Baas is joyfully discovering old friends, and at times, tearfully recalling the day one year ago when she saw the tornado-damaged Linwood neighborhood, and the wrecked lives of her postal customers. Soon after, the Postal Service transferred Baas to Saginaw, and she lost touch with Linwood. Oh I think the neighborhood looks wonderful. Houses are being painted up. Quite a few homes look better now than before.
Neighbors admit, they have a newfound pride.
But there are gaps along Mercedes and Merrimac streets, empty lots from houses so damaged there was no hope of repair. Some families moved out forever. Others stayed, slowly fixing-up their homes with help from church groups, insurance money or just plain perseverance. She and her family weathered a lot while rebuilding. They lived without heating and cooling until two months ago, when volunteers donated a heater and water heater.