The wheels still are turning for the Roll Arena

ELYRIA — There have been numerous changes in Elyria since 1948, but over those 75 years the Roll Arena has remained a constant on Cleveland Street.

State, national and world champions have come through its doors, and beyond the competitions, countless couples have held hands or shared their first kiss on the floor. Memories were made in a place where time stands still, but the disco ball doesn’t.

Fred and Karin Smith, are the the third owners over the last seven and a half decade

The Smiths purchased the rink in 1997, but Fred’s connection to it goes back longer. Fred, a Columbus native and retired State Department diplomat, skated there competitively. He was the North American Champion in men’s freestyle in 1960 and in pairs freestyle in 1966.

“The first time I was in the building was 1960,” he said. “I represented this rink in competition in 1969 and ‘70.”

Original owners Chuck and Bob Stang built the 27,000-square-foot building with its 180-by-80-foot hardwood maple floor at a time when state Route 57 was only 10 years old and major freeways like Interstates 71, 90 and 480 and the Ohio Turnpike didn’t exist. North Ridgeville and Avon — among the fastestgrowing cities in Ohio in modern times — were still townships and wouldn’t reach city status until 1960 and 1961, respectively.

The Roll Arena opened March 17, 1948.

Originally the rink was a rectangle with no rounded corners. An organist always provided the music.

“There wasn’t a switch to popular music and artists with a DJ until the late 1960s and ‘70s,” Fred said.

“All rinks had an organ.”

In the early 2000s, the Smiths introduced laser tag and a rock climbing machine in an attempt to draw more interest. Those two options didn’t ultimately prove to be as popular as skating.

Fred said when he began competitive skating in the 1960s, the Elyria Roll Arena was one of the most powerful competitive clubs in the country. The coach then, Ron Jellse, was one of the most famous coaches in the United States, he said.

The rink still holds the largest invitational competition in the United States every April, drawing skaters from across the country.

It will also host the Great Lakes Regional Championships with people from five states competing to qualify for the U.S. Championships.

“We produced a number of national champions,” Fred said. “Elyria has had dozens of United States champions.”

Allan Mitschke, general manager for the past 15 years, said he thinks roller skating will remain an activity people enjoy regardless of how the times change. It’s an inexpensive sport compared to ice skating, he said, which helps the business weather uncertain times.

While there are fewer roller rinks than once existed, the Smiths and Mitschke said they see roller skating as an Ameri-

History on display

can mainstay like bowling, rather than going the way of, say, drive-in theaters.

“Roller skating tends to do well when the economy isn’t,” Mitschke said.

Karin — who was the South American champion from 1985-87 in team dance skating — enjoys seeing young people come with parents or grandparents. It’s that generational aspect and the memories people share that’s the best part of the business, she said.

“We try to keep this as a family atmosphere and affordable,” she said. “It’s something everyone can do together. We have had couples meet here who are now married.”

It was in fact roller skating that connected the North and South American champions, and 34 years later, here they are.

“I was working in the embassy in Santiago, Chile, and someone had given me the name and number of a woman who was an international (skating) judge and referee,” Fred said. “It turned out to be Karin’s mother and that’s how we met.”

Roller skates as we know them with four wheels were first invented in 1863 by James Plimpton of Massachusetts, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica. Plimpton broke from an in-line wheel construction, which had been the norm since roller skating appeared in the mid-1760s, for two sets of parallel wheels on the heel and front of the boot, the encyclopedia states.

In the 1980s, in-line skates once again made an appearance on the scene. They’re better for speed but not for figure skating, Fred Smith said.

“It turned out to be a little more difficult to do jumping, dancing and spinning on an in-line skate,” he said.

While the past may have seen rinks busier, popular artists such as Pink and Taylor Swift are out there promoting roller skating, Karin said.

“I’ve seen a lot of artists doing video on skates,” she said. “It’s good to see it’s popular now.”

Social media platforms are also bringing a new generation into the fold, Mitschke said.

“TikTok has been a huge driver,” he said.

Fred Smith said he thinks the rink’s motto above the entrance is important at a time when childhood obesity is an issue. It states “where fun leads to fitness.”

“That’s what I wish people were more aware of,” he said. “We’d like to see even more kids do this. It’s a way to listen to the music you like, be with your friends and although you don’t realize it, if you’re skating at a fairly rapid pace, you burn 650 calories an hour.”

It’s not only kids out on the floor. Art Ripley, 88, of North Ridgeville takes part in practice and lessons for a few hours each week.

Ripley, who retired in 2014 from Oberlin College, where he worked as a communications engineer for 35 years, skated at the Roll Arena off and on competitively in the 1960s and ‘70s. Today it’s still a way to keep healthy and active, he said.

“I highly recommend it,” he said.

