The frigid temperatures of late January and the meteorological marvel of the polar vortex put Central Iowans’ good nature and hard work ethic on display. If you made it to the office on Jan. 29-31, well done. 

We asked our readers how weather was affecting business. Here are a few anecdotes that hit my inbox:

• Sweet idea of hot chocolate. U.S. Bank’s main branch in downtown reported “we were feeling hot — hot chocolate, this.” The sweet idea — complete with whipped cream and some fancy chocolate chip marshmallows on top — was show appreciation for the employees who braved the temperatures to get to the office.
• Going bananas. Michelle Book, president and CEO of the Food Bank of Iowa, reported the service organization stayed open. “It’s business as usual at Food Bank of Iowa. Hunger doesn’t take a break in a polar vortex.” On Wednesday morning, Book wrote in an email to the Business Record, a truckload of eggs from the Iowa Egg Council and Fareway showed up. And the Food Bank was offered a load of bananas from Feeding America as other food banks had closed for the cold.
• “Cozy days.” Jill Hamilton of Delta Dental of Iowa reported the insurer embraced the cold with the theme of “cozy days.” For instance, Jan. 29 was “hoodies and hot chocolate” day with the sweet drink offered in the breakroom.