So you think you're tough, Old Man Winter?
Dumping all your white stuff all over our streets and sidewalks overnight?
Well, you've seriously underestimated Sault Ste. Marie's Downtown Association, which has just gotten its hands on a brand-new Ariens Sno-Thro Professional Series 926077 Pro 28 snowthrower that can easily toss old boomers like you clear across Queen Street.
The machine can dispose of 79 tons of snow every hour and has an electric starter and even handwarmers to keep Downtown Association staff pinkies toasty-warm as they clear our sidewalks.
It was donated by Ergo Office Plus and the association is now seeking sponsors for it.
It will perform more or less the same snow-removal duties that staff have, until now, done with a shovel.
Now, they'll be able to throw that snow 60 feet.
Consideration is being given to a premium, paid service for downtown businesses with special snow-removal needs.
In other news, the association has secured a Celebrate Ontario grant to improve this year's Moonlight Magic on Thursday, Nov. 21.
This will allow some new additions this year:
- interactive ice selfie station
- live ice sculpture carving
- multiple warming stations
- billboards in Michigan
- large ice game
- ice bar
- double the number of spiked bars on the street (2)
The event will run 6 to 11 p.m., with late-night shopping and a 7 p.m. community Christmas tree lighting ceremony on the courthouse lawn.