Minnesota Town Embraces Arctic Cold

EMBARRASS (AP) - A tiny township in northeastern Minnesota, that's often the coldest spot in the state, is taking the latest blast of polar air in stride.

In fact, the 600 residents of Embarrass in St. Louis County take a certain amount of pride in the harsh conditions. Town clerk Diane Nelmark says after all, there are bragging rights at stake.

A temperature of 37 below in Embarrass this week is downright balmy compared to Jan. 20, 1996 when the town recorded its lowest temperature ever - 57 below zero - without the wind chill. A trained spotter for the National Weather Service, Roland Fowler, says unofficially it was 64 below, but his thermometer broke.

Unofficial or not, the community takes the record seriously. A giant thermometer on the main drag commemorates the negative 64 temperature.