The Memories of Glacier Falls
Written by Jerry Pease ...  October 14, 1981 upon closure of the Ice Arena.

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"Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen and welcome to Glacier Falls. The ice floor is now open and everyone may skate. I would like to caution you the ice floor is very slippery and wet. Please skate slowly and in the regular direction.

        (Chorus)

Those memories we remember. The good times that we've shared. And now we're all here together. To reminisce, get a pitcher of beer. Glacier Falls Glacier Falls, we sure do miss those walls. That ol' ice sure was nice. We busted our ass more than once or twice, Glacier Falls ...

We would sneak in the rink without paying depending on who we knew. But if it was Saturday evening Al Thal was sure to catch you.

The ice did have it's ruts and grooves. But to us that was of no surprise. The Zamboni was probably broke down again and if that wasn't the case well then ... who in the hell made ice ?

"May I have your attention please. The next few minutes of this evening's session would usually be for women only followed by men's. But tonight we're going to have a change of plans for most of the people here are wearing speed and hockey skates. Now isn't that right ? Yea !!! So will all figure skaters please clear the ice at this time. The next few minutes of this evening's session will be for speed and hockey skaters only."

Forming a line along the outside rail the speed skater's setting a pace. All in step and gaining speed it looks like they're going to race!

"Would somebody get that family off the far side of the ice thank you."

And the hockey skaters with their own unique style were not to be outdone. Weaving in and out spraying ice so high doing everything under the sun.

"Will everyone please clear the ice. The next few minutes of this evening's session will be for the purpose of reconditioning the ice floor. Thank you."

We head up stairs for a breather. Everyone gathered around. Checking out the women, take a look here comes one now.

She's looking good and we know her. She's one of the regular crowd. She came alone and now she's with friends. That's what Glacier Falls was all about.

        (Chorus)

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the ice floor is once again open and everyone may skate."

Can you remember the number of people? There was hardly room to fall. With the music of Pink Floyd and Black Sabbath and Ted Nugent within those walls.

Yes the times have really changed from what they were back then. The days when hockey skaters really played hockey, and speed skaters wore kangaroo skin.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the last part of this evening's session will be for couples only. Will all single skaters please clear the ice."

Hand in hand with the one we liked with those colored lights shining down. Skating to the music wishing it'd last all night. Ah ... those memories going round and round.

We were making arrangements for later that night for the evening was still very young. Now I know it was closing time, for the public you know. But for us the party had just begun !

        (Chorus)

"Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes this evening's session. Will everyone please clear the ice. I would like to remind you upon returning your skates to the skate counter to please tuck the laces inside the skates thank you."

We would have someone go for a beer run the nights we thought we wouldn't get caught. We would drink and skate as if the rink was our own, even though we knew we should not.

I remember there was a rumor based on truth we assumed. That when a guy and a girl were discovered missing, you could find them in the first aid room !

That wasn't a rumor; I found that door locked many times !

        (Chorus)

And then one day we heard the news. Those engines would run no more. That Glacier Falls was shutting down, our memories behind closed doors.

But open or closed they're here to stay. You see memories can't be taken away. So let's have a beer and give a cheer to the memories, to the memories, to the memories of Glacier Falls ...

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