College Avenue features Christmas decorations during December, making it especially pretty at night. (J.L., Dec. 30, 2003)

Appleton's hills provide many opportunities for sledding in winter. Here is a hill next to the Reid Golf Course clubhouse in southern Appleton. (J.L., Feb. 15, 2004)

Hockey is a major winter sport in Appleton. A variety of indoor and outdoor facilities are available. Here is a small rink at Jones Park (J.L., Feb. 15, 2004).

Snowmobiling is a popular activity on Lake Winnebago when it is frozen over (J.L., Jan. 8, 2004).

Some years we don't get much snow at all, but we got plenty in January and February of 2004. Some folks think it's a good idea to have a snowblower for such occasions, especially if you want to get out of your driveway after a snowplow drives down your street, leaving a mountain of snow along the curb. (J.L., Feb. 7, 2004.)

Appleton's parks tend to become a little more quiet during winter, but they are an ideal spot for a few serene moments of sunbathing. Here is Lutz Park on the Fox River (just below Pierce park), sans sunbathers, but showing a few ducks on the river. (J.L., Feb. 15, 2004.)

There are many options for recreational ice skating. Here, a family enjoys a small skating area at Jones Park on a Sunday afternoon. (J.L., Feb. 15, 2004.)

Sun, snow, ice, and brick bring many interesting interactions in winter. Here the sun sparkles through some overhanging ice on an old building in central Appleton. (J.L., Feb. 15, 2004.)

Historic buildings along the Fox River in the Oneida Flats region. (J.L., Jan. 2005.)

Christmas lights add warmth to many homes in the valley in early winter. (J.L., Dec. 30, 2003.)

The Fox River offers many beautiful views in winter. Here it flows past an industrial area in the Oneida Flats region. (J.L., Feb. 8, 2004.)

Dramatic hoarfrost brings new beauty to the winter landscape several times each season. My favorite kind has large crystals that form on ice shelves next to open water when the air is still and cold. This was photographed on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2003 at my work place in Neenah--a real treat to observe! (J.L., Dec. 13, 2003.)

Hoarfrost with smaller crystals that forms on trees is a little more common than the hoarfrost in the previous picture. It is also more short-lived, typically fading away after a couple hours of sunlight. (J.L., Feb. 8, 2004.)

Here is another view of the Fox River in the Oneida Flats region. (J.L., Feb. 8, 2004.)

An old oak tree is covered with freshly fallen snow in this nighttime shot. (J.L., Feb. 8, 2004.)

Local Appleton artists find snow to be a dynamic and versatile medium for their creations. Here we see a monster with what looks like a pierced tongue, though actually the tongue holds a miniature snowman about to be eaten. This monument to the pathos of winter life was created by three anonymous Lindsay boys in early February, 2004. Unfortunately, this work was not revolting enough to qualify them for Federal funding through the National Endowment for the Arts, but they'll keep trying. (J.L., Feb. 8, 2004.)

Lake Winnebago, frozen over, January 2005, as viewed from the north end near Appleton. The tracks are from snowmobiles and vehicles. (J.L., Jan. 18, 2005.)