Jesse's Holiday Weekend

[aimkin 903]

MANCHESTER, VT – This past weekend, I took a trip to the great state of Vermont to follow London’s starter goalie Jesse Teno while they returned home for Labor Day weekend. While not a holiday recognized by the VHL, Jesse was able to get away for a few days to spend some time with their family. It’s been a few months since they had been able to go back home and even the short trip seemed worth it. Jesse and their fiancé took up residence with Jesse’s parents and were spotted all over town. 

 

After flying late Friday night into Burlington International Airport, Jesse drove the two and a half hours home to Manchester to be with family. Their fiancé has been back in Vermont for a few weeks now, working on the upcoming wedding. She has been flying back and forth and can sometimes be spotted in London when she is in town to see the home games. 

 

On Saturday morning we joined Jesse at Riley Rink which, since we last visited, has seen all of its upgrades and renovations completed. It has been fully operational and open to the public for about a month now. This morning, however, Jesse had one more thing to add to the building that would make it truly complete. Along with the local coaches and some players, Jesse and the rink’s staff hung brand new banners for each of the schools and clubs that would be using the new rink. They also announced that they would be cleaning, fixing, and re-hanging all the old championship banners that have been among the rafters over the last twenty years.

 

During the day, Jesse and their fiancé went shopping, hitting up the famous Northshire Bookstore, the Eddie Bauer outlet, and a local pinball museum. They also enjoyed lunch at Thai Basil, an afternoon coffee at the bookstore café, and went home for dinner.

 

On Sunday, Jesse was back at the rink but this time in full gear along with a few dozen kids who had signed up for a one-day clinic on the ice. They warmed up with the kids, worked with the aspiring goalies, and even dropped their pads for a mock fight with a few college students. Jesse was also joined by some family who participated in a kids vs adults game, though Jesse opted to play as the kid’s goalie. The game lasted only about twenty minutes, but it seemed that everyone involved had a great time. Kids won 2-0, Jesse’s unofficial fourth shut-out of the season.

 

And on Monday, Jesse spent the day at home with their family. Mom and dad put on a large bar-b-que and invited a whole lot of friends from town. Festivities lasted all day with people coming and going. The grill was going all day, the pool was open, and they watched the town fireworks from their back porch and firepit.

 

Overall, it seems that Jesse had a great weekend home though now they head back to London to continue S90. 

 

503 words for week ending 9/10/2023