As I write this on Sunday afternoon, the big game — the Super Bowl — is just about ready to kick off.

But if you wander past the Wallowa Valley Community Ice Rink on certain winter nights, you might see another big game — well, actually, a hockey scrimmage — on the ice. You’re probably catching members of the Wallowa County Buckaroos in action.

Winter in Wallowa County can be a chilly, lonely affair. The Buckaroos have figured out a way to beat cabin fever: Once a week, assuming the condition of the ice at the rink is acceptable, they lace up their skates and gear up — helmets are required, elbow pads, shin guards and hockey pants are recommended and players need to bring their own sticks.

As the Chieftain’s Josh Rindfleisch reports in a story that will appear in Wednesday’s edition, county residents have been playing hockey outdoors for decades — occasionally on a frozen Wallowa Lake (often, just a little dicey) and more recently on Slinker’s Pond.

Since that time, volunteers have built two rinks at Enterprise’s City Park, and hockey games have been known to break out there from time to time. (In 2009, the community rink earned a moment of statewide recognition when the Portland Winter Hawks, en route to the Tri-Cities for a game, practiced on the rink. Despite temperatures that were close to subzero, hundreds came out to watch.) 

On the night he watched the Buckaroos scrimmage, Rindfleisch might have been the only spectator — but he ventured onto the ice from time to time to photograph the action. His report on Wednesday also will detail efforts underway to possibly build a new facility that could be used year-round.

Meanwhile, Tuesday is Valentine’s Day, and so reporter Bill Bradshaw tracked down an Enterprise couple who will celebrate their 50th anniversary later this year. Bradshaw’s profile of Norm and Dorothy Pratt, detailing how faith and square dancing helped cement their long-running relationship, appeared in last Wednesday’s edition. If you missed it in print, you can read it on our website at wallowa.com. 

These stories are all part of the Chieftain’s efforts, both in print and online, to keep you informed about the latest happenings throughout Wallowa County. As always, if you have a news tip to share or want to ask a question about our news coverage, I can be reached at this email address: editor@wallowa.com. I try to answer every email, but sometimes it might take me a couple of days.

And, finally, let me take this opportunity to thank our subscribers: We simply would be unable to do this vital work without your support.