Massena Skaters Take Ice Show Spotlight

MASSENA - After months of perfecting pinwheels and circles, spinning and jumping and gliding across the ice, Massena's figure skaters are ready for their close-up.

Sunday afternoon more than 90 skaters young and old will lace up their skates, don sequined costumes and take to the ice to perform in the Massena Figure Skating Club's annual Ice Show. The performance kicks off at 1:30 p.m. at the Massena Arena.

This year's event will take spectators on a journey across the nation as club members Skate Across the States, performing in 17 group and solo routines, each with a different state as its theme.

One group will take a ride on Route 66 while another shows off their skills in New York, New York.

A group of young male skaters will perform a Chicago Bears routine that's sure to bring on the smiles while another crew of overall-clad ladies gets the audience singing along to Oklahoma.

And as a special treat, the club's skating coaches will do their own routine, skating to Tom Cochrane's "Life is a Highway" dressed as gas station attendants.

The club will also hold a 50/50 fundraiser and the arena's snack bar will offer a wide array of refreshments for sale.

Club President Tammy Savage says this year's skaters can't wait to perform for the community.

"They've been working since September," she said. "They get really excited."

Skaters hail from all over the Massena area, including Norfolk and Hogansburg, and range in age from as young as three to the mid-40s. Ms. Savage said this year's group is larger than in past years as more athletes join the program.

"The club has been together since 1972," she said. "We have a really large group this year- it seems like it keeps growing."

While Sunday marks the club's biggest performance of the year, it will also be a good practice run for many skaters slated to compete in an upcoming competition on March 20 and 21.

"This is our annual show, but the season doesn't end till March," Ms. Savage said. "We still have competitions coming up after this."

At the competition, skaters will need to wow the judges as they compete against peers from Southern Canada and across the North Country.

"We have lots of excellent, excellent skaters," club volunteer Gail Schneider said. "They work very hard."

Tickets for Sunday's show will be available at the door and cost $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and $1 for students. There is no entrance fee for children under three.

If there are any aspiring young skaters in the audience who enjoy Sunday's show, they are encouraged to stay tuned for sign-ups for next year's season.

The club will send out fliers at Massena schools in September with more information, Ms. Savage said. The season starts every year on the Monday after Columbus Day.