'Charlie' Is Ready to Chill

The Ice Out Man was hoping to be chilling out on Lake Ripple by now.

Sorry, Charlie.

“Charlie’’ is the well-dressed mannequin who has been making guest appearances throughout town in recent weeks. The mannequin, often holding a sign saying “Wave to Charlie,’’ has adorned , , and , among other locations.

Charlie is a fund-raiser being sponsored by the Grafton Lions Club. When a sheet of ice forms on Lake Ripple, he will make his way onto the frozen water.

He will be equipped with a battery-operated clock that is attached to a large stone. When the ice starts to melt, the stone will break through the ice. This will dislodge the battery and record the time that Charlie met his icy demise.

The contest winner will be the person who guesses the day, hour and minute that Charlie will fall through the ice.

Tickets will be sold at the following locations: Koopman Lumber, Cancun’s, , , , Danielle’s Restaurant and the Grafton News office.

For public safety reasons, Charlie will be moved from Lake Ripple each night. When the ice begins to melt, he will be moved to a secret location, also for safety reasons.

If the weather does not cooperate and ice does not form this winter, an alternate way of selecting the winner will be selected. But Lions Club members remain hopeful that ice will form.

This is New England, after all, and we are not yet halfway through January.