The young people involved in the first annual Battle of The Blades, a fast-paced skating competition presented by Arthur & Area Skating Club, put on a fantastic show on Saturday, Jan. 16 at Arthur Arena.  Master of Ceremonies Jack Upsdell kept the show moving at a steady rate. Even though the athletes only had one opportunity to practice together before their performance, they gave the impression they had worked together for a long time.  ?Battle of The Blades served as a fundraiser for the skating club but even more important the goal was to showcase local skating talent and to give Arthur residents the chance to take advantage of a unique and fun way to spend a couple of hours. Everyone who attended had a blast and had nothing but praise for the dedicated sportsmanship of the skaters.?“The skaters were having a ball,” Ann Johnson said. “Those who didn’t come out to the show missed a good time.”?The show kick-started with the figure skaters giving lessons to the hockey players. The respect each athlete gave to the skills of the other’s sport was noted through the audience. They had fun but they tried hard. ?After the skills training both teams worked together and dazzled the crowd with a lively ice dance. The skaters frolicked to “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” by Meatloaf -- a great song to represent a battle of the sexes. ?During the intermission, audience members got in on the action by competing in Puck Toss. Greg Dullard managed to get his puck closest to the target and he took home the prize. Several performers returned to the ice early and played a game of skater slingshot bowling that kept the crowd laughing. ?The second half of the program was as top notch as the first. The hockey players trained the girls in essential hockey moves then the two teams battled it out in a short scrimmage. The play was furious and several “friendly” brawls erupted on the ice. When time was called, the skaters flanked the rink and the event’s judge, Darcy Culp, named the three Star Players and chose the winning team. First Star went to Marissa Smith, Second Star went to Greg Dullard and Third Star went to Jessie Rogers.  The figure skaters won the overall show.?“I picked the girls because they were competitive in hockey and out-skated the boys in figure skating,” Culp said. “The boys need some training but the girls are a well rounded, well disciplined team.”?The show concluded and folks headed upstairs to browse the silent auction and to enjoy a bowl of chili. Skating Club President Wendy Smith won the Chili Cook-off, judged by Mayor Mike Broomhead and his wife Norine.?