Editor's Note: The Porch Talk series explores the most recent happenings around town and what residents think about it.

As the new year begins, Maury Countyresidents have faced significant blustery winter weather from windy snowfall and sleet to icy road conditions that haveled to the closure of schools and local government offices.

Even though winter weather can cause some inconveniences, many cozy memories can be made with friends and family while snowed indoors.

In recognition of the recent snowfall and dips in temperature, The Daily Herald askedwilling participants this question: What is your favorite thing to do on a snowy day?

"My favorite thing to do when when it'ssnowing is to sit inside with a cup of hot cocoa or coffee and just enjoy the view because it is so pretty. "

- Megan Hendrickson, Culleoka

"My big thing is sledding. We would spend hours outside, and my mom would make us snow cream and hot chocolate when we would finally go back inside. I don't know if other people do this, but to make snow cream, she would go outsideandget the top layer of snow and make it into like a snow cone, mixing it with vanilla extract and sugar."

- Katie Belt, Clarksville

"What I do when I'm snowed in isgrab my camera and head outside. Sometimes I'll get in my car when it's not too bad, and I will find my favorite spots to grab a photo. There's a pond in my backyard, and I'll take pictures of the ducks or whatever is out there on the pond."

- Kellye Murphy, Columbia Tourism & Marketing Director, Columbia

"I've got a driveway that's about a quarter mile uphill. So, for fun I go out there and clear it. I'll also hang out with my mom, who is a 'tough old bird'and about to turn 80 years old and still works. So when we're snowed in, I'll spend a day with her, enjoying some days off together, because my one day off is usually yard work or house work."

- Charlie Pignato, Williamsport

"I dont like it. I stay inside, and I dont go out if I don't have to. When I was young, it used to snow a lot here. I prefer to stay inside and watch TV; sports, if they are on."

- David Joyce, Columbia

"I have two acres, and it keeps me busy. I have to clear downed branches and ice. I prefer the summer, mowing grass and planting flowers."

- Bettye McNeese, Columbia

"I love playing with my son. First, we play in the snow, make a snowman and snow angels. Then, we go inside to have hot chocolate, and then we have a pillow fight."

- Victoria Beard-Fitzpatrick, Columbia

"Mainly, I stay in and study for my teaching degree that I am seeking as a student at Columbia State Community College. After teachinghome school for 26 years and being a home school consultant, I realized I want to be a teacher in the classroom. I also love sipping a cup of hot tea and diffusing essential oils to enjoy the aroma."

- Alicia Meese, Columbia

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Porch Talk: What is your favorite thing to do on a snowy day? - Columbia Daily Herald

News you can use Denver! Let's get this Monday started. Here's what's going on today in town.

Monday's weather: Mostly cloudy. High: 44 Low: 25.

Here are the top stories in Denver today:

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Porch Pirate + Homeless Impact Study + Cold And Snow On The Way - Patch.com

A man who was awarded 105,000 for a fall in the porch of his council house after drinking claimed this week "five pints is nothing" after the award was overturned.

homas Keegan successfully sued Sligo County Council in the High Court in 2017 for injuries sustained in a fall at his council property in McNeill Drive in Sligo in 2013.

But Mr Keegan, who was given 30,000 of the award after the original case, also told the Sunday World that he no longer has the money.

He had successfully argued that despite being a tenant, he was just a visitor to the council property where he had lived for nine years and the council were the occupier so were responsible for the porch being slippery.

However, the Court of Appeal ruled that the case be reheard in the High Court as in the original case Mr Justice Anthony Barr had discounted alcohol as a factor in the fall "purely on the basis of the judge's own opinion and not on the basis of evidence".

It also ruled that the judge had not considered the question of Mr Keegan's own knowledge of the tiles having lived there for nine years.

Last week, the High Court found that Mr Keegan failed to prove the council was in any way responsible for the fall after finding the tiles did not pose a danger and that as a tenant at the property he had control over the condition and cleanliness of the tiles.

On the day of the accident Mr Keegan had been at a funeral and had five pints of Guinness before coming home and slipping on the tiles of his porch at the council house. Mr Keegan said the pints had no bearing on his fall.

