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SATURDAY HAPPENINGS

We have to remind the adventurous that tomorrow is the annual Fasnacht celebration in Helvetia. If you can not make it to the mountains, then you may wish to plunge into the icy waters of Maple Lake in Bridgeport.

Fasnacht, held this Saturday, is a way to welcome spring. It traces back to the time of the Druids and when settlers first arrived in Helvetia in 1869. Saturday's festivities begin at 4 p.m. with live music and an open jam session. There's also the Lampion Parade and an evening of square dancing.The highlight, though, is the midnight burning in effigy of Old Man Winter.And the Helvetia folks say "Don't worry if you don't have a room: Bring a sleeping bag and bunk in the Star Band Hall for just $5." Yes, my days of sleeping bag slumbering are over unless they provide a padded sleeping shelf that is positioned at least three feet from the floor!

We go now from fire to ice. Do I know how to make a transition?

There are some of my students that I consider "very special". Dr. Chris Kennedy, above, is certainly one of these. One may think that an individual has to be secure in his manhood to wear pink scrubs. (OK- pink is an excellent color for anyone these days!) This Saturday Chris will remove his pink medical attire and don the dressings of cupid. Yep, complete with cupid swaddlings and bow and arrow, Chris will dive into the frigid waters of Maple Lake in Bridgeport, WV. I wish I could be there to see this amazing event!

This will be the second annual Polar Bear Plunge into Maple Lake to raise money for the Clarksburg Mission. The brainchild of Dr. Chris Kennedy and Dr. Teddy Brennan, the Plungers consist of local medical community members, Mission staff, and others. The number of ice loving critters will hopefully increase this year. You may make a donation by sending a check to The Clarksburg Mission, 312 N 4th St., Clarksburg, WV 26301

The photo below was not taken from last year's Maple Lake plunge, but it will give you an idea of how wonderful a person feels when all bodily systems shut down (chuckle). Notice the joy and happiness on this polar plunger's face. I really hate to pass up this experience. Another hospital visit would be in my future if I plunged this arthritic body into ice water at this time.

The following picture is from last years Maple Lake Polar Plunge. Chris is the lad who is doing the olympic flip from the diving board! BURR!