Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – The Forum in Presque Isle became a menagerie of wild animals of both tropical and frigid climes as members of the Northern Region Skating Club of Maine donned their skates to perform in their 26th show Animals On Ice on Saturday, Mar. 7.
Staff photos /Meridith Paterson
A Line of Dancing Zebras skate down the ice to a tune from Madagascar during the ice show. Performers are, from the left, Megan Jellison, Sedona Lucas, Delia Bonner, Katelyn White and Kimberly Cook.
This year’s show featured a variety of popular rock songs and theme songs of some famous cartoon movies. Organizers began planning in July for the spectacle.
Ian Michaud, of Mapleton, performed for the first time as a penguin from Happy Feet. The 6-year-old practiced his waddling and one foot glide from his basic three class in the number. “It’s fun,” said Michaud about the show.
Playing the part of a Siamese cat, Ariana Babineau, of Easton, skated in her fourth year at the ice show.
“It’s just so much fun being with other people you skate with all the time, and pretending to be animals,” said the 14-year-old.
Babineau practiced her jumps and spins multiple times during her lessons to prepare for her three performances in “Welcome to the Jungle,” Batman and the Siamese dance. “I really like to show people how good I’ve gotten at figure skating, so I work hard,” she said.
Despite the inclement weather, community members filled the bleachers for the two performances.
“Everything went smoothly, and everyone had a good time,” club president Haley Kelley. “Everyone really seemed to enjoy the music and the costumes.”
Participants included Jessica Aube, MacKenzie Beaulieu, Paige Beaulieu, Ariana Babineau, Macey Barker, Alison Bell, Carly Bell, Delia Bonner, Emma Bonner, Paul Bonner, Meg Boone, Michaela Bragg, Conner Cain, Ciara Campbell, Chelsey Carroll, Mari Cochran, Emily Collins, Kimberly Cook, Shayna da Cruz, Jocelyn Davis, Kaylee Doody, Kristen Gingrich, Gracie Griffeth, Alyssa Guimond, Melanie Guimond, Melanie Guimond, Jenica Harris, Sarah Hebert, Lee Ireland, Megan Jellison, Lisa Jones, Haley Kelley, Sasha Kilroy, Kristina Lord, Sedona Lucas, Allison Madore, Ian Michaud, Shae Michaud, Sarah Owens, Lynn Peli, Alexandria Peterson, Ariana Peterson, Thomas Peterson, Dana Piro, Mia Piro, Abbey Player, Grace Player, Brandon Poitras, Emily Poitras, Cortney Rector, Caitlyn Roix, Jessica Scott, Pam Searless, Sarah Sjoberg, Katie Smith, Kelsie Spooner, Kerstee Spooner, Jim Tompkins, Anna Trombley, Alyssa Trombley, Monique Waugh, Taylor Webster, Amanda White, Elizabeth White, Katelyn White, Samantha White and Madison Zeigler.
A Bunch of Busy Bees: Brandon Poitras, Connor Cain, Paul Bonner, Thomas Peterson, Madison Zeigler, Emily Collins and Amanda White skate to a song from The Bee Movie with helpers Jessica Scott and Shayna da Cruz.
Chelsey Carroll lands a jump during her Crocodile Rock performance.
Sarah Sjobberg skates while watching her Siamese cat twin during the duo number.
Bat Girl Abbey Player shows off her spinning technique.
McKenzie Beaulieau, Jenica Harris, Alyssa Guimond, Sarah Owens and Paige Beaulieau perform a number from Shark Tales.