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Hugo author’s message of hope and triumph
Remembering 9/11
M
arissa Blahnik “I was incredibly has lived in White lucky in that I didn’t Bear Lake for the lose anyone directly on past 13 years, but that terrible day. Sept. grew up in New Jersey. On 11, 2001, stands out in Sept. 11, 2001, at the age of my mind as a turning 22, Blahnik was living in point, both individually northern New Jersey and and collectively. I can commuted to Midtown, only imagine how people New York, for her job at who were more directly Court TV. impacted must feel, and She has kept two emails I hold them and their she sent in the wake of the families in my thoughts event 20 years ago that as we mark this tragic details her experience anniversary.” and reflections in the SEE 20 YEARS LATER, PAGE 13 aftermath of 9/11, and she shared them with Press accompanied by these comments: BY THE NUMBERS: “I had already completed my commute associated with the 19 militants and was sitting in an edit Islamic extremist group al suite with some colleagues Qaeda hijacked 4 planes when someone ran in and said to put on the TV. It 2 planes were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade wasn’t clear what was Center in New York happening yet — if I recall correctly, initially it was 1 plane hit the Pentagon just reported as one plane and outside Washington, D.C. an unfortunate accident. That quickly changed, and 1 plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania we watched together as the second plane hit and were killed during the 3,000 people then later as the towers terrorist attacks collapsed. I remember fi nally getting through to 8:45 — the time an American my mother on the phone a.m. Airlines Boeing 767 crashed to let her know I was OK. I into the north tower remember deciding to stay 9:45 — the time American Airlines at the office all day rather a.m. Flight 77 crashed into the west than wait for hours in line side of the Pentagon to take a ferry home — the bridges and tunnels were 110 stories made up the skyscrapers closed to cars, and the only minutes after the first way off the island was on a plane hit, a second Boeing 18 boat or on foot. 767 sliced into the south day I typed up Come in and see our“The vast next assortment of annual flowers and plants tower my experience and shared veggies and herbs • perennial plants and it with friends and family. military personnel and 125 shrubs I’ve kept a printout all these Choose from our beautiful selection ofcivilians were killed in the years and have retyped it. Pentagon attack
later
Melissa Steussy
Press Publications recently interviewed Hugo resident Melissa Steussy about the publication of her fi rst book, “Let Your Privates Breathe.” Steussy has been working on writing a memoir for the last decade. Once the pandemic hit, she had some extra time on her hands and decided to hire an editor to look over the 60,0000-plus words she had written so far. Ultimately, they decided to start over. Her memoir, titled, “Let Your Privates Breathe,” is a young woman's message of hope and triumph after breaking a long cycle of addiction and unhealthy habits. Steussy tells of her struggles to fi nd freedom after being raised in an unpredictable home environment, and trying to fi nd love and stability in all the wrong places. When she is court-ordered to Alcoholics Anonymous after a DUI, Steussy is forced to take responsibility for her actions and her journey of self-love and healing begins. Melissa not only shares her trials and struggles throughout her recovery and active addiction, but celebrates her breakthroughs and the beautiful connection she develops with herself, her family and her community. Q. Tell us a little about yourself. A. I currently reside in Hugo with my
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