Rollin' to rhythm

By Alyssa Sunkin / The Citizen

Friday, July 13, 2007 11:34 PM EDT

AUBURN - Ann Wilson has brand new roller skates.
Glenn Gaston / Special to The Citizen
Speed was the ultimate goal for some children at the skating rink Friday night for the Reva Rollerdome's program discounted for Auburn Residents.
The 17-year-old from Auburn slipped on white skates with pink wheels and took them out for their first roll at the Reva Rollerdrome on Friday.

About two years ago a friend had invited Wilson to go roller-skating, she said, and the sport has stuck with her.

“It helps me exercise and I'm becoming very athletic,” she said. “It helps me with my asthma, and I try to do it everyday.”

Wilson was one of 35 people to come to a roller-skating program for Auburn residents.

The program, sponsored by the City of Auburn Department of Public Works and Recreation, offers free admission to city residents every Friday night for six weeks. The only cost is $1 for skate rentals.

“It's just for some fun,” said Ellen Ferro, owner and manager of the rink. “It gets the residents of Auburn to come down. It's a family activity. It's a healthy activity. It's one of the few physical activities families can do together.”

As a child, Victoria Daniels had white skates with purple wheels and pom-poms. Now she brings her family roller-skating.

“I'm here to exercise and have fun,” said 8-year-old Darnell Daniels, whose favorite rink game is Red Light, Green Light.

“I like skating with my friends and family,” said Zakiyyah Strauchan, Daniels' 10-year-old cousin, “because it's fun being with them.”

Ferro approached the city wanting to run a program that was family oriented, affordable and accessible to everyone.

“I think (this program) hits the nail on the head,” she said. “There isn't anything cheaper than free, and it's only $1 for rentals. Try going to the movies on that.”

Wilson appreciated the price cut.

“At first the price was too much to handle, but when I found out that it was $1, I figured, ‘Why don't I just go roller-skating?'” she said.

Colleen Nottage brought her 6-year-old daughter to the roller rink on Friday.

“She loves to roller-skate,” the Auburn woman said. “And they had the program here.”

“I think it's good because it's affordable for everyone,” she continued. “It's a group place for kids to go on a Friday night, especially for younger kids.”

The Friday sessions include both freestyle skating and games, such as Red Light, Green Light, The Cha-Cha Slide, and The Hokey Pokey, Ferro said.

The rink also offers roller-skating lessons on Saturdays in July.

“I'm always hearing that people are looking for something inexpensive to do as a family,” she said. “And if they are not comfortable skating, they can take lessons and be ready for Friday.”

Staff writer Alyssa Sunkin can be reached at alyssa.sunkin@lee.net or 253-5311 ext. 239

If you go

What: Roller-skating for Auburn residents

When: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays July 20 and 27 and Aug. 3 and 10

Where: Reva Rollerdrome, 359 W. Genesee St., Auburn

Cost: Free; $1 skate rentals

The Citizens' Say

Post your comment - click here

There are 1 comment(s)

brew1234 wrote on Jul 14, 2007 12:46 AM:

" And you guys say there is nothing to do in Auburn. "

REGISTRATION IS FREE.
Registered users sign in here:
*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login?
(requires cookies)
 
Unregistered users can register here:

Do not use usernames or passwords from your financial accounts!

Note: Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required!

*Create a Member ID:
*Choose a password:
*Re-enter password:
*E-mail Address:
*Year of Birth:
 

(children under 13 cannot register)

First Name:
Last Name:
Company:
Home Phone:
Business Phone:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip Code:
 
E-Citizen
E-Edition
Wheels Etc.
Find a vehicle
Hot Jobs
Find a Job
Homes Etc.
Find a Home
TV Week
Find a program
Search Classifieds
Find, Buy
Place a Classified Ad
Sell
Skaneateles Journal
The Journal
New! Best Bridal
Here comes the bride. . .
Liven Up the Holidays
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-laaaaaa
Logo HereNew! Off the Menu
Good Eatin'!
Newspaper Ads
See it again
CNY Boats Etc.
Achors aweigh!
New! School Project
A breakdown of the new school project.
Sections
Special Sections

Top Jobs

The Citizen Copyright ©2009
A division of Lee Publications, Inc.
25 Dill Street
Auburn, NY 13021

Contact Us

Add to My Yahoo!