Shot this photo while motoring along new U.S. Route 51 on the way to metropolitan Anna early on Thursday morning, February 3. Didn’t see much traffic along the highway until I got closer to the big city.This photograph was taken Thursday afternoon, February 3. For some reason, instead of staying inside, where it was warm and dry, I decided to go out and shoot photographs. The cold made by hands hurt...and I was wearing gloves.

Last week's winter storm...deja vu all over again...

Please read this...

Union County’s weather during the last week has been deja vu all over again...

Around the middle of the month during February way back in 2021, Mother Nature sent us a bit of an icy Valentine’s Day greeting.

On Valentine’s Day last year, the high temperature in Union County was T-W-E-L-V-E degrees. 12. Didn’t have to worry about the M&Ms you got for Valentine’s Day melting in your hand. The low that day was 2.

Things got even better the next day, when 7 inches of snow fell on our corner of the world. The low temperature on February 15 was 2 degrees again, followed by a balmy high of of 8. Yup. 8. 

By February 22, the high temperature was all the way up to 52...then it was 67 on February 24...and by March 9, the thermometer climbed all the way to 70.  

At the time this little gem was being crafted, I did not know what the temperatures were in Union County last Thursday and Friday, other than it was very, very cold. 

Since duty called in the midst of yet another winter storm, yours truly managed to make it safely to The Paragraph Factory...and back home again...on both Thursday and Friday. Other folks I saw on the road seemed to be taking it slow, especially early on Thursday morning. That was a good thing.

After I got home safely last Thursday, decided to toss common sense into the cold north wind and went for a walk in the midst of a winter storm warning. Probably not the smartest thing to do. Didn’t stay out very long. When I got back home, I stayed in... at least until Friday morning...

With all that being said, at least we didn’t hear the words “polar vortex” again...

(By the way, The Other Half continues to work on setting up her 2022 garden. She was working on setting up a cold frame on the front porch last Sunday afternoon. And we are still eating goodies out of the 2021 edition of her gardening adventure. As mentioned last week...fresh garden tomatoes can’t get here soon enough...)

Enough whining about the weather...it’s time for a shameless plug which appears fairly frequently in this space...

A book sale is planned Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 11-13, at Stinson Memorial Library in Anna. The sale is being sponsored by the Friends of Stinson Library. Proceeds help to support the library, which, as I am sure you already know, is located at 409 S. Main St.

A Friends Appreciation Sale is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11. Those who are not members of the Friends of Stinson Library can join for $5 at the sale. That’s a bargain...you bought any “brand new” books lately? I’ve finished one of the books that Santa brought for Christmas... and just about finished a second one... can’t have too many books around...

The sale is scheduled to be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12. A bag sale is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13. A full bag of books can be purchased for $5. Bags will be provided.

Organizers note that due to continued COVID restrictions, masks must be worn indoors and distancing is required. No problem.

Those who plan to come to the sale are asked to watch for signs. Entry will be through the front doors of the library only. Exit will be from the side door only.

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, which is Feb. 14, all patrons will have a  chance to win a Valentine gift basket.

Speaking of Valentine’s Day...

Just want to say happy Valentine’s Day to my sweetheart...

The Gazette-Democrat

112 Lafayette St.
Anna, Illinois 62906
Office Number: (618) 833-2158
Email: news@annanews.com

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