"Sure, five pints is nothing," Mr Keegan told the Sunday World. "And they were five quick pints that day too because it was a cold old day. I was only coming from a funeral. I bought a bit of grub as well to come home with. You'd drink a lot more. It's only when the bad weather was here [that the porch was slippy]."

Mr Keegan said he wasn't even aware of the latest High Court ruling when we spoke to him at his home this week.

The former construction worker suffered a fracture to his left distal tibia and fibula in the fall and told the Sunday World that he has had four operations on his leg since and can no longer work. He is currently on disability payments.

Mr Keegan said the publicity around the original case caused him great hassle and people in Sligo believed he had been paid the 105,000.

"The papers wrote a load of sh*t. There was 10 different stories every day. I was getting assaulted over the town and I thought I was going to be robbed. The papers put the headline in that it was 105,000 and they all thought I got it.

"If I got the 105,000 there were houses going cheap enough then I would bought one for myself and got away from those."

While he wasn't given the 105,000 following the initial High Court victory in 2017, the judge in that case did order he be paid 30,000 of the sum pending an appeal from Sligo County Council's and their insurers.

His lawyers were also given an additional 20,000 in costs.

The council and insurers are now seeking to recover that money, but Mr Keegan told the Sunday World the money he got is already gone.

"I haven't got it... I can agree to give them 5 or 10 a month and I can default on that a month later. It'll cost them more money to bring me to court.

"I found out lately that [the council] have their own insurance company and nobody takes them on. They have their own insurance company [which insures councils] over the whole of Ireland. They've won a good few cases lately."

He said he was disappointed to learn from the Sunday World that the High Court ruled in favour of the council last week.

"Ah I am. I was looking for a few pound out of it. I'm on disability. My leg is f***ed. I've had four operations on this leg."

He said the accident ended his ability to work on sites.

"I'll never walk right again."

He showed us his mobility scooter which he said he now uses to get around because he can't walk for too long.

Mr Keegan added that before the accident he had planned to go back to England to work on sites there.

"I worked for a load of years in England have a load of contacts. Here it's not the same for me. I used to do the paving and kerbing and drive the machines. You were paid for what you do. Here you're just a general operative. A fella who knows nothing, who is just wheeling a barrow, gets paid the same money."

He said the council came to remove the tiles on the porch last month - seven years after the accident.

"They took it all out just before Christmas. They came here around the middle of December. There was no warning; they just came and said 'we're taking the tiles up'. That's how slow they are.

"It's ugly looking but it's safer. I had a lot more mats down [afterwards]. That concrete goes black. The tiles were lethal. Half of the area was taken up after my court case."

In the original case, Mr Justice Barr found that the council were responsible for the house and though he was a tenant Mr Keegan was a visitor to the property, therefore the council were liable for damages.

However, in the new High Court ruling on the case last week Mr Justice John Jordan said it was "artificial" for Mr Keegan to suggest he was a visitor of the council-owned house which he rented and occupied.

The judge also noted that council did not argue the consumption of five pints by Mr Keegan was an act of contributory negligence but argued it as a factor in regard to Mr Keegan's duty to take reasonable care for his own safety and in his conflicting accounts of how the accident occurred.

Having heard expert evidence from Michael Morris, a professor of surface and interface engineering at Trinity College Dublin, the court was satisfied the unglazed tiles did not pose a danger on the premises.

Mr Justice Jordan said the court does not know what, if any, dirt or grime or other matter was present on the tiled surface when the plaintiff slipped, although it found it was probably wet.

The plaintiff failed to prove the council was "in any way responsible" for the accident, the judge added.

The council are now seeking the return of the 30,000 paid to Mr Keegan after his initial High Court victory and are also seeking the return 20,000 in fees paid to Mr Keegan's legal team.

Mr Keegan told the Sunday World he intended to contact his lawyers to find out more about the judgement.

He added: "You might give me a few pounds for the story, will you?"

We replied that we couldn't pay him for the story.

