• Friday-What'sUP January 6 - 10:08 pm

In the waning hours of winter daylight the trees cast off some long tall shadows, creating artwork on the white snowy ground which acts like an artist's canvas. Peg Hardt and Tina Hyrkas respectively, both captured some of nature's handiwork here UP North. The untouched snowy ground takes on a different look with the shadows casting across its surface, cutting dark lines across the simple whiteness.

Great pictures!

What a great set of pics! The second one reminds me of Ansel Adams. It also makes me think of Dr. Seuss psychedelic piano.

Beautiful, serene pictures and good observations John & Anne.

What beautiful photos! They look like perfect winter days to strap on the snowshoes and go sightseeing :)

Love the snow pictures.

When I look at the texture of the snow in the second picture, it makes me think of frosting on a cake. So smooth and yummy. Maybe I'm nuts but that is what I see.

What wonderful pics today! So nice to see the sun! The sun has been a very scarce thing for us in eastern IA.! Hasn't been here since before Christmas, and sounds like may not show up for another week to come!

We finally had some rays of sun today.
Splendid! Actually I thought we might have
sunshine while I was walking the dog in the
early morning and noticed that I could see the
stars. Louhi must have relinquished the
heavenly bodies...

Heikki Lunta do your dance. We need more snow here in the U.P. We still have a limited quantity of the original song on CD. Call Pasty Central toll free 1-877-727-8911 to order your copy. Hours are 9-5 Eastern Time zone. $10 plus $5 (shipping and handling) to order. Credit cards accepted.

In 1970 the Range Snowmobile Club of Atlantic Mine, Michigan had planned a snowmobile race for the fourth of December, a time of year when there is nearly always ample snow on the Keweenaw Peninsula. The members of club had been working hard to make the event a success, but the most vital commodity was lacking – snow! A Hancock radio station, WMPL, was sponsoring the event, and station staff was also very concerned. In an attempt to rally community support despite the conditions, a radio-time salesman, David Riutta, concocted the character "Heikki Lunta", getting his inspiration from the well-known county/western singer Hank Snow. In twenty minutes Dave wrote the words to the now legendary "Heikki Lunta Snow Dance Song." The tune to which Dave applied the lyrics had already been with him for awhile, so the entire composition took less than one hour.
Dave returned to the radio station and with the assistance of the station owner, Bob Olson, another well-known Copper Country persona, the legend of Heikki Lunta was born. The fictional Heikki Lunta was said to live in the back woods of the Finnish farming community of Tapiola, Michigan, twenty miles south of Houghton. Furthermore, he was reported to have the ability to perform a dance, which would cause the snow to fall from the skies. The talented radio team took to the airwaves and caused a sensation throughout the Copper Country community. Heikki Lunta was an instant hit, and miraculously it began to snow-and snow and snow! Ironically the snowmobile races had to be postponed because there was too much snow.

I have a new picture to my background and an icon. Thanks Peg and Tina!

Yoopergal, thanks for the back ground info and a chance to get the disc! Good to hear the true story.

I still have my original Heikki Lunta record. It's a 45
rmp, 7 in. record (not a CD or tape) and in wonderful
condition. I still listen to it once in awhile. I can't
believe its now $15.00!!!

As for the snow, I have scooped the garage roof more
this winter than I have in any of the 34 years I have
lived in the Copper Country. It can stop anytime and I
won't miss it!

Great pictures again! I just love all these snow pictures. Problem is, there are so many good ones, I'm constantly changing my wallpaper!

Don't play the snow tapes just yet....I need to get in to my Studio mid-month,and I'm not good on X-Country skis!! Start playing that song after the 19th!! See ya at the Tori!!

Love the pics. Today we have sunshine...well sorta kinda...and off and on. You know, you look outside...it's cloudy...then every so often you catch a glimpse of sun on the floor or the wall...and by the time you take a look see outside, the sun has hid behind the clouds ;)
Yoopergal: What...no website for your CD ;) Thanks for the story on the origins of both Heikki Lunta and the song.

Sure, we have a web site and you are on it. Pasty.com is our website. However the orderform does not have the CD on it, so that's why one needs to call. Order Form

Great pics Tina and Peg!
I've always wanted to try this at night with the full moon casting shadows on the snow.

Yoopergirl........thanks for the details of the Heikke Lunta story. I arrived in the Copper Country late Dec 1969 & recall it just started snowing & snowing and wouldn't quit. At WMPL, the DJ Chubby Condon (remember him, anyone?!) kept playing the Heikke tune over & over and people were actually calling the station asking him to stop so that the snow would end too.......

Hello PEG and TINA! Charmings pictures!!! I enjoy!

BEAUTIFUL PICS!! Man, do I miss the snow down here in East Asia. Got sunburned a few days ago, sleeping on deck, dreaming about snowshoeing, of all things. It's in the 90's every day, here:(

Do you suppose the snow dance and Heikke Lunta would work down here?

No, fraid not. It doesn't even work in Toronto.

Something up?? All I get is Friday's postings?!
Hello to everyone!!