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We labor over making or buying the
right gifts. We dress up in our finest, drive long distances, plan
large dinners and a make a hundred other plans about how we will
spend those few special hours together. Our hearts and thoughts
focus on spending time with those we love.
The holidays are a bittersweet time for
those who are separated by distance. The distress is only tempered
by sweet longing for the day when they will be together again. No
joy is greater than that of friends and family when they are
reunited.
Lincolnite, mother and grandmother
Cheryl Frank is celebrating the safe and timely return of her
son-in-law Josh Campbell. He has just returned from Korea's DMZ, the
demilitarized zone, one of the hottest spots in the world. Campbell
serves in the U.S. Army as an E6 staff sergeant with the 101st
Airborne Mobile Cavalry Unit. He is in charge of operating a Humvee.
The 101st has been acting as watchdogs to prevent North Korea from
invading South Korea.
Campbell returns to wife Sheri and
their two children, 4-year-old Gracy and Hunter, who has just turned
2. Hunter was just 1 when his daddy left last December.
"I think it's great," Cheryl says,
"Sheri and the kids have just been wanting him home. Hunter is
getting to know his daddy all over again."
Sheri Campbell and the kids stayed with
her brother and sister-in-law in Deland while Josh was gone.
Campbell has been reassigned to Fort
Campbell, Ky., until he is sent elsewhere. The couple has their name
on the list for base housing. He returns to duty next month. His
wife and kids will follow as soon as housing opens up.
Another Lincolnite, mother and
grandmother, Lucky Eichner, had been feeling a little down with the
holidays so near. Eichner returned to Lincoln a few years ago to
look after her mother, who has been in ill health. She especially
misses her two sons, one in England and the other in California, at
this time of the year.
Eichner was waiting for a family
relation and friend, Charlotte Jones of Middletown, to stop by about
7 p.m. last Wednesday. It was a ploy on the part of Jones to make
sure Eichner was at home.
Eichner said, "I heard this tiny little
knock on the door and looked out the window and couldn't see
anybody. I went to the door, and I saw Evan and Karen (her son and
daughter-in-law) standing on the steps, and when I opened the door a
little more I saw a smiling, laughing grandchild."
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"Grandmaaaaaa," Ethan cried.
"I opened the door, picked him up and
gave him a great big kiss and a hug," Eichner said. "It's a good
thing my grandson is a huggy, kissy kid, ‘cause grandma has to store
them up until the next time."
The Downeys have been stationed at RAF
Mildenhall, England, about 77 miles north of London, since last
December.
They luckily got places on a military
transport plane with troops coming back from Saudi Arabia, going to
Grand Forks, N.D.
The trip was not an easy one. You've
probably seen them in movies, but a transport plane is quite a bit
short of any luxury. It is one of those aircraft with benches down
the sides, netting on the walls and cargo down the middle. Those
were the accommodations the Downeys braved with their near
3-year-old son.
From North Dakota they rented a car and
drove to Minneapolis to stay with Karen's brother a couple days.
Then they drove straight to Grandma's house.
When hugs and kisses were finally
caught up, it was about 8:30 p.m. and Eichner asked, "Are you
hungry? What don't you get over in England?"
Well, Chinese is not the same, came
their reply.
So she called Bruce at First Wok to
check their hours. He said they normally close about 8:45 but added,
"Come on over. Don't worry about the time."
For lunch on Thursday, Mary's Café was
running their special, pork chops. Eichner asked them if that was
OK. The Downeys looked at each other and said, "Oh, yeah, yeah!"
They don't get pork in England. They have lamb chops there.
A&W floats were the special treat
Thursday night.
The family departed to the south to see
more relatives before trying to get another transport back to
England. Evan has two more years in England. He, wife Karen and son
Ethan made Eichner's holiday an unexpected joyous one.
Food,
family, memories, the holidays are a special time to draw near to
one another. Enjoy your holidays, especially if you can visit
everyone who is near and dear to you.
[Jan
Youngquist]
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Expect light snow to begin after noon
and become heavy at times this afternoon and this evening.
Accumulations between 2 and 3 inches are possible before the snow
tapers off late tonight.
A snow advisory is issued when snow is
expected to accumulate, but only enough to cause minor
inconveniences such as travel delays. Make sure your car is
winterized and that brakes, lights, battery, defroster and
windshield wipers are in good working condition.
