Most people take beach vacations or tour Europe or the USA during the summer. Not this hockey fan! For the last three summers, I have spent the penultimate week of August at the Lake Placid Camp for Adult Figure Skaters.

This year I had the honor to be a part of a skating tribute to renowned skating coach Evelyn Kramer. Also on hand to pay tribute to Evelyn were Dick Button, Don Jackson, Marie Jelenik, Oleg and Ludmilla Protopopov, Ken Shelley and Evelyn’s family, friends and students.

Our adult production (skated by 22 adult figure skaters of all ability levels) was a hit at the tribute. We usually do the group number at the end of every August Adult Skate Week Exhibition. This year, we were asked to be part of this tribute show by our friend and mentor, choreographer Scott Brown.

As a bonus, I got to see the USA Ladies under Age 22 Hockey team play a tournament with the Canadian girls. The Canadians are a tough bunch. They won the two games I saw. Team USA played a passing, peripheral game while the Canadian girls crashed the net. I thought I was at an early last season Ranger game.

Last, but certainly not least, all the guests and cast members were treated to a gala reception in the Hall of Fame Room and a private viewing of the Lake Placid Olympic Museum in the Herb Brooks 1980 Arena. I touched the actual goal net that Jim Craig tended when Team USA won the Gold. All the uniforms equipment and 1980 memorablia was awesome.

This week Ice Hockey and Figure Skating peaceably shared the ice surfaces and their ouevres in Lake Placid. Each sport learned a little about the other. Figure skaters and skating fans enjoyed some great hockey. Hockey players got to see some great skating and learned that beneath all the sequins and glitter beat the hearts of serious athletes.

A beloved skating coach from my past taught me skills and gave me an avocation that will last my lifetime. He taught me what Mr. Lussi taught him, what Evelyn teaches now and what all Mr. Lussi’s students and their descendents know. It’s all about the edge.

All in all, it was a great summer skating vacation.