Wintry wiles and wonders

By RICHARD A. ROSS

LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY — Last weekend’s Livingston Manor Ice Carnival faced some of the worst weather Mother Nature and Old Man Winter have doled out for the event since its inception on Scudder’s Pond exactly 50 years prior.

Normally, the carnival brings thousands of visitors from near and far to the Currier-and-Ives-like setting to witness world-class skating, munch on famous hot dogs, down steamy hot chocolate and engage in other outdoor winter activities in a ritualistic celebration of winter.

But this year’s dreadful weather kept many of the faithful pilgrims away.

Double-digit sub-zero temperatures blasted students who ventured forth to craft their snow sculptures early Saturday morning. That didn’t stop Livingston Manor Central School’s class of 2009, under the direction of adviser Jessica Mall, from constructing this year’s winner, an icy replica of the town’s famous covered bridge. The class of 2010, which nailed second prize with a nifty bowling alley, and the class of 2012, which took third place with a sizeable trout and fishing scene, were similarly undeterred.

But prior to the oncoming blizzard, things were warm and cozy inside the school on Saturday evening for the annual Ice Carnival Dance, that witnessed the crowning of Stephen Rogers and Brittnie Fredenburg as this year’s Ice Carnival king and queen.

Daylight revealed a plethora of overnight snowfall that continued to blanket the hamlet, threatening the storied event that had taken so much planning to arrange. But for Ice Carnival Chairperson Diane Babich, now in her second year at the helm, there was no thought of canceling. Babich had worked assiduously with many individuals and groups to bring about the event and there was no turning back.

Though visitors would fall far short of the 1,500 that came a year ago, there was no shortage of grandeur, beauty, grace and style on the skating rink, thanks to hours of work spraying water, grooming and brushing off the surface by Peter Hare, who manned the tractor version of a Zamboni.

That prepared the way for a group of dazzling skaters featuring a number of recent participants at the Junior Nationals at Lake Placid. Continuing the tradition that has brought world-renowned skaters such as Olympic gold medalist Sarah Hughes, Emily Hughes, Jo Jo Starbuck and others, this year witnessed the return of 14-year-old Rochelle Dost, who finished seventh in this year’s junior nationals, for her third consecutive year. Among the others skating were 13-year-old Mia Eisenhandler, a silver medalist at this year’s New England regionals and a participant at the Junior Nationals; David Conley, age 15, New England’s intermediate regional champion; Rachel Zeppi, a silver medalist at the New England regional; and 10-year-old Isabelle Dost, who began skating at age four. Her delightful performance of “I Am a Gummy Bear,” warmed the hearts of the freezing onlookers.

But the skating exhibitions weren’t the only entertainments to provide warmth for those who ventured out on the frigid day. Lisa Lyons of Morgan Outdoors gave demonstrations of snowshoeing, and snowy ground was just the ticket for those who availed themselves of rides on a horse-drawn sleigh. At the end of the day, races were held for children and adults with gold, silver and bronze medals awarded to the unfazed skaters as their smiles and frosty breath bore witness to their love of the season.

Despite winter’s wiles, woolen wearing wunderkind of all ages never wore out their welcome. Kudos to Babich, the Livingston Manor Rotary Club and the legions of volunteers and sponsors that made a potentially unpleasant day a delightful one.

For an album of photos from this year’s event, visit riverreportersports.com and click on More Sports.