Some observations from the Great Snow Storm of 2010:
- When it snows there are five things a kid simply MUST do, in this order:
1. Eat some snow.
2. Write his name in the snow (preferably after he is through eating it.)
3. Throw some snow.
4. Make snow angels.
5. Build a snow man.
- Snow brings out the kid in all of us. I saw grown men throw snowballs and a grandmother build a gigantic snowman. And I saw a grown woman almost cry when it all melted away. The wife is such a sissy.
- Snow causes one to throw caution to the wind. Even as officials warned motorists to "Stay off the road!" the wife says "Let's drive to my mother's house and play in the snow!"
- Some silly husbands will go along with anything their wife wants, even if she wants to drive to her mother's in a freak snowstorm.
- Never turn an ice-eating St. Bernard loose in a backyard filled with white stuff. Have you ever seen a 200-pound dog with a belly ache? It's not a pretty sight.
- Anatomically correct snowmen are good for a laugh. Followed by a good spanking. But what grown man can resist?
- Storms bring out the best in people and the worst in people. Our emergency responders and highway crews put their own lives in danger to respond to numerous accidents Friday night. And some jackleg in a four-wheeled drive went around offering his assistance pulling folks out the ditches - for a small fee. What a Good Samaritan.
- A once-in-a-lifetime freak snowstorm is no excuse for not going to the store and getting the wife something for Valentine's Day. Or so I've heard.
- Snow is a lot like love, it can be beautiful and wonderful and magical, but sooner or later things are going to get messy.
- They say that dead men tell no tales. I say that snowmen tell no tales. Probably because they don't hang around long enough to hear any good stories. And speaking of good stories...

Snow elephants
You've seen six inches of snow, and you've seen snowmen and even a few snow angels, but have you ever heard of a snow elephant? Well, if you want to know more you will have to see an original new play coming to town this spring.
By mere coincidence, the upcoming Salkehatchie Stew community play, Weathering The Storm, takes place in a modern-day snowstorm, based on the blizzard that hit our area in 1973.
If you enjoyed this week's snow, and if you want to hear stories of how our parents and grandparents dealt with snowstorms of the past and other interesting events, then be sure to see this play! Or better yet, audition for a part!
The next auditions for Weathering the Storm will be held this Saturday from 10 a.m until 2 p.m. at the B&G Civic Center, right there on the left along Highway 278 in Allendale.
There are still openings for actors ages 2 to 102, so grab the baby, don't forget Granny, and come on down. Or contact Mrs. Frances Chavous at the University of South Carolina Salkehatchie at fchavous@mailbox.sc.edu or 803.584.3446 ext. 242.
The play, written by local folks based on local history and stories, will be performed April 16-18 in Allendale at the B&G Civic Center, April 23-25 at the Dane Theater in Denmark, April 30 and May 1 in Hampton at the Palmetto Theater, and May 2 in Estill at the old high school auditorium.
For tickets or for additional information about Salkehatchie Stew, please visit www.salkehatchiestew.com or call or email Frances Chavous.
When you come, please be sure to bring your snow shoes and mittens. We'll provide the snow stories. And you might even hear about a snow elephant or two.