The first real storm of December announces itself around Pines Lake, where the water goes pewter and the wind comes over the ridge, and by midnight the driveways have disappeared. Pickler Landscaping exists for that night and every one after it, plowing Preakness drives and lots, clearing walks down to the pavement, spreading salt where ice would otherwise set. A curved driveway opened cleanly to the garage door is its own small accomplishment, with the banks pushed back so the next storm has somewhere to go. Snow removal is the work start to finish, from a fussy residential turnaround to a wide commercial apron. By the time the valley wakes, the hard part is already behind it.