11/30/07
While the winter season officially begins Dec. 22, the first snowfall of the year symbolizes the beginning of the season for many people.
Baldwin City received its first snowfall of the season last week, but some students who traveled home for Thanksgiving missed out on the fun some say snow brings.
“Usually, by now there’s snow on the ground, and when there is, it’s a tradition to make snowmen and forts and snow angels,” senior Abby Burnett said.
The first snowfall is gone and warmer temperatures are forecasted for the near future. Sophomore Hillary Farmer, who said winter is her favorite time of year, misses the cold weather.
“I don’t like it. It makes me feel like there isn’t going to be any snow or winter at all,” she said. “I like to go outside when it’s snowing, and I like to go sledding too.”
Burnett said it doesn’t have to be snowing for students to enjoy the weather of the season.
“When there’s no snow, it’s fun to go for a walk and see your breath,” she said. “It’s also fun to collect leaves or hang up Christmas decorations.”
Farmer said she finds things to do indoors when there is no snow on the ground to play in.
“I like to drink hot chocolate and watch Christmas movies, even if it’s not Christmas time,” she said.
One option for students who want to enjoy the season is to visit Crown Center in downtown Kansas City, Mo.
“We go to Crown Center and eat at Fritz’s and then go ice skating,” Burnett said.
According to Crown Center’s Web site, its Ice Terrace attracts more than 50,000 people each year and is open from November through March.
Others who enjoy viewing holiday lights can travel to Kansas City, Mo., to view the lights on the Plaza.
An option for those who enjoy snow skiing, but don’t want to travel too far, is to visit Snow Creek in Weston, Mo. A little more than an hour’s drive from Baldwin City, Snow Creek offers skiing, snow boarding and snow tubing.
However, not everyone is a fan of cold and snow. Junior Bailey Boehm said she doesn’t really like winter.
“Even though I’ve lived in Kansas my whole life, I don’t like the winter,” she said. “I probably dislike it more than others because I commute (from Paola), and I have to drive through it every day. Since Baker doesn’t give snow days, it makes it really tough.”
Boehm said she’s never taken part in the major snow day activities like sledding or skiing.
“When I was little I would make snowmen, but that’s the extent of my winter activities,” she said.
Farmer also said there are a few things she doesn’t like about the season.
“I don’t like having to go places when it’s cold and icy because I fall down on the ice a lot,” she said.
Those who enjoy snow should not be too discouraged. The average snowfall for Kansas City, Mo., is 1.2 inches for the month of November. The yearly average is 19.9 inches, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.