there has been a flood of community support, according to his wife Teresa. Family, friends and folks who don’t know the Rutherfords have rallied to offer whatever they can to help.

“Everyone who still has a boat in the water has been out looking for him,” explained a close family friend and neighbour to the Rutherfords. “People have dropped everything to help. Village restaurants, neighbours and friends have provided food. The outpouring of support from the community has been such a blessing.

Since Saturday evening, cars and trucks have lined the roadway and nearby lawns around the Rutherford home. The crew of the Wellington Rescue, all volunteers from this community, were on the water within an hour of learning that Sandy had not returned when expected.

“They were out all night long looking for Sandy,” said the family friend.

When the Coast Guard instructed them to stand down, some boarded their own craft and continued the search. On Tuesday, dozens of friends, family and fellow residents continue to search for Sandy.