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Plymouth Ice Festival
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Sensory from page 19 nonprofit which helps special needs
families via bowling at Plaza Lanes and
She said autistic people, those with yoga at the Plymouth Community Arts
emotional issues and some others have Council building.
difficulty with noise. On Jan. 9, the For the Miracle League of Plymouth
evening was designed to be quiet and ballgames, Hermann notes the seven-
participants were to be given “fidget week season keeps some athletes com-
items” to hold. Wheelchair users could ing back year after year, some since it
use the library handicap-accessible opened thanks to generous donors.
ramp, which is heated for safety. Some athletes have passed away. Start your saws
Live ice carving and entertainment She was getting the word out about
are also on tap Jan. 9 at the library in the new Sensory Friendly event, The Dueling Chainsaws competi-
Plymouth. including through the Canton tion, one of the decades-long tra-
Maggie Hermann, 16, has cerebral Therapeutic Recreation program. She's ditions at the Plymouth Ice Festival
palsy and is a wheelchair user. Her pleased the Miracle League of will take place this year on the
Main Stage in Kellogg Park begin-
mom likes this chance “to allow them Plymouth will have a large ice sculp- ning at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11.
to experience things they may not be ture this January at the festival as well As usual, the carvers, including
able to” elsewhere. as a smaller one by the Plymouth World Champion and 2019 winner
“It's definitely more than when she library. Hermann is “getting the fami- Jeff Law, will have a block of ice
(Maggie) was little,” Hermann said. She lies excited, getting them to want to and 15 minutes to create their
and her family are also looking forward engage in events like this. entry for judging. This competition
to a move soon to Plymouth for a more “It's just been a nice thing to see it is the favorite event of many peo-
adaptive home. come to this. It's a perfect fit,” she noted ple and draws a huge audience to
Hermann also heads a Kelly's Kidz of the event. watch the ice chips fly.