Come On In, The Ice Is Fine
Written by Sarah Hughes, editorial@AntonNews.com Friday, 25 January 2013 00:00
Local skaters celebrate
National Skating Month
While each family celebrates the new year in their own way, skating enthusiasts and members of United States Figure Skating (USFS) have their own tradition: kicking off the year with a National Skating Month event at their local rink.
Throughout January, skating clubs across the country celebrate the sport by hosting a myriad of skating-themed activities to create a fun-filled afternoon, or in this case, morning. On Sunday, January 13th, Great Neck Figure Skating Club (GNFSC) kept over 120 skaters and their families entertained during two hours of festivities.
USFS is thrilled with the success of this initiation, saying 2013 is the largest participation in National Skating Month they’ve ever had.
“I couldn’t be happier with how our clubs, Basic Skills Programs and rinks across the country have embraced this golden opportunity to promote ice skating, inviting families in their communities to give skating a try,” Susi Wehrli-McLaughlin, Senior Director of Membership at USFS, told me.
One of the highlights for many children at GNFSC’s event was receiving a gift bag upon arrival, which included, among other things, a decorative towel to clean their skating blades and Snowplow Sam souvenirs.
Starting at 7:45 a.m., coaches Farah Gholamazad and Celeste Estrada led an on-ice skills class followed by a free skating session, with skaters of all levels gliding and dancing on the ice to popular tunes streamed through the speaker system. A bagel breakfast and hot chocolate was especially popular during breaks.
Last year, my sister Emily (2006 Olympian in Figure Skating) and I went to Albany, and skated on an outdoor rink at one of the National Skating Month events. Other National Skating Month events I’ve participated in over the years include ones in Atlantic City, Chicago, Sugarland. Tx., and New York City.
However, this was the first one I’ve been to where synchronized skating teams performed in an exhibition. “Team Image” and two teams representing the “Skyliners” dazzled the audience with their footwork, turns and moves done with great precision. The pre-juvenile “Skyliners” team entertained the audience with their Elvis Presley medley, fittingly dressed in matching white and gold dresses.
Following their numbers, I skated to “What I Did For Love,” from A Chorus Line.
One of the things that made this event special for me was being able to share it with my young nieces, who skate recreationally. “I really liked it,” Natalie Parker, 8, said. “It was so much fun. I loved the raffle and the freestyle skating. It was the best thing in the world!”
Alexandra Parker, also 8, agreed. “I just loved it,” she said. “It was great. If I could, I would’ve stayed at the rink for the rest of the week!”
A big thank you to Parkwood Pro Shop owner Phil Zhukovin for donating raffle items and to GNFSC President Cindy Zubli, Andy Rimar and Gigi Politoski for making this event a great success.
All portions of the morning were provided free by the Great Neck Figure Skating Club at the Parkwood Sports Complex on Arrandale Avenue.
News
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
Navy SEAL killed in crash was top student athlete
Jonathan Kaloust, a 23-year-old Navy SEAL who hailed from Massapequa, lost his life last Wednesday in a freak Humvee crash during a training exercise in Fort Knox, Ky.
A 2007 graduate of Massapequa High School and standout wrestler, Kaloust was recruited to Binghamton University, where he continued to wrestle while pursuing a political science degree.
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
Increased service will save local
commuters up to 40 minutes a day
A $40-million construction project, designed to modernize the Massapequa Station at Sunrise Highway (Route 27), just east of Broadway and Route 107, was announced by the Metropolitan Transit Authority and the Long Island Railroad. The station renovations are part of a multi-phase initiative to improve infrastructure and train service at the station that serves approximately 6,000 customers every weekday.
The first phase is scheduled to begin on May 29, and the improvements are scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2015. Over the next two years, the rehabilitation project will include the sorely needed replacement of the station platform and canopy, heated platform waiting room, escalator, elevator and staircases, pedestrian walkway over Broadway, public address system, plus the addition of signage, energy-efficient platform lighting, and a decorative granite wall adjacent to ticket office. The railroad is also starting work on the installation of a pocket track just east of the station that will significantly improve train service and frequency, as well as on-board seat availability.
Sports
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
The U.S. Tennis Association Long Island Region has recognized Michelle Carnovale of Massapequa for her tennis playing in 2012. Michelle was honored for her ranking in the Girls’ 14s on Long Island.
With more than 9,000 members, the Region promotes the growth and development of Long Island tennis and supports USTA programs including Jr. Team Tennis, National Junior Tennis and Learning, High School Tennis, College Tennis, USTA 10 and Under Tennis, USTA League Tennis, and community tennis.
The volunteer-based Board of Directors works with USTA members to create programs and activities for all the tennis players on Long Island, from small children to seniors. For more information, visit www.longisland.usta.com or email ustaonlongisland@gmail.com.
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
Last Wednesday the Massapequa Observer A’s had a come-from-behind victory 5-2 over the Trial Lawyer Mets, powered by key hits from Ray Anzelone, Michael Grisanti, and Jason Kopp. Evan “Mariano” Barrow came in again with no outs and the bases loaded to pick up the save.
On Saturday, the Observer A’s beat the Kleer Fax Yankees 4-2. The A’s were down 1-0 into the 4th inning due to an RBI single by Ross Mitton of the Yankees. Anthony Patullo drove in two runs with an RBI triple to give the A’s a 2-1 lead. This was followed by Brendan Castonguay driving in two runs with a double to make the score 4-1. Patullo pitched three solid innings in the start with Castonguay pitching the final three innings for the win.
Calendar
Marine Corps Barbecue
Monday, May 27
Wantagh Preservation Society Meeting
Tuesday, May 28
America’s Boating Course
Tuesday, May 28
Columns
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Building Better Legislators
Written by Michael A. Miller, Millercolumn@optimum.net
