Public Invited to Skate on the Green in Hanover
Imagine . . . a silent disco, but this time on ice.
In a collaboration between the Town of Hanover and Dartmouth College, ice skating will return to the downtown Green after the holiday break and as soon thereafter as weather permits. And this year, members of the general public are invited to use the rink along with Dartmouth students and employees.
An article at Dartmouth News stated:
Jim Alberghini, director of logistics for Dartmouth’s Conferences and Events department, has been leading the ice rink project, which is made possible this year by funding from the Office of the President.
Alberghini says the rink will be open at first from 9 a.m. to sundown, but Dartmouth is investigating bringing in lights to extend the hours to 9 p.m. Some ideas for events on the ice include a town-sponsored silent disco, where people skate while listening to music on wireless headphones; broom ball competitions; house community invitational events; and events sponsored by Dartmouth or Hanover clubs and groups.
When I first moved to the UV forty years ago, I commented often to the folks back home that the scene of skaters on Occom Pond looked like a Currier and Ives print come to life. Unfortunately in recent times, skating has been limited at the Pond due to warmer winters. The rink on the Green may help to compensate for the sometime unavailability of Occom Pond for skating opportunities.
Unlike some past years, there will be no skate rental facilities at the rink on the Green. Would-be skaters will have to bring their own.
Need a little sugar to get you gliding on the ice? In Lebanon, NH, the ice rinks at Pat Walsh Park are still waiting for sustained cold weather. Ever optimistic, however, Lebanon has planned its annual s’mores party for late January:
S'more Ice Skating Party
Join the Friends of Lebanon Recreation and Parks to celebrate winter fun with family entertainment at the outdoor ice skating rinks.
Date: Friday, January 26, 2024
Time: 6 pm to 8 pm
Location: Ice Rinks at Pat Walsh Park, Bank St. Extension, Lebanon, NH
I might say that I would “see you there” in either of the two places but my own ice skates made their way to the LISTEN Center years ago, I came perilously close to flunking ice skating in phys ed in college (a story for another time), and my aging ankles would protest. But I could be there sipping cocoa, admiring your brave efforts—graceful or not—from the sidelines.
——————————————————
Big news . . . we are moving closer to 2700 Artful subscribers. Thank you! You’re reading Artful, a blog about arts and culture in the Upper Valley, and I hope you’ll subscribe (still free) and then share this with your friends and on your social media.
And in case you are wondering . . . Susan B. Apel shuttered a lifelong career as a law professor to continue an interest (since kindergarten) in writing. Her freelance business, The Next Word, includes literary and feature writing; her work has appeared in a variety of lit mags and other publications including Art New England, The Woven Tale Press, The Arts Fuse, and Persimmon Tree. She connects with her neighbors through Artful, her blog about arts and culture in the Upper Valley. She’s in love with the written word.