Life goes on in northern Minnesota at 42 below zero

Published 10:19 am Thursday, January 24, 2013

EMBARRASS, Minn. — You might think activity in a small township in northern Minnesota would come to a standstill when the temperature drops to 42 below zero.

Not so. The postmaster in the St. Louis County township of Embarrass says life goes on. Residents have reported to work. Children are in school. And the mail is being delivered.

The Natural Weather Service says Embarrass is the coldest spot in Minnesota Thursday. But, other communities in the region aren’t far behind. The temperature in Ash Lake dropped to 39 below and 36 below in International Falls. That’s without the wind chill factor.

Embarrass Postmaster Paul Thesenvitz says his postal carriers deliver mail in the rural township by car, so only their arms get cold when they reach out to a mailbox.

Thesenvitz has only one complaint. He says the power has gone out so his coffee pot isn’t working.