In an ironic and maybe demented twist, there’s something about a bitterly cold Maine winter that is oddly comforting.

When the mercury dips below 20, and the forecast calls for fluffy snow, we Mainers have learned that’s a heck of a lot better than those storms that blow in around freezing. Monday’s one-day warming trend proves the point that despite the higher heating bills and extra layers, a cold Maine winter is preferable to a warmish one.

This winter has not disappointed in that respect. Snowmobilers, ice fishermen, cross-country and alpine skiers – and all the businesses that cater and benefit from these active folks – have enjoyed a great early season thanks to the snow and cold. That’s the way life should be in Maine in the winter.

Another beneficiary of the cold weather are the numerous events and festivals and fishing derbies that rely on cold temperatures – and frozen lakes – to operate. In recent years, the organizers have sought out sponsors, sold tickets, lined up entertainment, food and prizes to host their events, only to have warm winter temperatures swoop in and ruin things. In particular, the derbies have suffered greatly in recent years with lack of ice. Many events got canceled last year – the annual Musher’s Bowl (taking place this year Feb. 14-16) sled-dog races in Bridgton and the ice fishing derbies on Sebago Lake (Feb. 15-16) and Crystal Lake (Jan. 25). And when organizers didn’t cancel an event entirely, they usually had to curtail the offerings. It’s hard to show off beautiful ice sculptures when it’s 50 degrees. And at last year’s Winter West Festival in Westbrook (this year’s is Jan. 10-12), sled-dog racers were competing in non-snow conditions. It’d be hard to enjoy the upcoming Winterfests in Scarborough (Jan. 18) and South Portland (Jan. 31-Feb. 1) if the weather wasn’t cooperating.

When events are canceled or downsized year after year, it also can be hard to enlist a core group of volunteers. These events take significant investments of time and fundraising throughout the year, and the possibility that an event will again be scrapped can be a motivation drain. But when cold weather reigns, as it seems to be this year, these event organizers have an easier time acquiring volunteers, the lifeblood of any community event, and have a better chance of retaining them for future editions.

And while a fun winter festival or derby is hard to beat for participants needing an uplifting time in the dead of winter, this recent bitter cold is also a boon for the charities that benefit from many of these wintertime events. The derbies in particular are major fundraising vehicles for such causes as the Maine Children’s Cancer Program, Camp Sunshine and many others.

These events are also economic shots in the arm for host communities. Winter in Maine can be a hard time for retailers, so hundreds or thousands of people descending on an area can be the season’s highpoint for a small business.

Winter events also can be just the thing to help hibernating Mainers through what is a mighty long slog between November and mud season. Take the folks in Raymond, for example. The town is a slumbering scene except for derby weekend in mid-February, when the Raymond Beach parking lot off Route 302 fills up and people come out of the hibernation. These festivals are just a fun time, and without this otherwise frigid weather, they wouldn’t happen. It’s good to remind ourselves of the benefits of cold weather as we sit in the long deep freeze.

– John Balentine, managing editor