<p>
	<img alt="" src="{filedir_5}Down-Jack-Pine-250pxl.jpg" style="float: right; width: 250px; height: 167px; " />One week after the end of Au Sable&#39;s winter environmental education program and retreat season, and at the tail end of the mildest winter in 35 years in which Au Sable received less than half the normal winter snows and temperatures averaging 6 degrees above normal, Au Sable was smothered by a major winter storm dumping 15 inches of heavy wet snow and accompanied by high winds. &nbsp;Over 150,000 residents lost electric power over the weekend with several thousand still without power on Tuesday, including retired Au Sable secretary, Muriel Janisse (Bob loaned them an Au Sable generator).</p>
<p>
	While Au Sable never lost power, Bob Barr and Paul Wiemerslage spent 6 hours on Saturday blowing snow and removing trees and branches from the drives and paths, including a large spruce that landed on the peak of the Lodge. &nbsp;Pipes froze in Aspen House as well, but it appears that we have been spared any significant damage.</p>
