It’s a new year, and a time for new beginnings. Mother Nature seems to be obliging as we enjoy above zero temperatures as I write this.

It really does seem to be more like spring than winter. As a matter of fact, we had a visit in the office from a couple with several sprigs of pussy willows, freshly picked by the river in Radium between Christmas and New Year’s.

But wait just a minute! We have a lot of winter to enjoy and we do need to have some colder weather to do so. I’m thinking in terms of the Bonspiel on the Lake coming up in a couple of weeks along with the Snowflake Festival. And a couple of weeks after that we will be hosting Pond Hockey Championships — we are going to need some good solid ice on the lake for these events.

I’m sure the skiing would be improved with just a little bit colder weather as well; snowshoeing and nordic skiing, too.

All in all, I never thought I’d say this, but bring on the cold — but just a few degrees colder, please!

It’s at times like these that I’m happy to say my winter sport is curling, and our ice in the rink is maintained throughout the winter regardless of mild or frigid temperatures.

For those of you who don’t know much about the sport, there is open ice every Friday evening when you can try out the game. Just give the club a call before hand if you require some instruction in order to be sure someone is there to give you a lesson.

Please note an error in the Community Events Calendar that was distributed in The Echo last month. Scrabble at the library takes place on the first and third Wednesdays of the month, not on Tuesdays.

Marilyn Berry is publisher of The Valley Echo.