History Of The Massena Figure Skating Club
The Massena Arena opened its doors to the public in February 1973. Immediately, Mr. fames A. Long Recreation Director and the Massena Recreation Commission began to encourage figure skating as part of Massena's winter sports schedule. Mr. Long asked Mary Cameron to help organize a program.
The skating season 1973-1974 brought a large number of interested figure skaters to the Arena. Two hours of ice time were made available and each skater paid twenty-five cents at the door for a group lesson and supervised skating. Mary Cameron, |ack Horan, Doris Romeo, Linda Root and Mona Trimboli acted as the instructors/supervisors. Massena Minor Hockey Association sponsored the program for insurance purposes and continued to do so until May 1975.
Debbie Robbins was the first skating Professional. She instructed the volunteers and assisted by Sue Rivers; directed the first ice show, "Holidaze on lce", in 1974.
During the season, enthusiasm heightened and other volunteers offered their services. They were Dick Craner, Stewart Eagles, Sandra Garlach, Gloria Hollander, Margaret Hartman, Rosalie Smith and Lynn Yonally.
It became obvious that a well-rounded skating program could not be provided unless a formal organization was formed. Two meetings were called in the fall of 1974; the purpose being to propose the formation of the Massena Figure Skating Club to the public.
At a public meeting in the town Hall, the first Board of Governors was elected. Elected were Theresa Sharp, Mary Cameron, Doris Romeo, Mona Trimboli, Lynn Yonally, Linda and Dave Root, Eileen Kassian, Ed Spanbauer, George McPherson and ]ack Horan. Later that year Rosalie Smith and Gerald Dow were added to the Board. The first meeting of the newly elected Figure Skating Club Board was held September 25,1974. Theresa Sharp was elected President, Mary Cameron- Vice President, Doris Romeo - Secretary, and Mona Trimboli - Treasurer.
In June 1977 the club was sanctioned by the United States Figure Skating Association [USFSA). There were eight professional instructors. During the 1977-78 season the club had 181 active skaters and a waiting list of 100 more!!
While numbers have decreased due in part to a large selection of extracurricular activities available to our community members, the Massena Figure Skating CIub (MFSC) continues to be a strong Figure Skating Club in the North Country with members numbering around 100! MFSC still produces an Ice Show each February which is open to the public, as well as hosting two competitions and test sessions which bring in skaters and judges from all over the area and Canada.
The skating season 1973-1974 brought a large number of interested figure skaters to the Arena. Two hours of ice time were made available and each skater paid twenty-five cents at the door for a group lesson and supervised skating. Mary Cameron, |ack Horan, Doris Romeo, Linda Root and Mona Trimboli acted as the instructors/supervisors. Massena Minor Hockey Association sponsored the program for insurance purposes and continued to do so until May 1975.
Debbie Robbins was the first skating Professional. She instructed the volunteers and assisted by Sue Rivers; directed the first ice show, "Holidaze on lce", in 1974.
During the season, enthusiasm heightened and other volunteers offered their services. They were Dick Craner, Stewart Eagles, Sandra Garlach, Gloria Hollander, Margaret Hartman, Rosalie Smith and Lynn Yonally.
It became obvious that a well-rounded skating program could not be provided unless a formal organization was formed. Two meetings were called in the fall of 1974; the purpose being to propose the formation of the Massena Figure Skating Club to the public.
At a public meeting in the town Hall, the first Board of Governors was elected. Elected were Theresa Sharp, Mary Cameron, Doris Romeo, Mona Trimboli, Lynn Yonally, Linda and Dave Root, Eileen Kassian, Ed Spanbauer, George McPherson and ]ack Horan. Later that year Rosalie Smith and Gerald Dow were added to the Board. The first meeting of the newly elected Figure Skating Club Board was held September 25,1974. Theresa Sharp was elected President, Mary Cameron- Vice President, Doris Romeo - Secretary, and Mona Trimboli - Treasurer.
In June 1977 the club was sanctioned by the United States Figure Skating Association [USFSA). There were eight professional instructors. During the 1977-78 season the club had 181 active skaters and a waiting list of 100 more!!
While numbers have decreased due in part to a large selection of extracurricular activities available to our community members, the Massena Figure Skating CIub (MFSC) continues to be a strong Figure Skating Club in the North Country with members numbering around 100! MFSC still produces an Ice Show each February which is open to the public, as well as hosting two competitions and test sessions which bring in skaters and judges from all over the area and Canada.