WPCNR SPORTS. October 10, 2006: Ebersole Ice Rink will open with public sessions at 10 AM to 2, 3 to 5 and 8 to 10 P.M. Friday to start the 2006-2007 skating season in White Plains. Figure Skating classes are scheduled for children of all ages. Learn more about Ebersole ice skating lessons at the Ebersole Figure Skating School, under the direction of Kristen Fuerst, by going to www.skatinginstructor.com , or call the rink at 422-1348 or  White Plains Department of Recreation and Parks at 422-1336.

WELCOME, ICE PRINCESSES. Kristen Fuerst, Skating School Director, Ebersole Rink. Photo, WPCNR Sports

Ebersole features hockey programs,(White Plains Plainsmen at www.whiteplainsplainsmen.com) and the prestigious White Plains Figure Skating Club. The skating school produces two shows during the year the Christmas Show and the Spring Figure Skating Show featuring the skaters in all ice classes, plus soloists from the figure skating club.

Ebersole Rink Skating Lessons in Action at Ebersole Rink. October 2005. Photo, WPCNR Sports Archive

Many of the skaters who learn to skate at Ebersole Rink at  4 years of age skate at “The Eb” for  years, and perfect their skills. It's "their place," and they achieve a high level of performance and great relationships with the dedicated, friendly instructors.

A Test Session last year, sponsored by the White Plains Figure Skating Club and saw 13 skaters test at 16  test levels. Of the candidates skating their Axels, Spirals, Sit Spins, Camel Spins, Flips, Salkows, Bielmans and Mohawks (among other skating maneuvers, fans), all 13 skaters each passed at least one test, and there were only two failed tests.

Yvette Salonger reported in a previous White Plains CNR article, that  the White Plains Figure Skating Club currently has 34 young women as members, with three skaters currently at the senior moves level. The club (whose members get to wear the coveted black  “White Plains Figure Skating Club” jacket) buys its own ice time from the rink on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sunday afternoons. The club creates a camaraderie between the younger skaters and the older skaters, whom they all look up to. 

When Juliana Bailey, my daughter, was a young skater she idolized the older figure skaters in the club and they treated her very nicely. Now she has inherited that role. It is one of the wonderful traditions at the Ebersole Rink, like the Pecks who run the figure skate concession, the skating guards, then there's  Rose and Matt Hanson, the Manager. They know all the kids and treat them well.

 Older skaters set the standards and the younger skaters grow up to fill their skates. Ebersole Rink is like an old pair of broken-in skates --a lot of great jumps left in them -- and a lot of memories etched by steel blades that trace precise circles on the ice of your heart forever.