GarrAargHrumph
I can kill you with my brain
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I'd add Connecticut to that list. We get CT coaches coming to NY and NJ routinely for work, as their daily commute. Likewise, we have NY coaches, skaters and teams going to CT routinely for ice time. As you said, it's an area that, skating-wise, has a lot of cross border movement.
GarrAargHrumph
I can kill you with my brain
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The Hershey Open and its related adult competition is being held in August, with the entry deadline date being July 1. I normally do this competition, but I'm not so sure about this year. First, I haven't been on the ice since early March, and likely won't be back to practicing for some time. Second, even if I were ready... coronavirus likely would be as well, and I'm not thinking this comp is a very good idea this year.
Bullfeathers.
I live in Lehigh County. I am fine with every single restriction that Gov. Wolf and Dr. Levine have instituted.
You must be fortunate and not have any loved ones in a nursing home.
Wolf and Levine’s decision requiring hospitalized seniors with the disease be returned to their nursing home resulted in needless deaths of the most vulnerable of our society. It’s a shame that you cannot recognize this as a horrible policy. Levine clearly understood the ramifications of this government policy and moved her 95 year old mother to the safety of the Hershey Lodge from her nursing home.
it’s unfortunate others did not have the same opportunity. This Is indefensible.
overedge
Mayor of Carrot City
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I'm not sure what policies about caring for seniors during this crisis have to do with the decision to reopen (or not reopen) skating rinks.
el henry
#WeAllWeGot #WeAllWeNeed
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Agreed, and I apologize for my part in thread derailing.
If I feel like arguing against every Tea Party Tattler point, I can do it elsewhere. And since the diversion and deflection tactics of such folks bore me, I probably won't
MacMadame
Doing all the things
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They are probably waiting to see if a miracle occurs.
overedge
Mayor of Carrot City
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Agreed, and I apologize for my part in thread derailing.
If I feel like arguing against every Tea Party Tattler point, I can do it elsewhere. And since the diversion and deflection tactics of such folks bore me, I probably won't
No need to apologize - you weren't the detailer.
Z
ZilphaK
Guest
They are probably waiting to see if a miracle occurs.
Hersheypark doesn't even have an opening day yet, and the rink where the competition is held is right at the entrance. The AHL team there has canceled its season, so any ice going in might be wishful thinking. And that old rink is going to be a beast to keep clean even if they just allow one parent in right before each warm-up. A few years ago, they had a mold problem so bad, the rink was closed down and was uncertain to reopen. I'm placing my bets on aliens making contact with Earth before a competition can safely be held in that building in August.
But as others said, most rinks aren't open (legally, anyway) and those that are open (legally and illegally), ice is restricted to one or two sessions a week. How do you even get a program up and running by August? I don't get the rush to compete when some skaters are still not on ice.
I read a great coaching article that said competition is the test of how well and thoroughly you've practiced. There will be little to no thorough practice between now and August. So what is the competition all about then? Certainly not a respectful consideration of figure skaters as athletes to assume it just takes a few spins around the ice to be competition ready.
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Hershey's has conjured two miracles. In a paper submitted to the Journal of Medicinal Chocolate, researchers at Hershey's report that chocolate syrup administered intravenously will cure patients infected with COVID-19. In a paper submitted to the Journal of Environmental Chocolate, researchers at Hershey's report that chocolate syrup, when wiped on a wide range of surfaces, will kill coronavirus, and will provide long-lasting disinfectant protection for up to 72 hours. Researchers further report that when chocolate syrup is added to the water used to form ice at ice rinks, the ice surface and the air above remain free of coronavirus, even when the ice is teeming with infected hockey jocks. Skaters in need of refreshment can even safely lick the ice. Zamboni is negotiating a licensing agreement with Hershey's to dispense chocolate syrup from their iconic ice resurfacing machines.They are probably waiting to see if a miracle occurs.
