Dear Editor,
Winter is still a month away and already we are beginning to see ice on the puddles. This brings to mind last winter, which came early and stayed late. I say let’s try to be happy with whatever comes. The village will have the crew ready to operate the snowplows and the salt trucks. They do that whenever needed, day or night.
They also find time to set up the skating rink at pavilion number 2 in Marvin Park, which they have been doing there every winter since 2002. Set-up includes first the rink wall, followed by padding over the rough spots on the pavilion floor, a plastic lining, foam rubber cap on the rink wall; and water.
They place a picnic table at each corner of the pavilion and shade screens all the way around the outside. When the water is completely frozen they place a hockey goal net at each and of the rink.
When needed, they plow out parking spaces. Rink equipment includes scrapers, snow shovels, a 100 ft. garden hose with twist nozzle on a reel and rubber gloves; all stored in a shed. Skaters may use these to clear the ice or to shovel paths outside.
One person should take charge of resurfacing when needed. The nozzle will shoot a stream all the way across from east to west. Thoroughly drain the hose before putting it away. Turn off the lights before leaving for the night.
The rink has been used mostly for hockey games, but don’t forget the little kids. They want to have their fun on the ice too. If they don’t have skates they would enjoy being pulled around on their sleds.
Sincerely,
Karl Tiemann
Owego, N.Y.
