Just My Opinion - By Mary Kilen
Snow And Cold….Yuck!
As I write my column on Monday, we have survived the first real snow of the season here in Stanley, while yet another storm is bearing down on the state.
Saturday’s snow was a gentle, or not so gentle, reminder of how to drive in winter weather. Dale and I had talked about running into Minot, but decided to stay home. Kris Halvorson called and asked if I wanted him to pick up a couple of things which helped me take care of part of the reason I was going. When he dropped them off later that evening, we talked about how miserable the drive home was. With the wet snow and slush, it made travel interesting to say the least. Dale and I ran out to grab some Subway after he left, and it was not particularly fun driving even in town.
Sunday, fortunately, was sunny and the snow and ice melted off fairly well. Once the snow in Dale’s rain gauge melted, it showed we had gotten about a quarter inch of moisture.
Now, I’m waiting to see what this next storm will bring. Last I heard, it didn’t sound like we were going to get a lot of snow, but we all know that’s just their best guess. We’ll see what the morning and the rest of tomorrow brings. We are supposed to go to a corporate meeting in Minot on Wednesday afternoon. Again, we’ll see what the storm brings or doesn’t bring.
Meanwhile, it’s that time of year when you need to be conscious of how your kids are dressing as they leave the house.
Stanley elementary school put out a post about two weeks ago with a weather color system. This is designed for parents and kids to know what they need based on the weather. Now is a good time to make sure you are prepared.
Level 1 is green. That is for a temperature range of 45 degrees and higher with no clothing requirement restrictions.
Level 2 is blue. That is for temperatures 32 to 45 degrees. Clothing requirements include long sleeved outerwear/jackets, and snow boots and snow pants if it is wet, muddy or there are large amounts of snow.
Level 3 is yellow. Temperatures ranges are -13 to 31 degrees with wind chill temperature used. Clothing requirements include snow pants, snow boots, gloves/mittens, a winter coat and stocking caps.
Level 4 is red. This is for temperatures -13 and lower with wind chill temperature used. There is no outside recess in these conditions.
Spend The Holiday Season In Stanley
The Stanley merchants and Stanley Commercial Club are getting ready for the holiday season and getting ready to offer you everything you need to have a wonderful holiday.
The Christmas activities will kick off on Saturday, Nov. 30, starting with the Small Business Saturday Vendor and Craft Show returning from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This year, this will be in a new spot, inside the former Ace Hardware building on Main Street. The annual Parade of Lights which will kick off on Main Street at 6:00 p.m. with businesses open to give you a chance to get another head start on your Christmas shopping while enjoying this annual event. Entries for the parade are still welcome. Entrants should be at the depot no later than 5:00 p.m. Any entries are welcome to join in the parade at this time as well. Organizers continue to ask participants to keep in mind how dark it is on Main Street during the parade. As a result, they request that you not throw candy or items from the floats, but rather have someone walking alongside to hand out treats if you wish. Entries will be judged with a prize given to the winner. The Commercial Club is also encouraging local businesses to stay open later that evening for shoppers.
Also starting on that weekend, participating businesses will have a sign-up location for weekly drawings for Stanley Bucks.
Santa Day is set for Saturday, Dec. 14. Free pictures with Santa will be offered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Twin Lilies. The free movie for kids will be at Regis Theater on Saturday, Dec. 14, as well with The Star showing at 1:00 p.m. There will be free popcorn for the kids and Santa will be there after the movie to hand out treats to the kids.