Yazmeen
All we are saying, is give peace a chance
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@Sk8yDad - there's an entire forum dealing with the beer burden elsewhere, or perhaps you could go to the Politically Incorrect forum if you just want to spend our time unloading on how awful the state of PA is and your disgust with the Philadelphia area, etc. As a skater and physician in Bucks County, I'd like to get back on the ice, but I'm more concerned about people's health and the spread of disease than working on my Canasta Tango. Forgive me if my part of the state is inconveniencing you so badly.
It comes down to a parents analysis of whether to trust the PA governmental leadership formulating specific restrictions on people's freedom. This includes when things are safe to allow a child to figure skate. I make my judgments about people based on their training, their past performance and their motivation. I have simply pointed out the lack of training and clear failures of PA officials to the most vulnerable senior citizens of our state. This partially leads me to a conclusion to not rely on them regarding the health and safety of my family. This is my reasoned opinion. I thought that I could express it here without being called names or be attacked. I am done.
Z
ZilphaK
Guest
You aren't being attacked. The quality of debate and discussion here is generally of a higher calibre than the self-selected feedback loop of Facebook or Twitter. If that makes you feel attacked, you may need to firm up your convictions. I've had to, as well as let some go , but I enjoy the challenges from members here who I've gotten to know and trust over years. Entering any new group with guns blazing is never going to go well. Listen first, get to know people, and mutual respect is extended.
Yazmeen
All we are saying, is give peace a chance
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Not to mention don't jump down the throats of others who live in your state and make assumptions about how our end is ruining things for you. You started out here by attacking and frankly being rather insulting. You could have expressed your dissatisfaction in a much more reasonable way than "Wolf and Levine and the government stink" and "Philly has ruined it for everybody." We treat each other with respect here. I hope you child is able to skate again soon - safely.
Theoreticalgirl
your faves are problematic
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In this moment, I feel like clubs and skaters are putting their values on full display with the actions they choose to take or ignore. Not that they weren't doing this pre-YKW, but the spotlight feels brighter than before.
While I don't know what the path out of this will look like, my gut instinct says to stay off the ice—especially when plans feel pretty ill-advised, making us only as safe as the least careful members of our groups.
Theoreticalgirl
your faves are problematic
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HA. In some of the skating FB groups, there were people planning trips to other states just for ice time. While they didn't say what you just wrote, hooo boy, the subtext jumped out.
Z
ZilphaK
Guest
I have mixed feelings about this. If people are going to a rink that is legally allowed to open, OK, I guess. But again, if they are crossing regions and states to do this, that's not the spirit of the restrictions put in place. It's still sneaky. I'd say, "Listen, Typhoid Mary, your region is in a higher lockdown for a reason."
Theoreticalgirl
your faves are problematic
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HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Yeah, these were people who wanted to drive from one state to another several states away. Not your usual PA-DE-NJ-NY situation here. These people are so eager to kick ass and take names at the... checks notes Hershey Open.
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Z
ZilphaK
Guest
Ok, but kinda recanting now because it would be nice to meet-up with all y'all at the Hershey competition. 
MacMadame
Doing all the things
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@Theoreticalgirl made it sound so fun and, of course, important.Ok, but kinda recanting now because it would be nice to meet-up with all y'all at the Hershey competition.
As a Race Director, I feel for anyone who normally puts on an annual event.
Z
ZilphaK
Guest
Yup. Our club had to cancel at least one competition and the other in the spring may be iffy, we'll see. My kid missed soccer, hockey and lacrosse this spring as well as some other sports events (all recreational low stress, but we keep him busy, because idle hands and all....@Theoreticalgirl made it sound so fun and, of course, important.
As a Race Director, I feel for anyone who normally puts on an annual event.
) And now it's even harder to plan for summer or fall. But so many big tournaments and games have been cancelled...it's hard to justify a relatively smaller to-do knowing that the man-power is volunteer run and that's so much more pressure to do the right thing all the time and to manage others as well. I just went back to work today -- public eye job -- and let me tell you, people are ready to nitpick every little thing not done the right way. It's been kind of intense.
