HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1969-01-30, Page 14Ica EtIONAIrtiTAR, THU
SDAY, JANUARY 3Q,1969
Over 200 young meg an i
women ranging in age from 2'!2
years to over 20, will participate
in' the Goderich Figure Skating
Club's annual carnival, February
28 and March 1. The themes
being represented by the skaters
are; "Taut to the Animals,"
".Viennese Waltz?"_ "Bonnie and.
Clyde," and,"Funny Girl."
Although it is difficult to
ce •the early history of the..
the official records were
destroyed by fire some years
ago, club president William
Craven told the Signal -Star that
this is the largest ,club in- the
town's history and that the
quality of skating has never been
equalled.
"Figure skating' has always
been considefea a richman's
sport," said publicity retary
Mrs. S. Sutherland. "But now
provisions for financing have
been made through several local
service clubs and any child,
having the desire and the ability,
may take lessons."
• Special rates are also available
for families. In this way an
entire family group may take
lessons for the price of • a
membership._
Ti club`had`one professional
coach last year; however, it- is
fortunate in having the services
of three this year, Miss Esther
Whiteside, Stratford; Bruce
Brady, Seafortli; and senior pro
Robert McCrabb, Stra'tford.'
The qualifications, of these
skaters .are almost unbelievable
judging by their youthful
appearance. Yet when one
witnesses the calibre of their
skating the unbelievable
becomes easily believed.
Help from the pros and
success by -many of the `students "
has enabled " a new teaching
arrangement to be tested;
Previously the classes were too
large for extensive ,individual
attention. Mr. Ci -even points out
that the situation could not be
rectified earlier than tijis year.
The money was not available to
hire the extra pros and purchase
more ice time. Now, as senior
club members pass '..their
a.9
coaching examhey are able to
• t a lie .. over small thpses of
beginners.. Presently there. are -.14
student -coaches. Those involved
have found this arrangement to
be most satisfactory. Mr. Craven•
attributes much of the club's
rapid advancement to the
individualized help the students
are now getting.
Lard work and determination
has payed off for at least .ree
young skaters already this
season. •
Althpugh `storms had to be.
fought, Janet Sutherland and
John Williams found th_eif way
to a third prize spot in the
Western Ontario .Dance
Championships held in Sarnia,
January 11.
,Fran Johnston won a first in
the Bronze Dance at Stratford.
There are 219 skaters With—
beginners
beginners badges, 36
intermediates' and . seniors who
have won all 12 badges. Mr.
Craven says he is .`.`more than
confident" that over 40'
members will have obtained the
Bronze Dance Medal within two
years.
As with a great many
organizations, . Money -isa-matter
of - .concern for the _Figure
Skating Club. -
Last year the clubloperatei
on a budget of $5000; receiving
"only $200 in the form of a
grant. It costs the club $150 per
week for ice time and pros. The
cost of the- ice works out to.
about 86 cents per minute.
"Every moment is used to its
fullest advantage," said Mr.
Craven.
Membership in • the club has
doubled over last year. Next
year Mr. Craven is hoping for an
- additional 25 per- - cent in
membership 'plus 25, per cent
more ice time. He also hopes
that through "the active Ways
-and Means Committee" the
budget will be raised to $6000
next year. •
The product of a year's work
will be evident at the Camival
being held February 28 and
March 1.
• The ' costumes, wigs, land.
Kathy Hines,
animals to ',be used in the
extravaganza were researched
and made, by Alma and Bill
Craven. The amount of work put
into these items is staagerine.
" The largest .animals used will
have all tour legs working with-
., only one person .inside: -This is a -
Canadian first. Eden at Ice
Capades , twopeople are enclosed-
within
nclosed.within the animal` when all the
legs function.
There is one 10 foot 6 inch
coach,
performs
a split jump
giraffe_ with 20 . babies; a
psychadelic, unicorn with 42
babies; a full size Zebra with 10
babies; Magilla Gorilla 'with 40
baby nionkies; Mr.. .and Mrs.
Tiger with their 15 little°ones;
Shere Khan the pink elephant
with 15 babies; and a golden
Peacock with a 12 foot wing
span. The peacocks feathers are
joined to the -material "base
individually following an Indian
tradition. Every animal was
made- according -to the
Holl wood
re -pro uction.
' In order. to research the
unicorn Mr. Craven turned to
Malory — a 18 century historian.
The wigs are replicas -of 18th ,
century design. Mrs. Craven
purchased a book from the Wig
Makers Guild in England . for
duplication purposes.
There are four Viennese, 10 ..
Pompadour and 32 Italian wigs
made out of nylon and orlon
fibre,
method
of
The senior tine - at practice
Becky Crawford, coach, exercising a junior class
.,V
♦ A
Marlene MacConnell, Tiverton,, ' encburaging junior4
e,