OPTIMIST SKATE-PANCAKES — PERFECT

OSHAWA, March 07: Supporters of the Optimist Club of Oshawa members sponsored annual Family Skate and Pancake Breakfast walked out of the Children’s Arena located in mid-town Oshawa having received two hours of fun exercise skating with perfect ice conditions and boasting healthy red cheeks. Slipping through the door ways they’re departure also included a tummy full of Opti-style home made pancakes including everyone’s favourite chocolate chip.

A final count of 202 patrons skated enjoying family bonding with fellow skaters and eaters. This reminded Optimist 29th president Stephen Hambley that this was an excellent day. He continued to say “I’ve been around our skating parties for years but this was one of the best” To me it looked as if everyone was enjoying themselves to the fullest commented Optimist president elect Sybil Dewhurst as native of the Carbineen who has never skating before.

Special highlight was the appearance of Tori Richards a talented figure skater. Her solo lasted only just over 3 minutes and the crowd request more.The Oshawa Figure Skating Club member but she had to depart as other commiments prevailed. Tori – is a ‘feel good story’ For the past few years Richards a teenager has been a mainstay helping Optimist Youth Events. Her admitted favourite is the annual Optimist Christmas Food Hampers & Toy deliveries each December. The atheltic Richards blood lines run deep and Tori continues in the tradition. Her great-grandfather Ivan, grand-father Ron, her uncle Ron Jr hold positions as the only family having three generations as inducted members in the Oshawa Hall of Fame. Father Randy is a former national Ski jumper member and he’s former head coach of Canada’s National ski jumping team.

The Durham College mascot proved popular with the youngsters skating. He joined hands, providing hi-five’s and aid older skaters who haven’t skated for years.

Tom McNaught the Cenon Governor inducted five new Oshawa members. These new members included Eric Goodwin, Peter Pniauskas Sandy Crosbie, Elizabeth Crosbie and president elect Sybil Dewhurst. It is believed this was the first time induction have been conducted on arena ice, Records must be checked out in the World Book of Records. The Optimist organization was founded in 1919 world wide. The Oshawa club was chartered July 22, 1982. Councillor John Henry represented city council.

Yeomen volunteer work efforts where turned in by Kenny Graves, Cathy Kehoe, Earl Allen, Miles Richardson, Brian Tremblay, Eric Goodwin, Ken Ferrill, Stephen Hambley, Sybil and William Dewhurst, Peter Pniauskas, Don Richardson, Elizabeth and Sandy Crosbie and Jim Shaw. Those volunteers brought their own skillets, flippers, mixing bolls and wooden spoons serving up over 1,632 Opti-Cakes loaded with diet free syrup.

In exchange to patrons supplied non-perishable food products to aid the Salvation Army Food bank. A full scale of media turned up for this important fundraiser for the Salvation Food Bank with a estimated 750 pounds of non-perishable Food collected.

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