Jack Gibson Memorial Polar Bear Plunge draws hundreds

Temperatures hovering around 40 degrees with blowing wind did not stop hundreds of people from swarming into the near-freezing waters of Hamilton Lake Saturday afternoon. While many people might be wondering why, the simple answer was why not? This was the 24th year for the Jack Gibson Memorial Polar Bear Plunge. They all came dressed like they lived in the arctic. Prior to the plunge, people huddled together, wearing sweaters or draping themselves in towels and blankets to stay warm. While some kept at least some of those layers on, others removed them and ran into the icy water wearing only shorts or two-piece swimming suits.