From farms to businesses, life’s daily operations will change. Many in the Rome area say those changes are for the better.
“I love it," said Sherold Salmon, the owner of what he calls a city farm in Rome. “It gives you more daylight to work. It gives you more daylight to care for (the cows).”
Salmon usually works in town until 5 or 6 p.m. most days, meaning darkness has already fallen by the time he reaches his farm in the winter. Daylight saving time helps fix that problem.
“We feel like it gives you more daylight hours,” he said. “That’s a good time to harvest your hay.”
It’s not just farmers who like the quick jump to more daylight hours.
Downtown businesses in Rome see an uptick in traffic.
“We do expect it to get busier, especially because it’s going to get warmer,” said Jennifer Givens, manager at Jefferson’s Restaurant. “When it’s getting darker later, it always seems to bring people out.”
Warmer weather and longer days leads Jefferson’s employees to expand their outdoor seating. They also have an outdoor grill, which along with the seating lasts until temperatures dip in the fall.
“Summer’s our busiest time,” Givens said. “It’s just more of the warmth and the weather.”
Jay Shell, owner of Brewhouse Music & Grill and 333 On Broad, also anticipates more foot traffic once the days grow longer. “The longer days this time of year definitely help business,” Shell said. “In the fall, when it gets darker earlier, it hurts business.”
Shell also has outdoor seating at the Brewhouse. With anticipated warmer weather, he’s looking forward to a weekend bustling with business.
According to the National Weather Service, Saturday’s high will reach 67 and Sunday’s will climb to 69.
The change to daylight saving time and then back to standard time has long been used by fire departments as a reminder to check smoke detectors. Robert Owens, fire safety educator with the Rome-Floyd Fire Department, prefers a monthly check.
“Smoke alarms should be checked every 30 days,” Owens said. “Annually, you can change your battery.”
Owens said the fire department will provide smoke alarms for those who can’t afford them. Anyone who needs one should call 706-236-4500.
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