JEFF BARNES | The Chronicle-Telegram

ABOVE: Wellington High School Civil War Club hosted their annual military history fair on March 18. The proceeds benefit the club for its Gettysburg Field Study.

RIGHT: Grand Army of the Republic uniforms were on display by the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War during the annual military history fair hosted by the Wellington High School Civil War Club.

Work continues

BRUCE BISHOP | The Chronicle-Telegram

Construction crews are making progress at the University Hospital Amherst Beaver Creek Surgery Center. The facility at 917 North Lake Street in Amherst broke ground November 1, 2022.

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Call (440) 329-7000 during business hours.

Tax preparation

Oberlin Community Services will offer free federal tax help from 12-4 p.m. March 28 and April 4 at Oberlin Community Services, 85 S. Professor St. Families and individuals making less than $60,000 per year can file for free through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. Those with higher income may qualify for AARP’s Tax-Aide.

This clinic is open to Lorain County residents by appointment only — appointments last about 30 minutes and can be made by calling (440) 774-6579 during OCS business hours.

Amherst VFW

Post 1662

165 Cleveland Ave. Amherst, OH 44001 (440) 988-8823

Fish Fry Fridays through April 7

Open to the public. Serving 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. Cash only, carry-outs available. Call ahead to order.

Pancake breakfasts

● The Amherst Eagles Club will host its annual pancake breakfast 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday at the Amherst Eagles Club, 1161 Milan Ave. Adult tickets are $10, children 3-to-10years-old are $5 and kids 2-and-under are free.

Tickets can be purchased at the door or from any Amherst Cross Country Girls team member. Checks should be made payable to the Amherst Athletic

THEME:

Bulletin Board

Boosters.

● The Rotary Club of Oberlin will host its pancake breakfast 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 2 at Oberlin Elementary School, 210 North Park St., Oberlin. Proceeds support Oberlin Safety Town.

Tickets are two for $14, one for $8 and children 5 and under eat free. To purchase tickets in advance, Venmo @OberlinRotaryClub.

Firelands Genealogical Society

“Help I’m Adopted!

Finding Your Biological Family Using DNA” will be the topic at the Firelands Genealogical Society meeting at 7 p.m. March 27. Dana Ann Palmer will speak via Zoom and answer questions afterward at the Laning-Young Research Center, 9 Case Ave., in Norwalk. Finding your biological family when you’re adopted can be tricky. Learn some techniques to piece together your family using DNA and other records.

Meetings of the Firelands Genealogical Society, a Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society, are free and open to the public.

Easter Egg

Hunts

● The Amherst Lions club and Amherst Steele Leo Clubs will host its Easter Egg Hunt 11 a.m. April 8. The two clubs have been hosting the event since 1996. The Easter Bunny will arrive at 10:30 a.m., courtesy of the Amherst

The Lorain County Community Guide Bulletin Board is for local nonprofit and not-for-profit events. Items are published on a space-available basis and will be edited for style, length, and clarity. Send your items to news@lcnewspapers.com

Fire Department. There will be three separate hunt areas marked by age level: toddlers to 3-year-olds; 4-to-6-year-olds; and 7-to10-year-olds.

In addition to the candyfilled eggs, there will be specially marked eggs children can redeem for prizes at the end of the hung.

Parents are requested to not enter the designated areas when the hunt first begins, but to join the children a few minutes into the hunt. For those too young to walk on their own, the Easter Bunny will have plenty of eggs to hand out, Lions Club President Lori Elswick said in a news release.

Parents of children with special needs can ask a Lion or Leo Club member for assistance.

The event is free, but donations support Amherst Lions vision care and other community projects. The Amherst Lions will also be collecting unwanted, used eye glasses to be recycled and distributed to those in need. Collection boxes will be set up.

For more information, visit Amherst Lions Club on Facebook or email AmherstOhioLions@gmail. com.

● The Rotary Club of Oberlin’s Easter Egg Hunt is 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. April 8 on the West College side of Tappan Square. It is for children ages 2-to-12years-old and will feature the Easter Bunny, face painting, games and other activities.

Amherst Historical Society

● The Shops at Sandstone Village will reopen for the season from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, and be open every Saturday until Nov. 18.

The Shops at Sandstone Village are at 763 Milan Ave., Amherst.

● Norm Miller’s program, “My Civil War Ancestors and the Songs They Sang,” will be at 7 p.m. March 29 at the Amherst Historical Society, 113 South Lake St. Norm will tell stories about his Civil War ancestors and the songs they sang, as well as discuss his family’s history. Light refreshments will be served during this free community program. Please RSVP by March 24th to (440) 988-7255 or office@amhersthistoricalsociety.org.

