Ice Skating this year

It has been a cold winter in The Netherlands. Since the earliest days of that glorious country, the frozen canals have been the scene of play, commerce, and transportation. One of the highlights of every winter in years passed has been De Friesche Elf Steden, a magnificent 200km tour/race that goes through 11 towns in Friesland. This year the skating on the canals has been the best in a decade, and there is hope that the Elf-Steden will take place for the first time since 1997.

Closer to home, the Middletown Parks and Recreation Department has announced that Ravine Park (by Highland Avenue), Swales (by Snow School), and Butternut (on Butternut Street) are all open to the public for ice skating. Call 344-3552 for updates on ice conditions.