Everett Taylor: Taylor's Yarns

By EVERETT TAYLOR

Tyler's temperatures hovered at the deep freeze level in the early days of 2008, causing residents who got new Christmas coats to try them out.

Without benefit of a public opinion poll, our guess is that most people were glad it was "dry cold," without accompanying ice or snow. There are some, however, perhaps mostly at the younger level, who thought it was a shame to waste those cold days without any snow.

The thing about Texas winter, of course, is that such cold "snaps" usually are rather short in duration and days with more spring-like temperatures likely will soon bring a thaw that is welcomed by most.

Should you happen to be among those who would like to experience winter weather that doesn't ease off after a day or two, or at the worst perhaps a week, there are places those conditions can be found.

A reminder of that came in a release from the Fairbanks, Alaska, Convention & Visitors Bureau that arrived some time ago but seems to have been made more relevant by the arrival of really cold temperatures.

The good news is there still is time to make plans to take part in some of Fairbanks' top winter activities as listed in its Winter Guide.

It probably comes as no big surprise that Fairbanks is one of the top spots in the nation for dog mushing. After all, that is Alaska's state sport. There is a six-month season, so recreational mushing and competitive sled dog races extend throughout the winter.

The year 2008 marks the 1,000-mile 25th running of the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, from Fairbanks to Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. Lance Mackey, 2007 Yukon Quest and Iditarod champion, has signed to compete and defend his title when the race departs Fairbanks on Feb. 9.

Another feature event is the World Ice Art Championships. It runs from February through March 23.

"Be amazed at the artistry of world-renowned ice sculptors as they take the 'Arctic Diamond' and create larger-than-life-sized ice sculptures in three sculpting competitions," the release says.

Kids Park is a winter favorite for families with slides, twirlees and mazes all crafted from pure, crystal blue ice.

Alaska also is famous for the northern lights, but there are no guarantees of display at any scheduled time.

"We can't make them appear with the flick of a switch but we can provide one of the best spots on the globe to see them," the Fairbanks boosters claim. "Fairbanks sits under the Auroal Oval, a ring-shaped region around the North Pole, with displays visible an average of 243 days during the year when there is sufficient darkness and clear skies."

While there are "no guarantees," visitors who are in Fairbanks for four days have a 97 percent chance of seeing an aurora. Activity listings in the Winter Guide go through the month of May.

So if the off and on routine of cold winter weather in these parts just whet your appetite for some really serious ice and snow conditions, Fairbanks beckons. The curious can find out more online at www.explorefairbanks.com.

TYLER'S HISTORY

Closer to home, those residents interested in things historical should take note that the Smith County Historical Society will hold its first meeting of 2008 Tuesday at the Payne Auditorium in the Carnegie Building, 125 S. College Ave., in Tyler.

James Wilkins, former SCHS president and "The Father of Chronicles," will provide a program on one of Tyler's historic eating spots, Jimmie's Cafe and Barbeque Pit, a West Erwin Street drive-in that dates to 1936.

Wilkins is a former art teacher, ad agency art director and caricaturist whose hobby is saving local history. In past years, he has given programs on The Old Shoe, the Brown Derby and the Pine Log Lodge and many other topics involving Tyler's past.

Society meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month.

Looking ahead, Wilkins also is scheduled to present a program on Tyler's Fallout Shelters at the East Texas Historical Association's meeting in Tyler Feb. 14-16.