Grandma King

[warroadsalt]

<br>There was something missing at the door<br><br>Wally Wakefield <br>staff writer<br><br>Polar Arena was a warmer place because of Ida<br>Something was different Nov. 22 when I walked into Polar Arena for the Edina/North girls hockey contest. <br>I always looked forward to the pleasant exchange I got when I handed Ida a lollipop, or root beer barrel as "payment" for admission. <br>The other day I didn't give much thought to who was taking tickets, but I had made sure I was ready to "buy" my way in. <br>The ticket-taker's hand went out, and I placed the root beer barrel into it. An unfamiliar face looked at me, then glanced at the "press pass" I presented as credentials for entrance. <br>She took a look at what was in her hand and tossed it into the nearby trash barrel. <br>So much for a taste of tradition. I was left wondering, but said little. <br>Later, I was informed that Ida King — the person who was there for as long as I could remember — would no longer be around. <br>She had lost her battle with cancer. How, I wondered, could I have missed her death notice when it ran sometime in early summer? <br>But I had!<br>The reason it seemed like King had been at the ice arena for as long as I could remember was simple. <br>She was on the scene at Polar Arena almost from Day One. <br>Polar Arena opened two days before Christmas in 1969, according to Crist Langelett, another long-time Polar Arena participant who was there on Day One. <br>"Ida came the next fall. She ran the concession stand we had built at the back of the football bleachers. ... then she began to collect tickets," Langelett said. <br>In 35 years Ida King saw a lot of hockey history walk through Polar Arena. <br>She watched a couple of her kids go through the North program. She saw thousands upon thousands of other kids walk through the door, grow up and leave. <br>Then, pretty soon, they were back with families of their own. Soon, they returned again — this time a little older — to root for their grandkids. <br>Ida started at Polar Arena when hockey was a sport for boys. She saw it evolve into a sport where girls became proficient. <br>She was there long enough to see Zamboni machines wear out. There have been countless paint jobs, new boards, and, as old-time fans will recall, glass installed to replace the chicken wire around the end boards. There have been several additions, remodelings and renovations. <br>Through it all, there has — until this season — been one constant. That was Ida King. <br>For some 35 years, Ida became — though not quite as wrinkled as the corrugated roof — as much a part of Polar Arena as the sheets of ice each fall. <br>Part of her success on the job could be attributed to her stern, rough demeanor, which was so easily replaced by her radiant smile. <br>Ida was truly an institution — a friend, confidante and timeless touchstone — to thousands in the hockey community. <br>"She was very faithful," stated Langelett, who was the first Polar Arena manager. <br>"She was the best," echoed Brad Martinson, who replaced Langelett when he stepped down in 1993. "She had a great sense of humor, but she was fearless. Nobody ever pushed her around." <br>No matter how many times I have occasion to go back to Polar Arena, I will continue to see Ida blocking my way at the door, waiting for my "ticket." <br>I could feel her presence the other night. <br>Ida King will always be a part of Polar Arena to the many people who walk through the door and miss seeing her. <br>Look for a legend, and you will find it with any who talk about Polar Arena and the individual to whom you handed your ticket — no matter what kind. <br>An old adage I have cited in the past, states, "To die and not be forgotten is not to have died at all." <br>Many will not forget Ida King.<br> <br> <p>*WILD HOCKEY FAN FOREVER*<br>"Infamous - Having an exceedingly bad reputation; notorious"</p><i></i>

[Locknload]

Hey Salt, Thanks for sharing that with us. My condolences. <p></p><i></i>

[RinkRat10506]

Nice tribute. It really makes you think about the people that play a little part in your life, but when they pass you realize they were alot more important then you realized. <p></p><i></i>

[wild77]

Well said...and it's great to be reminded of them. <p></p><i></i>

[warroadsalt]

I think they are going to have a ceromony and a memorial plaque put up at the rink, does anyone have info on that? <p>*WILD HOCKEY FAN FOREVER*<br>"Infamous - Having an exceedingly bad reputation; notorious"</p><i></i>

[puckswerestones]

mom was great and dedicated to the youth and what she could do, doesnt surprize me that she was great friends with wes barrette from st pauls east side another elevator for positive community service towards our youth, now at 25 years of youth coaching myself, these two heros in my life have made me suck it in and realize i have to go another 25, all you players on here including you salt need to get on with the payback of your memorys and moments to the next generation, its spelled out in the history of our great game. Thanks for posting this on here salt it was a moment of great satisfation to know she missed outside the family!!!!!!!!!! Rest in peace mom <p></p><i></i>