From the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula to the Mighty Mackinac Bridge, new residents are popping up.

Census bureau, take note. There are more people dwelling between the forests and lakes of the U.P. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, albino wild winter animals are being spotted throughout the north woods.

They may not be paying taxes, and they may not be listed in the wildlife of Michigan journals, but these seasonal guests are a very real part of life in the U.P.

Snowmen and snow-women numbers up so far this winter. Mother nature has blessed us with a blanket of white snow for nearly two months now. Yes, it is a pain to shovel, and it slows down our travel, but it is also good for the environment.

My Mom's famous green snow monster.

Many native wildlife species depend on snow for winter survival.

And snow is the magical breeding grounds for snow creatures, snow people and snow sculptures of all sorts.

Frosty the snowman is hatched from the snow drifts in the neighbor’s yard. Just like in Walt Disney’s movie “Frozen”, Olaf is reincarnated in snowy fields between the sauna and barn.

From the great works of snow art on the campus of Michigan Tech to the ice chapel at Our Lady of the Snows in Houghton, snow fun is important in the U.P.

Besides wonderful outdoor exercise, teamwork and socializing are some of the benefits of making snow creatures. It could be a group of third graders working together on the playground to make a snowman. It could be a family in the backyard rolling snowballs to make a snow dog to guard their house.

Karen Rose Wils

Kids from age four to eighty-four can join in the fun of creating something out of snow. It is a great way to cope with the long winter months.

This year so far, our yo-yo weather of snow, cold, rain, cold and snow, has made for quite a few days of good” packy” snow for snowman making. I have seen some cute ones around town.

Over the years my family and I have created some interesting snow critters in various locations. Making snow creatures challenges the imagination. I remember a snow hound made near camp with Dad’s wool socks used for ears. I’ll never forget the year my mom got up at dawn to mix green food coloring and water to go and spray a snow dragon green.

The best thing about a snowman is the smile. You’ve got to have a sense of humor to get you through the winter days!