Roger Kangas somehow got these hockey players to take a break from the game, long enough for us to get a glimpse of their wintertime fun. An example of good healthy exercise, scraping the snow off for skating, then the fun of gliding across the ice, stick handling that puck. I bet there's more than a few hockey players in the U.P. who got their start on a pond or flooded backyard.

Anyone who hasn't taken the time to check out Roger's gallery, you have no idea what you're missing. He has compiled a truly amazing collection in his Copper Country gallery. Some of the best photography work I've seen.

How fortunate are we here at Pasty Central to experience the work of so many incredible photographers. Every where you look in the U.P. you find a blessing in disguise.

Will be on my way back to Crystal Falls first thing tomorrow morning to spend Christmas with the family. Wishing everyone here a very Happy Holiday, however you choose to celebrate it.

Merry Christmas ~ Happy Hanukkah

How does one submit a photo to this site? Thanks.

Any idea who these boys belong to?

Mike-Transplanted Yooper- These are Roger Kangas' boys. I'm not sure who the boy in red in the front row to the right is however. Roger has enough boys for a baseball team. Good for him. A very nice family indeed. I love the photo myself, these back-yard pond hockey guys make the best hockey players. :)

Nice family, rosed cheeked picture! I give credit to the little guy on the right who's standing tall on his skates. He looks to be all of 6 years old. I remember how hard it was to do that!

This is Grandma and Grandpa's back-yard pond. This has been the source of countless hours of enjoyment by quite a few of his Grandchildren. Four of the boys are mine, and the other is a cousin. They are: (L to R) Kaden, Clark, Brian, Byron (cousin) and 5 year old Damon. By the way, the garbage can in the back-ground was covering the hole cut in the ice to draw water to flood the pond.

What sweet rosy cheeked Yooper boys! A fun picture...
Roger's Album IS super... thank you!

Nothing like skating on a cold winters day. We had our first rain fall of the winter here in Balad (hence no snow.) It turned all of this moon dust-like sand to soup. The light at the end of the tunnel is drawing near. We will hopefully be home by Apr. 1. Can't wait to back in the U.P.

Yooper in Iraq!

Merry Christmas from the bunch in Florida! It's raining here too!

It's raining in central California also !

Merry Christmas to everyone back home.

Yooper in Iraq!

Thanks for the fine job you and your fellow soldiers are doing there! A safe and Merry Christmas to each and everyone of you!

God Bless you and Thank you!

Yooper in Iraq:

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND ALL THE TROOPS OVER THERE. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SACIFICES AND I PRAY THAT YOU WILL ALL BE HOME SOON. GOD BLESS, YOUR FRIENDS IN LAKE LINDEN, MICHIGAN. WANT ALSO TO THANK YOUR FAMILIES WHO ARE WAITING FOR YOUR SAFE RETURN.

Ditto the last statement. GOD's peace and love to all fighting for our country and for the freedom of others and peace to all who have to be away from home during this holiday season.

Merry CHRISTmas!

To Yooper in Iraq..God bless you and hold you and your fellow troopers i n His hands safely til you get home again. I have a grandson heading your way in April and even if my heart chills at the thought, the best any of us can do is pray for all of you. A healthy and safe 2004 young man. God bless.

nolliag shona ditch from the mhics hoping the god lord will keep the troops safe and sound and with,of course, everyone

Great Pic! I grew up in PA on Lake Erie in the 60's when our bay would freeze every year - and my best memories are of pond hockey. Luv the UP.

Brings back good memories...

The photo takes me back to the days when we would "flood" an open area in someone's backyard, or wait until "the pumphouse" froze over to use as an ice rink. My brothers and all their friends would get together for a game of hockey. No girls allowed then. We could only watch. The only thing changed in this photo is the attire. Otherwise, it could have been shot 50 to 60 years ago. God Bless.