Hartford's "Viktory Skate" celebrates the city at Christmas

by Natalka K. Pollock

HARTFORD, Conn. - The city of Hartford for the first time ever installed a temporary skating rink in Bushnell Park during the 2001-2002 holiday season, and since Thanksgiving an estimated 2,000 skaters per week, mostly children, have been enjoying the ice at the foot of the State Capitol to the sounds of the latest pop music hits. On January 6, area resident and Olympic gold medalist Viktor Petrenko was on hand to skate with them.

Under the auspices of the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund, Mr. Petrenko spent about an hour and a half skating and clowning on the ice with different groups of fans. He posed for countless photographs and signed autographs. Over 400 people came to catch a glimpse of the star - some standing in line for over an hour before he arrived to shake hands with them.

"I am happy to say hello to my Hartford area friends and to thank them for supporting the Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund," Mr. Petrenko said. He was introduced by local radio personality Ray Dunaway, who also recognized former Mayor Mike Peters for his efforts in lighting the park with Christmas lights, now an annual event.

On hand were representatives of the Greater Hartford Arts Council, Dr. Ramon Rojano of the recently elected Mayor Eddie Perez's new administration, and Leadership Greater Hartford, a new promotional arm that was responsible for bringing the rink to the park.

Although this event was originally planned as a closing ceremony for the skating rink, Kathy Hanaway of Leadership Greater Hartford took the opportunity to officially announce the extension of skating hours until January 20, and to reveal the city's intent to bring it back next year.

An especially touching moment hushed the crowd as a handful of children pulling little red wagons filled with toys made their way to Mr. Petrenko. Amy Barzach, founder and director of Boundless Playgrounds, and its corporate sponsor, Hasbro, donated 50 toys to Mr. Petrenko and CCRF for distribution to children in Ukrainian orphanages.

Boundless Plagrounds is a locally-based non-profit organization that assists communities across the world with the design and installation of playground accessible to the handicapped. Ms. Barzach and CCRF Executive Director Alex Kuzma discussed the possibility of working on a joint project in Ukraine.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, February 24, 2002, No. 8, Vol. LXX

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