Hometown champion closed winter festival

MILFORD — National collegiate figure skating medalist, Jordan Hartey, performed at the closing ceremonies of Milford’s recent Winter Lights Festival. Hartey skated to “Let There Be Peace On Earth,” while the Delaware Valley High School chorus sang. It was the end of the Milford’s first, of what is planned to be annual, celebration of winter. Although the temperature remained frigid, it did not keep the crowds from attending the show and cheering on their hometown champion. Hartey was born in Port Jervis, N.Y., and moved to Milford when she was five years old. She began taking figure skating lessons at the age of nine. Hartey heads back to school this week, where she is a member of the national gold medal, University of Delaware figure skating team. She will start back to national competition as soon as she gets back to campus. However, she said she is looking forward to performing at next year’s Winter Lights Festival. “It is so great to finally have someplace local to ice skate, after travelling such long distances to get to a rink. To have a chance to perform locally for friends, relatives and neighbors, has made it one of the most special performances I have ever done. The townspeople were so wonderful and welcoming; I could have skated all night!” Hartey beamed. Jordan, a member of the U.S. Figure Skating Association and Professional Skaters Association, is also a trained figure skating coach. She is hoping to help organize and incorporate a Learn To Skate program at the Milford Rink next winter. “There were so many children at the rink while I was there practicing and they were all so eager to learn how to jump or spin. But it is important that they learn strong technique in the basics before they can move on to the tricks. Proper technique will prevent them from getting injured,” Hartey added.