Huron County

	THIS GROUP OF 15 BRAVED THE COLD WATERS OF LAKELET IN HURON COUNTY TO BECOME POLAR BEAR CLUB MEMBERS.	THIS GROUP OF 3 DOVE IN AND OUT QUICKLY ON A COLD FEBRUARY MORNING TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE MAITLAND MILL.

LAKELET -- Some called them brave. Some called them crazy. One thing was for sure -- they were cold.

The second annual Polar Bear Dip brought out 15 people to jump into the chilly waters of Lakelet, a small hamlet in the north-east part of Huron County, on Saturday, Feb. 22. Over 50 spectators shivered in the brisk winds, failing snow and freezing temperatures. But they dared not complain as dippers came out in bathing suits or shorts and dove right under the water.

All the dippers were helping raise funds to restore the Maitland Mill into a working museum. The event is sponsored by the Maitland Mill Association. About $3,000 was raised from pledges collected by the dippers, double the $1,500 raised last year.

There were 16 people who signed up for this year's event, a big increase over the 5 who took the plunge last year. Only one person who signed up didn't show up, but the other 15 all went in and became official members of the Polar Bear Club. They each received a T-shirt recognizing them as a member.

Some went in all on their own, like Linda Henheoffer, of RR 1 Gorrie. As the chairperson of the Maitland Mill Association, she was the first dipper for the second year in a row. Others went in as a group like Jim Hopkins, his son Arras, and co-worker, Dave German, all of RR 1, Gorrie. They were representing Lighthouse Tools.

Arras, 14, who was the youngest dipper, described it as a "good experience."

"At first it was a shock, but then it was over so fast, that it was okay," he said, adding, "People thought we were crazy."

It was Jim's first time as a Polar Bear, but it wasn't all that new to him.

"I grew up in Tobermory and we used to go in the water every May 24 weekend. This was nothing compared to how cold that water can be... even in May," Jim said.

For Lynda Richardson of RR 2, Harriston, it was her second year in a row, but that didn't necessarily make it better.

"I was more nervous this year because I knew what to expect. It was a lot colder this year,I she said. Lynda was representing the First Howick Scouts.

Other members of the 1997 Polar Bear Club were: Dwayne Smith, Fordwich; Todd McNutt, Harriston; Catherine Young, RR 3 Clifford; Robert Wheeler, Wroxeter; Sharon Jones, RR 2 Ayton; Larry Park, RR 1 Clifford; Norm Watson, Dale Edgar, Dovid Haasnoot, and Bob Butello, all of Gorrie.

The Maitland Mill stands proudly on the banks of the river it is named for. It is a symbol of the rich history of Howick Township. It is the dream of volunteers who formed the Maitland Mill Association.

The Mill was re-opened in June, 1996, as part of Howick Township's 140th birthday celebration. It is now a museum with historic items on display and a gift shop selling locally made items. Future plans include having machine operations, flour making demonstrations and a park area.

Special events are held throughout the year to raise funds for the project, such as the annual Polar Bear Dip held in February.

It was built as a grist mill in 1856, and is the only mill in Howick Township that wasn't ruined by fire, decay or financial hardship. In 1867 it was turned into a flour mill, the only one in the area. By 1969, the mill was making 150 barrels of flour a day, six days a week. The mill closed its doors in 1962.

In 1994, the Association was formed. This group hopes the mill will become the centre of attraction for visitors and will give an economic boost to the area. Tours are available.