When the time came for that year's Winter Festivals and Carnivals--
virtually every prize was won by one of the "Winter Wonderlanders,"
as they had come to be known that year. . .those for whom a skating
life was a joy. . .not work. . .those who wanted to skate more than
they wanted the prizes or recognition.
That year the other skaters were of course affected by such changes
. . .some in one way. . .some in others.
Some asked to be allowed to practice with the Winter Wonderlanders,
and most of them were welcome. A few just wanted in on the secrets
of the Wonderlanders, to enhance their own competitive position, so
were not so welcome. However, the Wonderlanders were willing to do
what they could to find nearly anyone a place to practice, and they
appreciated anyone who wanted to practice. . .but sometimes it was,
and still is, the motivation that makes the difference.
Most anyone could come watch the Wonderlanders skate, just follow a
few of them and you would eventually end up where they were going.
And since they weren't very competitive, they didn't actively chase
away those who wanted to see what they were trying to accomplish.
Thus came yet another period of huge growth in skating as new moves
were catapulted onto the scene every year, sometimes every month as
progress begets progress, and the Wonderlanders skated for the love
of skating.
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