News Photo by Julie Riddle Snow flies from the shovel of David Allen, who was cleaning his Alpena driveway of the first hefty snowfall of winter on Sunday afternoon.

ALPENA — Snow finally hit Northeast Michigan, setting shovels and snowblowers into action to clear sidewalks and driveways on Sunday.

David Allen, a 22-year Alpena resident with Florida roots, paused from his work to speak to The News about winter, Christmas, and holiday meats.

WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS?

I just want things to get better. To get over this virus and all that stuff. 2020’s been a bad year, you know. In 2021, things have got to get better. That’s what I’m hoping for, mostly.

ARE YOU GLAD WE FINALLY HAVE SNOW?

Not really. I knew it was coming, though. I’ve been here a lot of years, up this way — 2007 and 2009 were pretty bad. Last year was mild.

WHEN YOU WERE A KID, WHAT DID YOU DO ON SNOW DAYS?

Back in the 70s, we used to make forts and stuff for our bikes, make tunnels and stuff like that. We used to get creative when we were younger, when we were kids.

YOU’VE LIVED IN FLORIDA AND MICHIGAN. WHICH WINTER DO YOU LIKE BETTER?

I’d say probably Florida weather. When you get older, it takes a toll on you. I’ve been out here about an hour and a half. It takes a while. Sometimes you get neighbors that come out and help, being neighborly. Help each other out, stuff like that.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS FOOD?

I’d say probably, oh, I like ham. Ham is pretty good. Potatoes with gravy, stuff like that. Green beans, green bean casserole, something like that. Even turkey. I’m probably more about the ham. Or chicken, maybe. Chicken — probably chicken’s my favorite anyway. It’s all good.