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Everything Broad Ripple HomearrowRandom Ripplings Homearrow2006 02 24arrowColumn

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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v03n04)
Right in my Own Backyard - Skating - by Brandt Carter
posted: Feb. 24, 2006

Right in my Own Backyard header

Skating
Skating was a major winter activity when I was growing up. The annual Ice Capades revue at the Coliseum drew local kids by the hundreds to perform in choreographed vignettes, much like a skating recital. Although I never participated, my sister got to be in the grand shows, one year as a purple flower and another year as a white mouse. I still vividly remember the costumes. This little sis was awestruck by the theatrics and the introduction to the magic of costumes.
On Saturdays, all the neighborhood youngsters skated at the Coliseum. The Gliders Club was the place to be - girls in their figure skates and the macho boys insistent on hockey skates. We wore short (above the knee) skating skirts with tights and dreamed of becoming a Sonya Henie, who had won Olympic gold for figure skating before starring in movies. The rink rang with music. There were designated skates for girls only, for boys only, for couples, free skating, and even reverse-direction skate. Periodically, the announcer would announce, "Rest time," so the ice refurbishing machine could smooth the rink. This was our signal to put on skate guards and head for the snack bar. In those days, our parents dropped us off and returned to pick us up after the skating.
Things were not as organized at the outdoor skating spots, which included Lake Sullivan (on the west side) or Broad Ripple (on the north side). If memory serves me correctly, we even got to skate on the Circle during the holidays. Lake Sullivan was mainly a hockey pond, while Broad Ripple flooded the baby swim pool and therefore hosted evening family skating with bonfires. Many were the early evenings spent in the cold all bundled up gliding on the frozen pool. After an evening of skating, the gang would head into the village to Maplehurst or Lindner's (both on Broad Ripple Avenue) for a treat. What fun it is to revisit these golden memories of yesteryear.



Brandt Carter, artist, herbalist, and naturalist, owns Backyard Birds at 2374 E. 54th Street. Visit her web site www.feedbackyardbirds.com. Email your bird questions to Brandt@BroadRippleGazette.com




brandt@broadripplegazette.com
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