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Community Corner

Local Skating Enthusiasts RISE to the Occasion

AMC Neshaminy 24 was one of the 525 movie theaters to host the film event

Last Thursday, February 17th, many local figure skating fans and figure skating club members attended the one night only showing of the movie, RISE at the AMC Neshaminy 24. The movie commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1961 U.S. World Team tragedy when the airplane carrying the U.S. Figure Skating team crashed en route to the Prague World Championships near the airport at Brussels, killing all onboard. Proceeds from ticket sales around the country will go to U.S. Figure Skating's Memorial Fund which was established in 1961 after the crash.

Last Thursday evening skating enthusiasts of all ages filled the theater. Parents of skaters, figure skaters of all ages, and skating fans and followers shared tears of sadness and joy and even a few laughs during the movie. In attendance were members of clubs such as the Colonial Skating Club of PA from Bristol's Grundy Recreational Center.

Scott Hamilton, 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist, articulated the message of RISE most eloquently: “Skating fell hard that day. February 15th, 1961...We can all learn from each other. We can all learn from the past. Skating has done that but I think what all of us can take from these stories is ways of getting up. We all fall down. Get up.”

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Although many figure skaters sat in the audience, some have never set foot on the ice. Evelyn Marsh and Lisa and Jim DeFeo aren't skaters, but they are huge skating enthusiasts. They have followed many famous skaters over the years such their favorites, Olympians Brian Boitano and Paul Wiley. They wouldn't have missed the movie event for anything.

Donna Console, director of figure skating at Grundy Recreational Center was very moved by the film. "I have been in skating since I was four and when this happened I was seven and I remembered it clearly. My coach, Maude White, studied under one of the famous coaches mentioned in the film, Gus Lussi. He was not on the plane, but became one of the coaches to start rebuilding the U.S. program together with coaches Carlo Fassi, Ron Ludington, and Frank Carroll. In skating you have the trickle-down effect, when one coach passes the knowledge onto their student and then the student passes it on, and so on. The circle of life is truly amazing in this sport...and it was portrayed beautifully in this movie."

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Colonial Skating Club of PA members attended together to watch the film. Kristine Bolinger and her daughter Kara who skates with the club, loved the movie and highly recommends watching it. "I am inspired and in awe to learn so much about the sport I'm so passionate about," said Kara. "I'm proud to be a member of a sport that has such a wonderful history." Listening to the stories about the bonds that skaters, coaches, and family members had made [in the film], made us realize how wonderful it is that as club members we have formed our own little family too."

The Memorial Fund has helped thousands of competitive skaters over the years since 1961. Peggy Fleming, 1968 Gold Medalist, said she would not have been able to afford figure skates if it were not for the assistance from the Memorial Fund. Scott Hamilton, 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist, wouldn't have been able to compete in the Olympic Games without financial assistance. "My dream would not have come true...they made it possible," he said in the film.

In case you missed this event, the film will be rebroadcast in select theaters on Monday, March 7th, due to overwhelming demand.

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