Skaters take to the ice on Christmas Eve in Ashland
Dec. 24—The Ashland Rotary Centennial Ice Rink was filled with locals and tourists alike, enjoying a pocket of sunshine early on Christmas Eve afternoon in Lithia Park.
Two members of the Ashland Lions Club staffed a concession stand at the end of the rink on Saturday, a new addition last year.
"All the proceeds from this will go back to the community," explained Doug Johnson, one of the Lions.
At a small table, Johnson and Maggie Lander doled out Pirate's Booty, Milano's cookies and other treats to the families that wandered to and from their table. For their customers, it's a boost of energy while they glide over the ice. For the Lions, it's a way to keep doing what they do.
The money earned from this stand can enable the Lions to respond to the requests they often receive from struggling community members. The money also will be used to continue supporting a scholarship at Ashland High School, along with the Lion's Club International Foundation's disaster relief efforts.
"When a disaster like a flood or a tornado happens, a lot of times Lions are some of the first ones on the ground," Lander said.
The Lions will be there selling snacks for a good cause until the rink closes in February, Johnson said. Lander hoped new members might join their shrinking ranks and help them continue to support other facets of Ashland, like the middle and high school band programs, restoration work in Lithia Park and vision clinics in public schools.
Seated on a bench watching his family skate, Micheal Aldiner held his hands crossed over a curve-topped cane while his blue eyes weren't lost in a face creased with experience.
First introduced to Ashland while his son was a student at Southern Oregon University, he said the town has changed some in the two decades since he'd seen it.
"It's a bit gentrified, which is sad. But that's happening everywhere. It's still beautiful," he said.
For Christmas this year, Aldiner said the whole family came up from Sacramento together — his son and daughter-in-law, his grandchildren and his wife of 50 years. His face lit up as he said the words "my wife."
"She's absolutely wonderful. Even five years in, we were saying, 'We're one of the only ones with a marriage older than our kids," he said.
When asked, he was willing to offer advice for a marriage that ages gracefully.
"Don't take yourself too seriously. Be able to laugh at yourself. Life is tough enough without being too serious all the time. Forgiveness is a big part of it," he said.
Meanwhile, Brett Haukedahl and his wife, Amber, were toting their golden-curled, green-eyed toddler, Baily, away from the ice rink to run last-minute errands for Christmas. Both were grateful to have escaped the fierce snowstorm swallowing Minneapolis right now for their yearly visit with family.
When asked about his favorite thing visiting Ashland, Brett Haukedahl gave a simple answer.
"The people," he said.
Reach Mail Tribune reporter Morgan Rothborne at mrothborne@rosebudmedia.com or 541-776-4487. Follow her on Twitter @MRothborne.
