Ty Couture, 5, of South Royalton, center, yells as he skids down a shoveled line of ice while taking a break from ice fishing as John Moore, 11, of Topsham, watches, and Tyson Allen, 6, of Windsor, slides on his back during the 13th Annual Youth Ice Fishing Derby on Dewey's Pond in Quechee, Vt., on Jan. 25, 2014. The group of boys took to taking turns sliding on the ice when there was a lull in the fishing action. Valley News - Sarah Priestap
Ty Couture, 5, of South Royalton, center, yells as he skids down a shoveled line of ice while taking a break from ice fishing as John Moore, 11, of Topsham, watches, and Tyson Allen, 6, of Windsor, slides on his back during the 13th Annual Youth Ice Fishing Derby on Dewey's Pond in Quechee, Vt., on Jan. 25, 2014. The group of boys took to taking turns sliding on the ice when there was a lull in the fishing action. Valley News - Sarah Priestap Credit: Valley News File — Sarah Priestap

Bradford, Vt. — The Bradford Recreation Department, along with the Bradford Teen Association and the Bradford Elementary School, will welcome the general public to the opening of the town’s skating rink at Elizabeth’s Park on Friday.

Called Snowball Skate and Slide, the event will run from 3:30-7 p.m. The BTA will sell hot cocoa and refreshments as part of the day, while the elementary school will have skates on hand for use.

The celebration is free of charge. Elizabeth’s Park is located on Fairground Road, just south of the Oxbow High School football field. For more information, contact Bradford Recreation director Mollie Hatch at 802-222-4727, ext. 310.

On the Trails

Wednesday Walkers Starts Winter Slate

White River Junction — The Hartford Parks and Recreation Department will being its winter schedule of Wednesday Walkers hikes next week.

The series will hit three trails over the winter months, beginning with Wednesday’s trek along the Hazen Trail in Hartford. The day beings with a group meet-up at the Hartford Municipal Building at 9 a.m. before travelling to the trail head. Each hike ends around noon. All trips are easy to moderate in difficulty, and hikers are recommended to dress for the conditions, including traction devices as needed, and to bring a snack and water.

There is no cost to joining a Wednesday Walkers event, but participants are asked to register in advance. A minimum of three people is required for a hike to go forward. Contact Hartford Parks and Rec at 802-295-5036 for more information or to register.

On the Trails

Snowshoeing at APD

Lebanon — The Lebanon Recreation and Parks Department is planning a series of showshoe hikes on trails at the Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital campus in February.

The hikes are scheduled for Feb. 9, 16 and 23, each running from 10 a.m.-noon. Lebanon Recreation staff will lead each group; participants are recommended to dress for winter conditions and bring a snack, water, backpack and any additional equipment.

All hikes are free of charge. Pre-registration is requested by visiting www.lebanonnh.gov/recreation or calling 603-448-5121.

On the Ice

Hanover Peewees Ice Keene

Keene, n.h. — The Hanover Peewee White youth hockey team rode a goal from Satch Bowie and an airtight defense to a 1-0 win over the Keene Cobras on Saturday at Keene Ice.

Bowie knocked in the rebound of a Parker Broughton shot less than two minutes into the game, leaving the Wild defense to do the rest. Angus Spence earned the shutout in goal, while defensemen Cooper Anderson, Jordan McConnell andTydus Percy combined to provide plenty of cover.

The Wild improved to 8-3-2 with the victory, good for second place in their division.

U12 Girls Second at Tourney

Jay, Vt. — The Hanover U12 girls earned runner-up honors over the weekend in the Green Mountain Avalanche tournament at the Jay Peak Ice Haus.

Nora Bradley, Olivia Hastings and Katie Pierson provided the goals as the Wild opened the tourney with a 6-2 win over Quincy, Mass. Maddie Reed, Ada Acker, Hannah Malin-Stremlau and Fiona Spence finished with assists.

Goalie Jesse Nunan starred in Hanover’s second game, a 2-1 win over the Seacoast Spartans. Bradley notched both goals, one on a Bradley helper. The Wild then completed an undefeated run through group play with a 4-2 defeat of Milton, Mass.

That sent Hanover to the blue division title game, where the Spartans avenged their defeat with a 2-1 decision. Bradley, Person, Spency and Lucy Furch earned player-of-the-game honors for their efforts in the final.

Hanover hosts Chittenden-South Burlington for a pair of games on Sunday.

Bantam Green Wins Again

Woodstock — The Hanover Bantam Greens made it two wins in a row in league play with a 4-1 defeat of the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs at Union Arena on Sunday.

Alex Rockmore and Curtis Rice helped the Wild to a 2-0 lead through one period. Andrew Duany kept the two-goal league intact by matching a Monarchs goal in the middle period, and Andrew Claus finished a Cole Gueldenzoph pass in the final stanza for the final strike. Luke Ives made 12 stops with a victory that moved the Wild to fifth place in New Hampshire Tier II play.

Hanover dropped a 5-0 decision to the Cardigan Mountain School junior varsity on Saturday in its other game of the weekend. Ives had a busy day in goal, making 27 saves.

On the Ice, Part Deux

UVTA Skate-a-thon

Fairlee — The Lake Morey Skating Trail is set to host the annual UVTA Skate-a-Thon on Sunday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The trail, a 4½-mile loop, will be open for skaters to show how many laps they can complete in support of the UVTA.

