Spring's welcome heat finally melted the ice tower in front of Mackinaw City Village Hall, stopping a timer inside Thursday, April 24, and establishing John and Karen Lawler of Bay City the winners of $1,700. The prize was given in a contest by the Mackinaw Area Historical Society, which challenged area residents and visitors to guess when the tower would melt.

Proceeds of the contest will be used for the society's Historical Village project, said Bill Marvin, the group's vice president.

The timer stopped at 11:03 a.m. Mr. and Mrs. Lawler guessed 11:31 a.m. on that day.

Residents and visitors bought tickets and placed their guesses in containers at area businesses throughout the winter.

The Ice Tower Classic will take place again. Ticket sales will begin much earlier this time, Mr. Marvin told The St. Ignace News.

The contest is modeled after an Alaskan fundraiser, the Nenana Ice Classic, which has been running for 84 years.

In 2007, it produced a $303,272 prize that was split among 22 winners.