Halloween Night @ Sharon Firehouse

The Sharon Fire House on West Main each year hosts a bit of a Halloween Party, with some cider and donuts for trick-or-treaters and I think they extend a prize or two to some good costumes. (I have been away from that Halloween stuff for a good bit, so I am not sure if they still normally do that) This year, things really changed. The Feb-tober snowstorm we've all been dealing with in one form or another since last Saturday evening turned the firehouse into a warm place from the cold, a hot meal for those who could come, a charging station for cell phones, a shower for those in need and sleeping quarters for those who just couldn't be in cold, dark houses. And friendly faces and warm smiles were everywhere one looked.


I won't say anything more than a big thank you to all who went above and beyond for their neighbors in need during this stressful time for many, and I'll just let these few pictures tell a bit of the story.....these pictures just start to tell the story here in Sharon. There were so many more involved, (and still are) from sunrise to  late every evening and throughout the night for those who slept over. And this scene was repeated throughout the area and the entire state....neighbors helping neighbors, in whatever way they could, in their time of need. A remarkable time indeed.

Early morning lineup on Hilltop

I came down off the hill this morning via Jackson Hill and Route 4. I was curious to see if any action was transpiring on 4 and South Street, as I knew there was much to be done in those respective areas of town. As I crested over the knoll near Ed Kirby's, I saw about five trucks parked on the south side of 4, headed east. A crew was working directly opposite Hilltop and there was just a pack of men swarming around the hood of a nearby vehicle, looking at a huge map and having a bit of a conference. I wanted to catch that on the memory card but they flagged me through.... "Keep moving please..." I quickly threw on the right-hand turn signal, and crept up Hilltop past more men and their trucks, all from Oklahoma -American Electric Power-. 


Since I didn't want to be the first "local" to run over a worker from a power company in the mid-west, here to help my friends and neighbors.....  I can see the Hartford Courant now.."Oklahoma lineman killed in Sharon by local man trying to take pictures.".... So I pulled over when I had the chance, into the old William Riley driveway and caught this little glimpse back at just a partial shot of the equipment lined up, getting ready to head out for a day of repairs to our local grid. As of this evening, I heard they did a lot good out there today, and I understand they returned power  to lots of folks today. Thanks Oklahoma!

Feb-tober Snow Storm 2011

It already has been more than four days since the first flakes started to fall, and while some have lights and heat, many will not see that luxury for days to come yet. While the saying of "what a difference a day makes" rings true for some, so did the have concern for what lies around the next corner ring so true as well. You could have just snow here, and roads and yards be clear, and a one hundred year old monster  might meet you around the next curve, blocking everyone, and bringing everything to a standstill. It really was an incredible storm. I have a theory, which could be totally wrong, but one I am going with anyways......it is, as follows: the fact that we actually had less damage than many other areas is because of our hills dropping their woodland-leaves perhaps a bit earlier than other areas, causing them to drop and our trees therefore not being there were not holding all that wet snow....possible? Or perhaps we in the hills were just a degree or two colder than other areas, so our snow turned-out to be not quite as wet and heavy for as long as others, thus making the damages someone less? Seem possible?


Here are a few shots showing the "flow" as I saw it.

First hour..Saturday afternoon, early.

Just a couple hours later than above photo..

Corner of Hilltop and 41..Sunday morning early..a white "wall"..

Maine Street, looking south @ corner of West Main

At "The Edgwood", on my way back from getting gas, in Washington Hollow, NY

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Due to snowstorm dropping more than 24" in our immediate area, having no power or Internet, my blog is temporarily in sabbatical state.. when the power and web returns, so will I!! Until, then, Happy Trails!