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BY HILLARY VIDERS
SPECIAL TO NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS
ENGLEWOOD, N.J.— On Oct. 7, the John T. Wright Ice Arena in Englewood held its official opening reception, where dozens of residents and visitors skated and enjoyed delicious food. The festive event was sponsored by the Friends of John T. Wright Arena.
Beginning at 2 p.m., a crowd began piling into the ice arena, located in Mackay Park, where they were welcomed by Stacy Demontagnac, president of Friends of Mackay Park Ice Arena.
“This event is wonderful because it really brings the community together,” she exclaimed.
Molly Craig-Berry, Englewood Board of Education president, was in attendance.
“I love this arena,” Craig-Berry said. “I’ve skated here for over 20 years, and now my three children skate here.”
Adding to the fun and excitement on the ice, over two dozen members of the Dwight Morrow High School Band played hip hop and rock music.
A highlight of the afternoon was a breathtaking exhibition performed by 9-year-old skating prodigy, Ruby Mathis.
Another showstopper on the ice was Anna Besedina, a top fashion model who used to compete in figure skating professionally. Besedina’s mother is also a figure skater and her father appears on “Champions on Ice.”
At the New Jersey Devils exhibit, a “Meet and Greet” with Canadian ice hockey legend Bruce Driver scored major points with kids as well as their parents. Driver and Grant Marshall, from the Devils Alumni Association, signed autographs and gave out free Devils backpacks, picture cards and miniature hockey sticks.
Driver has a strong connection with the John T. Wright Arena.
“I’ve been coming here for a long time. I like the fact that it’s partially outdoors and there are not a lot of outdoor rinks in New Jersey. Where I grew up in Toronto, many of the rinks are open air,” Driver said.
Driver is also impressed by the ability of some of the young skaters at the John T. Wright Ice Arena.
“I began skating at age 3, and I was on a team at 4,” said Driver. “So, with these little kids, you never know who is going to be in the NHL one day!”
Daniel Dauber was delighted that he and his young daughter and son were able to pose for pictures with Driver and Marshall.
“These guys are great, and we’re here to get excited about skating,” said Dauber. “We come here every year on opening day and throughout the season. I’ve been skating here for about 30 years, and I love it because everyone is so friendly!”
The event was free to the public with a $5 skating fee that included skates. There was an abundance of pizza, including kosher options, and several flavors of ice cream were scooped out by staff from Ice Cream on Grand.
Arena Manager Ken Katz ensured that everything glided along smoothly, and popular longtime volunteer Phil Vogel helped skaters young and old negotiate the ice, some of them first-timers.
The John T. Wright Arena, a gem of the city, offers skating activities for all age groups from toddler to seniors.
An outstanding opportunity at the ice arena is provided by Hockey in New Jersey’s free program for Englewood boys and girls ages 7 to 18. Beginners are welcome and no experience is necessary to join. Participants are given full sets of equipment and can take part in learn-to-play clinics, cross-ice games, full-ice games and competitions with teams from Newark, Jersey City and Montclair. There is also academic monitoring for students 11 to 18 years of age, and a summer camp, which has special trips to the Prudential Center.
Founded in 2003, Hockey in New Jersey, in partnership with the New Jersey Devils, inspires youth to develop life skills, succeed academically, and create positive relationships through the sport of hockey.
Attendees and staff at the opening reception of the John T. Wright Arena agreed that the arena is one of the places that make Englewood special.