Lake Glacier and Boat House in Winter, photo courtesy of Reva Evans Foy, used with permission.
The cold weather and forming ice on ponds near us have reminded me of the magical nights growing up in Youngstown where we laced on some skates, whether on a tennis court, a pond, Lake Glacier or Newport, or at the old James L. Wick rink. Here are some of those memories, particularly of a night on Lake Glacier…
Days below freezing, nights even colder
First ice forms on the lake, hardens, thickens
Waiting is hard, tennis courts confining
Lakes are safe; ice is thick
Clear, cold winter night,
Long johns, layers, and scarves.
Cold bites our cheeks
Wide expanse of lake
Path shoveled across
Standing in the middle arm in arm
Under the winter stars
Trees like silent sentinels all around us
And the wide expanse of lake
Now turned to smooth, sheer ice
We skim almost effortlessly
The only sound our skates
As we skate toward the fire on shore
The promise of hot chocolate
The warmth of the fire
The meeting of friends
On a clear, cold winter night.
Bob on Books 
Bob
Thanks for the lovely words. My brother and I spent many fun times skating at Lake Glacier. It was close enough to walk as we lived on Lakeview. Remember the giant bonfires and getting some hot chocolate.
Stay warm–freezing cold in Cincinnati!
Michelle Humans White
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Thanks, Michelle! Cold here as well!
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Love this. One of my favorite memories. My Dad lived to skate, and passed that on to us. After dinner, we’d head over to Mill Creek. I loved that they shoveled huge figure eights way past the lights.
As a kid, skating into the dark like that was a huge adventure. Thanks for stirring up those memories.
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Thanks for sharing yours!
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Loved going to Newport after school, throw the skates over our shoulder and hike down to the lake!
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As soon as I read those beautiful words, I closed my eyes and was transported back to another, simpler time. Thank you for the memory.
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Thank you!
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Love the trips down memory lane. Born and raised in Youngstown. I take much pride in our city and in it’s history, you capture ones imaginations with you words.
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I often think about the nights of skating on lake glacier. The smell of the bonfire,the cracking of the ice if you skated near the islands close to the bridge.thank you for the memories.
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One of the great gems of Youngstown!
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I loved skating at Lake Glacier! The park ranger always kept a fire going for us to warm numb fingers and toes. I can’t believe how thick the ice got on the lake and how far out we were able to skate safely .
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Yes.. a different time and climate.
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Oh yes. The greatest magic I recall on Lake Newport happened when it was freezing cold without snow. I remember letting the night breeze push me across that glassy ice. The night was sharp and clear, and you could hear the ice’s ominous booms.
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Yes! You understand the magic and wonder of those nights.
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