There is lots for locals to look forward to during winter carnivals in the Townships. Some go for the sugar on snow, others line up for the sleigh rides. For Stan Holmes, the highlight at Ayer’s Cliff carnival is the Winter Classic. For decades now, a group of old timers from Ayer’s Cliff and Stanstead have had a friendly rivalry on the ice. Each year, usually the first week of February, the players lace up their skates for a game of shinny. “What a game it was,” commented Holmes, who coaches the Ayer’s Cliff team. “It was very competitive. It was a one goal game right to the end,” he said. In the end, Ayer’s Cliff won the game 5-4 against the gang from Stanstead/Rock Island/Beebe. According to Holmes, even though around 60 per cent of the players are 50 or older, the annual Winter Classic is always an intense match. See full story in the Tuesday, Feb. 4 edition of The Record.
A carnival-and a hockey game-to remember
By Matthew McCully
