I see my breath in the stillness and I hear the silence of a December evening. Beneath my gloves I feel numbness as cold water rushes through the hose in my hand. I am inspired by the sight of my five daughters gazing out the window in anticipation of their first skate.

My vision was born long ago on a warm summer day when I installed underground electrical lines and water lines from the house to the rink.

When finally the long awaited winter returned to our Island, I was able to flood the rink and watch the water slowly turn to slush and then to ice. The six-inch foundation of my goal had been achieved by December 2nd. The dimensions, 100' X 60', provide skating euphoria to some one hundred community members ranging in age from toddlers to "Old-timers."

The overwhelming enthusiasm shared by all motivated further creative touches.

Fourteen sheets of ¾" 4' x 8' plywood, painted white, were used to enclose the perimeter of the rink. A fishing net was used as a mesh behind each net. Blue lines and red lines adorn the center of the ice. Homemade stencils bearing The Home Depot and Hockey Night in Canada logos were painted onto the boards.

As I continue to flood, I am definitely cold but I am warmed daily by the spirit of every kid who laces up on my ice with a dream and skates away with a memory.

Craig Jenkins
Stratford, P.E.I.