Beat the Heat! Summer fun at the Polar Palace

Press Release from the Polar Palace:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Beat the Heat Inside the Polar Palace this Summer

Lapeer, MI -- As the temperatures begin to soar into the 90's this summer, inside Polar Palace's state-of-the-art ice skating center will remain cool.

Preschoolers as young as 3 years old can come in from the heat and enjoy the ice with Polar Palace's Mice on Ice Program.

"This Learn-to-Skate program acts as a one hour skating party combining on- and off-ice activities to help children become comfortable on the ice," stated Wayne Alexander, General Manager. "It also provides time for building their socialization skills with a craft and snack time."

Emphasis is placed on familiarizing the preschooler with the ice by teaching them how to stand, march, fall down and get up. Upon completion of the Mice-On-Ice program, skaters will be ready to move on to Snow Plow Sam 2-3, Rink Rats or Basic Hockey class.

For all non-preschoolers through adult, the Lapeer Skating School will continue to host its 6-week Learn-to-Skate program beginning June 14 through July 29. The United States Skating Structure will include Snow Plow Sam 1-3, Basic Skills 1-8 and Freestyle 1-6 classes -- your choice of Monday, Tuesday or Thursday.

The skating team is also very excited to offer a "Bridge Program" to their list of skating offerings this summer. This program is designed for the serious skater wishing to take their abilities to new levels through concentrated disciplines including Moves in the Field, Ice Dancing, Stroking Techniques, etc. as well as learning the proper ice etiquette in becoming a true figure skater.

The class focus remains fun, however, with solid technique building. Skaters interested in future Club skating, competitions, private instruction would benefit immensely from this type of Bridge Program. Freestyle Drop-In is also available and recommended for this level skater...whether practicing on their own or with a private instructor.

Does your skater like skating in unison? If yes, Polar Palace's Synchro Clinic is for him/her. Trained instructors will provide an introduction to synchronized skating (formerly called precision team skating) for those skaters interested in discovering this wonderful spectators' sport. This clinic is designed to teach skaters to skate in unison, similar to line dancing or a chorus line. Skaters under 16 years of age interested in enrolling for this clinic must have solid basic skills ie. Skater must be at a Basic Skills 2 or above and a USFS member. If not a USFS member, a $10 membership fee will be required.

Got coffee and cocoa? The Polar Palace does! The Coffee & Cocoa Club Skate is open to all adults and their children and/or grandchildren wishing to step in from the "heat" and use the ice as their path to "cool" fitness and fun. Membership includes skate rental, coffee or cocoa, bagel or muffins and logo'ed travel mug. Trained Skating Instructors will be available during this open session "floating around the ice" offering tips and suggestions to improve your skate. This is a fun and casual environment and all levels of skaters are welcome. Club members can enjoy coffee or cocoa in their new logo'ed mug before or after their skating fun. (Children 5 and under skate free).

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, skating around the rink in circles is healthful. But, when combined with the basic skills of skating, which include forward and backward crossovers, turning, stopping and changing feet, the health benefits increase tremendously.

So, consider stepping in from the "heat" this summer with Polar Palace's many "cool" skating offerings. For specific program details, please call the rink's office via 810-245-7778 or visit www.polarpalace.com. On-line registrations are welcome.

Brownie Girl Scout beginning ice skaing program at Polar Palace begins March 24

Following is some information that may be of interest to many of our students and parents about a new beginning ice skating program at the Polar Palace. From the Polar Palace:

The Brownie Girl Scout Program is a beginning ice skating class for those Scouts interested in discovering, connecting and taking action on and off the ice.

Trained Skating Instructors will be conducting the 5-week program on Wednesday (Mar 24 - Apr 28 from 4:50-5:50pm) to help Scouts achieve several of the designated outcomes that are essential to strong leadership -- from exploring the sport of ice skating, ice skating etiquette, learning the basics of ice skating, ice skating games and the opportunity to be an inspiration to others.

"We will also have some off-ice time devoted to creating an acrostic poem about ice skating and making a skating mural," stated Lemieux. "It is our hope to provide the Scouts with a unique experience both on and off the ice."

The cost of the 5-week session program is $55 and includes skate rental. Scouts enrolled in the program can take advantage of the Wednesday Public Skate beginning at 3 pm. The designated one hour session includes 1/2-hour group lesson and 1/2-hour practice time. Upon earning their Polar Palace Skating School patch, a $5 discount coupon will also be provided to all Scouts wishing to "first time" enroll in any "Learn-to-Skate or Learn-to-Play" class thereafter.