Now download the free app for all the latest Sunday World News, Crime, Irish Showbiz and Sport. Available on Apple and Android devices

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Man awarded 105k for porch fall after drinking five pints of Guinness told to repay money - Sunday World

The Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, Mass., flagship holding of Main Street Hospitality. Photo courtesy Main Street Hospitality

Main Street Hospitality announced on January 19, 2022, the appointment of Scott Williams to its leadership team. As the new Vice President of Brand & Creative, Scott Williams is responsible for enterprise-wide brand architecture and positioning, development, marketing and communication initiatives and experience design for the independent hospitality group and its portfolio of eight properties located throughout the Northeast, which includes the Red Lion Inn in the Berkshires, Hammetts Hotel in Newport, and Porches Inn at Mass MoCA.

Williams is an executive marketer with a track record of igniting thoughtful change and innovation throughout leading organizations including Morgans Hotel Group, Starwood Hotels & Resorts and The Nantucket Project. The new appointment kicks off a year of expansion for Main Street Hospitality, with new leaders, partners and properties to come in 2022.

As we continue to grow thoughtfully and carve our niche in the independent hospitality world, having Scott on the team is a privilege and a game changer, says Sarah Eustis, CEO of Main Street Hospitality, As a company, we are built on genuine connection to a place, to a guest, and to an experience. Scotts history with the Main Street Hospitality team and the places it represents exemplifies that connection in every way. His vision and experience coupled with his authentic ties to our company mission are what make this partnership so special.

In synergistic partnership with the executive team and the performance, sales and operations functions, Williams will work to amplify the brand and identity of Main Street Hospitalitys individual properties, and further the companys mission to deliver unparalleled experiences through an authentic approach to hospitality that centers around the communities in which the hotels exist.

Joining the Main Street Hospitality team to further their mission felt like a personal calling, says Williams. Ive known Sarah Eustis for many years, and her passion lies in ensuring an exemplary guest experience that has a true sense of place and creates a real community. Her passion and my passion link in that way.

Throughout his career, Williams has accelerated the growth of businesses in the hospitality and media industries, acting as a leadership advisor, strategist, and creative catalyst to drive modern brands. Most recently Williams was the President of The Nantucket Project and is the founder of growth advisory Hitchcock Partners. He has alsohelmed marketing and creative efforts for global brands including Commune Hotels & Resorts, Starwood, and Morgans Hotel Group.

Prior to hospitality he worked in television at CBS, ESPN and HBO. He is a Graduate School Advisor in the School of Visual Arts MFA program, a member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and serves on the programming committee at the Harvard Club New York.

About Main Street Hospitality

Founded in 2013, Main Street Hospitality is built on three generations of hospitality leadership, deeply committed to genuine experiences for guests and remarkable results for their partners. They are owners, operators, and designers of unique hotels. As owners and operators of some of the most distinctive hotels in the Berkshires, the companys mission is to deliver unparalleled experiences for guests, employees, and owners through an authentic approach to hospitality, service, and management. Main Streets management hotel portfolio includes The Red Lion Inn, Maple Glen at the Red Lion Inn, The Porches Inn at MASS MoCA in North Adams, Mass., The Seven Hills Inn in Lenox, Mass., The Briarcliff Motel in Great Barrington, Mass., Hammetts Hotel in Newport, R.I., Briarcliff Motel in Great Barrington, Mass., the Beatrice Hotel in Providence, R.I., and Canoe Place Inn in Hampton Bays, N.Y. (opening Spring 2022).

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BUSINESS BRIEFS: Main Street Hospitality adds new VP of Brand & Creative - theberkshireedge.com

