Hardly even a blizzard this time, but frustration and weariness over a blustery, snowy winter is beginning to emerge nonetheless in the News Tribune's request for readers to name -- for prizes and for fun -- our season's snowstorms.
"Egads," "Enough," "Enough Already," and even "Evil" were suggested for the half foot or so of snow that fell on Saturday and into Sunday in Duluth. "Enough" and "Enough Already" were suggested multiple times, including by Susan Johnson of Hibbing who went on to suggest names for the next couple of storms, following an alphabetical order: "For Crying Out Loud" and "Good Grief," she pitched in the wake of one of the snowiest Decembers on record and the chilly, white start to the new year.
Shelly Brandstrom of Bigfork, Minn., tossed out "Elusive Elaine" because this most recent storm wasn't as nasty as some predicted. Also, the name reminds her of her granddaughter, Cassidy Elaine Brandstrom, who turns 1 month on Thursday.
The cutest suggestion had to be the one from 6-year-old Annika, the daughter of Doug Erickson: "Elafin," pronounced with a drawn-out, long "e" at the beginning.
Other name suggestions included "Eunice;" "Ethelfleeda," the name of a Welsh queen from the time of King Arthur; "Eir," the Nordic god of healing; El Whito; and "Eli." "Because Eli's coming," Cindy Miller wrote. Like in the Three Dog Night song.
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The winning E name goes to Jeanie Pederson of Warroad, Minn., who suggested "Elgeurial." She said it's the name of a snowboarding trick. The name is a reminder to anyone growing weary of shoveling and bundling up that a sure way to beat winter's doldrums is to get out in it and play.
Another way is to suggest storm names. Keep them coming every time the snow falls this winter. Prizes will be awarded for naming storms larger than 10 inches.
-- Chuck Frederick, Duluth News Tribune, cfrederick@duluthnews.com .
