Every winter St. Paul, Minnesota, USA, has a Winter Carnival that runs about 14 days with lots of activities. Every decade or so, an ice palace is built. A lot of volunteer labor goes into it using construction workers that are laid off for the winter. They harvest huge blocks of ice from Lake Phalen. A computer-generated light and music show was in the 1992 palace. It was stunning. I think The William Tell Overture was part of the music. Of couse, this is all done in way-below-zero freezing weather. There was no charge to see it. Its purpose was Pure Delight! link link link link
I had not noticed the white dots on the black sky until I scanned and enlarged these picture postcards. I scrubbed the scanner glass and dusted the photos, but the white dots remained. They are either distant building lights or stars. Does anyone know their North America January northeast constellations? Maybe we should ask Brian May Brian May. link link
Reflections in the Mississippi River. link
The white domed building in the background is the Minnesota State Capital. link link
The flip side of the postcard reads: "This magnificent Ice Palace is the star attraction of the 106-year-old SAINT PAUL WINTER CARNIVAL. The Palace reaches a height of 166 feet, 8 inches, and is constructed of over 15 million pounds of ice. This is the largest ice structure in the world. Designed by Rust Architects." link
