Icy Pleasures: Minnesota Celebrates Winter

by: Paul Clifford Larson

Published by: Afton Historical Society Press

Reviewed by Andrea Sisco

Icy Pleasures: Minnesota Celebrates Winter had to be the culmination of a journey of passion for author Paul Clifford Larson and the Afton Historical Society Press. The book is a stunning study of the many ways in which Minnesota residents embrace the cold winter months in the far north.

Larson tells Minnesota’s winter history in words and pictures, and it’s a celebration of the numerous Minnesota winter festivities. Larson’s warm, personal style of storytelling invites the reader to learn about sleigh rides on the Mississippi River, sledding on the hills, toboggan slides in Taylor Falls, ski jumping, ice fishing and more.

My favorite part of the book is the Winter Carnival tales. I remember as a child the first Ice Palace (a HUGE castle made of ice) I ever saw. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I thought my dad had brought me to a castle and I wanted to see the princess walk through the arched entry. It was glorious, all lit up in the dark, cold night.

Every page of Larson’s book brought back smiles and fond memories of the ice sculpture competition, searching (often at night) through the St. Paul parks for the Winter Carnival medallion, the Vulcans, the Snow Queen and King Boreas, and grand parades. I didn’t want the book to end. The good thing is, I can read it over and over. Icy Pleasures is a gift that keeps on giving.

If you’re a Minnesota resident now, or have been in the past, or perhaps know someone who is, Icy Pleasures is nostalgia at its best.

Armchair Interviews says: It’s a blast to the past in stories and photographs.