NEWS BLOG (WSAU) I like a white Christmas. Looks like Norman Rockwell. Sounds like Bing Crosby. But after New Years Day, I'm ready for it to all melt away.

I know, then I shouldn't live in Wisconsin. I need to stop being a grinch.

Actually, today I'm thinking about the economic impact of the snow, and it's positive. We'll get enough snow in one shot to open our snowmobile and ATV trails. That's good for winter tourism. Granite Peak will go from a 'soft' opening to having all of its terrain snow covered with natural powder. Even the Badger State Games, soon to leave Wausau, will have favorable weather for a last hurrah.

And we'll be dug out by the weekend, which is also necessary to keep the holiday shopping season rolling along. Suddenly it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Happy shoveling.

Chris Conley
Operations Manager-Midwest Communications, Wausau
12.9.09