All proceeds from the day go toward the UVTA’s trail construction and maintenance programs. The fee to participate brings free Nordic skate rentals (while available) along with hot chocolate, soup, a Boloco lunch and a raffle ticket for post-skating prizes.

The fee for UVTA members is $20 for adults and $10 for youths (ages 12 and younger), with a $5 increase for nonmembers. All children ages 3 and younger get in for free. For more information, visit www.uvtrails.org or call 802-649-9075.

On the Snow

Full Moon Fiesta

Lebanon — The Lebanon Recreation and Parks Department hopes to take advantage of a clear sky and snowy trails for its Full Moon Fiesta progressive dinner at the Storrs Hill Ski Area lodge on Saturday.

Participants can use skis, snowboards or snowshoes to traverse a route through the area, where area restaurants will set up spots for light food and hot beverage breaks. As an eco-friendly event, those taking part are asked to reduce waste by bringing their own mugs, utensils and bowls. The event is scheduled to run from 6-8 p.m.

The cost is $10 per person for ages 13 and older, and $5 for youths ages 6-12. Children ages 5 and younger can join in at no charge. Advance registration is recommended at www.lebanonnh.gov/register; for more information, call 603-448-5121.

Storrs Hill Family Fun Night

Lebanon — The Storrs Hill Ski Area in downtown Lebanon will host a Family Fun Night on Feb. 3.

The event runs from 5:30-9 p.m. and will offer families any number of ways to enjoy the evening. The highlight will be a cardboard box race challenge against the host Lebanon Outing Club, with a family season pass up for grabs.

On top of a night for skiing and snowboarding, the evening will include grilling, a campfire, music, snow volleyball, a 50-50 raffle and dancing. The cost to participate is $30 per family.

Visit Storrs Hill’s Facebook page or www.skistorrshill.com for more information.

Moonlight Snowshoe in Vt.

Brownsville — The Climb Fitness Center will host a one-hour guided moonlight snowshoe tour of Ascutney Trails on Feb. 10.

The hiking tour takes place from 5-6 p.m. Afterward, participants are invited to enjoy hot cocoa by the center’s fire pit. Hikers can bring their own shoeshoes or rent them from the center. Rental shoes will support weights between 40 and 260 pounds.

The hike is $7, with an additional $5 charge for a shoeshoe rental. For more information, contact The Club at 802-484-3511 or team@theclimbfitness.com.

In the Gym

Thor’s Stone Meet

Lebanon — The Carter Community Building Association-based Thor’s Stone Athletic Club will host an Olympic weightlifting meet on Saturday, and the public is invited to attend.

As an official USA Weightlifting-sanctioned competition, the meet will consist of two lifts, the snatch and the clean and jerk. Competitors of both genders in the meet will range in age from 18 to 78.

The first event starts at 2:30 p.m., and there is no charge for visitors to attend. Contact Thor’s Stone founder Carl Wallin at carl.j.wallin@dartmouth.edu for more information.

On The Run

Red Zone 5K

Wilder — The Hartford Parks and Recreation Department is once again prepping for the Super Bowl by hosting its fifth Red Zone 5K fun run and walk on Feb. 3, the day before the big game.

The race, which is open to runners, walkers and families with strollers or leashed dogs, begins and ends at the Dothan Brook School, with a 9 a.m. start time. Participants will cover a route that includes parts of the Wilder Pedestrian Path along with back roads in Wilder village. The course is certified by USA Track and Field; proceeds from the day benefit Hartford Parks and Rec scholarship programs.

Online registration, at $15 per person, is available at www.runreg.com/redzone5k. Race-day registration also will be available at 8 a.m., at a cost of $20 per person. Participants are encouraged to dress in the attire of their favorite football team.

Contact Hartford Parks and Rec at 802-295-5036 for more information.

With Rod and Reel

Youth Ice Fishing Derby

Quechee — The Hartford Parks and Recreation Department is gearing up for its 17th Youth Ice Fishing Derby on Dewey’s Pond on Jan. 27.

The free event, which coincides with Free Ice Fishing Day across Vermont, will run from 7 a.m.-noon.

The derby will be split into three age groups — ages 6 and younger, ages 7-10 and ages 11-14 — for prizes. Food, refreshments, fishing holes and bait will be provided, along with a limited supply of equipment.

Pre-registration is encouraged at www.hartfordrec.com. Participants also may register for the derby on the day of the event at the sign-in tent.

In the Ring

Vt. Golden GlovesSeeking Entries

Essex Junction, Vt. — Entry forms are now available for amateur boxers interested in competing in next month’s Northern New England Golden Gloves boxing tournament.

The tourney will take place on two Saturday nights, Jan. 27 and Feb. 3, in the Robert E. Miller Building at the Champlain Valley Expo. Both sessions begin at 7:30 p.m.

The tourney is limited to four boxers per weight class and will start with semifinal rounds in all divisions.

The tournament is open to all amateur male and female boxers between the ages of 18 and 40. The competition is split into novice and open divisions based on the number of amateur bouts fought. Novice champions at Northern New Englands advance to the New England finals in Lowell, Mass., on Feb. 8 and 15. Open champions will advance to Lowell for the New England finals on Feb. 21-22. Open division winners then can compete in the national Golden Gloves championship in Omaha, Neb., in May.

For more information or to receive an entry form, contact tournament director Ernie Farrar at enrievtboxing@hotmail.com. For ticket information or reservations, call 802-527-2936.