Unlike just about everyone else I know, I headed north for my Easter break. Really missed many years away from the spring snow. As we were returning from a trip up the peninsula, this record of the winter's snows in Calumet caught my eye. I think I'm glad I showed up after all that.

It's Bob "Saks" (Antioho)'s house on the Avenue...Who else remembers Saks on Fifth Street in Calumet??

I remember going to Saks while in high school in the late '50s and early '60s. He sold cigarettes 3 for a nickel. And had the pool room downstairs. 10 cents a rack. The big tables too, not the small ones like they have in the bars now.

How cool!

The picture reminds me of Palo Duro Canyon near Amarillo Texas, but their formations are permanent. The snow is so beautiful when it falls and evantually ends up black. O well, it is a sure sign that spring is right around the corner. Keep up with the great pictures.

Palo Duro Canyon. How interesting you mention it-that's where I took the family a couple of weeks ago. Neat place but I wouldn't want to hike there in mid-summer. Looking at this dirty snowbank reminds why springtime in Texas is a lot prettier and warmer then 'da UP! Keep the pics coming! Born and raised in "god's country", educated at 'da Tech and now living and working in the DFW area, I have to check this site everyday to keep me grounded!

How about bowling in the basement too? Didn't he have a couple of lanes down there or am I confused?

yep i believe there were lanes in the basement....that was the only place that still had live (people) pin setters still in the late 70's and perhaps even early 80's....technology did not "invade" that place ;)

What a great, but dirty shot. Obvious evidence of the 'snocratian' period in the Keweenaw area. I remember those grand snow banks from when I was a kid in 1950's Laurium.

If this is the 8th of April, how long until this disappears?

Yes, How well I remember Sac's bowling alleys.
In fact I set pins there on opening night! Tommy had recruited. most of his friends as pin-setters.
A great youthful experience. I too remember the snow banks

I remember the last shoveling of the year being, all of the stamp sand that we raked up from the bank deposit. (Martha K., mid to late May)

The mid to late May was on a light year, some of the heavy years go well into June.

The bowling lanes were on the 1st floor. 2 in the room you walked into, and 4 on the other side of the building. My friend used to set pins there. Sak evolved from Bob's dad Socrates, who came here from Greece. After Old Sak died, Bob eventually closed the place. He then worked at the bank (D&N) in Hancock.

I think everytime I get homesick for the UP in winter, I'll look at this picture! We just moved to California from Hancock in January--it'll be a while before I miss the snow!

Thanks, 100%Yooper. Don't think I like imagining snow in June. Summer's too short as it is!

Sak's..probably one of the last "men only" places around the Copper Country (at least the smokey downstairs pool room!)

Used to "set pins" there once in a while for 5 or 10 cents a game.

Who remembers "Wild" Bill Ellison from Swedetown? He used to stand out in front of the building and recite baseball stats from years gone by.

DFW Yooper......hmmmm......I wonder how many of us there really are down here? And what brought everyone so far from home? Work, I suppose. It would be interesting to hear all the stories!

This site sure is a balm for homesickness! Thanks to everyone who contributes!

Former Upr2 mentioned Bill Ellison. He sure knew his stats...and not just baseball. The Gazette used the high school stats he compiled. I remember, too, when Bill sold and delivered Thurner bakery products house to house. Until the local stores complained. I guess Bill was too good of a salesman.

It's folks like Bill Ellison that make the Copper Country, and no matter where I am, home for me.

I can remember a few years where there was still snow in places in June.......:(

Remembering the good days! I set pins there some, a good time, as long as you were quick when you were setting 2 lanes. Bob also taught me to be an acolyte at Christ Church Epsicopal in Calumet.

This is the house I grew up in and the references are to my Grandfathers and then my dad's business. Six bowling lanes on the main floor. There was a pool hall in the basement with 5 pool/billiard tables. Bill Ellison was a phenominal wealth of information/facts especially major league baseball.

The quantity of snow that was plowed and thrown (with stampsand) lasts until late May or June along the roadside. In the yards it melts earlier. According to my parents, the road commission now pulls the plowed snow away in late April or early May to not leave the sand in the yards.

I too have moved away to the Chicago area and make a visit with my family most Christmas seasons to visit my parents (childrens grandparents). We love the return to the snow each year. Thanks this was great.

Well, I never thought I would see Dirty Photos on the Pasty Cam!