Lapeer students perform at Polar Palace Ice & Fashion show to benefit Toys For Tots

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Holiday Ice & Fashion Show for Charity includes Local Talents

Lapeer, MI -- The Polar Palace in Lapeer, MI will be taking the community on
an unforgettable "ice" journey to the North Pole on its very own "Polar Palace Express." Not only skaters from the Lapeer Skating School, but a variety of local talents will take to the ice with music and fashion on Sunday, December 20 from 1:00pm-2:30pm with proceeds to benefit our local Marine's Toys For Tots Foundation.

No stranger to the community, Dave Kennedy will be the "Conductor" on this unforgettable ice journey to the North Pole. "Dave is the voice of the show," stated Karen Lemieux, Learn-to-Skate Instructor. "The community may remember Dave from Pix Theaters' Oklahoma when he portrayed Jud Fry." Kennedy is not only a very talented writer and entertainer, but an extraordinary singer as well. Kennedy is a wonderful asset to helping take this ice show to a whole new level with a bit of theater and vocals.

Joining Kennedy will be Tara Lemieux, a 12-year old attending Roland Warner Middle School, who will blend vocals and skating into a special performance titled, "The Man with the Bag." At one stop, the train comes across another new and wonderful thing to look at and listen to, featuring a Mother - Daughter performance titled, "Silver Bells." Annie Petersmark, a fellow Roland Warner student of Lemieux, will skate to live music performed by her Mother, Susan Wizinsky, a freelance cellist and a member of the Lapeer Symphony Orchestra.

Erica Miller, a Lapeer West High School Junior, will take to the ice with several special skating performances including a heart touching skate to "Christmas Shoes." Additional skating performers and/or skating "models" from the Lapeer and surrounding communities include Elaina Wizinsky, Emma Waatti, Josie Roberts, Katie Evans, Sarah Evans, Kacie Davis, Megan Conlon, Jacob Garris, Jade Garris, Faith Garten, Michael Garten, Claire Trombley, Jenna Ulrich, Olivia Colpean, Leah Peraino, Benjamin Colpean, Jake Austin, Kirsten Bowen, Nicholas Mozola, Brandon Bicknell, Crosby Wildfong, Steven Kennedy, Samantha Baalerud, Renee Fromwiller and Lizzy Anderson. "It is with such talents and community support that we can bring The Polar Palace Express story to life," stated Lemieux.

Upon arriving, the North Pole, our skaters encounter stores…several stores. As everyone listens to Lemieux's stylish singing of “All I Want for Christmas is Clothes,” skaters will impress the audience with the latest winter collections from Fashion Bug, rue21 and Walmart. "The community support for this charitable ice and fashion show has been unbelievable," stated Wayne Alexander, General Manager. "I was thrilled to learn that several Lapeer East Hockey players wanted to take part as well." Amongst the skating "models" sporting the Men's Collections, from rue21, include Steve Tadazak, Kenny Pekala, Jared Ross, Adam Schroeder, Nate Herr, Grant Masters and Alex Hart.

To help skaters in becoming "runway models on ice," local modeling agency, Models & Co., has agreed to offer some tips in fashion and modeling. Models & Co. is a full service modeling agency and training facility. Established in 1999, the agency has grown to be the leading Agency in the area.

"Well, are you coming?" Admission to the show is a new, unwrapped toy (minimum value $5.00) or a $5.00 entrance fee, per family, at the door. Upon arriving, you will be greeted with the sweet sounds of carolers (Murphy Elementary School students) and the smell of hot chocolate and fresh baked goods.

One-dollar raffle tickets will also be available for your chance to win a merchandise gift card from Fashion Bug and rue21, 4 passes for a 14-mile excursion train ride from the Coopersville & Marne Railway in 2010, several children's outfits from Walmart just in time for "dressing in style" this holiday season, free passes to the Lapeer Community Center and many more.

The Polar Palace hopes to make this a memorable, and perhaps an annual, event in an effort to raising vital funds and the collecting of toys for a worthwhile local charity.

For additional information on the Charitable Ice and Fashion Show, please contact the Polar Palace Office via 810-245-7778 or email klemieux@polarpalace.com.

Lapeer West's Erica Miller skates at Polar Palace exhibition

Lapeer West junior Erica Miller demonstrated her skills on the ice during a Skating Exhibition September 13 at the Polar Palace.

Lapeer East Hockey Team gets on the ice for game against Sled Dogs September 13

Volunteers from the Lapeer East Hockey Team took to the ice against the Michigan Sled Dogs, a team of disabled hockey players who use sleds to play. The game was held at 3 p.m. September 13 at the Polar Palace.

Polar Palace to host unique hockey event Sept. 13th, players from East hockey to participate

We want to make you aware of an exciting event, one that will benefit the Lapeer East Hockey team, at the Polar Palace on Sept. 13.

The following press release was sent to us by Karen Lemieux, LTS Instructor at the Polar Palace.

