Andy drums at school jazz festival

Andy performed with one of his school's many music ensembles during a Jazz Festival this week. He played drums on the Gershwin classic "Summertime" and congas on a tune called "Mucho Loco."

Snow melts, Snowy Owl still at home on Cape

Tish writes:
Owen and I took advantage of the warm spell in the 40's today!

We went for a walk at West Dennis Beach and came upon the Snowy Owl.

She was most cooperative for her photos today.

See previous stories:
Snowy Owl on snowy Cape
Tish meets a Snowy Owl

Snow reaches us, both north and south

After missing the heavy snowfall at midweek, our Cape Cod family members got their share on Saturday. Tish reports about 10-12 inches of new snowfall, with a topping of ice. Sunday brought bright sunshine, creating views like these of the white-coated trees.

Tish and Owen's daughter, Lizzie, hasn't missed out on this snowy winter despite being down in North Carolina at Elon University. This was the scene there on Wednesday, as the South had its second big snowstorm of the winter.

More scenes of the Winter of '14

Hugh and Dolores are spending some time at their place on Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County, Md., where pretty much every winter is a snowy winter. But like most of the Eastern U.S. this year, it seems especially snowy this year.

Hugh writes that Thursday's coastal storm - which wasn't expected to reach that far inland - nonetheless dumped a reported 23 inches on parts of the county.

"When we cleaned off the car, it looked more like 18 inches here at Arrowhead," Hugh writes. "However, another storm, this one from the west, brought another six inches or so over Friday night and into Saturday.

"Schools in Garrett County have been open less than 5 days since the first of the year!"

Relentless winter piles it on

The latest storm of the Relentless Winter of '14 brought the heaviest snow yet to the Mid-Atlantic region on Wednesday night and Thursday.

In Virginia, train service on the VRE was canceled for the day, giving conductor Brian a snow day. He took the opportunity to create the giant snowman above.

Xander and Marie helped out, but "it's mostly Brian's creation," Marie said.

In Maryland, the patio table at Doug & Lisa's house gave a good view of the depth of snow Thursday afternoon.

Below, Andy helped dig out at Birch Street headquarters. Dan and Julie were both able to work from home, but it seemed wise to shovel some of the snow aside before another round that was expected to fall Thursday night.

Rebecca featured in Rochester TV curling reports (Updated)

Twice this week, Rochester television stations looking for a local angle on the Winter Olympics interviewed Rebecca at the Rochester Curling Club.

Click here to see a WROC-TV report featuring Rebecca and a fellow club member. You can also read a text version of the story.

Then click here to see Rebecca give a reporter from WHEC-TV a brief lesson in the essentials of curling.

Snowy Owl on snowy Cape

Tish photographed this Snowy Owl in a snowy marsh near the beach in snowy Cape Cod this weekend.

As previously reported, the arctic birds have appeared on the Cape in extraordinary numbers this winter. It's part of a broad invasion of East Coast and Midwest states that has ornithologists wondering if it's a freak event or the beginning of a new pattern.

Tish & Owen help kick off Rally Against Cancer

Owen and Tish were invited to the kick-off event for the Jimmy Fund Rally Against Cancer, held Tuesday at Boston's Fenway Park. The Jimmy Fund, which supports adult and pediatric cancer care research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, is an official charity of the Red Sox.

Tish in front of the snow-on-tarp-covered field at Fenway

Tish has been spreading the word about the current fund-raiser, which will culminate on Opening Day at Fenway on April 4. Tish's Team has already raised nearly $2,000 for the cause thanks to the support of many friends and family members.

See the Boston Herald article about the kick-off event. Be sure to read to the end!

Visit Tish's Team page

More scenes of the wild winter of '14

Lisa shares this Wednesday-morning scene from her home in Maryland, and adds that she's thankful the ice storm didn't knock out power there.

From Ohio, Cathy reports: "Kids didn't have school yet again today. This is the 6th day this year so they have surpassed their allotted 'calamity days.' The governor granted an exception so that teachers can provide assignments on-line for students to do in lieu of having to make up days in the summer. They are calling these assignments 'Blizzard Bags.'

"While the kids do their work, I get to stay home & work as well. Here is our unofficial snowfall measurement."

Back on Monday, Courtney relayed this photo taken by her mom, Nanette, on Shelter Island - marked #mamaswinterwonderlandNY.

Relentless winter takes a spectacular turn

Dan writes: As I said before, this winter's weather has been both wearying and beautiful. On Monday, after another 8 inches of snow fell in our part of New Jersey, beauty won out.

I came home from work and found our neighborhood transformed into a fantastical realm, with every tree branch, bush leaf and utility wire coated in glistening white.

After dinner I just had to take a walk with my camera and see if I could manage to get any pictures in the dark.

What I discovered was that the mix of different streetlights in our part of town created amazing scenes by painting the snow in contrasting colors.Tuesday morning, the colors turned to pure white in the daylight. Everywhere I looked was another spectacular view.

Typically a coating of snow on all the trees doesn't last very long after a storm, but the cold kept it in place all day Tuesday.

