The Week contest: Arctic benefit

Last week’s contest: The arctic temperatures that gripped much of the U.S. this winter killed off 80 percent of the ash borer insects that destroy ash trees in the Midwest, as well as large percentage of other nuisance insects. Name one other beneficial effect of the frigid, snowy winter that you experienced or witnessed.

RESULTS:

THE WINNER: My plow guy has a brand-new Mercedes

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Bill O’Meara, Bedford, N.H.

SECOND PLACE: I haven’t had a hot flash in 4 months!

Anne Peters, North Ridgeville, Ohio

THIRD PLACE: My yard looks as good as my neighbor’s

Judith Stodola, Green Bay, Wis.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

A higher ROI on my cashmere sweaters

Jessica Jasiukowicz, Hooksett, N.H.

Less laundry—I never removed the thermal underwear

Fernanda H. Sakamoto, Boston

I was able to cancel my gym membership due to continuous snow-shoveling workouts

Andrew Tuite, Chicago

Watching people dig out driveways, walks, and cars made me feel better about not owning a house or car

Joanne Sullivan, Maspeth, N.Y.

Driving across the frozen Hudson when GW Bridge lanes are closed

Kristen Pavlik, Laurel, Md.

Satisfaction with my choice of location

David Eichner, Kapaau, Hawaii

No visits from Jehovah’s Witnesses

Michael Vyain, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Sweatshops are 10 percent less sweaty

Frank Letchworth, Knoxville

Big sweaters cover a multitude of flaws

Janine Witte, New Hope, Pa.

Members of Congress and lobbyists walking down the street with their hands in their own pockets

Bob Peffers, San Antonio

Blizzard baby boom!

Sara Zander, Petaluma, Calif.

Another hilarious twist to the global warming debate

Scott Merrow, Albuquerque

School closings improved children’s education

Steve McConnell, Walpole, Mass.

Instead of losing money in the stock market, I froze my assets

Larry Fehrm, Hartland, Wis.

My in-laws’ flight to visit us was canceled twice

David McEnerney, Seymour, Conn.

Received the “frozen-face look” for free in time for the Oscars

Joni Wells, White Bear Lake, Minn.

More Facebook pictures of snow = fewer Facebook pictures of cats

Stephen Benefield, Lacey’s Spring, Ala.

Record high employment in the long johns industry

Eric E. Wallace, Eagle, Idaho

I can ice-skate down my driveway to my mailbox every day

Laurie Carroll, Effingham, N.H.

Increased use of “cuddling” as a heat source

Linda Dunham, Canton, S.D.