HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1973-06-28, Page 110Section 1, Page 22 THE EXETER TIMES-ADVOCATE JUNE 28, 1973
Young skaters always thrill crowds
I
By EVELYN JOSEPHSON
November, 1955 saw the
beginning of the Exeter Figure
Skating club.
A conversation over coffee
resulted in Mrs. Lois Snell's
decision to get a skating club
started in Exeter.
Through her efforts, and those
of other interested parents, Mr.
Douglas Smith (Exeter's
recreational director at that
time), the London Figure Skating
club and the Exeter Kinettes, the
Exeter Figure Skating club came
into being,
At this time a lot of interest was
being shown in Figure Skating in
smaller towns and outlying
areas.
The London Figure Skating
club helped tremendously the
first year. Miss Mary Diane
Trimble, senior professional of
the London club, instructed
skating classes in Exeter.
The membership fee was
$10.00 with a maximum family
fee of $25.00,
To get the club started, two
organizations took over
responsibilities, Exeter Kinettes
and the Exeter Recreational
council,
The first carnival "Circus on
Ice" was staged five months later
at the local arena before a crowd
of almost 500. It was termed a
huge success.
The program was fortified with
talent from the London Figure
Skating club including both
London professionals, Miss Mary
Diane Trimble and Miss Carolyn
Spellman.
The first half followed a circus
theme and featured mostly local
skaters dressed as acrobats,
mice, monkeys, taffy apples and
etc.
Various groups representing
animals and circus performers
formed a parade to begin the
carnival, then each group skated
in turn to the music of nursery
rhymes.
Members of the London club
performed some of the better
acts from their own carnival,
Local senior members skated a
"College Tango" and "The Dutch
Waltz". A special "ballet" was
presented by eight members of
the Kinsmen Club of Exeter
dressed as clowns,
Members of the Executive the
first year were: President - Mrs.
Charles E. Snell, Honorary
President - W.C. Cochrane, Vice
President - Mrs. E. McBride,
Secretary - Mrs. C. Fairbairn,
Treasurer - Mrs. W. Sanders.
The following year, Mrs.
VanLaughton took over the duties
of President with Mr. Don Sharpe
being the club's instructor.
"Ice Frolics of '57" was
presented with the Exeter group
being assisted by a large group
from the Mitchell Figure Skating
club.
There were approximately fifty
skaters during the 1957-58 season.
Miss Pat Slade of London was the
club's professional with Mr.
Derry Boyle the President.
The annual carnival "Ice
Frolics of '58" featured square
dances and a fashion show along
with other numbers.
Local advanced skaters at this
time were Nancy Boyle, Louise
and Anne Hockey. Pat Tinline
passed the Bronze test.
In 1959 in the carnival - "Ice
Frolics for '59" local skaters
presented their first show,
without outside assistance.
Colorful costumes and popular
song featured the frolic which
portrayed "Snow White and the
Seven Dwarfs" and "Sky Fan-
tasy".
Local male skaters joined the
cast to provide pairs skating. A
group of "clumsy old men" from
Mars contributed the comedy
number.
Rosemarie and Ron Richards
were the club's professionals
during 1959-60, and 1960-61. The
season of 1960-61 saw seventy-two
skaters registered,
Carnivals continued to be
presented yearly on such themes
as "The Seasons", "Fairyland,"
"Under the Big Top", "Artistry
on Ice", "Wonderful World of
Music", "Around the World on
Skates", "Space & Spice" and
"It's all on Ice".
From the spectators stand-
point, carnivals have probably
been the highlight of the skating
year.
For the skaters involved it is
the figure skating itself i.e. - the
hours of instruction, practising
what they've been taught, test
day, passing the test, getting that
badge and advancing on.
Although the club has
frequently experienced financial
difficulties it has continued to
grow. The number of skaters
each year has been increasing.
In 1957-58 there were 50 skaters
registered and this has increased
to 175 skaters in 1972-73 with 36 of
these being juniors and 18
seniors,
Credit has to be given to all
those who gave of their time and
effort during the past years.
The present president of the
Exeter Figure Skating club is Mr.
Jack Underwood with Mr. Brad
Loosley of Woodstock the club's
professional.
Mr. Loosley has been with the
club the past three seasons.
A recent addition to the
program has been Power Skating
for boys. This has done much to
improve the hockey playing
ability of these boys.
Senior skaters in the club are
helping as junior coaches, thus
increasing the amount of in-
struction time on the ice for the
September 9, 1887
No person shall engage in any
chivaries or aid or assist others
so engaged or blow horns, ring
bells, shout or make other
unusual or unecessary noises in
the streets to the annoyance of
peacable persons.
May 19, 1873
Rail fences not less than five
feet high be considered lawful
fences.
younger members.
The Exeter Figure Skating club
can boast of staging the first
Centennial event.
Two performances of the most
recent carnival "A centennial
Salute on Blades to Boot" was
attended by more than 1100
persons. Preparations for a
birthday party were presented in
the first half and the history of
Exeter in the second part.
At the latest C.F.S.A, test day a
95 percent pass average was
attained by the Exeter skaters.
Today, when one hears the
name Karen Magnussen it is
automatically connected with
figure skating and winning the
world championship.
There will probably be another
skater like her - could it be
someone who had his or her
beginning here in Exeter?
Mr. Pizza
A name to remember
when you want to
treat your guests
during centennial
week . . . or anytime
for that matter.
Exeter 235-2092
In The Annex
Behind G&G Discount
Your Host: Garr Rice
4
And to add to her
the roof leaked!
Despite their modern new appliances,
today's women are just as busy as
their ancestors, but they have the
BIG advantage of a good roof over their heads.
WE KNOW — WE PROBABLY
PUT IT THERE!
Highway 83 West
SKATERS OF DIFFERENT ERAS - The Centennial theme was very evi-
dent at the 1973 carnival of the Exeter figure skating carnival.
Above, Exeter's Centennial chairman Derry Boyle, depicting a skater of
100 years ago is shown with Jeff Pfaff who was attempting to turn
back the clock. T-A photo,