Ice skating has been around for 4,000 years, going back to when people in what is now Finland first started taking pieces of bone and sharpening and flattening them, then strapping them to their feet. They didn’t really skate, but instead glided over the ice. Over the years skating has been refined, and today we have not only recreational skating, but Olympic speed skating and figure skating, along with hockey.

Does anyone remember Sonja Henie, who was a famous Norwegian figure skater and actress. I watched a few of her movies as a kid and the skating always amazed me. At the time, she won more Olympic and world titles than any other female figure skater. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonja_Henie

We in Maine can claim a bit of “fame” for the filming of ice skating scenes in “The Preacher’s Wife,” starring Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston, in Portland at Deering Oaks Park ice rink. The movie was a remake of the 1948 original, starring Loretta Young, Cary Grant and David Niven.

I can remember many a day spent skating out on the ice as a kid on Lake Andrews at Bates College. I fondly recall being the end person on a “whip,” where a number of kids (the more the better) would all hold hands and the person in the center would stand in the same spot with the others skating in a circle as fast as they could go. The end person would be propelled to great speeds, only to have the person holding their hand suddenly let go and they would speed across the ice into a deep snow bank. Yes, this was really considered a lot of fun.

If you want to experience a whip, or just get out on the ice, we’ve compiled a few places where you can go — and where you can stop and get a cup of hot cocoa after, to top off the day. What can be better than that?

Auburn
Fun: Walton Elementary School ice rink
Seventh Street
This is a well-maintained rink on the field at Walton School and is free of charge, offering skating through February from dawn to dusk. Yum: The Library Café Auburn Public Library
49 Spring St.
784-2300
www.auburn.lib.me.us This café has just opened for business and serves up steaming cups of fantastic hot cocoa for your after-skating warm-ups. Stop in and check out their menu and stay for lunch.

New Gloucester
Fun: Pineland Farms 15 Farm View Drive
688-4539
www.pinelandfarms.org Pineland maintains two ponds for the public, free of charge. The skating is available from dawn to dusk, seven days a week.
Yum: Visit the deli at Pineland for a cup of hot cocoa, coffee, tea or other beverages on the menu, or something to eat. Sit and relax in an overstuffed chair while warming up.

Brunswick
Fun: The Brunswick Mall ice skating rink
Maine Street
725-6656
http://www.brunswickme.org/parkrec/iceskatingcurrentconditions.htm This is another wonderful ice rink that is free of charge, open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Come to skate and then stay to browse some of the Maine Street shops. Yum: The Frontier
14 Maine St.
725-5222
www.explorefrontier.com
This is a great restaurant located in old Fort Andross and has great views of the river from its dining area. The Frontier also offers up films and shows local artwork, so there’s much to entertain you. Be prepared to enjoy the best cup of hot cocoa you’ve ever tasted!

Portland
Fun: Deering Oaks Park
State Street and Park Avenue
874-8793
http://www.portlandmaine.gov/rec/azparks.pdf Deering Oaks has a large skating rink open to the public from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Mark your calendars for Feb. 13 for the Portland Winter Rush 2010 festival (www.portlandwinterush.com) with too many activities to list here. Mark it on your calendar for great winter fun! Yum: The Great Lost Bear
540 Forest Ave.
772-0300
www.greatlostbear.com This is a great restaurant on Forest Avenue not far from Deering Oaks Park and a great place to stop in after to warm up. They not only serve hot cocoa but lots of local brews to satisfy your tastes.

There are many other skating places in Maine. Here are a few more to choose from:

• Long Lake in Harrison has a lighted rink that is maintained by the town. Stop in at the Caswell House for hot cocoa or a brew.

• Hippach Field in Farmington has a lighted rink with music and a warming hut, but be aware that it’s only maintained through the end of January, so you only have a week to go. Open daily from dawn to 8 p.m. Then head to Java Joe’s in downtown, which offers up an assortment of hot beverages.

• Bethel has an ice skating rink at Festival Plaza through March 1 and a hut for food and drinks. A winter festival is taking place from Jan. 23 through 31, so go check it out. (www.bethelwinterfest.com)

• And check out this Web site for other ideas: http://gonewengland.about.com/od/iceskating/a/aamaineiceskate.htm