It’s been an incredible few days here… It seems like just a few days ago it was 70 degrees outside - it was!

It’s been snowing for a little over two hours, and we already have four inches on the ground. Area weather forecasters say everything from a few inches more all the way to a foot or more. Wow!

Of course, yesterday we were hit with an ice/sleet storm that started mid-afternoon. Our crews (and our management team) worked throughout the night, into the next morning. I think we logged somewhere between 300-400 hours of work yesterday through this morning!
To be honest, yesterday’s storm was one of the toughest we’ve treated in a long time. And, a near-blizzard on the back side doesn’t help either.

We’re in it for the long haul. This snow falling now is light, fluffy, and incredible. We won’t be able to enjoy it until Saturday!

Stay safe, warm and off the roads.

(Photo above is of a parking lot that has not been plowed that has about 4″ of snow on it when it was taken)

At PLANET’s Green Industry Conference earlier this month, Highland Outdoor CEO Jason Cupp, CLP, accepted a Gold Performance Safety Award on behalf of the clients and staff of Highland Outdoor. The PLANET Press Release with more information:

PLANET INTRODUCES OVERALL SAFETY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

HERNDON, Va, November 15, 2006 — The Professional Landcare Network (PLANET) has announced its Overall Safety Achievement Awards, which were presented at the recent PLANET Green Industry Conference awards banquet in Columbus, Ohio. These awards are a part of PLANET’s annual Safety Recognition Awards Program and honor companies with thorough, high-performing safety programs.

PLANET’s annual Safety Recognition Awards Program, co-sponsored by CNA and Ariens/Gravely/Stens, reflects the dedication of these organizations to create and maintain safe work environments in the green industry. The program is designed to recognize and reward green industry professionals who continue to improve the quality of safe practices throughout the industry. All landscape and lawn care professionals are invited to participate in the program.

Criteria for the Overall Safety Achievement Awards included evaluation of fleet and employee participation in a company’s safety program, as well as a checklist rating of the program. Three levels of awards — bronze, silver, and gold — were given based on performance.

Gold Performance Level
Highland Outdoor, Olathe, KS

For more information about these awards, visit www.landcarenetwork.org, or contact
Ilene Manster at (800) 395-2522 or e-mail ilenemanster@landcarenetwork.org.

PLANET represents approximately 4,400 green industry service-provider companies and suppliers nationwide that specialize in lawn care, design/build/installation, interior plantscaping, and landscape management. These firms and their employees represent more than 100,000 green industry professionals.