Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - North Dakota flies away with snow angel record

North Dakota flies away with snow angel record

Mar 29, 2007 - 08:38:02 CDT

By VIRGINIA GRANTIER
Bismarck Tribune

Michigan, so sorry, condolences, about you know what.

Let us know if there's anything we can't do.

Oh, if you haven't heard, your time in the sun, or rather the snow, is officially done.

North Dakota's attempt on Feb. 17 to wrest its snow angel world record back from you worked.

North Dakota received an envelope in the mail Wednesday:Guinness Book of Records' official envelope with an official certificate inside once again proclaims North Dakota to be the holder of the record for "most people making snow angels simultaneously."

That was accomplished when 8,962 participants dropped and flapped at the State Capitol grounds on Feb. 17, an event organized by Marilyn Snyder, the curator of education for the Historical Society of North Dakota.

It was Snyder's brainchild to establish a snow angel record back in 2002 when the Guinness Book of Records had no such category.

So, in North Dakota established the first record in 2002 with 1,791 people.

But about a year ago, Michigan Technological University mustered up 3,784 people to do the same, and took away what Snyder thinks should be North Dakota's.

The North Dakota Senate celebrated the achievement, with senators waving their arms in an arc as they endorsed a resolution praising the state's record.

"I may be the first Senate presiding officer in the nation to look out and see 47 senators simultaneously waving their arms at him," Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple said afterward. "It is actually quite a sight."

Gov. John Hoeven is inviting record-breaking participants to show up at the future signing of the resolution. Also, a picnic is planned for this summer on a day that Hoeven will proclaimed to be Snow Angel Day.

All well and good, but Snyder's not resting on her recent laurels. Snyder continues to read Michigan papers and has gleaned that Michigan State University has offered to team up with the whipped MTU to get the record back.

"I'm keeping my eye on them,"she said.

Paul Judge, an MTU senior majoring in biological sciences and pre-med, said it's not that MTU needs the help of other universities. They just want to share in the legacy of getting the record back.

"We're a generous people,"he said.

He didn't indicate any real organizational effort going on, or specific date, when this might happen.

Advice to MTU:Maybe you should keep your eyes on your little school books and leave angel-making to the big wings.

(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)

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Comments

Michelle wrote on Mar 29, 2007 4:00 PM:

" Rats needs to get a life - otherwise, what "worthwhile cause" would he be referring to? Enlighten us - maybe we can help! "

Rats wrote on Mar 29, 2007 3:58 PM:

" BAAHHH! Humbug!!!! I work hard every day of the year too. I don't have time to take off to go flopping around in the snow. There's money to be made. And I ain't handed it out to no dadgum charities either. "

dakota angel wrote on Mar 29, 2007 3:30 PM:

" To Rats: Don't be such a 'pestimist'! I think all the effort & fun put into this record was great. Wish I could have been there. "

SnowAngel wrote on Mar 29, 2007 3:14 PM:

" To Rats: Take a big chill pill. It's all in fun. Why do you have to try and rain on our parade? I work hard every day of the year and I give generously to charity all the time. So I took some time to have a little fun with family and friends. It's called community-building. You sound like a very negative, very sad person and I feel sorry for you. "

Rats wrote on Mar 29, 2007 2:11 PM:

" Who gives a rat's rear end about some goofy record? I'll bet you couldn't get that many people together for a worthwhile cause. Some people! "

Amanda wrote on Mar 29, 2007 9:16 AM:

" Congratulations North Dakota. I was able to partake in the first Snow Angel day but have since moved. I really wish I could have been there. I am glad that we got the record back and great job North Dakota residents for making it happen. "

Wahoo! wrote on Mar 29, 2007 8:48 AM:

" Is it possible to get a copy of the Certificate? I have a feeling this record will last a long time. "

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