Summer, always a slow season for the Gazette, was almost bereft of newsworthy events. Deadlines came and went with very little urgency or excitement. It was simply too hot to generate interest in anything other than the weather forecast—with one notable exception. The community hospital made the front page of every issue of the biweekly newspaper during those long, hot weeks. For some reason that no one could explain, the disputed issues began to resolve themselves into progress. Final plans were made and approved; financing became available through a private endowment and a federally funded loan. Maple Ridge residents rallied, despite the heat, to borrow, beg, or steal the rest of the money needed. And through the sometimes arduous process, Tucker was given credit for every success. He was quick to deny that his “opinions” had any real significance in resolving the problems, but no one doubted the value of his counsel or his ability to unite factions. It had been slightly less than two months since he’d taken up residence, yet there already were indications that Tucker was becoming a part of the community, a valued member in his own right.
