We woke last Friday morning to a white haze drifting to the ground that quickly turned into an earnest winter storm. The grass and gravel disappeared under the fluffy snow. By late Saturday afternoon the fluffiness had turned to layers of snow, sleet, freezing rain, and more snow, which the winds had blown about into frozen drifts.

As the storm settled in Friday afternoon, the cows, with backs already covered with snow, made their way across the pasture toward the shelter of the cedar trees. The peacocks sat on their high roosts in the trees waiting for the wind and precipitation to stop and the ground to reappear. The dogs frolicked about throwing up the snow with each kick of their paws. The cats sat at the windows tails slightly switching in frustration that they would not go outside.

Friday night brought the pinging sound of sleet on the stovepipe. As the snow depth lessened with the accumulation of sleet, the freezing rain began. We went to bed wondering if we would have electric power in the morning.

Saturday daylight found snow falling again. It accumulated deeper on the frozen snowy base. The waning light of the afternoon saw the fowl still huddled up the trees and the cattle standing around under the thick cedar branches. 

A bright white world greeted everyone on Sunday morning. The dogs sat on the sunny side of the hay bale bathing in the natural warmth. The cats dashed out the doors to quickly come to a halt when their paws touched the cold, wet white stuff. After of few minutes under the porches, they were back meowing to be let in.

Shovels and brooms came out in an effort to clean the snow to make walking paths. The tractor and truck made tracks for the animals to walk around without the snow on their legs.

A thank you goes out to all of the neighbors who checked on each other and helped with the cleanup on Sunday.  High praise is given to all of the emergency personnel who worked throughout the dangerous weather to insure the safety of others. Our police, firefighters, EMT’s, highway workers, linemen, etc. were on duty to answer the communities’ needs.

Community Communiqué

The Darlington Heights Volunteer Fire Department had their annual family banquet Jan. 17. The department recognized Scott Murr for Most Calls Run and Mark Gibbs and Jason Tinsley as Firefighters of the Year. Teresa Lewis received the Dolly Childress Outstanding Community Service Award.

The Prospect Historical Society will meet Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Prospect firehouse.

The Pamplin Town Council will meet Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Depot Town Office meeting room.

There will be a benefit stew and yard sale with proceeds to benefit the Pamplin Playground Restoration Fund on Saturday, Feb. 6, at the Pamplin Depot Community Room. The stew will cost $7 per quart. 

The Pamplin Old time Dance and Community Social sponsored by Farm Use String Band will be Saturday, Feb. 6, in the Pamplin Depot Freight Room. A Mardi Gras theme dinner prepared by the Pamplin Area Legacy Supporters (PALS) will be available at 6 p.m.

Please keep the following people in your thoughts and prayers:  Shirley Fulcher, Jimmy Coleman, Noreen Murray, Kenneth Brisentine, Martha Whitehead, Betty Jean Bolt, and Gary Fiscus.

“Snow provokes responses that reach right back to childhood.” – Andy Goldsworthy

EDWINA COVINGTON is a retired teacher and columnist for Elam. Her email is ecovington@centurylink.net.