Celtfire, Gert alluded to Sylvia's handicap by saying she is "my pal and always will be", and praising her wonderful disposition and meticulous housekeeping habits. (p.115). Thanks for passing along your first hand experience.
Gert's referral to fishermen ties in with another statement that she made, that Deep Creek was periodically stocked with fish. That doesn't happen anymore, does it? I (only) once saw a 6-inch fish caught upstream by some young guys fishing a couple of years ago. They enjoyed it at the springs with top ramen.