A festive occassion known as Heikinpäivä returns to Hancock this weekend, and along with it some chilling demonstrations. We would have to rank this one right up there with roof sledding (see last week's Pasty Cam).

Jonathan happened to be driving past one of our sponsors, the Hancock Ramada Inn, and noticed this waterfront activity. His fancy Fuji almost got your feet wet on this one.

Find out more about Heikinpäivä on its website here at Pasty Central. Follow the link on the main menu. Our thanks to the Ramada Inn Hancock, and all of the sponsors who enable us to keep on bringing you these glimpses of life in the U.P.

Thats WAY 2 Cool! First chance I get I am there.

Can anyone tell me who the guy standing in front of the diving flag is? (They guy with the yellow gloves) I think it is Pete Sweger. If it is, I would like to get in contact with him. I went to Tech with him and it would be nice to say "Hi".

Jeff www.sushicam.com

Hey, guys how about posting some technical details on these great night shots with the digital camera? It just might make me go digital.

All i have got to say is...those guys are crazy!

The only thing I'd like to say is... I wish I was doing that!!

What does Heikinpaiva mean? Our Finn is a little rusty.

I think it means, roughly, "Henry's Day."

Ok, now we all want to know. Who is Henry? Did he coin the phrase...Cold Feet, Warm Heart?

Just to let people know, if you couldnt make it up to Heikinpaiva for a polar bear dip you still have a chance to do it down in troll land Jan 27th at Houghton Lake's 51st annual Tip-Up Town. (Find out more at www.houghtonlake.org/tutmain.html ) Personally you couldnt pay me enough to take that plunge, but it's sure fun to watch others.:)

Pasty cam help me get through some outdoor chores today. on what I consider a miserable day here in Alabama (40 deg. and rain). Reviewing some recent pasty shots , I relized that it wasnt so bad considering the alternatives!! Oh and Beth .... I hope you get a chance to "take a dip"

Jim

"Heikinpaiva" is an ancient Finnish term for, "I haven't had a bath in several weeks and smell like an old fish."

Technical details on this shot:

Camera was on full manual at f8 with an 8 second exposure. Lens is a Sigma 28-105mm out to 28mm. I basically set the tripod down, aimed it, set exposure, focused it, and hit the shutter. No work involved.

Thanks Joe from TX. I like your interpretation. "Henry" coulda been a polar bear? Or maybe,it's "Henrys day to take a bath whether its Saturday night or not, eh?"

What a fun site! I was rolling on the floor laughing ... stirred up memories of the UP ... most especially on this day: January 17th, (in 1994, my brother Peter Ark was killed -- also my birthday -- and the 17th of January has been a hard time for me every since). Thanks for the reminder that life goes on ... and that there IS so much fun and JOY --- in the UP (wish I was there!). Maybe next year! Paivaa (Baraga High School Class of 1981)

HEIKINPÄIVÄ does mean 'Henry's Day". It may have something to do with Heiki Lunta. The 'snow-god'. When the right dance is done, Heiki makes it snow! Smetimes a LOT of snow. The Finn Hall band is playing in S. Range for a dance on Fri. evening and Kilpela and Friends will play at Finlandia Hall on Sat. evening after the smorgasbord. We also play at the 'tori' (market) around 11 or 12.

Just complete the translation, Heikki Lunta in Finnish translates to Henry (Hank) Snow in English. It is a weather forcaster's (a local radio personality) way to say that there's a little snow on the way.