Absolutely stunning waterfront views on this fully renovated lake front property! If you love the lake and are looking for your own personal waterfront retreat, look no further! Lake Oakdale is best known for its beautiful views, fishing, boating, kayak/canoeing, and the abundance of nature such as birds and even lake otters! This 4 bedroom, 2 full, 2 half bathroom home is tucked on a private cul-de-sac located on Lake Oakdale and situated on a .64 acre lot. With over 3,600 sq feet, you are going to love every inch of this beautifully updated home. Features of this home include a large welcoming front porch with a decorative tile and new craftsman style front door. Upon entering the home you are greeted with hardwood flooring, enhanced molding throughout and new windows that are perfect for showing off the stunning lake views. The large open rooms are ideal for entertaining and maximizing the space this home has to offer. The dream kitchen includes stainless steel appliances (double oven & gas cooktop), ice maker, counter seating, granite, tile backsplash, and decorative cabinets with built-in sliding shelves. The kitchen is open to both the dining room and living room and is nothing short of amazing. Off the kitchen is a butler's pantry (under counter lighting), laundry room and half bathroom. The spacious owner's suite also features a fully updated bathroom including ceiling to floor tiling, frameless shower, cabinets and storage galore and a large walk-in closet. The lower level living space includes a second living room with fireplace, tile accent wall, built-in book shelves, drop spot for coats and shoes, and a fully functioning kitchen that includes a large work island, wine refrigerator, walk-in pantry and plenty of space for entertaining and family time alike! Also included is a heated/cooled unfinished shop. The interior of this home has been freshly painted, new solid wood interior doors, new light fixtures and fans throughout. The exterior is just as impressive as the interior! Features include a 3 car garage, fenced in backyard, large driveway with electric gate, whole home generator, hot tub, storage shed, fenced in kennel area, sprinkler system with lake pump, security system with ring doorbell/cameras, a screened in back porch, 2 new docks (2010), sea wall and 120 feet of lake frontage! This home is in pristine condition and is sure to impress you with the details and quality! Don't delay in seeing firsthand all this home has to offer!

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Expensive homes on the market in Florence | Local News | scnow.com - SCNow

The Sulphur Bluff Lady Bears have been on fire lately, and they continued that trend with a pair of wins recently. The Lady Bears first took on Avery, Friday, Jan. 14, looking to take care of business in front of their home crowd.

Sulphur Bluff set the tone from the very beginning, putting up an excellent opening frame. The Lady Bears scored a game-high 15 points and allowed a game-low four points to get out to a double-digit lead in the first quarter.

From there Sulphur Bluff was in control the entire rest of the way, though they never let their foot off the gas. The Lady Bears continued to play strong the remainder of the game, winning by a final score of 49-24.

Skylar Stanley had a huge game for the Lady Bears, scoring over 20 points and grabbing over 20 rebounds. With a final line of 21 points and 23 rebounds, Stanley also had a pair of steals and an assist.

Kaitlyn Brock also scored in double-digits for the Lady Bears, finishing with 10 points. Brock also had a pair of steals, a pair of rebounds and one assist.

BreAnna Stanley and Constance Smith each had eight points for the Lady Bears, while Emma Neal added two points as well.

This is the part of the season I love. You can see so much growth in your team,head coach Zandra Peyton said. We finally had all of our starters back and able to play after a few being out due to health protocols.

Tonight they played great a team. We are working on slowing the ball down, Peyton added. They executed that tonight in the last half. Skylar Stanley had great footwork tonight and protected the lane.

A fe days later, the Lady Bears hit the road to travel to Bloomburg Tuesday, knowing they would have a tougher match on their hands. Despite their best efforts, the Lady Bears found themselves trailing 14-9 at the end of the first frame.

Sulphur Bluff didnt let themselves get down, however, putting up a stronger fight in the second frame. The Lady Bears outscored Bloomburg 10-6 in the quarter, cutting the deficit to just one point at the end of the first half.

After a tough third quarter in which the Lady Bears were outscored again, they found themselves still trailing entering the final quarter of action. Sulphur Bluff answered back with their highest scoring quarter of the game, putting 17 points and pulling off the comeback to win 46-45.

It was once again Skylar Stanley leading the way, this time putting up 26 points in yet another double-double. Stanley had an impressive 18 rebounds, to go along with a pair of assists and a pair of steals. Stanley was also great late in the game, scoring 14 of the the teams 17 points in the final frame.

Brock also finished in double-digits again, adding another 10 points to the total. Brock also had three assists and three steals in a great all around game.

Senior Bailey Neal had a strong showing as well, scoring eight points and pulling in 10 rebounds. Tori Raine also played a big role, scoring two points and grabbing two rebounds while dishing out a game-high four assists.

The pair of wins were huge for the Lady Bears, making them 4-2 in district play. Sulphur Bluff will have another tough district game Monday, when they play host to the Saltillo Lady Lions. That game is set for 6 p.m. and coverage of the game will be provided on Front Porch News.

