Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted January 28, 2009 Members Share Posted January 28, 2009 Quote: ENTERPRISE[Oregon] -- There are two stories here. One is about a sheet of ice and community. The other is about the need for an occasional detour, and the enjoyment found therein. The Portland Winter Hawks could have traveled their usual route to Wednesday night's game against Tri-City, and it would have been just another one-game trip in the middle of a young team's rough season. But they didn't. About a month ago, Steve Wasson, the Hawks' game operations guy, was talking with Jerry Moss, the team's community outreach guy. They were talking family, and Wasson mentioned his brother, Jake, was the assistant director at an outdoor rink in Enterprise, a town of a few thousand nestled against the Wallowa Mountains in Eastern Oregon. Moss thought maybe the team could reach out to a faraway community and pitched to coach Mike Johnston the idea of taking a few players to the rink on the way to Tri-City. Let's take the whole team, Johnston said. "We almost fell down," Moss said. That's half the story of how this afternoon happened, when a homemade sign and a few sparklers taped together welcomed the Winter Hawks to the Wallowa County Community Ice Rink, home of the Enterprise Eh?s, the one and only member of the Baja Canada Hockey League. School let out early. City Hall closed. A lot of people bundled up and came out to watch the Winter Hawks practice on Enterprise's sheet of ice. "This is something that's wonderful," Mayor Irv Nuss said while, behind him, Moss gave away every piece of Winter Hawks merchandise the team was able to fit on the bus. Hats, playing cards, more hats, T-shirts, everything had to go. ***** Before they arrived, a banner welcoming them was set up. Bleachers were moved. A fire was started near one end of the rink. Coffee and hot chocolate and cookies were placed on a picnic table. Everyone chipped in. Wallowa County Sheriff Fred Steen, a regular player, gave a hand, had to go attend to police business, then returned later. All the regulars were there to watch the Winter Hawks on their rink. "That's really cool," Spriggs-Flanders said. "That's cool." "I think it's awesome," Steen said. Children piled up on the snowbank next to the rink, just about the time the Winter Hawks realized they could push one another into the snowbank. More snow began to fall, adding to the atmosphere. "Look at it," goaltender Kurtis Mucha said. "It's awesome. Half the town came." see whole story winter hawks gift to small town Quote Pam Meddle Not In the Affairs of Dragons; for You Are Crunchy and Taste Good with Ketchup. If we all sang the same note in the choir, there'd never be any harmony. Funny, isn't it, how we accept Grace for ourselves and demand justice for others? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Gail Posted January 28, 2009 Administrators Share Posted January 28, 2009 How touching! Thanks for sharing that! :) Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.