Skating through life

In January 2009, an ice storm collapsed the Willow Grove Roller Rink on Highway 77 in Chaffee, Missouri. The insurance policy didn't cover ice damage, but that didn't stop rink owner Roberta Grojean. Rather than rebuild it, she bought the nearby former IGA/Dollar General building and converted it to a skating rink. A year after Mother Nature's wrath, skating resumed at Willow Grove which is still rolling today.

Scout Sadler skates at her birthday party combined with a party for students of St. Ambrose School.

The original roller rink was built in 1950 by Tony and Wilma Grojean, the parents of her husband, Robert. It was larger and had a wooden skating floor. "We had a beginner's rink that we don't have here," Grojean said.

In 1959, Robert Grojean started the Willow Grove Rockets Skate Club. He organized five clubs over several years and took them to perform in area parades.

Roberta Grojean selects a pair of roller skates for a customer.

By 1979, Robert and Roberta's son, Robert II, was a member of the Rockets at age 6. Today, he and family members help his mother operate the roller rink that offers open skating on Fridays and Saturdays from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. with private parties available. A $5 admission fee includes skates.

"On weekends, she'll have right at 100 skaters, especially in winter months," he said.

Trent Elfrink helps his daughter, Mahala Brown, put on her roller skates.

"We're very busy," Roberta Grojean said. "I have five parties this weekend; three are birthday parties. We have a lot of families because we're the only rink [in the area]."

Years ago, Robert's father offered skating lessons before he died in 1980. "Now, you just come in and learn," he said. "Fall, get back up and try again, basically. A lot of young kids catch on very quickly."

Robert Grojean tightens the wheels on Jesef Martin's roller skates so they will roll slower.

On Sunday afternoon, Amanda McIntosh, one of the St. Ambrose School mothers there, circled the rink smoothly on inline skates. She was helping put on a birthday party for her son and another student. The group had organized a "back-to-school bash" at the roller rink.

"A lot of the kids don't get to see each other during the summer, so this brings us all together before we start our first big day of school," McIntosh said. She started skating over 20 years ago and skated at the old Willow Grove rink.

FAR LEFT: A sign reminds skaters they are responsible for their own safety. LEFT: Youngsters have their ups and downs at the roller rink. RIGHT: The Willow Grove Roller Rink is located on Highway 77 in Chaffee, Missouri.

McIntosh joined the youngsters lined up in the center of the rink when it came time to do the "Hokey Pokey." Later she gave it her best try in the limbo contest, easily rolling under the bar before it got too low for her.

The music played by Roberta Grojean is a mix of old and new, and requests are taken anytime.

The Willow Grove Roller Rink has outlasted rinks in nearby cities. It's still a place where the good times roll.