DNR Report January 9, 2014

DNR report WinterA prolonged period of frigid temperatures dropping down into the double-digit subzero range at night and just above zero during the day have put the freeze on many activities across Wisconsin in the last week. That is expected to change with temperatures forecast to rise into the 30s by this weekend.

Very little new snow has fallen in the last week, with only the far north receiving 2 to 3 inches last weekend. Snow depths now range from 4 to 6 inches in the south to 2 to 3 feet in the far north. Snowmobile trails are open in most northern counties and range from good to excellent condition, according to the Department snow conditions report. Snowmobile trails are open in some central and southern counties, with conditions ranging from fair to poor.

Cross-country ski trails are also in good to excellent condition in the north, but many trails in the south are also in need of new snow, with a lot of debris being reported on trails.

Action was pretty slow on most other Northwoods lakes that now have about 14 inches of ice with 4 to 8 inches of snow on top. One good thing about the severe cold temperatures is that very little slush is reported on lakes, but that could change with the warm-up in the forecast.

Green Bay has fairly good ice cover with reports of some shanties now as far as a half a mile to a mile off shore. Anglers were using minnows and are hoping to catch whitefish, perch, northern pike, and walleye, but with limited success. The Winnebago system has pretty good ice but with high winds the ice can shift and cracks open and close. Anglers on Lake Winnebago can experience crossing a frozen crack in the morning only to find it is open 4-feet wide when leaving. There has been some success for crappies, perch, bluegill and whitefish.

The cold spell concentrated wild turkeys into large winter flocks. These flocks tend to roam over several square miles of habitat in search of food. The cold is also making for excellent bald eagle watching as eagles are congregated around what open water they can find below dams. Very few ducks and geese remain but some mergansers, goldeneyes and scaup are being seen along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Most ducks are in bright breeding plumage and now is a good time to watch them do their annual courtship rituals.

Thunder On Ice

sno jokers

The Oconto Falls SNO-JOKERS snowmobile club, a ISR affiliate is hosting the 2014 ISR WORLD SERIES OF ICE DRAGS on Friday February 14th & Saturday February 15th, in Oconto Falls, WI just 25 miles north of Titletown-home of the Green Bay Packers. This is the 5th time hosting this event, Oconto Falls has hosted the ISR WORLD SERIES more times than any other venue! Racing will be held on the Oconto

River on 4 lanes of expertly shaved ice for racing and 1 lane for testing. We will have a 120′x40′ heated beverage and food tent on site. Each night after the race will be a live band. Minot 660′ Ice Drag Racers are providing their 4 lane porta tree timing system for the race. There will be tech and fuel sampling. We welcome all racers to attend this event and to keep ice drag racing alive and well! ISR classes will be run, as well as specialty classes and vintage classes.

Come see speeds at 150+ mph under the light.

Schedule of Events:
Friday-
8:00 am – Gates Open Noon – 3:00 pm – Testing
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Racing Under The Lights 8:00 pm – Band Begins – Dreams Fate

Saturday-
8:00 am – Gates Open
11:00 am – Racing begins with Kitty Kat’s 8:00 pm – Band Begins – Renagade

All racers are required to register with ISR! You can do this online at
http://www.isrracing.org/.

Visit our website for updates between now and the races. http://sno-jokers.com/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OcontoFallsWorldSeriesOfIceDrags

Abrams Theater to Hold Auditions for Next Show

little shop of horrors web logoAbrams Spotlight Productions, Inc. will holding open auditions for their next musical, Little Shop of Horrors (Book by Howard Ashman, Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Howard Ashman, Based on the film by Roger Corman, Screenplay by Charles Griffith) on January 8 & 9, 2014 – 6:00pm-8:00pm at The Byng Community Theater, 5852 Maple Street, Abrams.

A down and out skid row floral assistant becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon “Audrey II” grows into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore who offers him fame and fortune in exchange for feeding its growing appetite, finally revealing itself to be an alien creature poised for global domination!

Actors age 13 and older are welcome to audition. Prepare an upbeat song from a musical to sing (not a song from Little Shop of Horrors). A CD player will be provided if you have music to accompany you, or you can sing acappella. You must audition in order to be in the show, no late entries will be allowed. Rehearsals will generally be on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday nights beginning in January. Show dates are scheduled for April 4-6 & April 11-13, 2014.

Please consider your availability for all rehearsals and show dates, and your level of commitment before auditioning. The group is also looking for volunteers to serve as Backstage and Front of House Crew as well. For more information call Brandon Byng at (920) 826-5852 or visit www.AbramsTheatre.com.

Cross Country Ski in the Machickanee Forest

Machickanee Ski
Machickanee Ski

Skiing starts at 6:30 pm and goes until 9:00 pm (or later). Bring hot dogs, marshmallows, treats, beverages, and your friends and plan on a great evening skiing and warming around the bonfire. Our Candlelight Skis are family events, so bring the kids, too. EVERYONE IS WELCOME!! No skiing until after 6:30 pm to allow time for the candle lighters to get off the trails!

CANDLELIGHT SKIS – We need volunteers to set up and to light candles. If you are able to help, show up at the Trail Head around 5:30 pm for a work assignment. No hard work, it just takes people to get it done.

2013-14 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Jan. 6 (Mon.)
Ski Club Meeting
6:30 – 8:00 pm
Gilligan’s on Main OF

Jan. 11 (Sat.)
Candlelight Ski
6:30 – 9:00 pm
Blackberry Ramble

Feb. 3 (Mon.)
Ski Club Meeting
6:30 – 8:00 pm
Gilligan’s on Main OF

Feb. 8 (Sat.)
Candlelight Ski
6:30 – 9:00 pm
Blackberry Ramble

Mar. 2 (Sun.)
Spring Fling
5:00 – ??? pm
Location TBD

Mar. 8 (Sat.)
Candlelight Ski
6:30 – 9:00 pm
Blackberry Ramble
For details and current status on any Ski Club activities, call any of the officers listed below:

Gail Yatso, President 920-373-2626
Chique Tousey-Tabar, Secretary/Treasurer 920-846-2965
Ray Tabar, Trail Manager 920-846-2965

Machickanee XC Ski Club
148 South Chestnut Ave.
Oconto Falls, WI 54154