Welcome, winter

Just when I thought everyone would be complaining about the time change Monday morning, there was something else on peoples' minds — the winter storm.

In recent weeks it's been in the back of my mind to drag up the shovel and ice melt from the basement at The Ledger. I kept thinking I had a few more weeks, or at least days. Not so, when I arrived to an inch of snow and some pesky ice Monday.

I love that we get to enjoy all four seasons in our beautiful corner of the world. I'm whining about the cold and snow as well, but it's beautiful outside and not we get to start thinking about all the winter activities.

Yes, I'm already looking forward to the days getting longer following the winter solstice. But I'm also looking forward to the kids' winter concerts, pageants at church, and the dozens of activities that will happen in our towns. Last weekend we went to the Holiday Bazaar at the Trout Creek School. I wasn't quite in the spirit for buying Christmas presents and decor, but I was excited to see the enthusiasm form the vendors, shoppers and volunteers.

In the coming weeks, we will have more snow. We will have icy days and bitter cold. But we will also have unlimited opportunities to lend a helping hand to our neighbors and community members. The Ledger will publish ways you can shop local this holiday season, as well as a list of local organizations who can always use your donations of money, supplies or time.

So yes, I will continue to complain about going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark through these winter months, but I will also continue to be thankful for the county we live in and the generosity of its residents.

— Annie Wooden