Autographed NHL jerseys are prizes in new Outdoor Ice Rink Raffle in Madison County

Mike Jaquays
·2 min read
A pair of Outdoor Ice Rink Fundraiser raffles in Hamilton include prizes of a Washington Capitals jersey autographed by Alexander Ovechkin and a St. Louis Blues jersey autographed by Andy McDonald.
A pair of Outdoor Ice Rink Fundraiser raffles in Hamilton include prizes of a Washington Capitals jersey autographed by Alexander Ovechkin and a St. Louis Blues jersey autographed by Andy McDonald.

Ice-skating enthusiasts can support the Hamilton outdoor rink — and maybe even don an autographed hockey jersey the next time on the ice — right now in the Friends of Hamilton Parks and Recreation's second Outdoor Ice Rink Fundraiser.

The raffle includes a Washington Capitals jersey autographed by Alexander Ovechkin and a St. Louis Blues jersey autographed by Andy McDonald. Tickets are $5 for one, $10 for three or $20 for 10 and available at the front desk of the Colgate Inn and Colgate Bookstore, both in Hamilton. A full 100 percent of the proceeds will go to the Outdoor Ice Rink, spokesperson Sean Nevison said.

Big win: Hamilton basketball coach earns Section III record

Rising from the ashes: Epicenter Ministries opens doors in Sherburne

There are two ways to win. Prize One includes the Ovechkin jersey plus two tickets to any Earlville Opera House concert that is not sold out and a one-night stay at the Poolville Country Store Fine Dining Restaurant and Bed and Breakfast. Prize Two features the McDonald jersey and gift cards to Rusch's Bar and Grill, Oliveri's Pizzeria, Good Nature Farm Brewery, Shol's Boutique and Bueno Tacos.

Colgate men's hockey head coach Don Vaughan donated the McDonald jersey, and former Hamilton resident Kate Goldstein Vann donated the Ovechkin jersey.

Nevison said the first fundraiser for the rink last November brought in just under $3,000. The skating rink was installed eight years ago in Triangle Park and now is located in the public parking lot behind the Hamilton Village Hall.

"It’s been a great tradition started by Chelly Crouch of the Parks and Recreation Committee," Nevison said of the rink. "It provides a safe outdoor fresh air space for folks of all ages to skate. The DPW does an incredible job constricting, cleaning the ice and maintaining the safety of the rink for everyone."

Two new Outdoor Ice Rink Fundraiser raffles benefit the rink in Hamilton. Tickets are on sale now and the winners will be announced Jan. 31.
Two new Outdoor Ice Rink Fundraiser raffles benefit the rink in Hamilton. Tickets are on sale now and the winners will be announced Jan. 31.

For information on buying tickets online, find "Hamilton Outdoor Ice Rink Fundraiser Part II" on Facebook. The deadline to purchase tickets is 3 p.m. Jan. 28, and the drawing is Jan. 31.

Anyone who would simply like to make a donation can write a check out to the Village of Hamilton with the memo "Ice Rink" and mail it to 3 Broad Street, Hamilton, NY 13346.

Farm fresh: Indoor Farmers Market returns in Hamilton

Ambulance fundraiser: SOMAC in Hamilton seeks public's help

But the rink is really only fun for someone who has skates, so the Hamilton Public Library wants to make sure everyone can enjoy the wintry activity. They have free rentals of hockey and figure skates in a range of sizes that patrons can check out for a week at a time. For maximum safety and cleanliness, all skates are wiped down, sanitized and quarantined upon return.

The rink has varying hours of operation - mostly depending on the temperature and whether or not there is actually ice on the rink.

"It is weather permitting so keep an eye out for the open sign," Nevison said.

Mike Jaquays is the community news reporter for the Mid-York Weekly. Email him at mjaquays@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Autographed NHL jerseys are prizes in new raffle in Madison County