MANTON â Kim and Robert Kavanagh never wanted to lose a house again.
Health problems led to financial problems led to the loss of their home downstate. When Social Security money finally came through, they used it to pay cash for a cabin in Manton with a beautiful view of neighboring woods and fields.
That was about 10 years ago. Slowly, over the years, when they had money, they bought supplies to make improvements and expand the house.
And throughout their years in the cabin, Robert handled the firewood, stoking the stove to keep his wife and youngest daughter warm.
This spring, Robert died of cancer, and though Kim and her daughter, Emily, have been managingâeven installing insulation themselvesâthe people that have grown to care for the Kavanaghs over the years have worried.