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LOOKING TO BEAT SCORCHING HEAT

How people are coping and dealing with the extreme heat

BY JASMINE MCKEIVER AND SHAYNA JACOBS

Date published: 7/22/2008

BY JASMINE MCKEIVER AND SHAYNA JACOBS

Leonard Wentworth works in the coolest open-air place to be in Fredericksburg, and it doesn't even have air conditioning.

The plant manager at Reddy Ice on Princess Anne Street was packing an 18-wheeler with 2,000 bags of ice off of a loading dock yesterday at 1 p.m. when the heat index was 109 degrees according to AccuWeather.com.

"I wish it was this hot every day. We'd sell more ice!" Wentworth said, feeling the chill from the walk-in freezer and temp-regulated cargo space at the end of the platform.

Wentworth should be selling plenty of ice today, too, since the forecast calls for a heat index above 100 again today.

The hard-to-bear heat and humidity has been a damper on daily routines and transit.

Air conditioning repair services are in high demand.

"On hot days, we get an average of 100 calls [a day]," said Wesley McKoy, service manager at Robert B. Payne Inc., a city heating and air conditioning company.

He said most of the repairs on outside air units are related to electrical switches, compressors, fan motors, refrigerant leaks or burned wiring.

Pamela Grimm of Ken Mar Heating and Air Conditioning recommends checking for dirt in an A.C. unit, especially air filters.

"When you mix a hot day with a dirty component, the air isn't going to be cool. That is usually when you see the most problems during hot days," Grimm said.

No matter what the heat index, C&T Produce of Stafford sets up a farmers market at Hurkamp Park downtown.

Michelle Kelley and Heather Minter remained in high spirits about working the stand for nine hours through the midday heat.

Only severe snow and rain keeps C&T from setting up at the park six days a week.

"We have to put food on the table," Kelley said.

Under the shade of their canopy, they said the semi-frequent breeze and constant hydration kept them going. However, the weather has forced the business to curtail its offerings. They're bringing "what they can sell" to keep sellable produce from spoiling, Kelley said.

"We are still busy, and we have regular customers," Kelley said, adding that their regulars tend to come earlier on hot days.

Yesterday, they decided not to cut fruit samples because it would create a hassle with the weather, amidst other concerns like keeping certain produce out of the sun.

Mary Washington Hospital reported two heat-related emergency room admissions this past weekend. They were "two fairly healthy individuals," hospital spokesperson Mahogany Hart said.

On Sunday, the high temperature was 95, and it was 93 on Saturday.

Jasmine McKeiver : 540/374-5000, ext. 5779
Email: jmckeiver@freelancestar.com

With the Fredericksburg Fair opening Friday, workers are tackling the heat as they prepare for the 10-day event. And they talk about the heat, too. "I always go in the shade when I get too hot, drink a whole lot of water I had a friend who passed out, just fell down." --Paul Minor, who mows the lawn. "You can't stay out in this kind of heat constantly without taking a break." --James Hosey, who works for the fencing company. "this summer has been unusually hot. I sit in the truck to cool down. I want the 70s (degrees) back." --Mark Lamb, who maintains the fair's fences. --Megan Williams

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Date published: 7/22/2008