To the editor:

The Ice Palace build this year was one for the record books.

It came close to us not having the centerpiece of the Winter Carnival. Up until the day before we began construction, I was not sure we had thick enough ice to cut and build with. Luckily, the day before we started, the loyal members of IPW 101 showed up with snowblowers, four-wheelers with plows, an ATV with a plow and plenty of shovels to clear the ice.

This allowed us to begin cutting the next day, the Sunday before Carnival started. With around 400 blocks cut most days, and some night crew work, the Palace was completed in six days.

As usual, I have many people and companies to thank for getting it done:

Cliff Cochran, for using his new excavator to get the ice out of the bay. Kim Duso, for the use of his saw to cut the ice. Garrett Foster and Brandon Phelps, for using the saw, and and Garrett for moving equipment for us. John Pietras for his equipment and operating it. Paul Smith’s College for use of their log loader, and Tim Bartiss for operating it. Taylor Rental for use of a tractor, Hyde Fuel for fuel for our equipment and Tom Hyde for use of his tool cat. Luck Brothers for the use of their crane and Dan Trim for operating it. Bobcat of Plattsburgh for equipment and Darren Dalton for operating it. Lakeview Deli for providing many of our slush buckets and their daily bowl and a roll to feed us. Sturdy Supply for the use of a chain saw. Women’s Civic Chamber and St. Joe’s for providing us with coffee, hot chocolate and warm breakfast food each morning. BOCES students for helping to build. Nonna Fina for a pizza lunch. Down and Dirty for dropping off some hats and gloves. And the following for dropping off food: St. Bernard’s students, Blue Moon, Saranac Waterfront Lodge and many others who also left us goodies. Village Department of Public Works for leveling the building site and clearing the parking lot.

As usual, the Palace was built by volunteers. I can’t express how lucky we are in Saranac Lake to have this kind of community spirit. I thank each and every one of you. Many of you faced -30-plus degree wind chill on the last couple of days and still finished with smiles. Thank you all. See you next year.

Dean Baker

Ice Palace chairman

Saranac Lake