This morning I woke up and walked out to walk the first of the dogs, and found my walks cleared of snow! I have always regarded this as one of the nicest things a neighbor can do for another neighbor. Cleaning the walks even a shovel wide is necessary in a walkable community likes ours. To do that work, in the cold for others so that they can stay warm and or in their homes, is just a beautiful act.
I did not see who did it, but remembered back to "Rob Spargo Snow Blowing Man" a story I wrote for our first heroes award column. This reminded everyone at the paper, why not do heroes again. Not self proclaimed heroes, but heroes that do so much for others. So it is on, once again you nominate a hero, and if they make the paper we will buy them lunch or dinner for two.
Here is a look back at the Rob Spargo story...
"Snow Blowing Man" Rob Spargo
One Shovel Wide - Not Enough For Snow Blowing Man
Gary Rice years ago started a concept called “One Shovel Wide.” Simply put, if you cannot get out to clean all of the snow from your walks, people should try to at least clear one shovel wide. A low effort, take your time, do not overwork yourself, but make an effort to give people a clear walk way past your property. It was immortalized in song and video on You-Tube = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cwwxvkzasY. It would seem that it has caught on for the most part in the city. I myself try to get out early before the snow is walked on and clear the houses around me, either because they are older, sicker, or have no kids. It has also been put out through LakewoodAlive in their efforts.
BUT, another person, a hero to many, has taken it much further, Rob Spargo, aka “Snow blowing Man” hits the streets errr sidewalks.
I like to clear my walks early, so I didn’t notice it at first, but as I slept in I heard a snowblower going by. I just lay in bed and smiled, figuring it was a neighbor, helping me as I have helped them. When I walked out later I noticed tire tracks I had never seen before, “Hmmmmmm I thought, must be a new snow blower.” I generally feel one of the nice things you can do for a neighbor is to shovel or snow blow their sidewalks. First it is great for walkers, joggers and dog walkers, but to be able to stay in your robe, enjoy coffee, and not have to get into it, is great. Also you find elderly who simply cannot, sick, people not home and on and on. One of the secrets is to get the snow cleared before the afternoon sun, which will both help melt it and dry it. If not, people walk on it and it turns into uneven ice with slippery spots.
Read the entire story here: http://www.lakewoodobserver.com/read/20 ... rob-spargo
To nominate your hero go to:http://lakewoodobserver.com/daily-question/2020-01-20
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