In N. Dakota, more than 8,900 try to reclaim snow-angel title

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- Among the thousands of people frantically flapping in the snow Saturday in an attempt to set the record for the most snow angels ever made was Pauline Jaeger, making her very first angel on her 99th birthday.
"It's fun," Jaeger said. "I feel just like a kid."
More than 8,900 people flapped their arms and legs on the state Capitol grounds Saturday in an attempt to reclaim the record, which was snatched away about a year ago by Michigan.
The Guinness World Records book still must confirm the number. The snow angel category was created in 2002 when 1,791 people made snow angels on the Capitol grounds in North Dakota.
Marilyn Snyder, curator of education for the State Historical Society of North Dakota, said 8,910 people registered for Saturday's attempt to break the record of 3,784 snow angels set by students at Michigan Technological University in Houghton.
Miles Keeler, a city snowplow driver, took off work for about an hour to make a snow angel with his wife, Connie, and his 13-year-old daughter, Kaitlin.
Keeler, 49, who's bearded and burly, said it had been decades since he had made a snow angel.
Mel Schlittenhardt of Bismarck brought her three children, including her 5-month-old daughter. The infant even made a snow angel by being spun around in her car seat.
Edna Arvidson, 84, of Bismarck, said she participated in the city's record-setting event in 2002.
Michigan is keeping a close eye on the record, though -- and vows to try and snatch it back.
"That's phenomenal organization and something really to be proud of," said Paul Judge, a Michigan Tech biochemistry major who helped organize Michigan's attempt. "I'm sure once their numbers are verified, there will be a quick reorganization attempt here to reclaim our record."
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