Shoveling is a family affair

Most people were shoveling their driveways this morning, but the Idstein family was on their ninth driveway along Scott Street in Algonquin by 10:30 a.m. “We do this every year; we’ve done it since I was a kid,” said Nathan Idstein, 19.

Equipped with two snowblowers and four shovels, Nathan plus his siblings Meghan, 22, and Emily, 16, and parents Barb and Bob Idstein, labored to clear out neighbors’ driveways for $15 to $20 each per driveway. Also helping out was Nathan’s girlfriend, Clara Johnson, 19, who spent the night at the Idsteins.

“Everyone’s work was canceled,” said Nathan, who works as a circulation clerk at the Algonquin Area Public Library. He expected they’d be done around 1 p.m.