Much of Lake Minnewaska was open water last Friday.  The lake reopened after two days of steady rain fell over the Christmas holiday and warm temperatures kept the lake from completely refreezing.  Lake Minnewaska officially froze over on Tuesday, Nov. 28.  But this year’s ice-on date must be accompanied by an asterisk.  Something that rarely happens happened when much of the lake reopened on Dec. 26-27 and remained that way through this weekend.  The lack of ice on area lakes is keeping ice anglers off the lakes.  The  lack of snow so far this winter has also stopped any thoughts of snowmobiling, skiing or other normal snow-related activities.  The area did receive a few inches of snow over the weekend. The forecast for the week ahead should bring more typical winter weather.