The last skate

Last night Cluny and I went to a party at Oak Leaf Gardens.  I've mentioned it before, it's a small neighborhood rink which is on a housing block just around the corner from us.  It's not to be confused with Maple Leaf Gardens http://hockey.ballparks.com/NHL/TorontoMapleLeafs/index.htm
(and where there hasn't been an unsold seat since 1946!)


There's no problem getting a seat at Oak Leaf Gardens, but occasionally some big kids are playing hockey on it and we scaredy cats leave because it's too fast for us!


Now that the weather is occasionally making it to plus-zero temperatures, the days of the outdoor rinks are numbered.  Yesterday the people had this sign outside:

The trophy is the Stanley Cup, the trophy for the NHL (the red sign says it's "Not exactly as shown"!!).


The party started at 7pm, and it had been snowing for a few hours, which may have put some people off but it was a delightful evening:

The adults were kept busy sweeping snow from the ice

The obligatory Tim-bits: these needs a whole post to themselves!

I should add that they had gone to a lot of trouble setting up music and games.  I was getting teary when they cranked up Neal Diamond and Sweet Caroline.  Lots of golden oldies followed!

One game was curling - the target being a stuffed turkey sitting in a bowl - the stone (or whatever they call it) was a very small version with a light attached.  This is Cluny's shot - the "stone" at the far left of the photo.  Cluny takes the honour of being the only member of our family to try curling.

The next game was winter bingo, using pucks with the words typed on.  They had prizes for all the kids, here is Cluny with her "trophy":

What a beautiful night for a party. 

It's +2 degrees now, with similar temperatures forecast for the next 3 or 4 days.  I think that spells the end of Oak Leaf Gardens for the season.

On a positive note, we've had lots and lots of snow, and this time it's pretty wet, which means good snowman and fort making!