For Chapman, future has begun

By Jan Biles

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

CHAPMAN - Don and Betty Anders strung patriotic decorations around the trunks of two trees still standing in their front yard Friday morning.

Several yards behind the trees were the remains of their home - a pile of furniture, walls, roof and appliances made unrecognizable by the force of a half-mile-wide tornado that cut a swath through the center of Chapman late Wednesday.

"It's overwhelming," Betty Anders said as she and family members took a break from salvaging belongings.

The EF-3 tornado destroyed about 70 homes, two churches and the town's three schools. Damage is estimated at $20 million, but is expected to increase after assessments are finalized.

In spite of the loss of their home, the Anders aren't thinking about relocating. They intend to rebuild and hope their neighbors in the town of 1,300 will, too.

"I hope they don't abandon Chapman," said Dolores Anders, Don's mother.

A few blocks away, Bob Meyer sat on an orange pew in what had been the sanctuary of the United Methodist church. Earlier, the pew's cushioned seat had been covered with pieces of glass from the shattered windows.

The roof was blown off the sanctuary. A cloudless blue sky served as a ceiling Friday afternoon, while a large wooden cross that once stood in the church tower on the west side of the building remained unharmed.

"It's the old rugged cross," he said, referring to the lyrics of a popular hymn.

Meyer, custodian at the church and a member of its board of trustees, said he was certain the church would be repaired.

"I have no doubt in my mind we will rebuild," he said, adding the structure was the third Methodist church that had been built in the town.

The town's first United Methodist church was hit by windstorms in 1881 and 1882. A man died in the latter storm.

Pat Baird, owner of Kidz Play in downtown Chapman, was waiting for an insurance adjustor to arrive Friday afternoon so damage to her day care center could be determined. The sooner the assessment was completed, the sooner she could reopen her business.

Earlier that day, her three young grandchildren kept her company, but when they grew restless she told them to "draw a happy picture" with some colored chalk.

Drawn in pastel colors on the sidewalk outside of the business' front door were a little girl with a wide smile, a bank, a park, a tennis court and a star - all seemingly untouched by the tornado.

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