Cortland Standard .net

By COLLEEN SIUZDAK
Staff Reporter
csiuzdak@cortlandstandard.net
HOMER — A teenager skated alone on the ice patch in Homer early Saturday afternoon, trying to avoid the bumpy areas and gliding through a thin layer of snow left overnight.
Even in the 9-degree weather, Homer resident Sarah Jensen said she does not mind skating and listening to her music.
“It’s relaxing,” Jensen, 16, said as she took a break to sit on the bench bordering the rink. “I like to listen to music and just skate cause nobody bothers me.”
Jensen came to the rink by herself to enjoy the time alone, adding she would be at the rink later teaching her 6-year-old sister how to ice skate.
“I like it out here,” Jensen said. “It’s pretty bumpy but some parts are smooth.”
The village recreation department hosts skating on the Village Green each year.
The village of Homer fire department fills the circular patch in front of Homer Congregational Church with water, letting it freeze for the public to enjoy free of charge. The program runs until March 2, weather permitting, according to the village of Homer recreation department brochure.
There are also other options to enjoy winter activities without having to deal with the brisk temperatures.
Corrie Oustad brought her daughters Audrey and Lauren to ice skate at the J.M. McDonald Sports Complex Saturdayafternoon.
“It’s a good activity to do on a cold winter day when you want to get the kids out,” Oustad said while taking a rest with her younger daughter, 3-year-old Audrey.
The J.M. McDonald Sports Complex has public skating every weekend for a fee per family.
Another family came to enjoy the rink for the first time, traveling from Sempronius in Cayuga County.
Tasha Myers said she came to the rink to pursue the interest of her 6-year-old son, who is also trying to learn to skate.
“He’s interested so we’re going to go for it,” Myers said watching her son Dylan skate with her husband. “It’s definitely a great thing for kids and gets them away from the TV.”
Oustad’s daughter Lauren also takes ice skating lessons on Wednesdays, loving the experience.
Besides the “pretty” ice skating uniforms, she said she likes the feel of ice when she makes a mistake and falls.
“I like falling down cause the ice is cold and I’m usually always hot,” Lauren said, noting her diligence of perfecting hertechnique.
She said when she gets older she wants to be an ice skater.
“Or a gymnast, whatever comes first,” she said.