Big Wheel's Monthly News Letter

July/August---98. Our South Central Regionals concluded last weekend, They were here and gone as quickly as a bolt of lightening it seems. Congrats to Trisha Bless, Noelle Scala, Lauren Turner, Sara Taggi and Stacey Westmoreland, who all earned a trip to "The Big Show" Artistic and JO Nationals to be held in Fresno, California August 9-22 this year. As a wise person once said, you don't pay your way into Nationals, you have to earn your way there. Considering all the things that happened to our club this year, you have to really tip your hats to these 5 ladies!!!

For what its worth, I am very proud of all the club members including my daughter, but I would have to say I am the most proud of a 10 year old skater named Lauren Turner. Lauren competes in everything, Singles Solo Dance and Figures and had never won a placement her first year in skating---this year everything changed for her, in the second competition of the year she placed in all three of her events and had several more placements as the skating year rode on, capping the year off with a Regional Placement in Solo Dance. Lauren---I hope you have the time of your life in Fresno---'cause you earned it kid!!! till next month....

June--98 Well there is a little 'MAGIC' in the air now 'cause as every skater knows, its Regionals Time soon---the time you train for during all those lonely months from September to June. All the bruises, bags and bumps don't hurt quite as much now, do they? Its also time for what I call the 'what ifs' you know, the little day dreams every skater has from time to time of them standing tall on the winner's platform. Good luck to all of you out there and may all of you do your best---I know you will. In closing, lets put all of our hands together and say a little prayer:

Dear Lord please watch over all of us and keep us safe from injury and yes even from broken hearts. Please help us do our best and be happy no matter what happens during the competition, and last but most important----lets all just have fun, the way Skating Was Meant To Be!! till next month.........

May-- 1998 It is with great sadness that we tell you that Big Wheel Skateland will soon be no more. The rink was recently sold to a company that plans to completely renovate the rink and turn it into a Hockey concern. We will continue to keep the homepage up thru Nationals this year so you may know how our skaters are doing no matter where they have gone to skate(each skater and coach's new rink is beside their name in The Big Wheel People section). On a much more happier note at least for yours truly, we just returned from my favorite competition of the skating year the CarVel-Rollercaid Easter Competition in San Antonio, Texas. The competition was even stronger this year with many out of region clubs from all over the country attending. Then there was the food------ahhhhhhh---I just gained another 10 lbs thinking of it!!! Now the best thing of the many, that happened was Sara FINALLY beating Kathy Kimura at Figures. It has been a pleasure watching these 2 National Figure Champions, slug it out all year and now we look forward to Regionals, the biggest fight of all!!! Some of us also got to meet and work out with Mr. Mike Jacques and his club from Roseville, CA. We also got to watch Mike's son David skate Men's World Class. Along with two breath-taking programs, David's Giant Stag Jump at the end of his long program is one of the very best I have ever seen (look out Henry---you've got some competition out there !). Till next month....

April--98 Well its now (as of Mar. 25)and Regionals are only 83 or 90 days away, depending on whom you talk to. I'll go with 83 'cause thats what I was told by charlie and he's running the show. Our club is really working hard to do well at our up comming meet, the always tough Car-Vel Invitational Arts Meet held in San Antonio, Tx. over Easter Weekend. Oh, I believe we promised to tell you about The Spring Fling, held in Katy TX., at last writing. Well., I have to admit we almost skipped this one, but we did not and were rewarded with the most fun we can remember in years at any competition. In addition to the regular competition diet of events two more fun events were added,-The Merry Mix-Up was so funny,(each person draws for partners and each team then skates 2 dances in The American Team Dance Style)I honestly can't remember which team won. Then came The Tri-Athlete Competition, Again very entertaining bordering on hilarious watching some of the older girls try to do single jumps and sit spins after not having done them for many years. A good time was had by one and all. Our thanks to Coach Jean Parker, Jeannie Gray, and the rest of the folks at The Mason Road Skate Center for making the first competition held in the Houston Area in more than four years, a memorable one!!! Lastly, on a much sadder note, we recently found out, that our club's Choreographer, will not be allowed to come back to our rink to finish what she started last September. In an unusual display of nastyness, even for him, Our Rink Owner, Mr. Luther Bernstein, has for some reason known only to himself, decided to deprive our skaters of the opportunity of bettering themselves through her teachings. Lets hear a rousing BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!, for Luther. Well, till next month...
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