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Lady Bears continue to roll with pair of wins Front Porch News Texas - frontporchnewstexas.com

Guard your porches this holiday season, Austin. The Capital City ranks as the sixth worst U.S. metro area for package theft.

SafeWise, an online platform that promotes home safety and security, combed through FBI theft data as well as Google Trends data for searches like missing package and stolen package to come up with itsranking.

While sixth place isnt anything to celebrate, its worth noting that Austin ranked third on SafeWises 2020 list. And folks here have it better than those in Denver, which holds the top spot among the worst metro areas for package theft.

Plus, Austin has some good company on the SafeWise list. The San Antonio metro area ranks fifth, maintaining its same place on last years list.

In a SafeWise survey of 1,000 American adults, 64 percent reported being victims of package theft during the previous 12-month period. And 72 percent of those surveyed say the COVID-19 pandemic has made them more concerned about porch piracy, up nine points from last years survey.

More than half of all stolen packages were valued at $50 to $200, the survey shows. Amazon deliveries represented 54 percent of the stolen packages, followed by FedEx (16 percent), the U.S. Postal Service (11 percent), and UPS (9 percent).

Fifty-eight percent of recent victims of package theft reported using a security camera or video doorbell camera. And that appears to have paid off for some of them, as 34 percent caught the porch pirate on camera.

Package theft is a crime of opportunity. The more packages left for longer periods of time on a porch, the more likely they are to be stolen. As the Christmas gift season gets into full swing, there will be a significant increase in packages on a porch, says SafeWise adviser Ben Stickle, an expert on criminal justice and package theft.

Based on results of the SafeWise survey, its estimated that 210 million packages disappeared from porches across the country in the previous 12 months.

Porch piracy is a low-entry crime. There are no special skills needed to walk up a driveway and steal a package, says Stickle, an associate professor at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

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Austin makes the naughty list as one of the worst U.S. metros for porch pirates - CultureMap Austin

Having fun at the Peninsula Shepherd Center bingo party in December are Liz Waddell, Laura Mundy, Lee Sharp, Chris Gridley, Jim Donahoe, Roger, Betty Nelson, Janet Bernhardt, Edie Cook, and Lupe Gutierrez. COURTESY PHOTO

Peninsula Shepherd Center member Gretta Upp visits with volunteer Kimberly Platt. COURTESY PHOTO

The Peninsula Shepherd Center is taking Christmas giving one step further by making porch visits directly delivering care packages to isolated area seniors.

A lot of what we do is provide transportation services, food delivery, and social opportunities for seniors right here in our community, said Peninsula Shepherd Center executive director Lisa Faulk. The Senior Community Foundation has awarded grants to a number of senior centers in the county, and Shepherd was lucky enough to be one of them. What were doing is we have a monthly porch visit program. What that means is we visit all our members on a monthly basis and bring them some sort of package especially for that month.

For example, Faulk said senior recipients in February may get valentines, roses, or chocolates. On St. Patricks Day, they might get lottery tickets or succulent plants.

We bring crossword books and puzzles, added Faulk. Its a combination of functional and fun items. Weve done this throughout COVID.

Other senior holiday gifts bought with donated monies include blankets embroidered with the Peninsula Shepherd Center logo and name and poinsettia plants.

We also have in the gift pack a beautifully decorated snowflake cookie, added Faulk.

The mission of Peninsula Shepherd Center at 1475 Catalina Blvd. in Point Loma is to keep older adults active, independent, and in their own homes. Peninsula Shepherd Center provides transportation services, social activities in their senior lounge, and opportunities to connect with other older adults through events held throughout the Peninsula Communities.

For the second year, the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation is bringing together the largest collective effort to support seniors during the holidays, including the Peninsula Shepherd Center. Peninsula Shepherd Center is 1 of 26 senior centers and other organizations creating memorable holiday events from Thanksgiving through New Years for 4,000 San Diego area seniors.

Faulk said Peninsula Shepherd Center will have about 15 volunteers hand-delivering Christmas gift packages to members in the 92106, 92107, and 92110 ZIP codes.

