It is a fact of life if you live in Warren County that you take special precautions this time of year.
At least we hope you do.
Winter in these hills can be treacherous, on highways, on sidewalks, in parking lots, even in living rooms.
So, if we may, a brief and admittedly incomplete checklist of things to do to protect yourself and your neighbors when snow gets deep, ice forms and furnaces fail.
- Keep an eye on the elderly. The misfortunes of age sometimes cause them to fail to call someone when their heat goes off. Give them a ring now and then. Even better, why not stop by with some warm muffins as an excuse to check on their well-being.
- Clear your sidewalks as soon as possible after a significant snow falls. Not only will it help you keep the dregs of the stuff from getting inside your house; it will help people get from point A to point B on foot. And, there is less chance that a freeze-thaw-freeze will turn your walk into a hip-breaker.
- Slow down. There is no better driving technique in any given winter weather situation than to reduce your speed. Four-wheel-drive doesn't stop you any better on slippery roads.
- And, ENJOY YOURSELF. There is no reason that with a few precautions, some common sense and the right clothing, you can't hike through this part of Penn's Woods. There is no time in the forests of Warren County more beautiful and more tranquil than during or just after a snowfall. And if tranquility isn't something you're after, may we recommend the Warren County Winterfest...but more on that later this week.