The dark purple of a pansy against the snow.

What a difference a day makes! On Tuesday the region basked in 80 degrees of summer-like warmth and sunshine. Barbecue grills were dragged out and fired up, just as area residents hustled to find “cool” clothing to don for this brief taste of seasons yet to come.

Adhering to the adages of the weatherwise, if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute.

So it is that northern Middle Tennessee saw temperature drop by 50 degrees, viewed a sky of thickening  clouds, and watched in awe as winter took what may be its last punch of the 2008-09 season.

Snow. Sleet. Freezing rain. Salt brine and sanding trucks, even a snow plow on Fort Campbell Boulevard.  The snow line moved south over the course of the day, arriving in lower Clarksville in mid-afternoon, some time after north Clarksville was already eyeing light accumulation.

In New England, this kind of snowfall is “sugar snow,” a late season wet snowfall that comes even as the springtime rush of sap is surging through the sugar maples, sap that is gathered in buckets, pouring into wood-fired arches to boil — 40 gallons of sap makes a gallon of syrup in a 24/7 marathon that only works in late winter on the cusp of spring, when days are warm and nights are cold. Light golden Grade A syrup is considered the finest, with the dark amber B (or less) syrup as the “end of season fare (I actually like the darker richer taste of the Grade B). Today’s snow was a light coating of “sugar snow.”

I miss New England, and this snowfall was a gift of sorts. Being out in it was, for me, a treat.

Snow-covered bridge at Billy Dunlop Park

The National Weather Service gave the region ample notice. Though it was a bit later getting her, once it started, the winter storm  revved up quickly, piling over an inch of snow (of the wet snowman-making kind) across downtown, somewhat more  toward the Kentucky border.

A spider web on the bridge at Billy Dunlop Park

Having already transitioned my closet from winter-ready to summer-anticipation, I rummaged hastily  for something “warmer” to wear, something to layer as I prepared for a photographic circuit of Clarksville.

Even as the storm was shifting between snow, sleet and freezing rain, and winding down from the west, Clarksville Online captured images of a wonderland that will be gone with tomorrow’s predicted 45 degree high.

On the cusp between winter and tornado season,

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The  Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center, which has served the Middle Tennessee community for over 40 years, announced today a new partnership with a growing network of pharmacies and clinics to provide free prescription medicines to uninsured individuals in Montgomery County.

This network of care is powered by Nashville-based, Dispensary of Hope, a statewide and national network of dispensing sites, sourcing partners and financial partners that assist poor and underserved individuals in getting the medications they need for the short and long-term.

“The rising cost of medication and the current economic challenges have created hardships for many of our patients. The Dispensary of Hope gives us just that – hope for healthy patients, healthy communities.” ~~ Dr. Michelle Williams, Medical Director for Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center.

The Dispensary of Hope at the  Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center  is scheduled to be operational by February 2nd and will join 13 other pharmacies across Tennessee in providing this service.  The  dispensary will be located at 230 Dover Road.

“No one should be deprived of medications because of an inability to pay for them.  The Dispensary of Hope is proud to partner with Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center to compliment the excellent service they already provide to the community.”

“To date, we’ve helped tens of thousands Tennesseans, in 6 counties, get the medications they need to live a healthy life, and we are pleased to initiate our services in Clarksville , Tennessee.  It’s one way we are chipping away at covering the 1 million uninsured individuals across Tennessee .” ~~  Scott Cornwell, Managing Director of The Dispensary of Hope.

There are approximately 17,192 uninsured people currently living in Montgomery County.

“I am pleased to welcome the Dispensary of Hope to our community,” said State Representative Joe Pitts of Clarksville , Tennessee .  “The Dispensary of Hope will have a tremendous impact on the lives of many and we are fortunate to offer their services to our most needy residents.”

For more information about the Dispensary of Hope, Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center call 931-920-5000 or visit www.dispensaryofhope.org.

About Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center

Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center (MWCHC), established in 1968, serves Middle Tennessee residents who are medically underserved and underinsured.  MWCHC is a medical, dental and diagnostic facility with its administrative office located at 1035 14th Avenue North in Nashville , and a second clinic site in Clarksville , Tennessee at 230 Dover Road . For more information call 615-327-9400.

About the Dispensary of Hope

Founded in 2003, the Dispensary of Hope is the leading provider of pharmaceuticals to uninsured patients through a growing network of dispensing sites across the country sustained by local partnerships.  The Dispensary has collected more than $15 million in pharmaceuticals and filled more than 104,000 prescriptions for patients who otherwise couldn’t afford them.  Current partnerships include Schering Plough, Ozburn-Hessey Logistics and UPS.  For more information visit www.dispensaryofhope.org.

NASHVILLE, TN: Saint Thomas Heart has announced the Fall/Early Winter 2008 schedule for the Heart Healthy Cooking School, a series of free cooking demonstrations and tastings.

Registered Dietician Kitty Fawaz, L.D.N., and Executive Chef Julian Osmond will lead the classes, held at Saint Thomas Hospital, Baptist Hospital and various Middle Tennessee locations. This year’s classes will feature Saint

Thomas Heart cardiologists discussing the importance of healthy eating in improving overall cardiac health.

“Our schools are designed to help people make healthy choices while cooking. We believe a proper diet will not only make you feel better, but help you live longer,” said Fawaz.

The Saint Thomas Heart Healthy Cooking School began in 1996 and has helped tens of thousands of Middle Tennesseans learn to prepare fun, easy and heart-healthy meals.

For more information and to register for the free classes, call 1-800-588-3270.

Sept. 9, 3 p.m., Saint Thomas Hospital, Cafeteria
Oct. 7, 3 p.m., Saint Thomas Hospital, Cafeteria
Oct. 21, Noon, Baptist Hospital, GSO Auditorium
Nov. 4, 3 p.m., Saint Thomas Hospital, Cafeteria
Nov. 20, 2 p.m., Bellevue YMCA
Dec. 2, 3 p.m., Saint Thomas Hospital, Cafeteria

Saint Thomas Heart is a division of Saint Thomas Health Services that aligns the health system’s cardiac services and the heart programs at Baptist Hospital, Saint Thomas Hospital and Middle Tennessee Medical Center.