Its really important because, for a lot of these folks, this is the highlight of their month, she noted adding, We call them every week to stay in very close touch and to make sure all their needs are covered. This next year, what were trying to do is expand our resources so that we can connect our members to County and City services that we dont provide. We want to be the connection resource to help folks.

The San Diego Seniors Community Foundation is still seeking donations to help more seniors during the holidays and throughout the year. Donations will be matched dollar for dollar through Dec. 31 atsdscf.org/givingtuesday. Peninsula Shepherd Center membership is available to all adults over 65 living in the 92106, 92107, and the Midway District of 92110. Contact Peninsula Shepherd Center at 619-223-1640 or visit sdpsc.org for more information.

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Peninsula Shepherd Center makes holiday porch visits for area seniors - The Peninsula Shepherd Center is taking Christmas giving one step further by...

Every reason to make this your next new home, as this colonial home is awaiting its new owners! Completely remodeled Chelsea Model, 4 bedroom, 3.5 bathroom with 1 huge car garage with exit. Over 2500s/f on all 3 finished levels. Perfect front porch to sit and read your favorite book! NEW carpet, NEW hard wood floors, NEW paint - interior and exterior, NEW bathrooms, NEW light fixtures, NEW door handles, New Front door, NEW exhaust fans, NEW Ceiling fans, NEW kitchen cabinets, NEW quartz countertop and NEW stainless steel appliances, NEW hot water heater, NEW garage door, NEW porch railing, NEW patio door leading to the nice deck overlooking the big back yard.

Wide hallways on the upper level- easy to take the big furniture to your favorite room. The master bedroom has a huge walk in closet, a tub and a shower! Enjoy your favorite beverage while hearing the wood crackle in the family room fireplace. Luckily you get to soak in all the natural sunlight throughout this gorgeous home. Basement has an open Rec room, with 1 full bathroom and possible bedroom. Oh by the way, if you're still working from home, the basement has an additional room you can use for your quiet office! Please don't hesitate to contact us to schedule a visit to see in person - just in case I've missed anything 🙂 . Conveniently located within a mile of shopping center, major highways/parkways, Metro, Dulles greenway, Dulles airport, Great Falls and more.

Listed by: Kinder Saund, Kinder-Realty LLC

This listing appeared on redfin.com. For more information click here. See more photos of the listing below, courtesy of Kinder-Realty LLC:

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Wow House: Relax On The Porch Of This Updated Herndon Colonial - Patch.com

With flavors like Crushed Candy Cane, Straw Merry Christmas & Gingerbread Friends

by: Wild Bill Wood, with photojournalist Justin Abshire

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) Back behind Blue Dot Donuts, on a New Orleans back porch, a guy named Sam sells ice cream.

Its the ice cream Sam Caruso makes.

And the flavors he makes up.

In the moment.

Its the moment, WGNO Good Morning New Orleans features reporter Bill Wood finds out, Sam wondered if hed ever had.

Sam says, Im experiencing something I never thought was possible.

Bill Wood says, your lifes had a lot of favors.

Sam says, some sour, some bitter, for the most part now its kind of sweet.

Sam Caruso could write a book.

And probably star as himself in the Netflix series.

Hes a culinary school dropout.

A heroin addict for 17 years.

After being in and out of jail more times than he can count.

After losing more jobs than he could count, Bill Wood asks Sam, would you call yourself a loser?

Sam says, I was a loser and wouldve called myself every negative name I could come up with.

I was a loser, Sam says.

I wasnt comfortable in my own skin.

After he broke his foot in a bicycle accident, Sam did nothing for a year, but sit and think.

He thought about life and about the ice cream he once made as a hobby for friends.

And he thought about a Chinese proverb he heard.

Sam remembers it and quotes it Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems.

Sam says the quote comes from a guy named Laozi.

And thats now the name on the label of his ice cream.

Its Laozi Ice Cream which you can order by clicking right here.

You can see his Instagram right here.

Sam pronounces the name Laozi like the word lousy.

He knows life can be lousy.

And as it turns out, so is his ice cream.

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From heroin addict to ice cream junkie - WGNO New Orleans