The Upper Peninsula and snow. Although it gives people fits in the winter, there’s no denying the connection between the two and the fact that snow is part of our winter sporting and recreation heritage, with cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at the forefront.

Count snowmobiling in with those popular U.P. winter pastimes. To help further the celebration of that sport, the Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum in Naubinway recently unveiled a restored Waywego snowmobile.

The rare machine was crafted by the late Ralph Webber of Trenary in the mid-1960s.

His efforts did not go unnoticed, with his family and Trenary residents watching the unveiling.

The state of Michigan was supportive of the project, with the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs awarding a $3,170 grant, which was matched by the museum.

The project included a new motor, seat and paint job, tracks and other parts, some of which had to be made and others found and redone.

Museum owner Charlie Vallier discovered the vintage snowmobile about 20 years ago near Shelter Bay.

Now that it’s been restored, he plans to take the Waywego to a few shows across the U.P.

Since the Waywego is one of about five in existence, those public displays should provide a fun experience for snowmobile aficionados and people who just like neat machines.

Of course, there’s plenty else to see at the museum, and we encourage people to visit the facility, located along U.S. 2. and open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

The museum, which is involved in many shows and special events, houses 130 snowmobiles, so people wanting their fix of snow machines or contributing to a good cause should make a visit.

That would make Ralph Webber proud.