Snow's driving problems frustrate 'Polar Bears'
By Ed Simmons, Jr.
cpreporter@lcs.net
Last weekend's snowfall forced the postponement of the Feb. 6 Polar Bear Plunge to this Saturday, Feb. 13. Molly Gee, pastor's assistant at Wright's Chapel U.M.C. which sponsors the Plunge, said driving and parking problems caused the postponement. "Not the cold!" she said.
"Paucity of Parking Postpones Plunge" was the title of Plunger Susan Hafey's press release. "The Plunge will go on!" she wrote. "Snow didn't deter the Polar Bear Plungers! The lack of parking did."
The Chief Polar Bear, Rev. Charles Tillapaugh, said he was disappointed because some Plungers have other commitments Feb. 6. "I'm looking forward to next Saturday," he said. "Hopefully it won't snow then!" said Gee. One reluctant Polar Bear said he was "disappointed but a little relieved." Rev. Kevin James of Salem Baptist said he was disappointed because he was praying for a heat wave.
Last year the Polar Bear Plunge raised over $20,000 to help the needy pay heating bills. The public is invited to gather at Lake Caroline this Saturday at 10 a.m. to cheer the Polar Bears on as they race into the frigid lake and dive in.
The weather is expected to be mostly sunny with a high of 41. Perhaps that's the heat wave Rev. James was praying for after all.
