Spring Sun and Snow
by Michaeleen O'Sullivan, UPfirst feature writer
photos by Todd Carter, UPfirst photographer
Friday, April 11, 2008

Marquette, MI--Spring sun and snow in the Upper Peninsula might serve up cozy warm breezes where you'll watch a local skier gingerly swap snow pants and goggles for shorts and sunglasses at the top of a beaming white ski slope.

On April 3, local skier Ron Ryoti, in shorts and ski boots (right), hugs his son Derek--who is visiting from Raleigh, North Carolina--before he shoves off for a standup run (hopefully!) at Marquette Mountain.

This year marks Ron's 50th anniversary of "spring skiing in shorts."  Ron said:  "Yep, at least once per year since 1958 (except when I was out of the area for a few years), I manage, at least one day per year, to ski in shorts, and now the pressure is off for this year."

Even earlier this spring, on March 25, Joe LaBrecque, owner of LaBrecque Lawn & Landscape of Marquette, turns to snowblowing a Marquette tennis court on a bright, sunny day in anticipation of April court play.  Joe's optimism paid off last year when we played on April 1--even if only for a few days.

In the Western Upper Peninsula last Saturday, April 5, Becky Simmons and Joe LaBrecque of Marquette visited Joe's Skanee property and captured the edge of spring vibrating against the last remaining ice bordering the wild blue of Huron Bay (photo right).

We all know spring sun and warm breezes in the U.P. might quickly change to blizzard any time.  We rarely get through April in the Upper Peninsula without at least one major snow storm.

Last year about this time, beginning on April 4, a 3-day blizzard dumped 28 inches of wet, heavy snow at our location in the highlands of Marquette Township.

Morning calm in Marquette Township
after early April blizzard, spring 2007

As every good weather-watching Yooper already knows, blizzard warnings are up again for the Upper Peninsula right now.

According to our TV6 Meteorologist Nick Kanczuzewski late last night, an April blast will bring gusty winds and 12 plus inches of heavy snow into our region today and tomorrow.

This morning at 9:00 am, the storm seemed to be calming from our view in Marquette Township (photo right), but according to The Weather Channel at 10:00 am, the low hasn't reached us yet, and Duluth is taking a pounding with 50 mph winds.

Schools are all closed today, including NMU, so unless you operate a plow for a living, it's a day (and maybe two) to stay off the roads if at all possible.

One more weekend of skiing in shorts and sunglasses?  Could be!  Marquette Mountain Newsletter just arrived, and Jesie says the hill will be open Saturday and Sunday.

But for today, time to hunker down and stay warm and safe, and hopefully, inside.

View from Forestville Basin
this morning at 9:00 am
This one's still comin' in....

Benefit Spaghetti Dinner
for Dustin Burkman
Friday, April 18, 2008
6:00 - 10:00 pm
Marquette Mountain

Dustin Burkman Benefit Flyer

Donate an item for Dustin's Silent Auction April 18
Items for Dustin's silent auction may be dropped off to Todd Carter
Wednesday, April 16, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at
UPfirst.com and Career Academy of Marquette
Call 906.226.2743 or email tcarter@upfirst.com

Donations may be mailed to the Dustin Burkman Medical Fund
c/o U.P. Catholic Credit Union
1001 W. Baraga Avenue
Marquette, MI 49855.

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