Prior to cars, TV's, and ski's, the old and young alike looked forward to sliding down a snow covered hill. `Coasting' was a very popular activity in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Moonlight coasting parties were the rage and in most Connecticut towns was the most exciting community revelry of the year. The parties drew crowds of people where food, warm drinks and good cheer abounded.
Children and adults aspired to have the winning sled to gain the title of `fastest coaster in the town'.
Snowfall has diminished greatly in Connecticut during the later part of the twentieth century. It was very unusual not to have snow for Christmas when I was a boy. Activities as described above may very well be `a thing of the past'.
