Pic of the Day: Homemade 25-Foot Ice Sculpture

• WARREN DILLAWAY / Star Beacon

What drives a man to build a 25-foot-high ice sculpture in his front yard using nothing more than string and a garden hose? Who knows, but we're glad Mark Mihalik did just that in Harpersfield Township.

The Star Beacon reports:

Last year he saw a story about a man in Lorain who made a large ice sculpture and his competitive juices began flowing. Mihalik said he thought he could do better and began his plans for the icy creation.

“There is a pipe coming up the middle. I did it in 5-foot sections. I use string to entice the ice,” Mihalik said. He said he started creating his ice sculpture on New Year’s Day.

Mihalik said he created the sculpture by putting a garden house through the tube and carefully weaving the string into patterns.

Creating the appropriate flow of water from the garden hose, placed inside the tube, was one of the more challenging parts of the experience.

“I tried 15 different spray heads. I’m making my own now. I’m going to patent it,” Mihalik said with a laugh.

Next year he plans a 50-foot-high sculpture. It's good to have goals.