In spite of menacing driving conditions and thigh-high snow drifts, local love birds got their floral valentines this year.
Amy Sileo, owner of Sherwood Florist in North Tonawanda, said while Valentine’s Day usually means flowers and candy for most couples, the unpleasant weather may have put a damper on any romantic plans.
“With the snowstorm, you’re not expecting flowers,” Sileo said. “But if you get the flowers on a day like today, it definitely brightens it up a little thinking about how someone took the time to get you flowers. You appreciate it more.”
Joe Wielgus, a veteran pizza deliverer for Santora’s on Delaware Street, helped out with the deliveries on Valentine’s Day at Sherwood Florist and experienced the slick roads and slow-moving traffic firsthand. From 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., he made four delivery runs while driving a minivan. He had traveled on several major roadways in the area and passed by a few motorists who had to leave their cars after sliding into banks of snow.
“I like the snow, but the traffic and streets have been pretty bad,” Wielgus said. “I saw roughly 20 plows all day, but they don’t seem to be doing anything because the streets have been really slippery. The snow has been dying down all day, so I guess it’s not too bad.”
Ordinarily, business on Valentine’s Day in a flower shop such as Sherwood Forest would be booming. Because of the weather, business at the shop was not as crazy as she hoped it would be. However, she said she was prepared for it.
“We knew the snow was coming,” Sileo said. “Everything was prepped and ready to go this morning.”
The weather may have caused some Valentine’s Day plans to be postponed, but love was still in the air as many unsuspecting valentines received their flowers. Wielgus summed up the day with his attitude:
“It’s the perfect day to deliver flowers.”
Reporter Christian Gardner contributed to this report.
Photos
City of Tonawanda resident John O'Brien shovels his Fletcher Street driveway Wednesday.Doug Benz/Staff Photographer/The Tonawanda News(Click for larger image)
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