Serious snowfalls causing us problem$

PHOTO BY BILL DOWD

This is the sort of scene we're all experiencing in this old-fashioned winter of frequent snowstorms and unmelted snow mounds.

Pretty, yes, but it is creating a problem for the Terrace snowplowing crew. With at least one more major storm predicted in the next few days, we've run out of places to put the snow. That means Mark Vincent and his crew have to move the existing mounds to the dead-end portion of Hyland Drive or they will have nowhere to put the next plowing.

And, because nothing in life is free, that will mean an extra expense on our treasury. That is on top of the anticipated costs of replacing two trees knocked down by an early-December windstorm. Luckily, removal of the trees cost us nothing since our Grounds Committee cut up and hauled them off. We'll be detailing all the winter-related expenses at our spring meeting.

Meanwhile, we ask that everyone pitch in to be sure cars are parked only where they do not interfere with plowing, especially if you're having guests who add to the parking load.

Thanks, and enjoy the view.

Need a hand, or a snow rake?

Ice and snow piling up on roofs -- particularly in crevices and joints between different slopes -- can cause serious structural damage.

Several homes in the Terrace already have sustained damage, so experience is telling us it is advisable to keep gutters and eaves as free of ice and snow as practicality and safety allow.

However, that is easier said than done without the proper tools. Luckily, Bob Hayward has asked us to let neighbors know he will be glad to loan his snow rake to anyone in need of such an implement.

Thanks to Bob for his good neighbor policy, and a note of caution to all who undertake such a project -- be sure you're not alone when you do the work, and be sure of your footing. Black ice can be particularly treacherous.