All News & StoriesFor those who love snow, January has treated us well this year! Whether it’s from the last few weeks or decades ago, staff are sharing their favorite winter wonderland memories.
Lane, HR Manager
OOOH! Can we say Blizzard of 1978??? I was seven years old, and it was the most fun I’d ever had! My best friend lived next door, and we played outside making tunnels between our houses, going inside for hot chocolate and dry hats/gloves. We need more of these! Then there was the Blizzard of 1997. My kids were little then, and we had the best time sledding in the snow drifts right outside our door. We continued the tradition of hot chocolate, adding marshmallows. Since these were the days before virtual learning, we always looked forward to seeing the name of our schools show up in the “closed” banners on the news! As an adult, I enjoy seeking out the snow and going cross country skiing with my husband. If we get enough snow this year, I’ll take the grandkids to the sledding hill near my house.
Lauren, Family Engagement Specialist
I LOVED seeing our school name scroll across the screen knowing we had a snow day and hoping that all the neighborhood kids also had a day off. We would dress in layers and layers, grab our sleds, and trek clear across the neighborhood to sled for hours. We didn’t eat or drink, and our parents didn’t know where we were. We were happy as can be building ramps, trying to go as fast as possible, exploring the iced-over creek, and spending time together.
Mollie, Executive Director
As a kid living in the country, we saw our fair share of snow days, and they were always spent outside. Of course, there were snowmen to build (with help to make the tallest one), and we had the best hills for sledding. If we got one hill slick enough, it would take us part of the way up the next one! With red cheeks and frozen fingers, we would go into the barn, warm up, and then go right back out again. Now my preferred snow day activities are inside looking out!
Skylar, Administrative Assistant
I am not a fan of snow or the cold. I think my favorite memory is that one year I was celebrating Christmas in Texas with my grandparents. It was the first time I remember having a white Christmas, and I think I was seven or eight. The best part was the snow was gone the next day.
Jamie, Family Engagement Specialist
There are a few snow days that stand out! My all-time favorite was when my sisters, dad, and I created a network of tunnels and igloos in the snow. My parents were engineers, and they knew all the tricks to make the best igloos!
Julie, Program Engagement Manager
Growing up, snow days meant sledding at the park! Then afterwards, my mom would make my sister and me hot chocolate, and we would usually watch a Christmas movie. I still do this as an adult, but I make my own hot chocolate now.
Sarah, Community Engagement Specialist
I am absolutely an Ebenezer when it comes to the snow and winter. I don’t think that anyone complains about the winter as much as I do! One of the only things that I enjoy is watching my dogs play outside in the snow. They get all bundled up in their cute little winter vests and run around, roll, and play. I love watching how absolutely excited they are to jump off my porch and play when there is the “white stuff” on the ground.
Rosy, Multicultural Family Engagement Specialist
We spend snow days making cookies, hot cocoa, snuggling on the couch, coloring, and, last but not least, throwing snow balls at each other with a fierce southpaw, ensuring no one is safe from cold, facial numbness. Then, we hug it out.
Kristin, Communications Manager
Like the others, sledding was one of my favorite memories in the snow. – but when you’re from the flat Midwest, the options for sledding hills are slim! My 1920s-era childhood home was on a “hill”, which basically meant they added extra dirt to be able to make a basement. That six feet from top to bottom was a total thrill when I was four years old! The popular place for sledding in my hometown of Marion, Ohio was the Harding Memorial hill. I’m not sure why no one thought it was weird at the time that we were basically having a rip-roaring time at a former president’s grave.
