43^rd Annual Livingston Manor Rotary Ice Carnival

January 19 & 20, 2002

Contact:  Gary Siegel - LM Rotary Ice Skating Program Chairperson

(845) 292-5100    Email to:  Haasisegel@aol.com

 LM Rotarians Overcome Floods - Skating Rink Opened
Ice Carnival Is Coming Up! 

            On a weekend in December when there is typically snow falling from the pre-winter sky, the rains came, and they came, and they came.  Families in this quaint community of Livingston Manor lost some or all of their belongings while others came to their rescue with support and donations.  Rotary Park, which is situated in the "flood plain" as designated by the NYS Department of Environment Protection, was underwater.  All the work that Rotarians Gene Bouton, Pat Casey, Emerson Sparks and their crew did trying to get the ice rink skatable, was washed away in a matter of moments.  The hut where youngsters sip their hot chocolate and warm their frost nipped fingers and toes was under four feet of water.  The skates that were donated for the kids to use were floating aimlessly.  The tractor, which the Rotararians use to sweep off the winter snows, was submerged and frozen as temperatures plummeted after the storm.  The decking that youngsters belly-flopped down to enter the rink was washed away and sunk into the bowels of the Walter Seeley Memorial Skating Rink.  The damage to Rotary Park was estimated at over $10,000.  It would have been the first time in decades that the ice was ready for skating in mid-December but it was not meant to be - or was it?
            Livingston Manor Rotarians are accustomed to setbacks by Mother Nature. In past years, there have been postponements due to the weather's lack of cooperation but persistence has always been the key.   A few days after the flood the Rotarians met and came up with a plan.  The 42^nd Annual Ice Carnival was a month away so there was plenty of time and if Mother Nature would cooperate with cold temperatures, then the park could still be ready for skating by January 1^st.  Crews of volunteers from all over the community began working diligently to restore the facility to its pre-flood charm.  The LM Fire Department cleaned out the mud strewn warming hut and pavilion having to discard the sound system, ice skates and carpeting that were mutilated in the ravaging flood waters.  The heating system was thawed by Rotarian/Rink Superintendent George Silverman and his crew  and heat was once again restored to the "warming hut".  The 1950 Ford tractor was repaired by beloved Rotarian Paul Tuttle as he had done so many times before but wouldn't ever again as he passed on only hours after he completed the job.  Road crews repaired the road entering the park and volunteers began spraying the rink daily.  Rotarian Gary Carlson and his crew rebuilt the decking to the rink and once again Mother Nature's interruptions had been thwarted.  Donations of sponsors increased dramatically to help fund the repairs and expenses of maintaining the rink and sponsoring the Rotary skating programs and upcoming ice carnival.  By December 24th, the Walter Seeley Memorial Skating Rink was opened for skating despite Mother Nature's temper tantrum.   

            Last year's 42^nd Annual Ice Carnival took place on January 20^th & 21^st with perfect weather despite the attempt to thwart it!  There were over 1000 spectators that lined the rink as the traditional parade of the carnival king and queen and the skating exhibitions performed by 15 wonderful, skillful and brave skaters took place.  Participants from toddler to adults raced around the Walter Seeley Memorial Skating Rink and the winners of each race were awarded Olympic style gold, silver and bronze medals.  A friendly alien roamed the crowd and spectators viewed the outstanding snow sculptures created on Saturday by the LMCS students in grades 9-12.  Of note was the Reptilian creature snow sculpture (see photo) that was created by Marty Stahl and many local youths who helped mold, shape and paint the rink side creature.  The event was publicized and covered by all aspects of the local and surrounding media including TV, newspaper and radio. 

The day was a culmination of lots of planning, organizing and hard work done by the Livingston Manor Rotarians (see attached photo).  Through sponsorships from numerous local businesses and the cooperation and support of local organizations such as the LM Volunteer Ambulance Corp, LM Fire Departments, the Sullivan County Sheriff's Department, Rolling V Bus Corp., Price Rite RV Center and the State Police, the LM Rotary Club is able to maintain this 42 year old tradition with a little help from "Mother Nature".  The Ice Carnival is just a part of the tremendous skating program that the LM Rotary Club sponsors for the community.  Members and volunteers douse the rink with water nightly in order to have a smooth surface for the daily skating.  Under the directorship of LM's most active parent volunteer, Patti Casey, over 500 youngsters from the local school (750 students in grades K-12) have participated in the club sponsored skating instructional "Basic Skills Program" and a Hockey instructional program since their inception back in 1991.  With the help of donations from local families as well as the generosity of Ames Department Stores and Corporate Offices, the LM Rotary skate exchange has been able to continue so all who have the desire to skate can have the opportunity to do so with a quality pair of skates.  People from all over the tri-state area come to enjoy the great outdoors and the lifetime skill of ice-skating at this picturesque facility. 

The tradition will continue this year with the 43^rd Annual Ice Carnival taking place on January 19^th and 20^th, 2002.  The Walter Seeley Memorial Skating Rink, located on Pleasant Street in downtown Livingston Manor, will be opened as soon as the weather allows.  The LM Rotary Club is in search of a used or new ice skate sharpener as the club's sharperner was destroyed by the 2001 flood.  The cost of a new skate sharpener is approximately $900.00 and the club would welcome donations toward its purchase.   For more information call LM Rotarian and Ice Skating Program Chairperson, Gary Siegel at (845) 292-5100