Gloria Maloney, from the Falls, called to report that they have lots of snow for sale at their place. Cheap, too. She said that the snow is so high, she can't see her neighbor's house.

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In our weekly Update Toward Spring, let it be noted that the storm of last week that came in from the Great Lakes and was compounded by a nor'easter, has completely buried, once again, the grass over a neighbor's septic tank.

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At Norwich, the first phase of the pedestrian bridge that will connect the new civilian dormitory complex to the Upper Parade is finished. The concrete base, made with 400 cubic yards of concrete, took two months to complete. There is a base on each side of the road, one near Goodyear and the other near the commuter parking lot (sort of behind the library). In the spring, they'll construct the bridge between the bases using structural glass, wood, steel, granite, brick and concrete. Donald McKnight of Barre is the architect.

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We understand that they are playing a new game in Exercise Class at the Senior Center. It's called "Who is the reporter talking about in the Common Talk column?". The exercisers developed this game after they noticed that much is printed about many with plenty to say and who do not wish to be quoted.

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Grand Daughter Kirsten and I went swimming. One nice aspect was looking outside and then thumbing our noses at the white landscape. We each tried kicking our feet while holding a float in our hands. Then she sat on hers, saying, "I'm going to see where it takes me." It took her upside down with her head submerged, her derriére in the air and the blue paddle on top.

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Grand Son, Benjamin, can now say the words "I'll see you later" so quickly that it sounds like, "Slater". Saves time that way.

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Sorry for the shorter than usual column. This reporter has to pack up and take off for a writers' workshop. Wow! Two lovely days and two lovely nights away from Northfield. "Slater."

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Meanwhile, you can be in touch with us by emailing commontalk@ trans-video.net.