To the editor:

Recently we were on our way to an appointment and needed to leave George's van at a garage and test drive a different car. We saw our mechanic and car dealer at the bottom of the overpass in Scott City. We got out of our van and into the new car and expected the dealer to take our van to have it serviced.

After our appointment and some shopping, we were driving to the garage to pick up the van, but it was where we had left it. Puzzled, we drove to the garage where the car dealer's wife explained we had missed a lot of excitement.

Our van was seen by the police sitting abandoned. They suspected something had happened to us. They searched the area. They called our son in Chaffee. Telephone calls were made to our friends and to the pastor of our church.

Since then, I've learned that our disappearance was on the police scanner. Our employees in Chaffee and the crew at a restaurant George frequents were concerned. A Scott City pastor asked for prayers for us. Our city clerk told meter readers to keep out an eye for us. Scott City fire chief Jay Cassout said he was within minutes of calling in the highway patrol with helicopters. Finally, our son called the garage and was told where we were.

How touched we have been by all the concern. To all of you who were concerned about us: Thank you. To the Scott City police: Thank you.

GEORGE and CAROLYN PENDERGRASS, Scott City