whitebirchvill, Author at White Birch Village

Charlie update

Winter continues to hold on in the Northwoods. We had a few days of temps in the 60’s. It melted a lot of snow, but the lake remains frozen as we still have temps in the 20’s at night. This next week the temps are holding in the 40’s so the ice melt will be slowed down. Spring cleaning began this week. The melting snow makes it easier to access the vacation homes.

Poor Charlie has fallen over and will remain in that position until he takes the plunge.

The warmer temps opened up the entrance to the creek.

Charlie updatewhitebirchvill2014-04-23T10:51:55+00:00

Spring Snow Storm

Mother nature was at her finest in the Northwoods. 16 inches of snow came down yesterday and today. A lovely wet heavy snow has blanketed the resort. The entire area has broken many records this year; many of the records were set in either the 1920’s or 30’s. We are easily pushing 130 inches of snow this winter in our immediate area. For those of you who are already enjoying spring, think warm thoughts as you look at the pictures.

Even the shovels got buried.

Area around the resort ranged from 12″ to 19″ where drifts were.

We always get great drifts between the lodge and Red Oaks from the wind off the lake.

Winter Wonderland once again.

All of the snow piles John worked so diligently to remove with the bobcat last week have returned.

The snow from the driveway in front of Loon and Mallard created this 10 foot + mound of snow.

Fences are buried!

Poor Charlie is buried once again.

Spring Snow Stormwhitebirchvill2014-04-17T18:24:55+00:00

Charlie says….enough snow already!

As the snow is falling in the Northwoods, I thought I would share how Charlie looked at the end of the day on Sunday. He was sitting in a pool of water with hopes of the ice going out. Then the weather turned cold again with lows around zero. He is now buried again in snow.

Charlie says….enough snow already!whitebirchvill2014-04-16T18:38:50+00:00

Haulin’ Snow

With the high amount of snow we had this year, John had to bite the bullet and rent a bobcat for the day. He’s been hauling snow since 7:30 this morning to allow the water lines to thaw quicker.

The bank went out to where you see blacktop. The parking lot was getting smaller and smaller.

Over half of the snow bank gone.

Dumping ground….the main driveway where there are no water lines.

Haulin’ Snowwhitebirchvill2014-04-10T15:45:35+00:00

Charlie’s tilt begins

The warmer temps are working their magic. Charlie is beginning to tilt and the ice is leaving the shoreline, even if just a little. We’ll keep you posted.

Charlie’s tilt beginswhitebirchvill2014-04-10T15:21:23+00:00

Our winter wonderland

The snow keeps falling in the Northwoods. John is guessing we have had around 120 inches of snow this year and 6 more fell last night. All you can say is it’s beautiful outside. With the high amounts of snow the water tables should be looking good this year. But it also brings it’s challenges. John has been busy digging pathways so we can get into the homes to spring clean. He’s even debating renting a bobcat to start hauling snow.

Enjoy the pictures 🙂

Is it wide enough to open the door to Musky?

Pathway to Wren

The winding road to Hillcrest

Poor Charlie, he’s buried in snow.

Hillside up to Bluebill

Path to the front entrance.

John is running out of places to put the snow.

Snow piles are higher than the fences.

Mr pileated woodpecker has done quite the job on this pine tree at the end of the shuffleboard court. It will have to come down this spring. 🙁

Heavy snow.

Sun peaking out from behind the trees.

Our winter wonderlandwhitebirchvill2014-03-28T11:59:54+00:00

Charlie’s Sad

Charlie is a little sad. He hasn’t gotten many guesses this year for when he’ll take the plunge. It’s not too late send us an email at [email protected] by March 17th with your date and time.

Charlie’s Sadwhitebirchvill2014-03-13T13:14:30+00:00

Ice Out Contest 2014

It’s that time again! Charlie made his trek out onto the ice today.

Make a guess as to when the ice will go out and when Charlie will fall though the ice. Two years ago Charlie fell through on March 19th. Last year Charlie fell through REALLY late, May 6th. The ice can go out as early as late March and as late as the first of May. So choose your date carefully.

When will Charlie fall through this year? It’s anybody’s guess and you could have the winning date and time. If Charlie sinks after dark he will be credited to the next day. John and Sue need some sleep too.

All you need to do is email us at [email protected] with your DATE and TIME of day as to when Charlie will fall through the ice. All entries must be in our email by March 15th. The contest is open to any age and the winner will get their name added to the plaque in the lodge lobby.

Good Luck and we hope you have fun with the fifth annual Charlie the Chipmunk Contest. John and Sue leave town on February 28th and not back home until March 17th. We’re heading off to sport shows. Our carpenter will be keeping an eye on Charlie for us. If there is any change during our absence he’ll get the pictures to me and I’ll update you. Otherwise, come back often after March 17th as we will keep updating photos of Charlie.

As you will see Charlie had fun getting ready for his trek this year!

Sue has me all ready for the contest.

Look there’s two of me! Guess which one of us gets to go out on the ice? The other one gets to stay warm and head off to the sport shows!

Wasn’t that nice of them to feed me before I headed out onto the ice. Is this my last meal?

I decided it might be more fun to head out to the lake on a snowmobile.

Instead they gave me a piggy back ride.

Here comes my chair.

How many people does it take to get me situated?

I told John and Sue they better leave me a shovel with all the snow we’re getting this winter. Enjoy the contest!

Ice Out Contest 2014whitebirchvill2014-02-25T14:47:48+00:00

Summer guests enjoying winter at WBV

Bill and Diane Schneider, long time summer guest of WBV, made their way up north to experience what winter is like. They had a blast trying snowshoeing for the first time. Bill headed out onto the lake with John for the first time in many years to go ice fishing. They weather was perfect Valentine’s Day weekend for them. They brought friends with them and said that they are definitely going to make this an annual event. We loved having them. This winter has been cold, but beautiful!!! We thank them for sharing their photos with us.

Snowshoeing

Bill checking out the creek.

Our archway at night with the lights.

John and Bill heading out to ice fish.

Snowshoeing the nature trail, right behind the barn.

Summer guests enjoying winter at WBVwhitebirchvill2014-02-21T13:14:05+00:00

Fabulous Women’s Retreat

The village is a great setting for a women’s retreat! We hosted the 5th annual women’s retreat at the resort on February 8th and 9th. 18 women enjoyed being spiritually refreshed, spending time snowshoeing, great fellowship, laughter and good food. Our theme this year was Cafe Chocolat (by Group publishing) focusing on God’s Extravagant Grace. Needless to say chocolate found it’s way into the activities as well as each meal.