Babb's Roller Skating Rink Restoration Project

Ripples From Citizens Restoring Congamond
By Linda M. Champagney
November 2011

November brings cooler weather but warm thoughts of thanks for all of the volunteers and sponsors and everyone who has helped Citizens Restoring Congamond and The Babb’s Restoration Project over the past year. We thank you all so very much! You’re essential to our mission of protecting and bettering the Congamond Lakes and for the restoration of Babb’s Park.

On October 26th, Citizens Restoring Congamond was honored at the Southwick Rotary Club’s annual awards banquet at Roma Restaurant in Southwick as we were given their 2011 Outstanding Vocational and Community Service Award. We are both humbled and honored.

The deadline for signing up for the annual winter vacation is approaching (November 15th). If you’d like to go with us to Barbados for 2 nights and then on a Clipper Ship for 7 nights, cruising the Windward Islands, please contact us as soon as you read this. You do not have to be a member of CRC to go.

Our CRC Christmas Party is coming up, as well, and we invite you to join us! It will be held at Louie B’s on December 3rd. See the website for ticket information or ask any Board Member. Buffet dinner and dancing to a live band is offered.

Our last meeting of 2011 was in October and we re-elected Ann Gustafson as Treasurer, and Bob Tatro as Secretary. Our speaker was Herb Sobansky, a licensed trapper and President of the CT Trappers Association, who spoke about the beavers and the trapping process.

The CRC Board will continue to meet through the winter months and we’re working on an even better Summer Concert Series at the Park next summer. Stay tuned for more exciting news!

Citizens Restoring Congamond is a duly authorized Non-Profit organization, dedicated to the protection and betterment of the Congamond Lakes. You may contact us at www.congamond.org or P.O. Box 117, West Suffield, CT 06093.

Our Sponsors - thank you for your support!

Platinum Sponsors
Nargi Family (Michael & Kerri) of Southwick, MA
Freedom Candle Company, of Granby, CT

Gold Sponsors
Crowe Family (Tom & Eva) of West Suffield, CT
Chem-One Supply Company of West Suffield, CT

Silver Sponsors
Hair Unlimited of Suffield
Diane Mason Family Farm Insurance of Southwick
Rockville Bank
Webster Bank
First National Bank of Suffield
Stone Insurance Agency of Suffield

(these sponsors also sponsor the Concert Series)

The Bistro Boys perform "China Grove"

Listen to the PodCasts - 6/27 & 8/8 ...
Click "On Demand Podcasts" and scroll down to ours

Historic landmark building Vandalized, again!
Reward Offered!!

Please donate to help replace what was vandalized.

November 2010 Break-in!

As you know, CRC and many volunteers are try to doing something good for the community, which is re-open the rink building to the Suffield Community (and surround areas) where kids would have a safe, drug and alcohol-free place to go, summer and winter. Many have volunteered hundreds of hours, and donated money in tough economic times:

Historic landmark building Vandalized- Reward Offered

It was discovered by Scott Feron around 8am Saturday morning Nov. 20, as he was opening it for volunteers to come in to help restore this landmark that belongs to the community. He called the Suffield police immediately, and a report and photos of the vandalism damage were taken.

They shut off the breaker switch near the main entrance way, so no lights were on when the damage was done. They backed a vehicle into one of the supports that hold up the overhang on the entrance way. They took a hammer and smashed 6 -8 holes in the main entrance door windows. They pried open the doors facing the lake, and kicked out the door facing the street from the inside. The spilled paint on the hardwood skating floor, and also on a valuable antique piano that had been donated. Expensive architectural drawings were damaged. The vandals smashed several expensive historically accurate windows, and someone cut their hand as there was blood on the window. They stole both First Aid kits, presumably to stop the bleeding.

Several hours were spent cleaning up the glass, but there is still other damage.

REWARD: We believe one of the perpetrators has a cut on their hand or arm. There is a reward being offered for information leading to the arrest and convictions of the vandal(s). Anyone with any information should contact the Suffield Police.

Yext Podiatrists'
Guide to Roller Skating

Re-printed with permission from http://www.yext.com/podiatrists/articles/guide-to-roller-skating.html

While the first invention of a roller skate that was attached to the feet dates back to the 18th Century, the first patent for a crude roller skate dates back to 1819. In the years since, the design of roller skates have changed drastically, but the enjoyment that people have gotten from roller skating has not.

In 1819, French inventor M. Petitblad created a very basic roller skate that is similar in concept to today’s inline skates. However, the design was very poor with skaters having great deal of trouble maneuvering the skates. But the idea for attaching wheels to people's feet was born.

In 1863, James Plimpton created the first quad skate, where two sets of wheels were on the skate, side-by-side. The design of the skate allowed skaters the ability to easily maneuver and turn. ;Because of the ease of use, the popularity of skates started to increase leading to the first roller skating rink appearing in 1866.

Over the course of the next hundred years, the quad skate continued to increase in popularity, with various improvements added over time. The popularity of the skate, made skating one of the fastest growing activities, with roller rinks opening all around the world. During the early to mid 20th century the roller rink became a center in towns and cities where people of all ages could meet and skate to the popular music of the time.

In the later part of the 20th century, inline skates, which have only one row of wheels in a line, became popular. The design of the inline skates where similar to ice skates, with skaters using the same motion to start and stop. Inline skates, also called rollerblades, started to become popular are skating rinks started to close and people began to skate outdoors for exercise.

However, during the development of the roller skate, they have been used for a variety of competitive events. Competitions started to develop in speed roller skating, roller dancing and even in the rough and tumble world of roller derby. The development of the inline skate has led to inline hockey games being played, not on ice, but on either indoor or outdoor paved rinks. The invention of the inline skate had allowed ice hockey players to play year round, either on or off the ice.

Roller skating and roller skates have seen tremendous changes during the past couple of centuries. From very basic skates to the elaborate, inline skates of today, roller skates are still a popular item for people looking for fun and exercise.

For more information on roller skates and roller skating, we have gathered a collection of resources:

For much more information on roller skates and roller skating, visit http://www.yext.com/podiatrists/articles/guide-to-roller-skating.html

What is the plan?

Restore building to roller skating rink and multifunction usage.
Sublease the building to a rink operator.
Any profits realized from the sublease will be utilized for CRC’s mission of the protection and preservation of the Congamond Lakes.

How can you help?

Volunteer for work days.
Donate an item on our wish list.
Contribute funds towards the restoration.
Tell your friends and neighbors about the project.