By Meg Peters
Review Staff Writer
According to the National Weather Service, ten inches of soft, fluffy snow slowly blanketed Lake Orion last weekend, granting Lake Orion students their first snow day of the year, and then their second.
Ironically enough, the first snow day was also Groundhog’s Day, February 2, the day the famed Punxsutawney Phil prophesied six more weeks of winter with his 119th’prediction.
According to the National Weather Service, accumulations from the Groundhog’s Day Blizzard ranged from 6 inches to 12 inches, with 13.6 inches in Lapeer, 16.7 inches in Detroit, and 10 inches in Lake Orion.
Road Commission for Oakland County Public Information Officer Craig Bryson said that more than 100 plow trucks and ten road graders were working into the wee hours of the morning making main roads accessible. The RCOC began plowing back roads and subdivisions by 12 p.m. Monday, which would take several days to clear, Bryson said.
The storm eventually ended about 9 a.m. Monday, with nothing too eventful in Orion Township, according to Fire Chief Robert Smith.
‘We did man the stations with two people, but there was nothing out of the ordinary Sunday night,? he said. About the biggest incident was a power line that fell on Rohr Rd., which was fixed very quickly.
On the roads, the Orion Township Oakland County Sheriff’s substation reported 13 traffic crashes and dozens of vehicle runoffs during the 24-hour storm.
The first snow day of the year, however carried even more resonance for a certain fan club in Orion Township, a fan club that stuck beside Lake Orion’s Warrior Princess, Alayna Zalac, through thick and thin.??
In the minds of many, the first snow day of the year was Alayna’s Day.
‘Who does this groundhog think he is trying to nudge in on #Alayna’sDay? We knew she would have a special day in store for us. Who knew it would be the day after the Super Bowl and would extend our weekend?? Orion Township Supervisor Chris Barnett said. ‘I cannot wait to hear the stories of good deeds and paying it forward from our Orion family in Alayna’s memory.?
Alayna Zalac was 13 when she lost her long battle with cancer on November 17, 2014 but her spirit was here, in Lake Orion Feb. 2.??
Supervisor Barnett proclaimed the first snow day of the 2014-15 school year as Alayna’s Day at the Dec. 1 township board meeting, encouraging folks to honor her legacy by sharing a random act of kindness with others.
‘Alayna’s courageous battle with cancer and its awful complications introduced our entire community to our very own Warrior Princess, who inspired thousands from near and far and united us with a simple smile and a will to fight,? the official proclamation says. ‘In her short time here she showed us what is best about our community.?
From organized music events to a home addition completely built by the Orion Township community, the Warrior Princess has proven that her impact on the community has brought everyone even closer.
‘It is such a great tribute. Squeezes our hearts,? Alayna’s mother, Teri Huff said. ‘We would like to thank everyone who thought of Alayna today. It touches our hearts to know she has impacted so many and it gives us comfort, as much as possible at such a hard time.?
Huff received phone calls, messages, emails, and notes from friends across Michigan, from Virginia, California, Indiana, Ohio, Arkansas, Canada and even Germany.
‘Alayna loved snow days,? Huff said. ‘Which led to lots of fun with her sister and dad. He always went out with them, found a way to connect with them, to enjoy the snow.?
In some shape or form, Alayna has proven these connections are real.
The past year she was in the hospital recorded the most snow since the mid-1880s. The day she first came home from the hospital it was snowing. On the day her father finalized the cemetery location, it was also snowing.
‘There was a snow angel near her site,? Huff said, the reason it was selected. ‘Without any footprints leading to it or away from it.?