Pictured: Stars participants, volunteers and members of the Skidmore Ice Hockey Program.

In all started like this:

“A short time ago in a rink in Saratoga Springs, came together people of all ages to teach, learn and most importantly have fun practicing ice skating”

On Saturday March 26th we had the season ending ICE SHOW for the Saratoga Stars 2016 program!     The theme of this years ice show was Star Wars!

The Saratoga Lions congratulate all our participants on a job well done, learning a new skill, building confidence and most importantly having FUN!

This years program grew to 40 participants (a max number), the largest group we have ever had.  The season runs from the beginning of January to the end of March and we meet almost every Saturday during the season!

It takes many hands to run a program like this and we would like to take the opportunity to THANK them.

Participants:  Allowing us to work with you in a friendly albeit different environment, on the ice!

Families and Friends:  Allowing us to help your children or friends in a safe environment, learn a new skill, even if they are a little bit afraid in the beginning.

On-Ice Volunteers:  Taking time out of your Saturday to spend with a specific STAR or two or three, is how we can run such a wonderful program.  We hope you gained as much JOY, as you provided each and every week!   This program can only run with the special volunteers who help make it special.    Special Thank You to our On-Ice Instructors, Julie Lewis, Leah Short, Maura Manny and Mike Baxter.

Off-Ice Volunteers:  Again taking time out of your Saturday to help our STARS with their skates (sizes, tying skates, moving boxes, prepping walkers) is how we can utilize every second allowed on the ice each and every week!  Special Thank You to our Equipment Manager (Will Muram), Gate Keepers (Keith Ferrara and Russell Terpening, Volunteer Coordinator (Cheryl Lawyer, extra bonus for name tags)  and of course our Photographer  (Gail Stein Carmichael)!

ICE SHOW:

In order to produce such a special show we needed to have even more hands on deck!

Christine Gillmett-Brown:  Designed the Star Wars costumes and set up the after ice show party!

Control Box: Jim Edwards and Don Hall controlled the music each and every week and hit every point during the ice show!

Announcer:  Phil Klein – This years show was a little more complicated and he hit every spot right on!

Cassie McDonald:  Her rendition of the National Anthem was the first show stopper of the afternoon.

Guiding Eyes for the Blind:  Bringing the puppies for all to play with, as their trainers work so hard to develop guide dogs.

Saratoga Springs Figure Skating Club:   Provided three Soloist to demonstrate their skills,  Mollie Delacruz, Brenna Coonradt, and Anna Armstrong.

Skidmore College Men’s Ice Hockey Team:  Team members join us on the ice towards the end of the show bringing out nets, pucks and sticks and giving everyone a special treat to finish off the season!

Of course none of this happens without the leadership of Lions Saratoga Stars Chairman, Mike Stoneback.  He keeps everyone organized, safe, brings new ideas and collaborates to make each and every week special for everyone involved!  He gets a little help from Lion Mike Baxter.

“I CAN DO IT”     “I CAN SKATE”

Looking forward to seeing everyone again next year and be on the lookout because we have more plans for this program which we will unveil over the next 7 months!

For more information please check our website: Saratoga Stars