What ever happened to the 6 big snows?’ LANCASTER - “Where are the snows of yester day?” asked an American writer named Justin Mc- Carthy, echoing a question first raised several centuries earlier by the French poet Francois Villon. If McCarthy, who died m 1936, had only looked, he would have found the an swer. Those snows-the big ones, anyway-are preserved m history and record books. The current, issue of National Wildlife magazine takes a look at those books and comes up with some cold facts concerning the most fearsome, frigid waiters of yester-year: The lowest temperature ever recorded in the U.S. was minus 79.8 F., at Prospect Creek, Alaska, on January 23,1971. The heaviest snowfall was 86 feet at Rainier Paradise Ranger Station during the same winter of 1970-71. That’s about as deep as an eight-story building is tall. One of the earliest American blizzards tracked down by National Wildlife was in February, 1698. One New England pioneer called it “the temblest winter ever” as Boston got buried under 42 inches of white stuff And that was before the days of snow plow. Perhaps the granddaddy ® ESHIAND SESHLAND ENTERPR '^ P.O. BOX 23 GRtENCASTU, PA 17225 1 Pa. 1-800-632 1896 U.S.A. 1-800-233 1993 LMrmufacturars of Boilers, Hot Air Furnaces. Freestanding stoves, & Fireplace msert^^ DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED of all blizzards was in March of 1888. From the Chesapeake Bay to Maine, for four days, an average of 40 inches of snow buried the region. Winds gusted up to 70 miles per hour, and there were more than 400 deaths-200 in New York City alone. Tram passengers were marooned and 200 ships foundered. One historic snowstorm came as a disguised blessing. At 6 p.m. on Christmas Day, 1776, a bitterly cold blizzard struck the East. General George Washington wrote in his diary: “The wind is nor theast and beats in the faces of the men. It will be a terrible mght for the soldiers who have no shoes. Some of them have tied old rags around their feet, but I have not heard a man complain.” Later that night Washington crossed the Delaware with his shivering army of 2400 men and shpped into Trenton, N.J. After a long night of Christmas revelry, the Hessian mercenaries were no match for the ragged Americans. The Revolutionary War would not be won for five more years, but the Battle of Trenton was a turning point. Had it not been for the cover of that snowstorm, it might have gone the other way. • GREENHOUSES • MUSHROOM BUILDINGS • POULTRY HOUSES More and more Commercial and industrial High Volume Hot Water users are turning to ESHLAND Coal and Wood Boilers to supply their hot water and heating needs. Built for efficiency and durability, these units can greatly reduce fuel costs. Eshland’s Rotary Grate system allows efficient burning of differ ent coal grades and sizes as well as wood. lanketed the Commonwealth this week keeping spirits bright, except for anyone driving on slippery roads. A slight warming trend, with temperatures nearing the freezing point, was MONUCELLO, N.Y. - A selection of over a dozen different one and two day equine dimes are available as a public service to horse and riding clubs, 4-H groups, livestock organizations and horse fair organizers. Sponsored by the Rhulen Agency, Inc, the nation’s largest animal insurance specialist, and conducted by author Susan Hams, the climes are available at no charge to established Ivestock organizations or groups. Coal - Wood INDUSTRIAL BOILERS Write or Call today! old act Free horse clinics available “Our equine clinics are designed,’’ notes Peter L Rhulen, vice-president of the Monticello, N.Y. based firm, “to give horse owners and horse enthusiasts a hands-on opportunity to see, leam, work with and ask questions of an expert.” Susan Hams’ publications include “Grooming To Win” and “Horsemanship In Pictures”. She directed the 5-H Acres School of Riding, a nationally accredited 2 year course for tiding instructors, for 10 years and has con ducted over 50 clinics in the past 2 years. Hams has trained horses and riders and has competed in Hunters, Jumpers, Dressage, Combined Training, Western Pleasure and Performance, Saddle | SATURDAY, JANUARY 10 ? 1 Lancaster Farming's Annual | PA. FARM SHOW 1 ISSUE I i Featuring... - J J ★ Special Farm Show Stories A J ★ DHIA Reports a J ★ Keystone Farmer Resumes A J ★ Complete Farm Show Schedule A J ★ And Many Extra Features A A ADVERTISERS: Plan Now to be represented 7 J in this Special Issue. Deadline December 31 A incaster Farming, Saturday, January 3,1981-A29 gratefully received by farmers who headaches of freezing water lines, near Host, Berks County. Seat Pleasure and a variety of breed divisions. She teaches and judges all three equitation seats and basic dressage. Among the clinic programs available are: Hunter Seat, Stock Seat and Saddle Seat Equitation; Dressage; Hunter/Jumper Over Fences; Western Performance Classes; Schooling the Young Horse; Grooming & Preparation for the Show Ring; Horse Care and Conditioning; Selecting the Right Horse; Con formation, Balance & Movement; Equipment Selection and Use; and Safety in riding and Han dling Horses. “Programs can be presented at an organization’s headquarters suffered the Photo taken or conducted as part of an existing fair or event,” according to Rhulen. “Attendance at the clinics,” he points out, “range from 25 in the case of small 4-H groups to over 5000 at a horse fair. When an organization or group lets us know that they would like to schedule an equine clinic, we give them the details of running such a program, the topics available, open dates and other pertinent data.” Organizations interested in learning more about the Rhulen public service equine clinics should write The Rhulen Agency, Inc. - 217 Broadway, Monticello, New York 12701, Attention - Lilyamrcall (914) 794-8000; (212) HI-1950 or (800) 431- 1270, extension 427.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers