Cold Weather Promises and Ice-Skating Dreams
By Julie Thomas, PhD
There, out the window, I watch my gingko tree advising me to worry about winter weather — put away the garden tools, find the snow shovels, and stock-up on ice melt. As a child, I imagined no such winter worries. Rather, late fall was a time to tuck away the bicycles, dust off the winter toys (sleds, toboggans, and skates), and pray for a "snow day” (school cancellation)!
Since I lived within walking distance of a sledding hill and an ice pond, Mom didn’t need to push her kids outside. Once she knew we were warmly dressed and the ice on the golf course pond was sufficiently frozen — out we went! I have great memories of those snowy winter activities.
In a recent conversation with friends, Cheryl and Gerry Frieberg, I realized our shared love of ice skating. Gerry (from Wisconsin) smiled as he remembered “skating with classmates on a flooded field during recess.” Cheryl (from Minnesota) dreamily recalled a “favorite skating experience on glassy, perfect ice one moonlit night” at her family’s lake cabin. We were pleased to note our children and grandchildren (three generations later) continue to skate. This aerobic exercise “chases the cold away” and encourages joyful play for children of all ages (3 to adult).
Fortunately, the Lincoln area provides many opportunities to help families create happy memories and dream of winter play days.
This list of destinations can help you plan ahead. Do call or check websites to confirm ice rink access.
John Breslow Ice Hockey Center
433 V Street, Lincoln, 402-472-2758
breslowhockeycenter.com
• Year-round, indoor ice rink near Haymarket
• Classes, youth hockey, warming lobby, skate rental, concessions, party rooms
Mahoney State Park Skating Pavilion
28500 West Park Highway, Ashland, 402-944-2523
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, outdoornebraska.gov
• Seasonal, outdoor skating, skate rental available, activity center (indoor play/climbing wall), toboggan run nearby
Holmes Lake
South 70th & Normal Boulevard, Lincoln
402-441-7847, parks@lincoln.ne.gov
• Seasonal, outdoor skating, ice fishing
• Signage will be posted at park when it is safe to skate; bring your own skates
Julie Thomas, PhD, is a retired Science Educator and a Research Professor Emerita from the University of Nebraska and a contributing writer for 55+.
Cover Photo Credit: Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission