PHOTO ESSAY

BY: ADAM CARINI

The reopening and dedication to the Warren County Inline Hockey League’s hockey rink was a very

meaningful night to many kids and adults. The event was on October 23rd, 2010. They have been waiting for this day to come for a very long time. So when it finally did

they celebrated with a cookout, some games, free skate, and just a fun time together. The hockey league’s board

made it a great night for all.

After people ate they hoped onto the rink for free skate. They got to skate on this brand new rink and just have fun. The kids really enjoyed this because the league

decided that for this one night they didn’t have to where there helmets. All ages, even some parents, put on some

skates and went out there. People from ages 5 to 75 enjoyed themselves.

Then it was time for the ceremony part of the night. This is the dedication part to the new rink from the old rink. We all rose as the National Anthem was sung beautifully. Everyone stood tall and proud not only to sing the anthem but because in America we have the ability to make a new rink like this happen. Then

everyone clapped and the ceremony had begun.

The ceremony begins with Chris Kummer, director of Parks & Rec., talking and explaining what the night is all about. He introduces everyone who is sitting around him on the rink.

The hockey board is on the left and the Magistrates and the head construction worker is on the right. He then introduces the head construction worker that led the construction of this

great rink. The construction worker explained how they constructed the rink and how it will be a great improvement

from what it was.

Then the league’s board had a gift for the magistrates. They made custom Warren County Inline Hockey jerseys for each magistrate. This was given as a token of gratitude because if

it wasn’t for them then this rink wouldn’t b possible. It was very meaningful to them as well because it showed them how

much receiving this rink meant to us. So they put them on and thanked the league for the gift.

Then Susan Moore, Fundraising chairperson, talked about the rink. She introduced the league’s board. Then she talked about how grateful the league was for the rink. She talked about why

they needed a new rink and some reasons why it took so long to get one. She told everyone how much it meant to her and the

board that so many people showed up. And then she ended the ceremony part of the night.

Now it was time for a game. All kinds of people were there, whether it was to watch their kids play or to celebrate the new

rink. There were parents, kids, even grandparents there to watch and celebrate the night. They got to sit on the brand new, bigger, better bleachers. Granted the comfort of metal bleachers might not have changed, at least the size and safety, due to how

old the other ones were, did.

Then the buzzer sounded and the game was ready to take place. The kids hit the rink and got to their positions. The

referees did the same. The referee blew his whistle and let the puck drop. The two kids at the faceoff fought for the puck. And

now the game had officially started. The crowd was up and cheering while the kids played and played for the win.

Then about half way through the game, which is about half way through the second period, it looked like the game was going to be a shutout. It was five to zero with one and a half periods left. Now

one and a half periods left might sound like a lot, but it’s not. Well at least not in a hockey game. Getting five goals is already a lot for a hockey game, but then when the other team has zero you know

that unless it’s the first period you don’t have too much of a chance at coming back.

Then the game ended without a comeback. So one team was extremely happy and the other team was pretty mad. But everyone still had fun and there was still more to the night. After the game there was

cake. The cakes icing had the same look as a hockey rink and said WCIHL through the middle. Everyone had a slice and it was great. I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate this night. It was a great

meaningful night and the league couldn’t be happier with the new rink and the way they celebrated their dedication to it that night.