Winter be gone! Am I becoming a wimp? Or is it just that I’m looking down the other side of 60? After the snow on Tuesday night, I am totally finished with winter.

The Edwardsburg Chamber of Commerce held its annual dinner that night. At 5:30, I pulled my wool cap over my still nearly bald head and headed out into the blowing, blinding snow. The roads were well covered as I headed down Route 12.

We moved at a safe but decent pace until I caught up to the long line of cars following someone who felt the safe speed was 5 mph.

And I had good intensions of making it on time for the 6 o’clock appetizers to mingle with the fine folks from Edwardsburg. I don’t get the chance often. What should have taken a half hour took nearly an hour — not due to the weather but because of someone frightened to drive in the weather.

So I arrived promptly at 6:30. It was amazing to see nearly a full house despite the snow outside. The Edwardsburg Chamber sure has it together. Barbara Wright, who owned Union House Bed & Breakfast, served a superb dinner once again. Her veggie lasagna was awesome.

Barbara has been dealing with an illness that has forced her to put her business on the market. She is also stepping down from her role as treasurer of the chamber, a position she has held for eight years. Dawn Bolock, president of the chamber, gave Barbara a great tribute. We learned the Edwardsburg Business Expo was Barb’s creation. Leader Publications had a booth last year, and I was most impressed. We will be back.

Barbara, we don’t know each other that well, but speaking for your many friends and colleagues, thank you for all you have done.

You have been a most valuable, selfless volunteer for our community.

The main speaker for the evening was Penny Lewandowski, a vice president of the Edward Lowe Foundation in Cassopolis.

“Economic Gardening” was a topic that is a story in itself. What a wonderful resource we have in our backyard, and it is utilized by companies from all around the country.

And then I headed back to Niles after first getting stuck as I tried pulling out of the parking lot. Wouldn’t it be nice to be a snowbird?