A winter storm is expected to bring
several inches of snow to much of eastern and southeastern Illinois.
The developing storm system centered over the western Gulf States
early today will move northeast toward Kentucky during the day.
Widespread accumulating snow is expected to develop and spread
northward from southern Missouri into southern and eastern Illinois
and Indiana late this morning and this afternoon.
By early afternoon the snow will likely
become heavy at times at locations along and east of Interstate 55.
The greatest snow amounts are expected at locations east and
southeast of a Taylorville-to-Champaign line.
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Besides the advisory for the Logan
County area, there is a snow advisory this afternoon and tonight for
Champaign, Christian, Coles, Douglas, Edgar, Macon, Moultrie, Piatt,
Shelby and Vermilion counties, including the cities of Champaign,
Charleston, Danville, Decatur, Mattoon, Monticello, Paris, Rantoul,
Shelbyville, Sullivan, Taylorville and Tuscola.
In that area, expect light snow to
begin after noon and become heavy at times this afternoon and
evening. Accumulations between 4 and 6 inches are possible before
the snow tapers off late tonight.
There is a snow advisory through this
evening for Clark, Clay, Crawford, Cumberland Effingham, Jasper,
Lawrence and Richland counties, including the cities of Effingham,
Flora, Lawrenceville, Marshall, Newton, Olney, Robinson and Toledo.
In that area, expect light snow to
begin this morning, becoming heavy at times late this morning, this
afternoon and into the evening. Accumulations between 4 and 6 inches
are possible before the snow tapers off late this evening.
Stay tuned
to NOAA Weather Radio or your local media for further updates on the
winter weather.
[Weather alert, 3 a.m.
Tuesday] |
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When traveling
If you decide a trip cannot be delayed,
consider using public transportation.
If you decide to drive your vehicle:
Before
you leave
Plan your travel and check the latest
weather conditions along your travel route. Listen to weather
forecasts on TV, local radio stations or NOAA Weather Radio. Call 1
(800) 452-IDOT to get current road conditions for Illinois'
interstate and freeway systems. Information is updated every two
hours during a storm. Winter driving is often the most difficult due
to rain, fog, snow or sleet. There are fewer daylight hours.
Check your wipers, tires, lights and
fluid levels (radiator, windshield washer, power steering, oil and
brakes). Lubricate door and trunk locks with lock lubricant to
prevent them from freezing.
Travel during daylight hours on main
roads, avoid back-road shortcuts, and don't travel alone.
Carry a winter storm survival kit in
your vehicle.
Provide your itinerary to a friend,
relative or co-workers. Include information on where you are going,
the routes you will travel and when you expect to arrive. When you
reach your destination, make a call to report that you have arrived.
Start your trip with a full tank of
gas.
On the
road
Buckle your seat belts!
Be prepared to turn back and seek
shelter if conditions become threatening.
In fog, drive with your headlights set
on dim or use fog lights. If the fog is too dense, pull off the
roadway at a safe location. Do not drive at 5 or 10 mph.
In rain, fog, snow or sleet, do not
overdrive your headlights. Stay within the limits of your vision.
Keep your windows clear of snow and
ice. Do not start until your windshield is defrosted.
Drive slower and increase your
following distance. Your speed should be adjusted for the conditions
and match the flow of traffic.
Roadway conditions may vary depending
on the sun, shade or roadway surface. Watch for slick spots
especially under bridges, on overpasses and in shaded spots. Be
prepared to react physically and mentally to deteriorating
conditions.
If the pavement is snow or ice covered,
start slowly and brake gently. Begin braking early when you come to
an intersection. If you start to slide, ease off the gas pedal or
brakes. Steer into the direction of the skid until you feel you have
regained traction; then straighten your vehicle.
When a snowplow is coming toward you,
allow plenty of room for the truck to pass. When the center line is
being cleared and salted, the plow tip may be on or over the line.
Snowplows are big, heavy pieces of equipment. So play it safe and
give them room to pass.
When you approach a snowplow from
behind, pass with care and only when you can see the road ahead of
the truck. You should not try to pass in blowing snow; there may be
a vehicle in that cloud of snow. Allow more distance between you and
the plow, which may be spreading salt.
Be alert when you approach a cloud of
snow that covers the road, especially on passing lanes of
interstates or freeways. A snowplow may be at work clearing the lane
or preparing to turn around.
