As millions across the mid-Atlantic region sheltered indoors during a recent ice storm, two spirited teens took the opportunity to foster community connection by crafting an impressive igloo.
The igloo was built in front of a house that had suffered a fire just months earlier, serving as a poignant symbol of resilience and unity.
Adeline Sutich and her friend Maeve Ritchotte dedicated their time to carving out numerous ice bricks using flat shovels, transporting them with a sled to their chosen location on Helena Drive.
“We built an igloo to create unity in the community and bring people together,” Adeline shared. “It brought joy to all the neighbors when the snow was frustrating and very difficult to cope with.”
Adeline sees the igloo as a beacon of hope, illustrating how communities can rebuild and flourish. As twilight descended on Thursday in the Sligo Woods neighborhood of Silver Spring, Maryland, her entire family joined in the fun.
Her dad, Stefan, equipped everyone with headlamps for their evening work, while her mom captured the memorable moments on video and through photos until the igloo was finally complete. They even crafted icy chairs and a table, creating a cozy gathering spot inside the snow cave.
“We even made a guest book for people to write in, and their messages were so heartwarming,” Adeline noted. One guest, Melinda, reminisced, “I did this as a kid, too.” Another neighbor, Jen, expressed her joy, saying, “My three kids love it!”
Adeline found it heartwarming to see the smiles on people’s faces as they passed by and engaged with the girls. “Many neighbors have come up and talked with us about the igloo and how much they’ve enjoyed it,” she said. “We’ve had more visitors sign the book today!”
One neighbor, who watched the igloo take shape from her window, finally ventured out on Friday under bright blue skies to leave her own heartfelt message: “It brought back so many childhood memories.”
What a wonderful example of how creativity and community spirit can shine through even the toughest of times!
