It's happened before, it will happen again

Wow, that was a real cold spell.

But we made it through, just fine.

The cold snap that just ended was one of the coldest seen in these parts in more than 20 years. And despite the problems it caused — broken pipes, cars that won’t start, and canceled activities — Carlton County showed true spirit these past few days.

The dangerously cold temperatures may have slowed us down, but it didn’t stop us. From snow plows to police patrols to fire department calls, our local governments stepped up to the challenge and continued to provide the services we depend on. Particularly admirable were public works crews, who worked to repair frozen utilities under some very tough conditions.

Also admirable are the local businesses who stayed open to serve a population that seemed pretty content to hunker down at home, trying to stay warm.

But the most inspiring was the spirit of our friends and neighbors. It seemed this cold snap brought a lot of us closer together — a shared experience that affected us all. Whether braving the cold to help a neighbor with a grocery run, helping jump-start a stalled car, or even just making a phone call or emailing to check in, no matter how cold it gets in Carlton County, we find ways to keep each other warm.

It’s not the first cold snap we’ve gone through, and it won’t be the last. It seems we learn a little more each time we experience the severe cold, only to forget it all when the weather warms up … which it always does. Eventually.

And while it’s helpful to remember that spring is a mere 51 days away, it’s also fun to realize that we really are a hearty bunch, even though sometimes we struggle to remember why we live here.

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