Be careful after a minor rear-end
accident. If you are bumped from behind and you do not feel
comfortable exiting your vehicle, motion the other driver and drive
to the nearest police station or other safe location.
Refuel often while traveling, keeping
your gas tank near full to prevent ice in the tank and fuel lines
which could leave you stranded. These frequent stops should also
relieve tense muscles.
If
stranded
Pull as far off the road as possible,
set your hazard lights to "flashing," and hang or tie a colored
cloth (preferably red) to your antenna, window or door. After snow
stops falling, raise the hood to indicate trouble. If you have a
cellular phone or citizens band radio, call for help. Stay in your
vehicle where rescuers are most likely to find you.
Do not set out on foot unless you can
see a building close by where you know you can take shelter. Be
careful. Distances are distorted by blowing snow. A building may
seem close but be too far to walk to in deep snow. Visibility can
diminish quickly in wind-driven snow. This, added to the cold, can
leave you disoriented.
Run the engine and heater -- after
making sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked -- about 10 minutes each
hour to keep warm. Turn on the dome light at night when running the
engine. When the engine is running, open a window slightly for
ventilation. The fresh air will protect you from carbon monoxide
poisoning. Periodically clear away snow from the exhaust pipe.
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Use items in your winter storm survival
kit. (Click here
for items to include in the kit.)
Exercise to keep blood circulating and
to maintain body heat by vigorously moving arms, legs, fingers and
toes. But, avoid overexertion. In extreme cold or if you don't have
a winter storm survival kit, use road maps, seat covers and floor
mats for insulation. Huddle with passengers and use your coats as
blankets.
Take turns sleeping. One person should
be awake at all times to look out for rescue crews.
Be careful not to use up battery power.
Balance electrical energy needs -- the use of lights, heat and radio
-- with supply.
If stranded
in a remote rural area or wilderness area, spread a large cloth over
the snow to attract attention of rescue personnel who may be
surveying the area by airplane. Once the blizzard passes, you may
need to leave the vehicle and proceed on foot.
Winter weather
terms
The National Weather Service uses the
terms below to convey the weather threat to the public. It is
important that everyone understands these terms and knows what
protective actions need to be taken.
Wind chill -- A calculation of how cold
it feels outside when the effects of temperature and wind speed are
combined. A strong wind combination with a temperature of just below
freezing can have the same effect as a still air temperature about
35 degrees colder.
Freezing rain -- Rain that freezes when
it hits the ground, creating a coating of ice on roads and walkways.
Sleet -- Rain that turns to ice pellets
before reaching the ground. Sleet bounces when hitting a surface and
does not stick to objects. An accumulation of sleet can make roads
slick and hazardous.
Winter storm watch -- Indicates severe
winter weather such as heavy snow or ice is possible within the next
day or two. Prepare now!
Winter storm warning -- Indicates
severe winter weather conditions are occurring, imminent or highly
likely. Stay indoors!
Heavy snow warning -- Snowfall of 6
inches or more in north and central Illinois, four inches or more in
southern Illinois.
Ice storm warning -- Heavy
accumulations of ice will create extremely dangerous travel and
damage trees and power lines.
Blizzard warning -- Snow and strong
winds will combine to produce blinding snow, near zero visibility,
deep drifts and life-threatening wind chill.
Wind chill warning – Life-threatening
wind chills of 50 below zero or colder in northern and central
Illinois, 35 below zero or colder in southern Illinois.
Winter weather advisory -- Indicates
winter weather conditions will cause significant inconveniences and
may be hazardous, especially to motorists. Use caution!
Snow advisory -- Snowfall of 3 to 5
inches.
Wind chill advisory -- Dangerous wind
chills of 30 to 50 below zero in northern and central Illinois, 20
to 30 below zero in southern Illinois.
Freezing rain and sleet advisory --
Light accumulations of ice will cause hazardous travel.
Blowing and drifting snow advisory --
Poor visibility and hazardous driving conditions.
Freezing fog
advisory -- Very light ice accumulation on roadways, bridge decks
and overpasses, predominately from freezing fog, causing hazardous
travel.
Sources of
information
For additional information on winter
storms or other hazards, contact the following:
[Information
provided by the
Illinois
Emergency Management Agency]
[Click here
for winter survival tips posted previously] |
