Calendar Of Events
12/2/09
Bantams and midgets Holiday party with various ARCs
Our annual skate with the regional Associations of Retarded Citizens.
For more than 12 years the bantams and midgets and our girls team when we had one have hosted approximately 80 members of the Howard County, Anne Arundel and Prince George's Counties Association of Retarded Citizens.
We pair our players with our guests and our players (wearing their game jerseys) skate with their guests and work to insure that the guests have a memorable evening.
Santa Claus is around bringing cheer (with his helper Tyler Carr) and individually assigned gifts.
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The parents of our guests watch with joy as their children (some in wheelchairs) and others in chairs) are whisked around the Patrick Rink with Holiday music blaring from the speakers.
The parents of our players watch and glow as their children handle this "uncomfortable" occasion with grace and warmth.
A few tears have been shed over the years by many of us.
We all adjourn to the Lundin Room for food and passing out of the gifts.
Warm, friendly chaos follows- it's the beginning of the Holiday season.
Mr.
Michael Brooks, a past parent and long time coordinator of this evening in conjunction with Nancy Slavinski will oversee the evening.
It is very important for our players to arrive on time with whichever game jersey is suggested.
To bring their gift (when prescribed) and whatever food item.
But most importantly the players need to remember that it is about their guest and not themselves- this is not a public skating session but a wonderful opportunity to make a new friend and to give another person some joy and if I may say, some love.
Focus on others and not yourself or your teammates- they will go to sleep as we all will feeling good about themselves.
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11/26/09
Thanksgiving Day Shinny Games!
10:15 to 11:35 AM - Squirts & Peewee
The game of shinny is a long time passion of hockey players.
The basic tenant is joyful and passionate game of pick-up hockey- usually on the outdoor pond starting a day break and running until dark.
Teams are chosen by the players and players are added as they appear and teams reshuffled if need be.
In the old days as the sun rose the pond would crack creating screams of joy and concern.
nary a parent was near to shuffle the players off the ice- those overbearing adults! "Just be careful and have fun! And stay away from the thin ice or you will fall in".
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Left unsaid was if you fall in you better figure out what to do.
(Yes, I feel through once and boy was I cold).
Hopefully, Thursday's two shinny games will allow the children some exercise and either Mom or Dad some operating room in the kitchen- as folks prepare for their bountiful Thanksgiving feast.
Maybe during the saying of grace or moment of silence before the orgy of food someone will add- "thank you for the great sport of hockey and our robust shinny game this morning".The players and parents and coaches are all invited to play and only helmets are required (although you might consider the other protective gear).
BUT I hope the adults who want every moment organized will stand back and let the players decide the format and the teams.
We use to have a wonderful print over the fireplace in the Library upstairs at the rink called "Saturday Morning".
Just a bunch of youngsters on an outdoor rink picking up sides- not one adult in sight.
Sadly someone stole the print.
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9/22/09
Captains/alternate captains, managers, coaches and Board of Advisors Dinner |
