300 in Attendance for Annual Ice Follies

For its finale, the Twin Bays Figure Skating Club from Traverse City performed music from the Broadway hit "Hairspray," during the Ice Follies at Little Bear East Ice Arena in St. Ignace Sunday, January 20. The turnout of spectators, about 300, has prompted organizer Mary Pemble-Swiderski to plan another Ice Follies for next winter. The program was a fundraiser for prevention programs for child abuse and neglect in Mackinac County.

An estimated 300 people were entertained by figure skaters in the third annual Ice Follices show at Little Bear East Ice Arena in St. Ignace Sunday, January 20.

The fundraiser raised between $800 and $900 to benefit prevention programs for child abuse and neglect in Mackinac County. Total revenue, before expenses, was more than $1,200.

The turnout has prompted organizer Mary Pemble-Swiderski to begin planning for a fourth Ice Follies for next winter.

"Last year, we had low attendance, so I wasn't sure about planning another Ice Follies after this one," said Mrs. Pemble-Swiderski. "But it was a very good fundraiser. It was just wonderful."

Serving up a musical routine to the music of the Disney show "Ratatouille" are members of the Twin Bays Figure Skating Club of Traverse City, dressed in chef costumes.

The Twin Bays Figure Skating Club from Traverse City, U.S. figure skating medalist Lindsay Schrader of Northern Michigan University, and sisters Linda and Katie Raynard of Pickford, who are coached by Sheri Laaksonen and members of the Hiawatha Skating Club in Sault Ste. Marie, performed for the crowd.

The program included many individual and group performances. Twin Bays' group performances included synchronized routines to music from the Disney movie "Ratatouille," an Egyptian-style dance performance, and, as the finale, the group peformed to the music of Broadway hit "Hairspray."

Spectators came as far south as Cheboygan and as far north as Sault Ste. Marie, said Mrs. Pemble- Swiderski.

"I was especially glad that all the skaters made it, too, because they all had to drive in a blizzard to get here," she said. "They were very happy with the program and many of them told me they wanted to do it again next year."

St. Ignace City Manager Eric Dodson served as the Ice Follies' master of ceremonies.