The first real snow usually finds Rochester Hills in November, arriving in the afternoon and looking harmless until the walks disappear under it. Pals Snow Removal starts its season there and keeps at it until the last March squall — plowing drives, shoveling walks and steps by hand where a blade cannot go, and salting what would otherwise turn slick overnight. A front walk cleared right down to the concrete is the difference between a house you can leave and one you cannot. Winters here run long and gray, and the work is measured in mornings people never had to worry about. That is a good thing to be counted on for.