It's not nice to fool Mother Nature, but what if she fools us?

Mar. 30—DOUGLAS COUNTY — This week's three-day snowstorm — and the mild, uneventful winter that preceded it — reminded me of those old Chiffon margarine TV commercials from the 1970s.

They featured actress Dena Dietrich as "Mother Nature." Dietrich was dressed all in white and playfully frolicked through some pastoral scene when she was confronted with a tub of margarine that she swore was nature's own butter. But the announcer insisted that it was Chiffon and playfully jabbed that she was fooled.

Then Mother Nature scowled and proclaimed, "It's not nice to fool Mother Nature!" She showed her displeasure by summoning thunder and lightning.

I was 5 or 6 when those ads came out, and I was a little scared of "Mother Nature."

I don't know if they make Chiffon margarine anymore, but apparently someone among us upset Mother Nature enough for her to summon a foot or more of snow, rather than thunder and lightning.

Maybe we got a bit cocky about our non-winter and packed away our snowblowers, shovels, mittens and snowpants too early. Well, let's make sure to return those items to their rightful spots until the coast is truly clear ... probably sometime in late May.

If Mother Nature stays angry, there's no telling what type of storm she will send next.

And please hide the Chiffon margarine.

While we're talking about 1970s TV, anyone remember that documentary-styled show called "In Search Of ..."?

Leonard Nimoy (aka Mr. Spock) narrated as the show explored many mysteries ranging from the Loch Ness Monster and the Bermuda Triangle to Bigfoot and alien abductions.

I immediately thought of this show when Superior Telegram reporter Maria Lockwood filed her story about the search for the famous "Marge" plane, once flown by "America's Ace of Aces" — and Poplar, Wisconsin native — Richard I. Bong.

What we know is that the plane crashed 80 years ago in Papua New Guinea while being flown by another World War II pilot. Bong was on leave at the time, resting up from all those dogfight victories.

Now an expedition is being put together to search for "Marge."

You can find out more about the mission from Lockwood.

I imagined Nimoy was narrating it for me while I read it. (Subscriber-only story).

So much for "In like a lion, out like a lamb."

March 2024 was the inverse.

Photographer Jed Carlson made several trips into the early spring blizzard to document the event for our readers. He's a trooper.

Here's a collection of his photos that you can share with your snowbird friends and show them what they're missing.

Or if you're a transplant residing in, say, the Florida Keys, you can dive into those pictures and try to remember what it was like to shovel snow once upon a time. (Subscriber-only story)

While Mother Nature has rudely reminded us that snowstorms are possible even when spring has officially begun, the local winter sports season is now over. The sports staff is busy putting together its all-area teams from the past campaign.

The Telegram released its All-Area Girls Basketball Team this week, and Superior's Eva Peterson is its Player of the Year.

Sports reporter Reagan Hoverman published an in-depth feature on the guard's successful season for the Spartans.

Read how she used a high basketball IQ, an untiring work ethic and a tasty Subway pregame meal ritual to excel on the court.

(Subscriber-only story)

And you can check out the entire team here.

* Beautification project:

County officials to sell Parkland properties for redevelopment

(Subscriber-only story)

* Election day nears:

Superior School Board candidates sound off at forum

* One and done:

Lake Nebagamon's Rep. Sapik won't seek second term

(Subscriber-only story)

* Douglas County Past:

Somerville rink wins world championship; report of child drowning a hoax

(Subscriber-only story)

* Tiger turf:

Northwestern High School turf field project is approved

(Subscriber-only story)

Editor's note: Dispatches from Douglas County is a newsletter I publish every Friday morning. Please consider subscribing — it's free — and hits your inbox just once a week.

You can sign up here.