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Your LOCAL Media since 1918! VOLUME 107: ISSUE 28
www.tofieldmerc.com
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Tofield Skating Club holds annual carnival
The Tofield Skating Club held their annual carnival at the Tofield Arena on Sunday afternoon, Mar. 9. The year’s theme was ‘Colour the Ice,’ and the 27 skaters performed to 14 colour-named songs. KARI JANZEN PHOTOS Kari Janzen Staff Reporter
The Tofield Skating Club held their annual carnival to showcase the skaters’ improvements over the last season at the Tofield Arena on Sunday afternoon, Mar. 9. The year’s theme was ‘Colour the Ice,’ and the 27 skaters performed to 14 colour-named songs. Local realtor Greg Litwin was the afternoon’s emcee, and Town of Tofield Deputy Mayor Harold Conquest and Beaver County Reeve Kevin Smook were in attendance. To begin, skater and club treasurer Kaelie Tiedemann sang O Canada, and skaters Kayla Bartmentloo and Trinity Yetman sang with their hands, using sign language. Skaters Taylor Charlesworth and Fayth McMaster were the flag bearers. Cst. Andrew Gillan of the RCMP was present, dressed in Red Serge. “Events like this are what make Beaver County and Tofield a great place to live,” Smook said. “It’s an important event that we look forward to each and every year, and I really appreciate being invited. Thank you to all the parents who bring your kids up to skate, to the teachers, to the organization, and, of course, the skaters, best of luck in today’s event,” he said. “Thank you to all who have contributed to the afternoon’s entertain-
ment,” Conquest said, “to the skaters and coaches who worked hard all season, to the executives, fundraisers, to the techs in the booth, to the mothers creating the costumes, for all the people who have contributed to this afternoon. Thank you. Now, let’s get onto the show!” The Starskate and Silverblades group were the first skaters to perform, skating to Men in Black, and dressed in suits, which included Kayla Bartmentloo, Leen Chakra, Taylor Charlesworth, Fayth McMaster, Kessler Suchy, Kaelie Tiedemann, and Trinity Yetman. Of the Monday Canskate Group, Callie and Hailey Van Sickle were in yellow attire for their number, Yellow Submarine. Liam Chakra and Lucas Voegtlin, wearing pink, of the Wednesday Precan Group skated to Pink Panther. The Starskate Group, consisting of Charlesworth, McMaster, and Tiedemann, skated to 99 Red Balloons, which ended with three helium balloons being released to the ceiling. The fifth performance was a Silverblades Duet, Black or White, by Bartmentloo and Suchy, whom emcee Greg Litwin said attended their first competition this season, and brought home two bronze and three silver between the two of them. Monday Canskate Group skaters Jake Laurie, Tenneson Suchy, Daleigha
Ward-Lightning, and Lukas Yetman, dressed in green, skated to Green Onions. The next number, Orange Coloured Sky was a solo performed by Tiedemann, followed by a solo performed by McMaster, Blue Danube Waltz. Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows was another number skated to by the Silverblades Group. Jorja Gillan was this year’s guest skater to the carnival, who performed a solo. “This year we have one of our Program Assistants performing a solo for us. Despite skating with another club, Jorja found time in her busy schedule to come out and help with the Canskate program on her first session,” Litwin said. The Monday Precan Group, with skaters Cane Hope, Abigail Diehl, Anna Diehl, and Hudson Powell, skated to Purple People Eater. Keeping with the colour theme, the Wednesday Canskate Group put on their Blue Suede Shoes, consisting of skaters Austin Brooks, Dominic Brooks, Barrett Daoust, Tayla Pennington, Paisley Peters, and Lukas Yetman. The last performance before the finale was a solo performed by Taylor Charlesworth, who was the graduating skater of the program. “She has spent her childhood skating with the Tofield Club. She has loved
Above photo is one of the Monday Precan skaters that skated to Purple People Eater. every moment and has so many fond memories and special moments to take with her through her adult life. Coach Christine Kunka has only been here for our club for a year and a half of sessions, but has seen Taylor make so much progress and growth. She wishes you the best in your future journey, and hopes you continue to spread the love for skating,” Litwin said. Each skater received a medal, and Coach Christine Kunka, graduating skater Charlesworth, and club president Patricia Laurie received a bouquet of flowers.