MacMadame
Doing all the things
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They are probably waiting for some internal milestone that makes sense for them to make the Go/No-Go Decision.
As long as the country is opening up, I don't see any issue with the people running a particular event waiting until the last possible second to decide to cancel if they believe there is any chance it could happen. And actually, smaller events are easier to put on than big ones. I could put mine on if I kept it to 250 kids and no spectators, for example.
As long as the country is opening up, I don't see any issue with the people running a particular event waiting until the last possible second to decide to cancel if they believe there is any chance it could happen. And actually, smaller events are easier to put on than big ones. I could put mine on if I kept it to 250 kids and no spectators, for example.
gkelly
Well-Known Member
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Hershey open is usually a pretty large competition.
I'm sure if it does happen this year it will be smaller than usual.
I'm sure if it does happen this year it will be smaller than usual.
I saw on FB that SCOB is opening next week. They did have pretty clear, well-thought-out procedures. We'll see what happens.
Even if the rink is open, skaters in the comp's orbit aren't even skating yet and likely won't be for at least another month. Who is going to enter a comp after a month of skating, after a 4-month break?
My club canceled our comp 2 months in advance (late April). We wanted to wait until the last possible day (which we deemed to be 2 months prior) to see if there was a chance. But even if we were back at rinks mid-May, how many people were going to be prepared for a comp in late June? Not to mention the safety/social distancing considerations. Most of our judges and officials skew older, we knew there was no way they'd want to come.
It does feel strange right now to not be deep in planning. It doesn't feel like June, lol.
Quote of the week.
Even if the rink is open, skaters in the comp's orbit aren't even skating yet and likely won't be for at least another month. Who is going to enter a comp after a month of skating, after a 4-month break?
My club canceled our comp 2 months in advance (late April). We wanted to wait until the last possible day (which we deemed to be 2 months prior) to see if there was a chance. But even if we were back at rinks mid-May, how many people were going to be prepared for a comp in late June? Not to mention the safety/social distancing considerations. Most of our judges and officials skew older, we knew there was no way they'd want to come.
It does feel strange right now to not be deep in planning. It doesn't feel like June, lol.
MacMadame
Doing all the things
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Tell me about it. I was supposed to be running a competition for 1000 kids with another 2000 spectators, volunteers and vendors in a week. It's so weird.
Z
ZilphaK
Guest
I told our club we should just do an all improv competition.
MacMadame
Doing all the things
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My old club (from when I skated) did something called Shoe Sk8. It was a virtual competition that people did in their living rooms but live, not submitting tapes. They did spins and jumps but there was also a category called "Open Program"
Theoreticalgirl
your faves are problematic
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Ok, but kinda recanting now because it would be nice to meet-up with all y'all at the Hershey competition.
I would love to meet folks too and yes, the Hershey comp is a great event. But you have to admit the overzealousness from various folks in the skating community is just a bit... much.
ioana
Well-Known Member
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Am not sure what the overzealous peeps that were mentioned had done. If my New Hampshire rink opens on schedule after July 4th, I will definitely be driving from Mass across the border. WFH is not scheduled to end until Sept 14th for my entire company; I live on my own -and cats are apparently quite resilient to Cov!d19 cross-species transmission 
.
SCOB is actually really close to me, but they're only open to contracted members. That makes sense on their end, but means I would need to drive further to skate. The rink I will be going to in Mass next weekend is only about 10 mins closer then the one in NH. Think all this 'crossing state borders' is slightly relative in New England. Whether or not trying to skate two days in a row is a wise weekend plan remains to be seen. Am basically a (well stretched!) couch potato by this point.
.SCOB is actually really close to me, but they're only open to contracted members. That makes sense on their end, but means I would need to drive further to skate. The rink I will be going to in Mass next weekend is only about 10 mins closer then the one in NH. Think all this 'crossing state borders' is slightly relative in New England. Whether or not trying to skate two days in a row is a wise weekend plan remains to be seen. Am basically a (well stretched!) couch potato by this point.
