The snowy trend may continue as the year ends, with more white stuff possible in southern and central parts of the state Saturday afternoon and evening.

Thursday's storm dumped as much as a foot in parts of the state - except for the Seacoast, which saw heavy rain and high winds.

Roy Sorenson, superintendent of streets in Nashua, said it had stopped snowing by Thursday afternoon, but the slush presented a challenge.

"It's going to get cold so ... we're trying to get that completely cleaned off because that's going to freeze up tonight," he said.

In the state's first major snow event in more than a year, Sorenson oversaw 40 town plow vehicles in addition to 30 to 40 contractors.

As the one who writes the budget, he said he'd be happy to see a repeat of last year, when the town made it through the winter with a $600,000 snow removal surplus.

Sorenson said about 40 public works employees logged overtime hours due to the storm.

About seven inches fell in Nashua, while Randolph in Coos County reported 11.5, Deerfield and Groton had nine inches, Manchester 8.5, Milford 7.9 and Franklin 4.5.

Waterville Valley reported nine inches of fresh powder, adding to four inches the ski area was blessed with on Christmas. Attitash got eight inches while Wildcat, the Mount Washington Valley's northernmost ski area, reported 12.

Duane Erickson of Hall Avenue in Nashua was clearing the sidewalks on his block with a small John Deere tractor Thursday morning.

Erickson, who's lived in the neighborhood for 35 years, recalled the story of a person in Newtown, Conn., who pledged to do 21 good deeds after the school shooting tragedy.

"I was thinking we all need to get into something like that and help each other out," he said. "I figure I got about four or five (driveways) this morning, so I owe a few more."

Since he got his tractor nine years ago, Erickson said he plows six driveways in the neighborhood, starting with the woman next door, who helps him with his garden during the warm months.

Barbara Soto, who works as a nurse in Manchester, was out shoveling with her husband Frank - each time the plow went by they'd have to clear the end of their driveway on Hall Street.

"We stand here and just wait (for the plow), then say, 'OK you ready?' Then start again," she said with a smile.

Fourteen-year-old Joshua Santos was walking the streets of north Nashua with shovel in hand hoping to make a few bucks.

But by noon the only work he'd gotten was helping his dad, and that didn't pay.

"I usually look for people that have their snow plows out but look exhausted and need some help," Santos said. "And usually it works."

He started doing it last winter, and on a good day can pull in $100.

And he has advice for fellow snow shovelers: "Even on a bad day, try and never give up. Even if it's a bad day, keep on working as hard as you can."

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Simon Rios may be reached at srios@newstote.com.