80 yr old who skates with Ponomarenko - sweet story

[alilou]

This is the story of an 80 yr old who used to skate in Ice Follies, and now skates 3 times a week with Ponomarenko. Also the story of how she reconnected with her childhood sweetheart later in life.

Passions: Ice skating, childhood beau keep Sunnyvale woman active at age 80
http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-...nclick_check=1

Years later, she was taking a class from Ponomarenko when he agreed to ice dance with her at Sharks Ice. Until then, she'd thought about finally hanging up her skates. But dancing on the ice with Ponomarenko reminded her of the years with Shipstads & Johnson Ice Follies, when the young women traveled by private train and skated in elaborate costumes.

[YukiNieve]

Thanks for the great story!
She does not look like 80 yrs old at all - very charming and in great shape.
Wow, I am impressed.

[alilou]

Isn't she an inspiration! Reminds me of a 90 yr old I recently met. If he'd told me he was 70 I'd have believed him. He has the same passion for life. In his 70's he learned to play a musical instrument (can't remember which one). In his 70's! And then got together with a group of guys to jam with, which he still does.

[VALuvsMKwan]

Wonderful story, and she does look incredible!

[BittyBug]

Now that's a feel good story. Those two look like a pair of teenagers, just eating life up. Fantastic.

[Perky Shae Lynn]

My goodness, such a wonderful story! She looks amazing.

[Wiery]

Girl's got a great set of legs! She absolutely does not look 80!

She's rockin' those thigh-high boots, too!

[Aussie Willy]

She does indeed have great legs. What a nice story. Thanks for posting. I am envious her being able to skate with Sergei.

[a56]

Great story, great legs, and I'm glad she's staying actively engaged in the sport.

[flowerpower]

It is a lovely story, good for her!!!

An exceptional 80 year old, though - most of us will not age quite this way, lol!

[BelleBway]

Such a sweet story!

[LilJen]

Wow. That was a nice story to start my day. If only all our legs could look that good at 80!!

[SkaterDon]

Thanks, alilou, for posting this and including the link. I skate in a rink with Barbara once or twice a week. She has a terrific personality, almost at the same time being both serious but cheerful.

I have taken the liberty to copy down all of the comments and will give them to her today. (She doesn't "internet".)

[alilou]

Thanks SkaterDon - great idea. I was so inspired by her story. Way to live life!

[genevieve]

Looooove her style! Those photos from her show days are fab too

She looks like she really enjoys life. I hope to have that same outlook at 80

[Taso]

This woman is really 80?!?!?!??! Amazing!!!

[AragornElessar]

Okay, it's official...I want to be her when I grow up!!

She seems like such a sweet, lovely lady, yet also filled w/so much spunk and love for life. Good for her!!

Also good for Sergei. He and Marina were always one of my favourite ice dance teams and this just proves again why that was.

[skatesindreams]

How wonderful - for Barbara - and for Sergei!

[Vash01]

You are only as old as you believe yourself to be.

Nice stories.

[Aussie Willy]

Thanks, alilou, for posting this and including the link. I skate in a rink with Barbara once or twice a week. She has a terrific personality, almost at the same time being both serious but cheerful.

I have taken the liberty to copy down all of the comments and will give them to her today. (She doesn't "internet".)

That is a very nice thing to do. She will probably be very flattered by what we all think about her legs.