Historic N.E. Georgia Snow, hazardous but fun

WINDER - Just because Northeast Georgia's historic Christmas weekend snowfall made roads hazardous did not mean you could not have fun in it. Kids of all ages celebrated the winter weather Sunday morning.It was historic because it reportedly was the first full sized Christmas snow in Georgia since 1882.

Moms, Dads and their kids awoke Sunday morning to what seemed like another Christmas present, a three to five inch snowfall that covered everything, and it was just right for having frigid fun. It was not a good idea to drive, but making snow angels and snowmen and snowball fights; that was different.

In Winder families up and down Poplar Way in the Matthews Plantation Subdivision on Matthews School Road ventured out. Dana Ballard watched as her boys and her husband Robert, did all those things.

"My boys are loving it," she said. They're playing outside in the snow right now."

"You just lay down and wave your arms and legs," said eight-year-old Nathan Ballard, demonstrating his snow angel making technique with five year old brother Drew.

"It's pretty cold," Drew observed.

With temperatures expected to stay at or below freezing, it appeared the three to five inch snowfall that fell on Barrow County was going to 'stick around'.

"Unfortunately we had to dismiss our church services today so we're going to spend time together as a family," Mrs. Ballard said, adding that her husband, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Auburn, had decided to cancel services because of the weather.

Clergy across the entire region made the same decision with reports of treacherous driving conditions on secondary roads even though main roads and highways remained passable. The Barrow County Sheriff's Department advised not to travel unless necessary, reporting at least 30 vehicle accidents Sunday morning because of the snow. The Georgia State Patrol in Gainesville also reported numerous accidents and hazardous road conditions across Hall, Banks, White, Barrow and Jackson Counties.

Just down Poplar Way from the Ballards Tim Hogan, wife Beverly, and daughters Amber, age seven and Abigail, age four, were sledding on the front yard and throwing snowballs.

"We're not used to this, it caught us all by surprise," Hogan said. "We're having a good day, with snow at Christmas. This will be one to remember especially for the girls, to have snow on Christmas and after Christmas."