Published: January 16, 2009 11:18 pm      

Folks who work in the cold find creative ways to get by

John Fabo isn’t letting cold weather get him down.

At 66, he is the owner of Fabo’s Garage, a full-service gas station on Lake Street in South Fork that he mans 14 hours a day.

Temperatures dipped below zero Friday in some parts of the region, forcing many people to stay indoors.

And AccuWeather in State College is predicting a high temperature of 16 degrees for today with the possibility of two inches of snow overnight. Sunday is expected to bring a high of 24 degrees with additional accumulations of an inch of snow during the day.

But there were many who had to be out in the frigid air.

Cold weather usually means more business, Fabo said, because people don’t want to get out of their cars.

But Fabo, who broke a hip and a leg in August, said some of his customers are going elsewhere or pumping their own gas because they know he has been hobbled.

“The locals know what happened and try to help me out,” he said, “but some have difficulty working the pump, so I have to go out anyway.”

Fabo uses a battery-powered scooter to maneuver around his lot.

“I get a lot of strange looks as people drive by,” he said.

To weather such bitter temperatures, Fabo said he wears military-style long johns, flannel-lined pants and multiple layers of outerwear.

He said he removes a glove to pump gas, but tucks his hand in his pocket while the tank fills.

“I also wear one of those Russian military hats like the one Sean Connery wore in ‘The Hunt for Red October’ and a full face mask with just my eyes sticking out,” Fabo said.

“Like a lot of people, I’m doing what it takes to exist.”

This is one time of year when Fabo is glad that he doesn’t accept credit cards.

“When people pay cash, it lets me get back inside quicker,” he said.

Here’s a look at what some other folks across the region are doing to beat the cold:

• • •

Dressing in layers and making sure that fingers, nose, ears and toes are protected are key to staying warm for local and rural letter carriers.

Wendy Ryan, Windber postmaster, said carriers receive a uniform allowance that permits them to select their warm-weather gear from a variety of options.

“Most of our city carriers wear water-resistant outerwear to help them stay dry – one of the most important factors in cold-weather protection,” she said. “We provide them with hand warmers for their pockets or gloves to aid in keeping their hands protected and ice cleats to help prevent slips, trips or falls.”

Supervisors and postmasters check on carriers frequently, especially in cold weather, while they are on their respective routes, Ryan said, adding, “Our carriers are all professional, experienced delivery personnel and as such they are experts on cold-weather

protection.”

• • •

Stephanie Williams, executive director of Somerset Inc., was making plans for a frigid weekend overseeing the annual Fire & Ice Festival in Uptown Somerset.

The festival, sponsored by Somerset Inc., began Friday and continues through Sunday.

The indoor activities should afford festival-goers chances to get warm after taking in the outdoor events, Williams said. She advised taking your coat off indoors to lessen the chance of getting overheated.

Covering your face while outside in frigid temperatures also is advisable, she said.

And, Williams urged, smile – whether you are outside or inside.

• • •

The secret is to “dress warm and stay close to the cruiser,” said Adams Township police Chief Kirk Moss.

“We have a spring coat, a winter coat and a severe-weather jacket. We need it up here in the sticks,” he said jokingly.

Moss was called to four fender-bender accidents Friday morning.

“People just won’t slow down,” he said, “and (officers) can’t stay on (Route) 219 too long in this kind of weather.”

One of the drivers, he said, was shivering so badly Moss told him to get in the cruiser.

“We have beefed-up heating systems,” he said. “One even has a heavy-duty heater in the back.”

Facing frigid temperatures usually doesn’t require special preparation, said Moss, a veteran of the Adams force.

“Our guys have been around for awhile,” he said, “and our cruisers are pretty well equipped.”

• • •

Lou Mihalko, owner of Mihalko’s General Contracting in Richland Township, said his employees are outside for no more than half an hour at a time when temperatures drop this low.

“The guys cover themselves the best they can,” he said. “They use warmers in their gloves and boots, wear long johns and heavy pants.

“But even with the best hats and gloves, it’s just not good enough in these types of temperatures.”

Mihalko estimated that about a dozen of his employees will be outside this weekend responding to calls from people who have leaking roofs or frozen pipes.

• • •

Somerset Borough police Officer Christopher Pile puts lotion on his face and hands after showering to ward off the effects of extreme cold. The lotion helps to prevent chapped lips and seems to be a help to his skin, he said.

Pile wears layers of clothing when the weather is frigid. He wears socks that absorb moisture and advises the use of a face mask to fend off biting winds.

And always wear a hat, he emphasized.

• • •

Denny Platt, area manager for Penelec, said workers are sent out only for emergencies during periods of extreme cold. The utility company uses days of extreme weather as a chance for employees to complete their required safety training – indoors.

When duty calls, Platt said, workers are sent out in pairs to keep an eye on one another.

“We tell them to watch out for their buddies – their fellow crew members – and make sure they’re not exposed to the elements for long periods of time,” Platt said. “We ask that they keep each other vigilant about taking breaks to get inside and warmed up from time to time.”

• • •

Randy Bailey, 25, of Somerset, pumps gasoline at Kwik Fill, a full-service gas station at 142 Plank Road.

“We do see some new faces who aren’t regular customers when it’s cold,” he said. “They’re filling up and getting dry gas and washer fluid.”

Servicing one car isn’t too tough, he said, but filling several can be.

“If you’re out for 10 minutes, you really feel it,” Bailey said.

He dresses in layers with “some good old Carhartts on top and the fleece sweatshirts.”

Bailey pops inside whenever possible: “A little warmth is better than nothing.”