Deep into a white winter, color us blue
Deep into a white winter, color us blue
A Connecticut College student trudges his way between buildings through yet another snow storm past the sculpture "Synergy" by Frances Pratt on the Connecticut College campus in New London Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015.
Published February 17. 2015 11:52AM | Updated February 18. 2015 12:31PM
Day Staff Writers
When it comes to this snowy and cold winter season, two trains of thought prevail:
“It’s New England, get over it.”
“I’m done with this. When does spring start?”
Marie Jennings of Groton said she’s had enough. She works as a home health aide for two agencies, is out seven days a week, and is tired of snow all the time.
“I mean, every day, every day, you know, trying to get to work and everything,” she said. “And you know what? I’m ready to pack up and go down to South Carolina into Charleston. I’m about to go back down south. I have had it. Done, done.”
Maria Guzman has a different opinion. As she walked her mixed-breed Staffordshire bull terrier on Broad Street in New London Tuesday, Guzman weaved between walking on sidewalks and in the streets.
“This is winter so it really doesn’t bother me,” she said. “This is part of life here. I’m not a fan of snow, but what else can you expect? We don’t live in Florida.”
Train passengers embrace as they say goodbye in the newly falling snow of Tuesday's snow storm Feb. 17, 2015, before boarding their train at New London's Union Station.
We certainly can’t expect Florida temperatures anytime soon. After Tuesday’s snowfall, temperatures for the rest of the week won’t get much higher than the mid- to upper 20s, and there is another possibility for snow on Thursday, the National Weather Service said.
The chance for more snow won’t be welcomed by many, including Mary Collins, who went to the Burlington Coat Factory in New London to keep cabin fever from setting in.
“I’m done,” said Collins. “(Monday), it was so cold that you couldn’t even go outside without it hurting. You can’t really enjoy yourself when it gets that cold. The snow doesn’t even look nice anymore. It’s a gray mess.”
Sam Schaperow, executive director of the Holistic Wellness Center of CT in Waterford, counsels people with seasonal affective disorder and other problems associated with winter weather. He said some people do not do well during the colder times of the year while others do better. The less extensive hours of light associated with the season can affect serotonin levels, he said, which can bring about depression.
But sometimes people’s moodiness this time of year can be associated with other factors, he said, such as lack of physical activity or a decrease in social contacts. In such cases, lifting weights or engaging in yoga or meditation can help alleviate the problem, he said, while those who are sensitive to lack of sunshine might derive benefits from light therapy. This involves exposure to bright lamps and other forms of illumination.
Schaperow said the best was to deal with seasonal disorders is to visit a clinical psychotherapist who can conduct a diagnostic interview and help determine the cause of the emotional distress.
Linda Sposato, 62, a retired nurse living in Uncasville, said that the worst part about the snow for her was the chill it has put on her social life. She said that over the past weekend, social events at her church and with friends have been canceled.
“But I’m very happy to be retired and no longer have to drive to work in the snow as a nurse,” she said.
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Roderick Grimshaw, left, 18, of Stonington, clears snow off the lobster boat "Lady-Lynn" at the Stonington Town Dock, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015. He is the son of Michael Grimshaw, inside cabin on right, owner/captain of the Lady Lynn.
‘One day at a time’
While landlubbing commuters shovel driveways and clear off cars, George Peabody shovels docks and clears the boats at Popeye Charters, a ferry service that runs between Noank and Fishers Island. The snow and cold, however, rarely impact the service’s ability to run, according to Peabody. Technologies such as radar and GPS enable his boats to carry passengers even through strong winds and whiteout conditions.
“The boat runs no matter what,” said Peabody, who on a normal day will ferry 30 to 40 people between the island and the mainland. The only time he cuts down his transits is when bad driving conditions result in no interested passengers.
Peabody, who has operated Popeye Charters since 2001, said this is one of the worst winters he can remember.
“It can go away anytime now. It’s definitely been a tough winter, or at least a tough month,” he said. “I wish it would go away. I can’t wait for spring.”
Leslie Bartlett, a mail carrier in Groton for almost 30 years, trudged through the snow in Noank to deliver mail Tuesday.
“One day at a time, and I try to stay as positive as I possibly can,” she said. “When I get cold and miserable, I think of the homeless people who are out here all day.”
Mike Farrell of New London loaded groceries into his car at the Big Y in Groton. He grew up in New Hampshire, “so this doesn’t seem like much, to tell you the truth,” he said. “Doesn’t bother me a bit.”
Nearby, Kitty Gray of Groton scraped chunks of ice jammed between the wheels of her car and the car frame.
“It’s winter, it’s New England, you know, we got to expect it,” she said. “Think about North Carolina who’s iced in, and Virginia, who canceled this and that today because they got it. We’re just getting a corner edge (of the storm).”
Puzzles to the rescue
Those who are staying indoors are looking for things to keep them busy.
Doris Sargent of Norwich made a quick stop at the Rose City Senior Center Tuesday afternoon and left with a tote bag stuffed with eight borrowed jigsaw puzzles — “enough for a few weeks,” she said.
Sargent said she is sick of the snowy and cold winter weather.
“I’m being totally raked cost-wise,” she said, referring to the $40 she pays to have her driveway cleared with a snow-blower. She tried to do it once herself and ended up needing a heating pad.
Sargent is getting through the winter weeks with puzzles and books, mostly biographies. She calls herself a “voracious reader.” She went to Lowe’s and ordered a board cut to fit a 1,000-piece puzzle.
“This keeps me going,” she said referring to her stash of puzzles.
Lymes’ Senior Center Coordinator Stephanie Lyon said most seniors err on the side of safety and will stay at home during snowy days, though a small group continues to venture out in the snow when the center is open. But, like many, the Lyme and Old Lyme seniors opting to stay indoors may miss interacting with their peers.
“They miss the socialization of coming down to the center,” she said. “They miss seeing other seniors.”
But as soon as the weather improves, residents will be back, said Lyon.
On Tuesday, an afternoon belly-dancing performance was postponed due to weather-related travel concerns, and holidays and snow days this winter closed the center for a series of Mondays. But each time the center reopened after a closure, the residents told Lyon: “We’re so glad to be back.”
i.larraneta@theday.com
d.straszheim@theday.com
l.howard@theday.com
Staff Writers Kimberly Drelich, Tess Townsend and Claire Bessette contributed to this report.
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