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plowing much easier. John and Al spent between one and six hours a week looking after the rink. Excessive snowfalls of course added to the work load. By this time there was between 30 to 40 people skating and playing hockey on weekend. days and holidays. The only time the rink was not busy was when the temperatures dipped into the -20 range. Last year John was approached by the Durham Home Builders Association to prepare a Pond Hockey Tournament. The 2010 inaugural tournament consisted of twenty eight teams of six players and the event raised $10,000.00. Needless to say, John’s rink was greatly expanded for this event; five rinks were made to accom- modate this first tournament. This year’s tournament was even bigger. The five rinks were expanded to nine and thirty six teams of six players were involved. The 2011 Pond Hockey Tourna- ment raised $15,000.00. The nine rinks have made the skating area on the lakefront much more accommodat- ing for both skaters and hockey players. This winter it has not been uncommon to see close to eighty people on a Saturday or Sunday enjoying the rinks. The rinks grew in size and so did the man hours needed to maintain the ice. John’s time to prepare the rinks for the Pond Hockey Tournament came in around 40 hours and that of course does not count all the days and weekends since winter began. Although Al has not been involved lately, one won- ders why they have given so much of their time. A great sense of community spirit, integrity and service is the answer. John believes the people in the community are grateful and he believes they recognize that the Port Perry Marina cares about its community. He personally enjoys the work and the fundraising and intends to keep doing it. Al seems pleased that over the years the rink has brought so much pleasure to so many people. His lack of participation this year was due to the removal of the boat launch. Opposite page - Al Fulford, left, and John MacKey spend countless hours on Lake Scugog, in front of Port Marina, clearing, flooding and maintaining a large skating rink for Scu- gog and area residents to enjoy free of charge. Photos by J. Peter Hvidsten * Residential/Commercial Grounds Maintenance * Natural and Flag Stone Steps and Walls * Septic System Installation and Repairs Al's equipment can no longer access the lake and help John out. This leaves John to tend to the rinks him- self, by accessing the lake from the public boat launch around the corner. As long as it is possible and, bearing massive snow- falls that prevent access to the rinks, John Mackey will continue to maintain the marina ice rinks. His sense of community goodwill has not changed and he looks forward to future fundraising and the satis- faction he receives from a grateful community. By Marjorie Fleming Focus on Scugog break from working on ice repairs with volunte uary this year. See pond hockey pictures on page 1) Brian Callery, left, one of the pond hockey organizers’ take: er John Mackey in van. * Interlocking Stone Work * Home Renovations * Excavation and Bobcat Services PROPERTY ERVICES For FREE Home Estimates call 905-986 -1090 or cell 905-261-7840 MARCH. FOCUS.32indd 17 FOCUS - MARCH 2011 17 2/22/11 8:07:54 AM