● The Eggstravaganza is 1-4 p.m. April 1 at wo locations: The Easter Bunny, raffle baskets, food for sale, and more will be at the Amherst Historical Society, 113 S. Lake St. A balloon artist, face painter, two petting zoos, crafting stations, trivia and egg scavenger hunt in the Historic buildings with prizes, and more will be at The Sandstone Village, 763

Milan Avenue, Amherst, Ohio 44001.

● Afternoon Tea is 1-3 p.m. May 21 at The Grange Hall in Sandstone Village. Please join us for tea and refreshments, enjoy beautiful wedding dresses on display, and tour the Village gardens maintained by the Amherst Garden Club. Tickets are $20 per person, $15 for members. Please RSVP by May 15 to (440) 988-7255 or office@ amhersthistoricalsociety. org. Payments can be made by cash, check or card.

You can also register and pay by card using https://form.jotform. com/230463915767161

● The Sandstone Village Car and Bike Show will be June 4 with registration from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and the Car Show from 12-4 p.m. There will be a photo area, Village building tours, garage sales, a blessing of the cars and bikes, raffles, DJ, food court, and more! Spectator parking will be at Amherst Junior High School with shuttle service to Sandstone Village.

North Pointe Ballet

North Pointe Ballet will preent a screening of “Because of You” in honor of World Autism Awareness Day at the Lorain County Community College Stocker Arts Center cinema hall at 12 p.m. and 1 p.m.

April 1.

Each of the two, 45-minute showings will include a screening of the 20 minute dance piece which explores a family’s journey with their child’s Autism diagnosis, a live dance performance except, a demonstration of a virtual reality component simulation the experience of a dancer with Autism, an explaination of educator resources and a question-and-answer session with the artists.

The event is free, but registration is strongly encouraged at northpointeballet. org/waad/.

Avon Democratic Club

Join the Avon Democratic Club for our meeting on 6:30 p.m. April 13 at the Avon Senior Center at 36784 Detroit Rd. All are welcome.

Candidates Geoffrey Smith and Wayne R. Nicol will discuss their campaigns for Municipal Judge of the Avon Lake Courts. The Avon Lake Municipal Court serves Avon Lake,

Avon and Sheffield Village.

To learn more about the ADC, visit our website at www.avonohdems.com.

Black River Audubon Society

The Black River Audubon 65 Year Anniversary Outstanding Speaker program will feature wellknown naturalist, author and birder Scott Weidensaul and his program “A World on the Wing: The Global Odyssey of Migratory Birds” at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Carlisle Reservation Visitor Center, 12882 Diagonal Rd., LaGrange. This program is free for members, $10 for nonmembers. Preregistration for attendees is required and tickets can be purchased by following the link at www.blackriveraudubon.org

League of Women Voters of the Oberlin Area

The League of Women Voters of the Oberlin Area will hold a public informational meeting about Ranked Choice Voting and what it could mean for Lorain County voters. The meeting is in the Dye Auditorium of the Oberlin College Science Center at 6:30 p.m. April 26. Speakers will include Justin Wells, the Co-Executive of Ranked Choice Ohio, and Duncan Buell, Chair Emeritus in Computer Science and Engineering at the University of South Carolina, a noted researcher in electronic voting, and currently visiting professor at Denison University. The meeting will consider what ranked choice voting has to offer the voters of Lorain County and what difficulties lie in wait before any implementation can happen. Parking will be available in the Woodland Street lot across from the science building.

Lorain County JVS

Lorain County JVS Landscape and Greenhouse Management 2022 alumni, Isaiah Allen from Clearview, was recently presented the 110% Award. This award, sponsored by AgCredit, is available to the three different FFA Chapters in Lorain County.

Primary source for Nordic mythology

62. Cash machine 63. It’s all the rage 64. Swallow’s house

DOWN

1. PC “brain”

2. Christian fast 3. The Hippocratic one 4. Group of minstrels, e.g. 5. *Environmentally-friendly 6. Draws close 7. Spasm of pain 8. See him run?

9. “The Sound of Music” backdrop

10. Yellow #5 in list of ingredients

12. Highly-ranked ecclesiasts

13. On the move

14. Arranged in advance

19. Usually the last inning

22. Wound fluid

23. Delhi dresses

24. Absurd

25. Like a dryer trap

26. *Cuyahoga River disaster, Clean Water Act precursor

27. Omani and Yemeni

28. Tarantino in his own movie, e.g.

33. Mourner’s wish

36. *Refuse turned fertilizer

38. Consumed (2 words)

40. Monotonous routine

41. Teenagers’ emotions

44. A mirage?

46. City in Netherlands

48. Between violin and cello

49. Not silently

50. Polly to Tom Sawyer

51. Disfigure

52. ____ Approach, music education

53. Serve soup

54. *Plastic tops of coffee cups

55. Sine ____ non

29. Ruhr’s industrial center

32. ____-friendly

58. College entrance exam, acr. SOLUTION