Smattering of snow enough for Florida family to hit the sledding hill at Morrison

MORRISON – Last week’s smattering of snow wasn’t much to make a fuss about for northern Illinois residents, but for a Florida family visiting Morrison it was all that and more.

“We came to visit for Christmas and we were hoping for snow,” said Hannah Orellana of Naples, Florida. “And we got a little.”

Hannah’s dad, Luke Schouten, is the pastor for Emmanuel Church in Morrison, so the whole family arrived at the sledding hill at Winter Park on Friday ready to attack the hill.

The dusting of snow, coupled with 20-degree temperatures and a stiff wind on Friday, provided enough of a base for sleds and one snow board to slide down the hill.

Amari Orellana, 5, headed down the hill, spinning on her saucer sled, with Eliana, 11, close behind. Meanwhile, Silas, 8, elected to whiz down the hill on his snowboard, donning a Green Bay Packers stocking cap along with his snowsuit.

Josiah, 3, was content to slip down the hill in his sided sled with plenty of adult power on hand to pull him back to the top for another run.

Friday’s winter temperatures followed several days of warmer weather. The ice rink at the park was not open yet due the ice not being fully frozen, but the snowfall was enough for some family fun for the Orellana family.

“We had enough snow so we lucked out,” Hannah said.

1 of 7

Amari Orellana, 5, of Naples, Florida, gets some help from her mom, Hannah, as she rides a saucer sled down the hill at Winter Park in Morrison on Friday, Jan. 3, 2025. Amari and her family were visiting relatives in Morrison and wanted to try sledding following the dusting of snow that fell across the region. (Earleen Hinton)