• Thursday-What'sUP January 19 - 08:40 pm

Those crazy Yoopers are at it again. The Polar Bear Dive is back at Heikinpäivä this Saturday, and it promises to be more colorful and wacky than ever. One diver of note this year is Liz Clawson, local radio personality from Calumet, who is diving into the Carp-infested waters of Portage Canal to raise money to help Still Waters Elders Home cope with an over-budget gas bill this winter. Find out more about it, and join in supporting Liz in her noble (insane?) mission on Saturday at 3:00pm at the Ramada Hancock waterfront!

Our thanks to Z-Man for his many contributions of U.P. oddities over the years. What an eye for the dramatic!

Mornin Everyone. It is a beautiful day here in the Copper Country. Fresh snow, crisp air and just a slight breeze. Who could ask for more?

Brrrrrr!

Ahh, to good Finns like these two, this is just a stroll in the park!

To me, who married into my Finnish name, the pain would stop my heart dead in its tracks!!!

Noteworthy: Wisconsin has many "Polar Plunges" that support the Special Olympics and I have taken my class of 8th graders into the drink for a few years now. But truth out- Wiconsinites are wimps- our jump is into 4 feet deep water! Cold nuf for this middle-aged Finn wanabe!

Charlie,
How much is the heating bill over budget at Still Waters? I imagine the spike in oil prices has hit hard on organizations which provide services with large buildings, like Still Waters.

I'm with Trollperson....Brrrrrrrrr. And Alison, I don't think jumping into 4 feet deep freezing cold water is wimpy. Heck, I whine when the water heater runs out of hot water ;)

RD,

Thankfully a warmer winter is helping to moderate the shortfall. It appears Still Waters' heating bill is around $10,000 more per year now than it was 10 years ago. Liz is hoping to raise $5,000 of that with the donations of those who dive vicariously with her, their names being written on her arms, legs, etc. etc. (with non-toxic felt marker, of course). Visitors should designate "Fuel Help Fund" on the donation form.

The folks at Still Waters want to send a big thank-you to Liz for being so bold (or crazy) to jump into the icy waters on their behalf. We all would do it if we could (yeah, right!)

Very good HEIKINpäivää from SUOMI and much positives regards to my cousins KENNETH HOLSTER & MIMI, DEBRA WILKS, DONALD TERVO and BOBBI-ANN & little McKenzie and Catherine & family and Steve and many many my friends and relations!!!

where is the polar bear dive going to be held? The Portage doesn't appear frozen?

These pictures allow me to recall my introduction to my Finnish roots (my mother was 100% Finn - Lehti was her maiden name). My Great Aunt had a large Sauna @ her home in Iron River. After Sauna, my siblings & cousins went out into the snow and lake to 'close the pores' as my mother always said. Invigorating to say the least!

Think I mentioned before that you can go temporary deaf from the noise of your pores all banging shut from the abrupt dunk into the icy water!!

Once again I will ask my annual question: How do you pronounce Heikinpaivaa and what does it mean? I ask this every year, but can't seem to retain the answer! I need to sound informed when I drop the H word in conversation.

Pronounced "Hay Keen Pie va". I was told it means that the back bone of winter is now broken and the sleeping bear has rolled over onto it's other side.

Charlie (or whoever would know) will the Polar Plunge be visible on the Bridge Cam?

Looks like they won't have to cut any ice to get in!

I'm freeeezing just looking at the kids in bathing suits!! I have my fireplace going for anyone who wants to warm up.

I love the picture of the dogs.

The guy in the picture has an interesting expression! Could it be pain...I went water skiing once in Higgins Lake...it ws the end of March ....it was out right dumb and painful! But i guess you have to do it ONCE! Reminds me of the one Seinfeld episode......I just got out of the pool!!
The dogs are my favorite!!! have a great day... snowing in fayette.

"I just got out of the pool! I just got out of the pool!"
That was a great one:)

J, I seem to be having trouble getting email to you - I told the wife I'm stuck out here for another week or so. She took it well, but stop in to Sierra's Treasures and see Sierra - she's having a hard time and your her best bud...

Whoa boy! I think I'll stay in the truck with the dogs.

Hello from Mishawaka IN. Boy, I sure hope the dogs have the truck running with the heat on because thats where I want to be. MOVE OVER BOYS!

Will they have the ice sauna nearby again this year to thaw everyone out?

Marsha,Genessee,Aura, the word is HEIKINPÄIVÄ. EACH letter is pronounced, Hei = hay, kin = kin, pä (the ä sounds like the a in cat, hat, rat, etc.), i = ee, vä = va (like the first syllable of vacuum) Hay - kin - (pä - ee) - vä. That 'päi' is only one syllable. Heikki = Henry, päivä = day. Translates to Henry's day.
Who is Heikki? Why, Heikki Lunta, of course. When is snows, the Finns celebrate, it's inn to be Finn, and it's Funn to be Finn. You don't have to be insane to jump into the freezing water, but it helps! :o)

Hey Kenjamimi, I remember living in the Copper Country and listening to the "Heikki Lunta Snow Dance Song" on the radio. It was so darn funny. But when you lived there you figured you always had enough snow. You sure didn't need to sing for more. lol My friend's husband used to sing that with his band when we'd go out dancing. Sure enough, it'd be snowing when we left. (I think it was just the fact that it was the Houghton area that it was snowing and not the fact that he sang the song.) Have a good one!