“turkey wire” – not solid because of the wind. During a game, between periods, there was of course no Zamboni. Instead there was an army of school boys armed with brooms who swept the rink with remarkable efficiency. (I was once in the coffee room in time to see a “Fuller Brush Man” with somewhat glazed eyes listening as eager coaches explained that they needed really sturdy brooms suitable for sweeping rinks). Also during games there would be “goal judges.” Some faculty members would be assigned to stand right behind each goal with no protective gear. It was their job to decide if a goal had actually been scored if the puck went in and bounced out. This was not an enviable job. During games there was always a large group of enthusiastic cheerers for our heroes. Visiting teams usually parked on the road – players then put on their skates on the shore and skated across the lake to the rinks. I do remember one time when there was actually beautiful black ice on the rink, and the coach of the opposing team complained that it was too difficult to see the puck. There were a few mishaps though all had good endings. John Deak often drove his tractor on the lake to help with the work. One day by some mischance the ice gave way, sending John and his tractor under water. He did get rescued promptly and made a good recovery but never went near Hatch Pond again. Later after the ice melted,
a group of volunteer divers came with the proper equipment and managed to bring up the tractor. This was not easy in murky water. To thank them, the school had a dinner for them at the beginning of the next vacation. They proved a lively group with colorful stories of past rescues they had made. My children all learned to skate on Hatch Pond, and we would enjoy watching practices and of course get excited at games. The low board rinks were sometimes quite close to each other – enough so that whistles could be confusing. I remember that Joe, a hunter, used to bring his duck call down and use that instead of a whistle on one of the rinks. The first year Cuyler Rink was in operation, winter at SKS was indeed very different. Everything was easier and more efficient, and all the refinements were much appreciated. I am sure both home and visiting teams, especially, welcomed having locker rooms in which to store their gear. There were still plenty of enthusiastic cheerers, but now teams practiced at different hours, and never again did most of the community work together in that united project. So, as with many changes, much was gained, but also something was lost.
The photos on this page are of hockey on Hatch Pond, from before Cuyler Rink was built.
Winter 2014 The Hillside • 29