I met members of the Clintonville Roller Club at the Doo Dah Parade.

Interview with Lauren Phaneuf:

What is your title?

I helped start this with my friend; but, I would like to think that this is a group effort. This would not be a club without everyone showing up. I try to take suggestions from everyone.

Why participate in the Doo Dah parade?

Jess came up with the idea. We started this group last summer. At the close of summer, we realized we formed such great friendships. We continued to do events through the winter. Even though we did events, they were spread out. We started skating again in April/May. We want people in the community to know we are here and everyone is always welcome.

How long have you been skating?

One year. My friend Christy and I were stay at home moms with kids during Covid. We wanted to have an outlet outside of home and mom life. With everything crazy in the world also built a community. To get a bunch of people together to talk about things to work towards goals to support those ideas that we agree with. My husband bought me skates for my birthday. And Christy said, “we are starting a roller club.” We had our first event. I didn’t know how to stop. We did it at the outdoor rink at Tuttle; so, we could grab the side and stop. We had so many people show up and want to share their skills. Here we are; so, it’s awesome.

Is there anything that I didn’t ask you that you think I should have asked you? If so, go ahead and answer that question.

Why is this important to you?

We need each other. Even if it is a little bit of skating. We do a lot of talking. We build strong communities when we can all come together, enjoy what we are doing, and spread good and true information.

Interview with Jessica Warner:

Why participate in the Doo Dah parade?

I love a collective experience. I love a community experience. I love socializing. Skating has become a really social event for me. It was a great way for me to find new friends in a new city. Having everyone come together and do a fun parade sounds like an even greater way to share in that community experience.

How long have you been skating?

Two years in August.

Is there anything that I didn’t ask you that you think I should have asked you? If so, go ahead and answer that question.

I see skating as a fun thing for people who live in Columbus. It is something that is inclusive. We want everyone to feel welcome and have a good time, make new friends, and learn new things. There is not a level of experience that you need to have. We welcome, newbies, experts, etc. We want to make sure people know that they can come and have fun.

Interview with Emma Heiberger:

Looks like you are one of the founders. Why start a roller club?

During the pandemic, the skating rinks closed. For me, skating is a huge part of my life. I started skating at Indian Springs Elementary school. I saw posts that people wanted to start a skating club in Clintonville. I live in Clintonville. It was a natural progression.

Why participate in the Doo Dah parade?

I want to skate for activism. I am wearing a hand-crafted outfit from the Clintonville Yard Bomber. I will skate as a uterus to make a statement. Not only for women’s reproductive rights, and women’s health care; but, also all people, and all human rights. With this issue on the table, it means that other things that we thought were settled law, are possibly not.

Is there anything that I didn’t ask you that you think I should have asked you? If so, go ahead and answer that question.

A part of the why is this group of people. This club has been welcoming to all different types of individuals. I have met amazing non-binary friends through this group. I have had conversations and experiences with people that I never would have connected with if it wasn’t for skating. I am thankful for this amazing group of people. I am proud to skate with them.

Sidebar:  If you know me well, you know skating holds a special place in my heart. My parents met YEARS ago at Rollerland skating rink and have been married over 50 years. I have fond memories of going to the gospel skate just about every Friday night from midnight to 3:00 am. The pandemic caused me to circle back around to an activity I love. I invested in outdoor wheels and try to roller skate about an hour or so each week.

My Take

Seeing members of the Clintonville Roller Club skate on roller blades made me decide to dust off my roller blades and use them more (than the few times I have used them). This seems like a friendly group. Who knows? The Clintonville Roller Club just might see me again in the near future?