This year, Sylvia's Ice went out on March 31, 2006. But When does the ice usually "go out?" The ice at Sylvia Lake goes out anywhere from mid-March to the end of May. The earliest date as March 12, 1973. The latest date -- May 1, 1971. In 2004, the Ice Went Out on April 13. In 2005, the Ice Went Out on April 10.

What does "ice out" mean?
- Andy Dickson said the ice is out when "you can swim from one side of the lake to the other, if you are so inclined." (haha)
- Gary Jones, who has traditionally been the Judge, defines it as "when you can go for a boat ride. Generally it's pretty obvious when the majority of the ice breaks up creating a large area of open water."
- Sonny Goodison says, "Sometimes when the ice goes out or in, it becomes what they call honey-combed. The ice appears OK but with some wind it just kind of tinkles and is gone. I've found out also that it mixes good with Scotch."

This year, Margaret VonColin Soluri of Champlain, NY and Gary Scott of Sylvia Lake, guessed the date correctly. For their prognosticative prowess, they each received an Ice Out mug. Congratulations!