Work and play in the record snowfall

Ray practices his snowboarding skills in East Hampton last week, after one of the state’s many recent storms. Photos by Melanie Savage.

Another major snowstorm on Wednesday, Jan. 26, started earlier than predicted, sending many local school children home early from school. The storm also dropped more snow than predicted, adding another 19 inches in some areas to what was already on the ground. With a total snowfall of 59.8 inches, January 2011 became the snowiest month in Connecticut’s recorded history, breaking the record of 45 inches, set in 1945.
On Thursday, Jan. 27, work crews and residents were left wondering where to put all the new snow. Many businesses opened mid-day.
At H & R Block in Colchester, early afternoon found Donna Martin shoveling the sidewalk near the town green. “We have a lot of older clients,” said Martin. “I just want people to be safe.” 
Stop and Shop opened at 9 a.m., and Colchester resident Jonathan Ciagloo said he was the first employee to arrive. “I hate the snow,” he said. “I hate to shovel.”
Children were again home from school, and many chose to play. In East Hampton, Josh and Ray, students from Vinal Tech in Middletown, and Kyle, a student at East Hampton Middle School, brought out their snow boards and sleds.
Near Lake Terramugus in Marlborough, friends Scott, Nick and Tyler got industrious. The trio headed out with their shovels to clear driveways and sidewalks for residents. “I’m earning some extra money for my college fund,” said Scott.