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Agassiz Middle School, Fargo, North Dakota
Teacher: Gayle Hyde
Agassiz Middle School
Siberian Team
7th grade
North Dakota Winters can be Exciting
Imagine you are driving down the road and your car breaks down. You need to go for help, but the wind howling outside sounds like a riot. The snow is piling up to the roof of the car. You grab your jacket, blanket, and flashlight and wait for help to arrive. Many people drive by, but the blizzard is so strong, and the car is so heavily covered with snow that no one sees you. More than an hour later a semi passes your car, sees you, and stops to help. You have just been rescued from a North Dakota blizzard. This story demonstrates the dangers of winter that North Dakotans know all too well. North Dakota winters are dangerous, but also fun and exciting.
The North Dakota winter is cruel and harsh. Every winter there are multiple blizzards that risk the lives of many people. Many accidents occur because of the winter weather conditions. These accidents include cars, trucks, snowmobiles, and falling through thin ice. People also become trapped in cars during blizzards. The temperature is often below zero degrees Fahrenheit. Because of freezing temperatures, people's cars do not start. In addition, the cold temperatures cause frostbite that stings toes and fingers. During the winter, people get snowed in. Many people are unable to get to work because the snowdrifts can get as high as the houses, and the snow blankets over everything. People have to shovel driveways and sidewalks. Even though winters are difficult, we learn to withstand them and have a lot of fun.
In winter, North Dakotans must be prepared for any kind of weather. It is important to keep a survival kit in cars at all times while travelling in North Dakota. Extra batteries, a flashlight, matches, and candles are important in the home, because you never know when the power may go out. Canned food provides food if the power goes out. Warm clothing is also important whenever a North Dakotan ventures out of the warmth of their home. Going outside in winter requires wearing heavy snow gear. Wearing a thick jacket and gloves are essential gear. Wearing a hat is also essential because much of the body heat escapes through the head. It is important to keep all skin covered to reduce the risk of frostbite. North Dakota winters can take a turn for the worse, so it is important to be prepared.
Winter is more than snow and cold weather. Many fun activities are enjoyed during this fun season. Winter is going sledding and having fun with friends. It is skating over the glossy ice and skiing down the steep hills. A rousing game of ice hockey is fun to play with friends. Many people build snow-forts and have snowball fights with friends. Another fun winter activity is snowmobiling or four-wheeling around the snow covered fields. Baking cookies and making hot apple cider or cocoa on cold stormy days passes the time. Winter smells of burning fires and chimney smoke. It also smells of fresh evergreen trees. Whether you are indoors or outdoors, winter is exciting!
Besides being cold, winter is a very pretty season. When you look outside in winter, it is as if someone had set down a piece of glass and that glass is the snow. The snow is glossy and white as it shimmers in the light. The winter scenery is like a storybook picture. The ground looks like a marshmallow heaven with glowing snow all over the ground. The snow mounds look like a big dish of vanilla ice cream. Icicles shimmer like crystal chandeliers hanging from the eaves. Winter looks dazzling with its frosty windows and icy streets. Winter is a delight to the eyes. The sounds of winter range from mute to a roar. The fresh snow crunches and crackles when you walk, but if you stop all that is audible is the sigh of the wind. The wind howls and screeches in the blizzard, but the snowflakes fall to the ground in a quiet hush - unheard. Winter sounds like the whisper of little children in the library. When it is storming in winter the wind sounds like a train flying by. A blizzard sounds like an avalanche covering all that gets in its path. A blizzard is like a riot outside your door. The crash of the wind against the house sounds like the waves of the ocean hitting the shore. The wind sounds like the hiss of a snake ready to strike. Whether the sounds of winter are soft or loud, they all work together to create a symphony.
Winter has many holidays including Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, and Valentine's Day. These holidays are spent with family members and friends. In America, Thanksgiving is spent at relative's homes eating a turkey dinner and watching American football. Christmas and Hanukkah happen in the month of December, but they are celebrated by different religions. During Christmas, we spend time with our family and open presents that are stacked as high as mountains. Many homes have stockings filled to the brim with trinkets and toys. The houses are beautifully decorated with lights and greenery during the holiday season. The Christmas tree is another tradition in some homes. Some houses put figures in the yard or on the roof. Hanukkah is celebrated by the Jewish religion. It is also celebrated with friends and family. Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and children receive gifts on each of the days. We will celebrate the new millennium on January 1st. Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14th. People exchange candy and valentine cards on this holiday. The winter holidays are numerous.
The fun and excitement of a North Dakota winter outweighs its dangers.
Even though others may believe winters may be too harsh, North Dakotans know that all the
danger is worth the fun. North Dakotans know that even if they are stuck in a blizzard on
the highway, there is always help around the bend.
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