My Skating Sweetheart Story
by Jim Neyman, RSG May 2007

On August 17, 2002, at the age of 57, I married Jean Clow.  We met at the Roller Kingdom Hudson Skating Club.  I was a bachelor who had never married and Jean was a widower.  Jean’s family is a skating family; this includes her deceased husband, her two sons, her grandson, and her brother-in-law and his wife.  While I was in the Air Force in the late 1960s and stationed in Germany, I needed something to do other than hanging out in local bars while I was off duty.  I discovered a skating rink on base.  I also discovered several pretty girls at the rink, so I decided to take up skating along with dance skating lessons.

After my enlistment in the Air Force, I dropped out of skating and attended college.  Around 1994-95, I overheard my co-workers talking about a roller rink in Hudson, Massachusetts, where they attended the Adult Night session.  I casually mentioned that I used to dance skate.  They invited me to go, but I was reluctant, however, they eventually talked me into it!  I met one of the skating coaches, Sue Wilson, who talked with me about the artistic club.  The first night I attended the artistic session, I was attracted to a beautiful woman who I later learned was Jean Clow.  Needless to say, I joined the skating club!  I am by nature a very shy person, so for several years I couldn’t muster up the nerve to talk to Jean except casually.  Fortunately, two things happened to get me past my shyness.

When Jean’s youngest son moved to Florida, he bought Jean a computer.  She needed help to use it and her son knew I was into computers.  He recommended Jean ask me to give her a hand.  I was overjoyed when Jean asked me to stop by her house and help her with the computer.  The first thing I taught her was how to send E-Cards on the internet.  Jean sent them to everyone she knew and had a lot of fun doing it.  The next thing that happened was when our skating coach, Bob Wilson, unknowingly became Cupid.  Jean was looking for a ride to the Awards Banquet and Bob thought I might have room in my car.  I was pleasantly surprised when Jean asked me for a ride.  Of course, I said yes!  At the awards banquet Jean and I sat together and we danced together several times.  During one of those dances, when I was looking into her eyes, she smiled back at me and I was hooked.  We stated dating soon after the banquet.  About two years later, we were married and Bob and Sue Wilson were our Best Man AND Matron of Honor.

Marriage has changed my life.  I became an instant step-father and step-grandfather to Jean’s sons and their families.  They have accepted me as part of the family, as have Jean’s four sisters.  Before Jean, I was effectively a hermit.  My shyness was a barrier to any kind of relationship.  I didn’t understand how lonely I was until Jean filled my life.  It has been a wonderful adventure and all thanks to roller skating!  Jean and I are still skating and are members of the Roller Kingdom Hudson Skating Club.

 

How I Met My Sweetheart...RSG February 2007...by Joan Reddin

The year was 1946!  My “sweetheart” was just discharged from the Army Air Force.  He found out that his skating instructors, Lonie and Bob Riley were now teaching at the Hillside Roller Rink in Richmond Hill, New York.

Many of the returning servicemen were coming back to the States and looking for skating partners to hopefully begin skating competition once again.  I was a 15-year-old, taking lessons from Lonie and Bob.  My “sweetheart” needed an advanced skater for a partner…but, it had to be one that was “short-in-stature.”  So, that is when it all began… 

Gil and I were teamed up and began taking lessons from our cupid’s—Lonie and Bob.  We skated American Senior Dance and earned our Silver medal in dance and several medals in figures.  Later, we would learn what a small world it is.  Gil and I had both skated at the Wal-Cliffe Rink in Elmont, New York.  Gil was 18 years old taking lessons from the Rileys.and I was the 11-year-old “Mascot” of the 7-11 Rollers—also taking lessons from the Rileys.

Time marches on!  Gil and I skated for several years together, married, and had three children.  When the “kids” were grown, we returned to roller skating, this time at the Bay Shore Rink on Long Island.  We took lessons from Don Maddaloni and Lynda Gynese.  We were pleased and honored to have taken 1^st place in Esquire Dance at the 1979 Northeastern Regional Championship and several other championships through the following years.

To make a long story short, Gil and I have been “partners” since 1946.  We just celebrated our 55^th wedding anniversary.  We have three wonderful children and four grandchildren.  We no longer skate, but have so many fond memories—especially of all the friends we have made throughout our lives.

Joan and Gil picture left in the 1948 New York State Championship, pictured right at the 1988 National Championships.