(Ridgeway Journal, Jan 3, 1929). Ridgeway celebrated New Year’s Eve in 1928 with a huge roller skating party at the Leonard’s roller rink. There were about two hundred skaters and over a hundred spectators who enjoyed a full evening of entertainment and a special program including several races, eating contests and boxing.
Professor Melville WolverineHenry dressed up as a “wolf of the west” and entertained everyone with his new skating tricks. The half-mile race was won by Fat Goodwin by an inch and an half and the mile race won by Robert Travis by two minutes. There was also a cracker contest and a bread and milk contest. I am not sure if these were skating or eating contests, but both were won by Raymond Curtis. “The chicken race was won by Fat Goodwin. While there were six in the contest, Fat was too much for them when it comes to chickens”. Cleo Price won the potato race. The crowd watched Red Leazenby and Harvey Stockwell go three rounds of boxing which was easily won by Harvey: “This young man is fast." The “battle royal” was called off, however, due to a lack of time. The big crowd all said they had an extra good time and Prof. Henry and his new tricks were an inspiration to the young skaters. “The Leonards are good hosts as was proven by the evening".
Instead of the skating party, Ridgeway area residents could go to the watch party hosted at the Christian Church parsonage by the Christian Endeavor Society. Party goers enjoyed games and refreshments until almost midnight. They then rushed over to the church to ring in the new year of 1929 before breaking up the party.