August 18, 2009Contact: Karen Lemieux via http://us.mc822.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=karen.lemieux@yahoo.com or Wayne Alexander via walexander@polarpalace.com

For Immediate Release: Several Ice Skating Talents will take the Ice during Polar Palace's Skating Exhibition

Lapeer, MI -- On Sunday, September 13th, the Polar Palace is hosting an exciting Skating Exhibition consisting of several ice skating talents.

The community is invited to visit the Polar Palace between 2pm and 5pm and show their support as skaters from the rink's Learn-to-Skate program "Bop to the Top" in Polar Palace's own High School Musical performance.

Enjoy beauty on ice as local synchro teams and individual skaters perform their talents to choreography and music -- from pair skating and ice dancing to freestyle and figures.

Learn about the various field moves from our commentator as local skaters and instructors perform on-ice demonstrations.

Especially exciting, and thanks to the USA Disabled Hockey Section, the Polar Palace is able to introduce the Lapeer and surrounding communities to the sport of sled hockey, by bringing several sleds and sticks for use during the Exhibition.

Michigan's only adult sled hockey team, Michigan Sled Dogs, will be joining the Lapeer East Hockey Team volunteers in a "mini" game of sled hockey.

Research has found that anyone with a disability that would prevent them from participating in "stand-up hockey" is a candidate for sled hockey. It is a sport that allows players with mobility limitations (amputees, and able-bodied people with knee, leg or hip injuries) to play, and requires great upper-body strength, balance, and the ability to handle the puck.

"Even able-bodied individuals enjoy the sport of sled hockey," stated Marc Henretta, Michigan Sled Dog Captain. "We are very excited to bring awareness of the sport to the Polar Palace."

The Exhibition will close with a free public skate between 4:15pm - 5pm where the community can meet, greet and skate with our USFS Mascot, Snow Plow Sam, along with a few of our Michigan Sled Dog team members.

Other activities include a 50-50 raffle whereby 50% of the proceeds will go to the Lapeer East Hockey Team, in addition to the raffling off of exciting gift certificates from Louie's Sports Tavern and the Polar Palace.

Informational tables will furnish the community with a range of information as well as a Fall registration table for Polar Palace's Learn-to-Skate and Learn-to-Play Hockey programs.

The schedule of events is:

2-2:45pm View our Learn-to-Skaters during Polar Palace's HS Musical performance with special guests from several local synchro teams and individual skaters

2:45-3pm Resurface the Ice

3-4pm Take in a sled hockey game with our Lapeer East High School Hockey volunteers and Michigan's only adult sled hockey team, Michigan Sled Dogs

4-4:15pm Resurface the Ice4:15-5pm Free public skate which includes a meet and greet and skate with Snow Plow Sam and a few of the Michigan Sled Dog players.

To learn more about this special Skating Exhibition, becoming a sponsor, volunteer or donating a product and/or service for our raffle, please contact Karen Lemieux via karen.lemieux@yahoo.com or contact the rink's office at 810-245-7778.

Palace is located in the historical city of Lapeer at 3301 Davison Road. The complex is a State-of-the-Art ice skating center housing two NHL regulation ice surfaces with seating for over 1,000 spectators.

Sled Hockey, according to USA Hockey, Sled (or Sledge) Hockey was invented in Sweden at a rehabilitation center in the early 1980's by a group of Swedes with a physical disability. Despite their disability, they wanted to continue playing ice hockey.

With this somewhat unknown sport, players sit in specially designed seats attached to a lightweight frame with hockey skate blades underneath. Each player carries two sticks, both have a metal pic on one end for propelling and a hockey blade on the other end for handling the puck.

Sled hockey provides an opportunity for many types of physical disabilities. The Polar Palace team hopes there is an opportunity available to someday house its own Sled Hockey team.

One Kid...One Sled...One Shot...A Hockey Player for Life! Program.

This program is designed to help bring new players into the sport of sled hockey by initiating a loaner sled program for rinks and organizations who want to conduct "Learn-to-Play Sled Hockey" clinics but were prevented from doing so due to the lack of sleds and sticks.

Through a grant from the USA Hockey Foundation, the USA Disabled Hockey Section through One Kid...One Sled...One Shot...A Hockey Player for Life! Program has purchased 25 sleds of various sizes to be loaned out to rinks and organizations to be used to conduct clinics or demonstrations.

The Michigan Sled Dogs are the only adult sled hockey team in the state. Their home rink is the Great Lakes Sports City Ice Arena located in Fraser. Currently, the team consists of twelve male athletes and one female athlete with a variety of disabilities including amputees, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy and spinal cord injuries.

The teammates range in age from fourteen to their mid-forties. Five volunteers make up the coaching team working diligently to help each athlete reach their full potential. The Michigan Sled Dogs are entering their 5th season as a team.