We woke to a snowy morning Sunday. I enjoyed watching the silent, soft snow drift to the cold, wet ground. In the distance was the sound of the train whistle on the beltline as the freight rolled out of Pamplin heading for Abilene. In just a short while the world turned white. By noon the sun was peeping and by mid-afternoon there was little sign of the morning whiteness.

This winter has certainly been a season of ups and downs with temperatures and precipitation. There have been several rainy spells that brought thunderstorms to the area. According to weather lore, there will be a snow within a week to 10 days of hearing thunder. This year that saying has held true.

If you have been keeping count of the rolls of thunder this month, you may know how many frosts we will have in April. You may even be able to predict the dates of those frosts if you have marked your calendar on each date that a thunder squall came through. 

February thunder is supposed to predict snow on that same date in May. Let’s hope that we do not hear any rumbles next month.

Community Communiqué

The Glenn Memorial Baptist Church Senior Adult Ministry will host its senior meal Friday at 6 p.m. Come out and bring a covered dish or two and a friend to enjoy good food, fellowship and musical inspiration.

The Kitchen Light Community Dinner at Glenn Memorial Baptist Church is scheduled for Thursday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The ministry is collecting gently used shoes to distribute and is also collecting brand new underpants/socks in support of “Undie Sunday.”  

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. 

Recently, Edith Vaughan accompanied her daughter Diana Vaughan to the Kennedy Center to see “Bright Star,” a play by Steve Martin that will be opening on Broadway very soon.

Twila and Bill Compton from Charlotte, N.C., were guests last week of Katrena and Tom Young. They spent one day in Blackstone at the Carriage Museum and the Model Train Display.  

Edwina Covington and Ruth Budd enjoyed lunch at Applebee’s on Thursday.

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.

Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Floyd D. Beard, Mary Gordon Kent, Sammy Ellis Jennings, Phyllis Harvey Richardson and Wiley Edward Baldwin Jr.

“A snow day literally and figuratively falls from the sky, unbidden, and seems like a thing of wonder.” – Susan Orlean

If you have any news, call Edwina Covington (434) 574-6576.

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