Family Reunion

By: Elizabeth Y.
Newton, MA

My family and I spent many summers at lake Placid, as I was a figure skater and I took lessons at the Olympic Arena with legendary coach, and Lake Placid native, Gustav Lussi. From the time I was 10 until my late teens, my family and I would spend time at Lake Placid. Since I am 51 now, that was many years ago.
When my family was considering a place for the reunion, my mother who is now 84, had the final say and it was a definite vote for Mirror Lake Inn. I remember my first summer there in the late 60's, when the Wykoff's ran the Inn and also a summer camp for the skaters.
I have so many wonderful memories: the wonderful smell of the fresh baked pies; the "dorms" where all the skaters would stay: the lake and dock where we would relax after a long day of skating; and the fun walk through town on the way to the Olympic Arena.
So much time has passed since then. Good times and bad. My father passed away several years back and he always loved the Inn...especially when we would come up for me to skate in the Winter Coronation show and we would celebrate the new year there. Now I am married and have two children of my own and it was quite special to show them an important place in my past. They are 16 and 20, so they can appreciate the fact that I was in Lake Placid at a similar age to what they are now.
I relived all the places and feelings along with my family, and although some things have changed, some were exactly the same....very strange and in some way comforting.
Of final note, shortly before my trip, just by coincidence ( or karma?), someone on a tennis court (yes, I am a tennis pro now...way warmer than skating!)......overheard me talking about my trip. It turns out that he lived in Lake Placid and used to play the music for the skaters at the Olympic Arena, and we remembered each other!He brought me up to date on all the local skaters that I recalled (including my first "real boyfriend"). It truly is a small world.
Lake Placid will always be a part of me and my memories, and I hope to continue to return to enjoy them.