Those who delight in the snow have been relishing every minute of this. Sledding, hiking, skiing, and making snow angels. The building of snow igloos or snowmen make this winter memorable.
Normally, around here at least, the snow only lasts a day or so then it melts or is washed away.
However, this snow is lasting and that’s also a problem. We cannot ignore it and hope the sidewalk, driveway and parking lot will be clear tomorrow. Nope.
This snow is staying awhile. To keep us all on the move some shoveling or plowing has to be involved.
This is particularly a difficulty in town where children are expected to be able to walk to school. It doesn’t matter if you live in Enon, New Carlisle or Springfield. On their way to school our kiddos can traverse a route that varies from clean and dry to 10 inches of unplowed snow.
While playing in 10 inches of snow dressed in snow garb in the backyard is fantastic, walking to school dressed for studies is not safe on a snow-covered invisible sidewalk. More than once I’ve seen students diverting to the cleared street to avoid deep snow-covered sidewalks. And that is scary for all of us, walkers, parents, and drivers.
One neighborhood I saw recently had a house on a busy corner with uncleared sidewalks on two sides. I was surprised the homeowner didn’t take snow removal as seriously as he did mowing in the summer.
Snow and ice removal doesn’t have to be perfect. Luckily it is an issue only a couple of times a year.
There is no need to the elderly or infirm to risk their health shoveling. Enterprising kids with shovels and landscape businesses with plows are thrilled to make extra money after a snow storm. Sometimes a friendly neighbor with a new snow blower is willing to take care of the problem. Ask if you need help.
Business owners need to think about those who walk by their place of business as well. Those pedestrians could be elementary students, dog walkers, walkers/joggers, or a postal worker. The businesses need to consider that those pedestrians are all potential customers. Maintaining at least a passable sidewalk is an act of welcoming, neighborhood courtesy, and responsible citizenship. It is important for community spirit.
There are some pretty good mounds of plowed snow out there in parking lots and they will probably be with us for awhile.
Youngs’ Dairy on Route 68 in Mad River Township has a contest going. Last week participants were asked to pick a date and time for when the largest snow pile in the parking lot would finally melt. Picking the correct date is complicated by the fact that Youngs’ will be adding to the pile every time it snows.
It’s too late to enter the contest now but there is nothing keeping you from just making a guess for the fun of it. Our granddaughter says Groundhog’s Day, Feb. 2. I’m picking March 17, St. Patrick’s Day. My husband says the snow will last until April.
What do you think?
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