Wednesday morning's storm promises to be sloppy and disruptive, but for all the trouble the weather is causing this winter, I'm glad for the chance to see these spectacular sights, right in my own neighborhood.

Tish's Team is rallying against cancer

Tish's Team in the Rally Against Cancer fund-raiser is off to a great start.

Tish writes: "I had a good check-up and chemo infusion Friday at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. I have a favor to ask all of you that have been so supportive. I would love it if you would join Tish's Team in the Rally Against Cancer.

"All you have to do is sign up, make a donation if you want to, and that's it - no walk or run involved! Just click on this link to Tish's Team page.

As of midday Sunday, Tish's Team has 33 members and has raised $1,585. "Each and every one of you is amazing!"

Andy on drums in HS shows

It was a busy musical week for Andy and his bandmates at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School. The annual Winter Pops Concert was held Tuesday night.

Andy, a senior, played drum set with the Rhythmsense percussion group (above) and handled other percussion backing the Wind Ensemble (right).

And on Saturday the school hosted a "Day of Percussion," a day-long series of performances by ensembles from several schools plus educational clinics featuring professional performers.

At Saturday's event, Dan was able to get backstage for a different view (below).

Christopher takes the stage in comedy

Christopher is currently playing the role of Richard the lawyer in the Hilliard Darby High School Theatre production of "Moon Over Buffalo."

The comic play by Ken Ludwig ran on Broadway in 1995-96.

Chris' mom, Cathy, took these photos on opening night Friday.

Here's a local news article about the school's production.

The snows of January: Wearying, but beautiful

Bundling up, unbundling, bundling up again. Shoveling, shoveling again, and again. Driving on slippery roads, peering through icy or slush-splattered windshields. This wintry month has become a bit exhausting.

Still, it can be a beautiful sight when flakes are falling gently but steadily and spreading a new coat of white over the landscape. It's good to stop now and then and just look.

Join Tish's Team in Rally Against Cancer

Visit Tish's team page

Tish has started a team to participate in the Rally Against Cancer on behalf of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and The Jimmy Fund.

Visit Tish's team page to learn more about this fund-raising effort.

Tish writes: "As many of you know, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in July. I am blessed to be living within driving distance to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

"I am receiving amazing care, feeling well, and staying positive. Please consider supporting my team in the Rally Against Cancer!"

Snowstorm covers the East Coast (Updated)

Tuesday brought heavy snow to much of the East Coast. At Birch Street Headquarters, where it snowed from early morning until late at night, there was around 8-10 inches of snow on the ground when Dan took these photos around 11 p.m.

The heavy afternoon snowfall pretty much paralyzed New Jersey roads, and it took Dan more than three hours to get home from work - normally about a 50-minute trip.

We've seen just a couple of other snow pictures from family members -- perhaps many of us are too tired of winter to bother snapping pictures. But here's a nice scene shared by Brian's mother, Barbara, in Trenton, N.J.

Hugh and Dolores were in Rehoboth, Del., which did not get the full force of the storm. "There may have been 6 inches here, but it looks to be closer to 4 inches," Hugh writes.

"It was enough snow to close the local schools - and to close The Rehoboth Art League, where Dolores was to teach a watercolor workshop Wednesday. She will have a make-up class on Saturday. It is cold on the day after the storm, with morning temperature 7 degrees - and since the wind always blows at the beach, the wind chill temperature is in the minus single digits."

The snow reached as far south as Elon, N.C., where Lizzie attends Elon University. The school posted scenes of its lightly-dusted campus.

Tish meets a Snowy Owl

Tish writes from Cape Cod: "I photographed this Snowy Owl near West Dennis Beach. I originally spotted her in the marsh, but she was frightened away by a person walking out to her. I was so pleased to find her perched on the roof of a house near the beach. A perfect subject for me to use the telephoto lens that was one of my Christmas presents from Owen!"



The population of Snowy Owls on Cape Cod has surged this winter, as reported in this Cape Cod Times article.

Tish adds: "I am feeling well, staying positive and continuing treatment at Dana Farber. Love to all!"

Another national tournament ahead for Rebecca

Rebecca will be playing in the 2014 USA Curling Nationals competition in March.

Her team, based at the Rochester (N.Y.) Curling Club, qualified for the national tournament by taking two solid victories at a qualifying competition held this weekend in Grafton, North Dakota, by scores of 9-5 and 10-3.

Rebecca and her teammates - Caitlin, Emily and Abby - now move on to the women's competition at the Nationals, held March 1-8 near Philadelphia.

2013 Mixed Nationals champions

Last year, Rebecca was a member of the team that won the USA Curling Mixed National Championship, held in Willmar, Minnesota.

She's also a veteran of three Junior Women's National competitions, which took her to Devils Lake, North Dakota (2010), Fairbanks, Alaska (2011) and Madison, Wisconsin (2012).

For a change, this year's Nationals are being held in an East Coast metropolitan area. The site is the IceWorks Skating Complex in Aston, Pa., in Delaware County about 10 miles outside Philadelphia.