Winter Skate presented by Harvard Pilgrim Health Care wraps up seventh season of outdoor ice skating with Finale on Ice show featuring more than 15 performances.

With the sun shining brightly on an unseasonably warm Sunday afternoon, dozens of competitive figure skaters took the ice to perform in Winter Skate’s Finale on Ice show, sanctioned by U.S. Figure Skating, at Patriot Place to benefit the Hockomock Area YMCA’s Reach Out for Youth & Families Campaign and Cradles to Crayons.

“What a great day for families to come out and enjoy this event,” Patriot Place General Manager Brian Earley said. “We are thrilled to partner with the Pawtucket and Providence Figure Skating Club to host our fourth annual Finale on Ice figure skating show at Patriot Place. In addition to the great figure skating performances, 100 percent of today’s proceeds benefit the Hockomock Area YMCA’s Reach Out for Youth & Families Campaign and Cradles to Crayons. A big thank you to all of the figure skaters and to everyone who came out to support these two great community resources.”

Sunday’s performers included special guests Yasmin Siraj, Taylor Rae Rocco, Jamieson Cyr, Morgan Sewall, Iris Zhao, Cate Fleming and Jedidiah Isbell and the Ocean State Ice Theatre.

“We are so grateful that the Hockomock Area YMCA is once again a beneficiary of the Finale on Ice figure skating show, along with Cradles to Crayons,” said Hockomock Area YMCA President Ed Hurley. “Funds raised will provide Y experiences and help support local families in need through our Reach Out For Youth and Families Campaign. A special thanks to Brian Earley and Patriot Place for all they do for our Y and the quality of life throughout this region. It is a wonderful partnership.”

“With high-quality coat collection programs like Winter Skate at Patriot Place, more Massachusetts kids are able to enjoy the New England winter safely,” said Cradles to Crayons Executive Director Sharon Reilly. “So far this season, Winter Skate has provided Cradles to Crayons with more than 140 coats to distribute to kids who need them. We are grateful for this partnership.”
Wendy Sheridan, the national announcer for U.S. Figure Skating announced Sunday’s show, which was sponsored by the Pawtucket and Providence Figure Skating Club and directed by Ahsley Brouillette. Music was by Creative Music Productions.

Sunday’s Finale on Ice show marked the end of the 2015-2016 Winter Skate season at Patriot Place.

“We enjoyed another great season of Winter Skate at Patriot Place and thank our presenting sponsor, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, for once again helping us bring to life one of New England’s time-honored winter traditions of outdoor ice skating,” said Earley.

Special Notice from theBoard of Water and Sewer Commissioners

Please be advised that the Town of Foxborough Water and Sewer Department can no longer assist customers in the event that their pipes become frozen. This service has traditionally been provided to our customers as a courtesy. While we understand the problems and frustration that can come with frozen pipes, some of the customers to whom we provided assistance last winter later sought compensation from the Town for problems which arose from providing temporary connections.

We regret the inconvenience that this might cause.

Please be aware that there are private contractors that will provide a thawing service to customers with frozen pipes, should you encounter this situation this winter.

Tips to Help Prevent Pipes from Freezing

• When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe – even at a trickle – helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals out of the reach of children.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

Photo: Creative Commons Photo by Flickr User Chris Sloan