The Winter Olympics in Milano and Cortina Italy are taking center stage.

Figure skating, speed skating, ice dancing and hockey are some of the most watched events at the Winter Olympics.

I remember watching great moments on ice over the years. Olympic figure skater Dorothy Hammill in 1976 was a medal winner and made a hair style famous. Nancy Kerrigan wins a medal after the drama in 1994. Eric Heiden and Apolo Ohno brought speed skating into our living rooms and Olympic medal to their necks.

The 1980 USA Olympic hockey will be forever remembered for the “miracle on ice” victory!

Karen Rose Wils

Winter sports are near and dear to most people of Upper Michigan. Back in the 1970’s and 1980’s the U.P. Community Schools sponsored the U.P. Winter games. Junior high school and senior high school athletes got the chance to compete in winter sports hosted by different towns over the years.

Host families took in skiers, skaters, snowshoers and volleyball players for the weekend. Gymnasiums were full of kids, school buses were everywhere and recreation centers were packed.

I won ribbons for snowshoeing when I was in 11th and 12th grade. But ice skating was one of my favorites, too.

My dad played hockey for the Gladstone Indians in the 1940’s. My uncle, Allen Hendrickson, played for the Escanaba Hawks in 1944. So, by the time us kids came along, the dads were often given the job of taking us kids to the outdoor Webster ice rink.

We had hand me down skates, old woolen socks, snowpants and stocking caps, and we all had a great time and got plenty of exercise chasing each other around the ice. ust before it was time to go, my dad or uncle would yell “race,” and we were all transformed into Olympic speed skaters, racing around the rink.

Escanaba Hawks hockey team - Uncle Al's team, 1945.

Dad or Uncle Al always won, but it was sure fun to try to beat them. It also was a good way to tire us youngsters out. We slept well.

Winter sports will always be near and dear to Yoopers. Negaunee has “Lucy Hill” a famous luge run. Nick Baumgartner put Iron River on the map when he won gold for snowboarding.

Watch some Winter Olympics with your family and then hit the trail, the slopes, the rink or just your backyard. We are all champions if we get fresh air and exercise!