In case you’re wondering if I took a dip in Lake George on New Year’s Day, the answer is no, I did not. I was there, present, but I kept my long underwear on, and everything else, too.

The air temperature was 15 degrees, and the water temperature was announced as 33 degrees, and after doing some calculations I decided to restrain myself – unlike a few hundred other people who had no such compunction.

After a cacophonous rendering of the Star Spangled Banner they took the traditional plunge, even though for most of them it was exceedingly brief, lasting only long enough for them to dash in up to their knees and dash back out.

The few who stayed longer appeared to be generously provisioned with insulation.

I did take some photos of these proceedings, and you may view them, at no charge, by clicking HERE. To read The Daily Gazette's coverage of the plunge, click HERE.

On account of the warm weather of not so long ago the lake was not iced over, and that detracted somewhat from the visual effect – even though it was plenty cold enough on New Year’s Day itself. I do what I can with the resources available.