Cloran and her friend Carol Butterworth McKinnon started Bay State Skating School in 1968. Both had been competitive figure skaters. They were the first two instructors and business started to grow. They started advertising and renting rink time. They hired professional instructors. Today the school is growing as fast as ever, offering lessons for children from age 4-18. At one time they offered lessons to adults, but they no longer do.
“I think it’s just doing exercises and being energetic,” Cloran said, adding that confidence helps. “Age is just a figment of the imagination. I love seeing the little skaters come. At first, they’re afraid to go on the ice. But we show them how and then you see the smiles. It’s a lifetime skill.” Contact Bay State Skating School at 781-890-8480 or www.BayStateSkatingSchool.org.