The Milton Youth Hockey’s Learn to Skate Program which began in 1965 has recently ended another very successful season – its 48th to be exact. This year’s ice skating program was held on Sundays at the Ulin Rink in Milton.

There were 180 youngsters – 92 girls and 88 boys – who participated in this large and popular Learn to Skate Program. Each of the youngsters showed improvement in doing his or her job every week which was “To learn and to be the best skater I can be.” Skating fundamentals such as balance, starts, motion, stride, agility, speed, stops, safety, etc., were stressed in the lessons.

Many adults, as well as older private and Milton Public School students, contributed their time to help the children learn, work hard, and have fun. The time and effort these volunteers put into the program has helped many boys and girls come to enjoy skating. It also has helped to develop a strong interest on the youngster’s part in the sport of hockey or figure skating.

Bob Sweeney, the Program’s Director, extends special thanks to all the volunteers who helped out with the skating classes. Some of them are: Beth Alvarez, Mary Claire Cantor, Todd Cantor, Jodi Cohen, Peter Costa, Paul Cox, Joe De Besse, Kevin Doyle, Brad Dumais, Danielle Dumais, Marty Earner, David Finn, David Finocchio, Sam Finocchio, Stella Finocchio, Don Greene, Glen Hoffman, Brian Johnson, John Kelly, Christian Leimkuehler, Maire Leyne, William Maloney, Dennis McKinney, Greg McManus, Megara McManus, Kevin McManus, Alan MacIsaac, Natasha Minsky, Peter Mullen, Jim Mulligan, Ed Regal, Kate Sweeney Regan, John Sheehan, Allen Schweitzer, Rita Taugher, Kim Walker, Leonard Wall, Mark Wegner, and others.

Thanks, too, for the off-ice help of Sheila Drain, Dennis Drain, Paul Demers, and Phil Zona. Thank you to our Santa, Jim Mullen, and photographer, Gert Sweeney.