As a child, I was a big fan of Charles Schulz's Peanuts. But as someone growing up in the Southeast, I was a bit baffled by the strips showing Snoopy and the kids playing ice hockey outdoors. What are they skating on? How come it's not melting?Then, ten years ago, I moved to Minneapolis and finally experienced the DIY skating rink phenomenon for the first time. For those of you who grew up in Wisconsin or Minnesota or Toronto or other places in the humid continental/snowy winter climate zone (see the map below, courtesy of Wikipedia), this is just a normal part of growing up - for me, it's still pretty amazing. This is most certainly one of those things that makes Wisconsin and its climatic kindred spirits distinctive as places.
I'm especially in awe of those dedicated souls, like our elementary school principal, who get out there early in the morning on frigid days and make these rinks for us to enjoy. Wisconsin winters provide a good bit to complain about, to be sure, but it would be a shame to see this tradition disappear if certain climate models are accurate.
We must gave been on the same brain wave. I posted a clip to fb of Snoopy ice skating the very next day.
ReplyDeleteIn Maryland, they never closed school unless we had 3+ inches on the ground. I suppose the level might be even larger in Wisconsin for schools to close.
- Celeste
Celeste - yes, the bar is definitely higher in Wisconsin! It usually takes a very heavy snowstorm to close the schools, and if they close, it's usually just for one day.
ReplyDeleteHaving grown up in Atlanta, I remember being sent home sometimes when there was even a possibility of snow, and when snowstorms hit, schools might remain closed for days (e.g., this week!).