Roller skating has been a beloved pastime enjoyed by generations of kids and adults alike. It’s hard to believe that the first use of roller skates was in a London stage performance way back in 1743!
John Joseph Merlin, a London resident in 1760, deserves the credit for inventing the first skates. Roller skates have certainly come a long way since then!
In the United States, roller skating gained popularity as a pastime in 1935. But it wasn’t until the introduction of skating rinks playing disco music in the 1970s that roller skating became a huge trend. It seemed like everyone wanted to hit the rinks and groove to the music!
Speaking of roller skating, let’s take a trip down memory lane. Do you remember those heavy metal skates that you could attach to your shoes? They were quite the fashion statement back in the day. But there’s something else that you might remember if you were a skater before the 1970s – the iconic skate key.
This copper-colored object was an essential accessory for anyone with roller skates. At first glance, it may look like a bottle opener or some kind of tool, but it is actually a skate key. With the skate key, you could adjust the size of your skates by fitting it into the back of the pair. And to make sure they didn’t get lost while skating, most people wore the key around their necks. It was a small but significant part of the roller skating experience.
Skate keys were such an integral part of roller skating that there have even been songs written about them! They symbolize a time when roller skating was a cherished activity, filled with fun and memories.
So, do you remember skate keys? We’d love to hear your skating stories on our Facebook page. Let’s share this delightful blast from the past with others who may have fond memories of roller skating and skate keys too!
A stranger captures a picture of a family enjoying ice cream together, only to receive a life-altering text days later
We often underestimate how significant our actions can be to others on any given day. Since we spend so much time focusing on our own lives, it’s easy to overlook the impact we can have on those around us. This is why it’s crucial to always practice kindness; compassion and goodwill are timeless virtues that play an essential role in our communities.
In 2017, Joyce Rhinehart was out for ice cream with her grandson when she noticed a family sitting nearby. They were also enjoying ice cream, and she felt a spontaneous urge to capture their moment.
In a subsequent Facebook post, Joyce recounted: “On June 8th, I was treating my grandson Blake to Rita’s Italian Ice after his tennis lesson. As we were about to leave, I saw a lovely family on a bench relishing custard cones. Something inspired me to ask if I could take their picture…”
Joyce took the photo and handed her phone to the young girl, encouraging her to text it to their family. Afterward, she explained to Blake that she often does this for families she sees sharing sweet moments, usually during her vacations.
Days later, while relaxing on her patio, Joyce received a message from an unfamiliar number. “This is what the message said”, Joyce shared.
“Dear madam, you took our picture in front of Rita’s on June 8th. My wife passed away yesterday, and this is the last photo we have as a family. I’m deeply grateful for your kindness; it means the world to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” Joyce later exchanged several messages with the man, learning that his wife had been ill for the past year.
“My heart aches for this family I don’t even know, and I’m in awe of the tremendous gift left to them simply because I listened to my instincts that day”, Joyce reflected. This touching act of kindness serves as a reminder that we should never underestimate the profound impact even a small gesture can have on someone else’s life!
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