Husky News

It may look like just a large block of ice to most people, but for ice sculptor Armand Ramirez, the 300-pound rectangle of frozen water that sat on a stage Sunday afternoon in Frankfort was already a completed work - it just needed a few pieces shaved off.

“I can see what’s in there,” he said. “It’s sort of like magic. I just pull the pieces out that don’t belong. It looks simple, but it’s a lot harder than people think.”

Ramirez, who has been sculpting for over 20 years, gave a demonstration on how he turns a block of ice into art during the Village of Frankfort’s 14 annual “Winter on the Green”, which took place from 1 to 3 p.m. on the Breidert Village Green at Oak and Kansas streets.

During the free event, residents could take a heated trolley ride to view the nearly 40 ice sculptures that were on display throughout the town before warming up to a roaring bonfire and toasting marshmallows or taking a dog sled ride pulled by real Alaskan Malamutes.

“It breaks up the monotony of the winter,” said Mary Canino, Special Events Coordinator for the village. “The holidays are over, people want to kind of get out of the house, no matter whether it’s freezing cold or not, and talk to people, see neighbors, and do something a little bit different on a Sunday.”

Ramirez, who works for Nadeau Ice Sculptures in Forest Park, carved a penguin for the crowd and said his personal record for creating a piece is four minutes.

“It’s very cool and it’s very unique and it’s very fast,” he said. “I have special tools that I use, and it’s like taking a very sharp knife and cutting soft butter.”

The sculptures, which included a liberty bell, an old woman in a shoe, Pinocchio, a camera, a howling dog, candy canes intertwined, and a Christmas tree, will be lighted at night so that residents can easily view them.

“I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the weather stays cold enough so that, if people aren’t here today, through the week they can come downtown and they can see the ice sculptures,” said Canino. “I think we lucked out this year by being past the 60-degree weather we had last week.”

Kerry Dluzak, of New Lenox, who came with children Nathan, 7, Evan, 5, and dog Largo, said the event was a great way to cure the winter blues.

“We got tired of looking at the four walls,” she said. “This is wonderful. They have so much stuff to look at. It’s only a couple of hours (in the cold), and you can get some good outside time and some fresh air.”

Debbie Berg, of Frankfort, came with children Kaylin, 12, and Erika, 7.

“Frankfort does such nice family activities, and we were looking for something to do outside,” she said. “In the winter, we’re always looking for something to do as a family, and here, (the kids) can get together and see friends from school and just get out and do something together.”

Source: southtownstar.com