Have an ice day!

Posted 8/21/12

You know what they say: “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!” In that same vein, I say “When life gives you bitter cold, plunging temperatures that cause your thermometer to freeze and …

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Have an ice day!

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You know what they say: “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!” In that same vein, I say “When life gives you bitter cold, plunging temperatures that cause your thermometer to freeze and there aren’t enough layers in the world to keep you even remotely warm… go to an ice festival,” and there are more than a few to choose from here in the Upper Delaware River region. This past weekend the “Skate of the Union” ice rink (www.narrowsburgunion.com) debuted in Narrowsburg, NY, and while The River Reporter’s Isabel Braverman laced up for the grand opening, (see page 5), I warmed up the truck and made my way to the 57th annual Rotary Club Ice Carnival in Livingston Manor, NY for my very first time.

Even though I’ve heard talk, (www.livingstonmanor.org), I had no clue what I’ve been missing all these years. I was excited to meet up with hundreds of friends and neighbors in Rotary Park, all out for a day of ice-skating exhibitions, not-a-whole-lotta-snow-sculpting competitions, Olympic-style races (replete with medals galore) on the ice, hot dogs, hot chocolate and so much good old-fashioned horse and buggy fun that I almost forgot my fear of the frostbite that threatened my extremities as I took hundreds of photos (www.facebook.com/theriverreporter). The festivities concluded with free-style skating for all ages. In my humble opinion, the Capades got nothin’ on these young people who hit the Walter Seeley memorial ice rink last Sunday with such style, verve and showmanship. I was awestruck over the talents of skaters Stephanie “Frosty” Chermick, six-year-old wunderkind Emilia Romagnoli, the incredibly graceful Tracey Lewis, the athletic prowess of Aubrie Roszell and the show-stopping glamour of Trish Roohan and Valerie Levine. I’m telling you, it was quite a show! Having left the Wonder Dog at home (it was just too, too cold) I managed to stay warm, thanks to the Rotary Club members, who sponsored a great festival and provided the crowd with snacks inside a “warm-up” room adjacent to the rink, so that even I had no complaints! The park even provides skates for those who don’t have them, so there’s no excuse for me, other than a fear of falling!

Madly in love with small-town life, I waxed rhapsodic with friends over the celebrations still to come, including next Saturday’s Trout Town Winter Festival, which is touting “snowball fights, carriage rides, a bonfire, live music and (www.roscoebeercompany.com) all things snow,” assuming that we get some (not complaining!) here in the Catskills. The very next day, I’ll be skating toward Fallsburg, NY for their Winter Carnival (www.fallsburgcsd.net), which is “a joint effort of the town, Morningside Park and the Fallsburg Central school district,” and promises to include “relay races, snowshoeing, broom hockey, ice golf, ice hockey, ice fishing, ice skating, ice, ice and more freakin’ ice!”

I’m not sure if anyone makes thermal long johns for dogs, but if I find them, I will let Dharma join me on a trip to Lakeville, PA for the incredible annual frozen display created out of “one hundred tons of ice” and sponsored by the folks at Sculpted Ice Works (www.crystalcabinfever.com), which is simply amazing to behold. I’ve made plans with pals who have yet to attend, after enthusing about the family-friendly event and the gigantic ice sculptures (think Eiffel Tower, Egyptian pyramids, Roman Coliseum and New York Skyline) that will be on display from February 5 through the 28. I’m telling you, if for no other reason, the gargantuan indoor slide made entirely of ice is well worth the trip!

Speaking of frozen water, there will be plenty on hand for Winterfest 2016 (www.wurtsboro.org) on February 6, as the ice-carving demos get underway along Main Street in Wurtsboro, NY in conjunction with a treasure hunt, kids’ activities and incredible (I’ve been there before!) sculptures lining the streets, all made of you-know-what, along with a chili contest sure to warm even the coldest of fans. Professional ice carvers will compete for prizes during the day, while visitors marvel at their skills and ask me why I’ve left the dog at home. Maybe her parka will have arrived by then and I’ll be able to bundle her up properly. Meanwhile, I’m going to fill the ice trays at home and try my hand at sculpting some miniature masterpieces for a display in my freezer. I’ll let you all know how that works out, but in the meantime… Have an ice day!

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