Open Discussion - for our Readers, Islanders, and Web Site Visitors alike. Discussion regarding any and all aspects of Beaver Island are welcome here. Also a place for general Beaver Island conversation and discussion.
I'm pretty sure that Kings Highway just north of Paid Een Oggs Road will be perfect for skating, any time now. Too bad we don't have any guard rails to sit on!
The ponds at Gull Harbor are usually the first to freeze and the snow usually blows off the ice at that site. The ice can be quite smooth. We started at Gull Harbor as kids and moved to Font Lake and the harbor later in the season. The county snowplow was used to clear the snow on the harbor in the winter and we often had bonfires.
I totally forgot about the sucker ponds at Gull Harbor. They are getting smaller each year but the good news is that you are only ankle deep if the ice is too thin. I just want to clarify that Font Lake skating is at the north end and not at the public park hidden behind Peaine township hall.
Many communities start out with an enclosed open pole barn structure large enough to enclose a covered rink. This would be a huge winter draw but as unpredictable as the snow and weather is this is truly the only way.
I will donate a good share of the materials if we can find a property large enough to house the structure.
Perhaps Pirate if a rink is ever built you could field a group of buccanneers, brigands, cutthroats and privateers to make a respectable team to challenge those from the home island.....
Doc, say no more, I've already got my "eye out" for a Zamboni. I'll be contacting my mates and the Whiskey Island Blades will be ready to take on all comers.
Brendan, looks like you're getting a jump on winter snow down there. Thanks for the picture, we may use it on our jerseys. It looks just like our center and wings. Fair warning to anyone, including the Fishchockers, who challenge us on the ice, we have more blades than a Gillette factory.
With a start like this to the Winter many Jimmy Buffett covers may have to change i.e. "A Pirate Looks At Forty Below (-40)" and "Trying To Reason With Polar Vortex Season" and Danny's can have a "Penguin Head" Party.
I wanna drive the Zamboni ! I wanna drive the Zamboni ! please mister ! I've got experience.....driving the ambulance in wtr on beaver island roads....I always refer to THAT thrill as driving the Zamboni.....lol
Pam, driving the "Z" is an Aussie job so who better to do it than you? You have to promise to let your father-in-law take it for a spin. It'll make Don's day. I bet he was the one who cleared the harbor ice for Pam McDonough and friends for skating. If so, that would make him the first island Zamboni driver and you the second. I love family tradition.