by Anna Balfoort
Most of us in the community have at one time or another, enjoyed the two ice rinks nestled beside the Hidden Valley Hut. Whether for a leisurely skate or a pickup hockey game, these rinks have become a winter staple. But when the temperature plummets, especially after dusk, we retreat indoors wrapped in oversized knit sweaters, matching lounge sets, and thick fuzzy socks. A steaming cup of tea or a generous pour of Merlot in hand, we settled into the warmth of our homes, safe from the biting cold.
Most of us. But not all.
For the past two weeks, a group of anonymous heroes—whom I’ve come to call ‘the knights in bundled armour’—have been braving the cold to maintain these ice rinks with unwavering dedication. Long after the rest of us have surrendered to our cozy refuges, they are out there, tending to the ice as if it were their own front lawn in the height of spring.
From my windows, I catch glimpses of their work—snow spraying in the frigid air, the glow of headlights cutting through the darkness, silhouettes moving in quiet determination. They never falter. Morning and night, they show up, undeterred by the temperatures that make even the bravest among us think twice.
As a non-native, I know I will never fully adapt to these relentless winters. But as a member of this community, I recognize the people who make it special. To those ‘knights in bundled armour’ who endure the elements so the rest of us can glide effortlessly across the ice—thank you. Your work does not go unnoticed.
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