ENGLEWOOD, N.J.—On Sunday, Dec. 15, the Mackay Ice Rink at the John T. Wright Arena in Englewood was aglow with holiday spirit and spirited people of all ages.
The Friends of the John T. Wright Arena hosted their annual Winter Party, and dozens of Englewood families and friends came to enjoy a great celebration.
Several hundred Englewood residents gathered at the rink where they enjoyed hot chocolate, pizza, cookies, chocolate, donuts, and bagels (including Kosher options) as well as ice cream from Ben and Jerry’s.
The event included a dazzling performance by 10-year-old ice skating champion Ruby Mathis and a silent auction with prizes such four New Jersey Devils tickets and Mackay Ice Arena skating passes.
Skating and skate rentals were free, which prompted dozens of families to make a bee line for the ice. Laced up and laughing, kids as young as 4 years as well as adults glided around the rink. Experienced skaters sped gracefully, while novices held on tightly to orange plastic traffic cones to stay upright.
Several community leaders attended the party, including Mayor Michael Wildes, Council President Katharine Glynn, Councilman Michael Cohen and Englewood Board of Education member Donovan Rodriguez.
Also mingling with the crowd were officers of the Friends of the John T. Wright Arena—President Stacy De Montagnac, Vice President Bruce Prince, Treasurer Lakreisha Jean, Program Director Krystal Murray and Past President Lisa Wisotsky.
“The Winter Party brings a lot of people in the neighborhood together,” said Murray. “People tell me that they love this event!”
Its popularity brings many supporters. This year’s Winter Party was sponsored the Bergen County Parks Department, Englewood Recreation Center, Mackay Ice Rink, NJ Devils, Congregation Ahavath Torah, Metro Community Church, Party With Us, Roman Inn, Vittorio’s Pizzeria, Ben & Jerry’s, EJ’s of Teaneck, Manhattan Bagels and Matisse Chocolatier.
Mayor Wildes officially greeted everyone with an upbeat message.
“When you walk in and you see a room like this, you realize that Englewood is one family,” Wildes said. “We may look different, we may talk differently, but we are one family. Whether you are celebrating Chanukah, Christmas or Kwanza, everybody in this city deserves a celebration, and what we’re here to do today is to take pride in the city of trees.”
Councilman Michael Cohen also praised the unity that the Winter Party embraces.
“I’ve been coming to this annual event since it began,” said Cohen. “It’s truly the one time and place where the entire city gets together. Every part of every community, every piece of Englewood is always having a great time. When we talk about bringing Englewood together for ‘One Englewood,’ this exemplifies it.”
Rink is a prized asset
Englewood residents are delighted not only with the annual Winter Party, but also the many programs and special events for people of all ages and skating abilities that the rink offers.
On Tuesdays and Fridays, from noon to 2 p.m., there is a free senior skating session, with people 55 and up—and they have a great time.
Hockey in NJ/Englewood is in its fourth season with over 150 Englewood children that participate at no cost.
There is also an extensive “Learn to Skate” program offering 18 beginner and intermediate classes on Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and an after school program, sponsored by the Englewood Parks and Recreation Department, that allows Englewood students to skate free on Tuesday afternoons.
The staff and supporters of the John T. Wright Arena are proud of this prized Englewood asset.
“The Mackay Ice Rink at the John T. Wright Arena holds a special place in the hearts of the residents of Englewood as well as the surrounding towns,” said Ken Katz, the rink manager. “For decades it has been an excellent source of healthy recreation and the focal point of winter activities. The Winter Party provides an opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy a great afternoon.”
It was evident from the turnout at the Winter Party that the Mackay Ice Rink at the John T., Wright Arena is an important cornerstone in Englewood, not just because of the large amount of people who visit it but also because of the diversity of those people. It truly embraces the entire city.
