By Tim Kowols

There is not a whole lot it can do until the day or two before its signature event, but the Jacksonport Polar Bear Club is hoping for better weather than last year. Dozens of swimmers took the plunge last New Year’s Day on a challenging afternoon that saw water temperatures just above freezing and wind chills between -15 and -20. Jacksonport Polar Bear Club member Jon Jarosh says there are things to learn even after 30 years of hosting the event.

Swimmers still have about a month to train for this year’s event, which takes place at Lakeside Park in Jacksonport at noon on New Year’s Day.