Detroit Rhythmic Rollers Lorna A. Hubbard (Cookie), Theresa Jones (Tee), Cynthia Travis, LaCheryl Wicker, Fred Wicker, Quintone Green (Tone), Tiffany Brown, Kylah Preston Desi: Whose idea was it to take a Roller Skating Cruse? Tee: In the beginning it was LaCheryl’s idea to do the cruise. LaCheryl: Over the years we’ve traveled and hosted events in various places and we’ve always tried to take it to the next level. I presented the idea to the group and they looked into it. We weren’t able to make it happen at that time but Theresa made it happen. Fred: DRR has been hosting skating events for several years. We hosted our first parties in Detroit and in May 1997 we took it to California for six days and five nights. We chartered fifteen passenger vans and traveled to Venice Beach, Las Vegas, Mexico, Los Angeles’ Garment District and Hollywood . . .this event was the first of this type on the West Coast. Later we hosted a couple in Toronto, Ontario Canada. Since then, we have continued to host parties in Detroit and attended other events in many other states including West Virginia. We are planning to visit more in the near future. Desi: So what is your overall opinion of the success of this cruise? Lorna: The cruise turned out better than expected. This cruise was a milestone of things to come. It started something spectacular. We have met new friends and we have brought skating to a different level. We found out a lot about each other and even though we come from different cities and states, we all had a common bond; skating. These are people who truly love skating and it was something to watch although the first night was kind of shaky, the second night was beautiful. Desi: What was the response level like when you first put this idea out there? Tee: They were leery about wanting to go on a cruise. They didn’t think that we were going to be roller skating on the ship. Up until now, the people back in the US probably still don’t think that we roller skated. Some wanted to come at the very end. We had about 200 people that showed interest in coming. There were some who started to come but could not for one reason or another. Desi: What in particular was your most memorable experience? Lorna: Making history, watching people skate, that’s what I love the most. Skating on this boat, we did it. That is the most memorable thing to me. The second night was better than the first, the floor was different than what we are used to but we adjusted. After the event was over, people wanted another hour.

Chronology of The Detroit Rhythmic Rollers 1993 a group of skaters collaborated on what was needed to breathe new life and add new interests in roller skating. This group consisted of Debra Bosman, Marshall Carter, Lorna Hubbard, Brenda Mallett and Cynthia Travis. Together, they formed “Skaters On The Move.” Under this name, they organized an adventurous and successful skate trip to Chicago, IL. 1995 Charles Haywood and Andre Mitchell came together to orchestrate a trip of skating bliss to Atlanta, GA. All who participated had a splendid time and there were regrets from those who didn’t attend. 1996 Detroit Skaters on the Move evolved into Detroit Skaters on the Go and have since sponsored events and traveled to places like New Jersey/New York, Atlanta, Chicago, St. Louis, and California. Who are the Detroit Skaters on the Go? Lorna Hubbard, Theresa Jones, Andre Mitchell, Cynthia Travis, and Fred and La Cheryl Wicker. What was so special about this group? They have in common a love for skating and meeting people. They encourage and support clean, safe, healthy, courteous and legal fun! Participants of sponsored activities of Detroit Skaters on the Go include persons from all walks of life, both professional and nonprofessional, technical, blue-collar, retired, etc. Position/status has no bearing on an invitation to participate. All that is asked is that you share the same love for skating. 1998 A name change to Detroit Rhythmic Rollers came about with members of Lorna Hubbard, Theresa Jones, Cynthia Travis, Fred and La Cheryl Wicker. They have since traveled and sponsored skating parties in Toronto (2000, 2001), held skating competitions, and held fundraisers with donations totaling $2,300 awarded to four charities. They have also provided Thanksgiving baskets to four families and sponsored parties for the children and for adults as well. As of 2003, they have had three new members to join the club, Tiffany Brown, Quintone Greene, and Kylah Preston. The new members have been welcomed to the organization and their outstanding contributions to have not gone unrecognized. Congratulations to the Detroit Rhythmic Rollers for eleven years of achievement in the roller skating community.

Desi: How did it feel to be on the ship with your skate family? Lorna: Beautiful. We met a lot of new people we actually got to sit down and talk to one another. We’ve made friends for life Tone: I really enjoyed myself on this cruise because as a skating family were able to get a bunch of skaters to come together with a lot of different personalities. Everyone enjoyed themselves, we had fun skating and we had fun on the ship.   Desi: What were some of the things you all did outside of skating? Tone: We got lost in Mexico, my girlfriend and I rented a scooter, a man told us to stay on the trail, but we got lost and ended up out there for two hours and found ourselves up in the hood. We had a ball though. Desi: Any memories of Jamaica? Lorna: I enjoyed the shopping. Tee: I liked the Jerk Chicken, Red Beans and Rice, the Plantains, and I just liked being in Jamaica mon! Desi: What did you think of Haiti? Fred: Haiti was very interesting. Too tense. The people were too pushy. You really couldn’t get out there and shop. They didn’t want to let you do your own thing. We didn’t spend much time on the island, we didn’t give it much of a chance although we should have. We tried to shop which was probably the wrong thing to do, we should have just relaxed on the beach. Desi: What did you think about Grand Cayman? Fred: It was completely opposite from Haiti that’s for sure. They didn’t care about making money but I talked to people who went out on excursions but they really enjoyed it. Tone: I can’t comment on Grand Cayman. I partied so hard the night before I couldn’t get up. By the time I got up, it was time to get back on the boat. Fred: All of the islands were beautiful. It’s just a beautiful experience to be out there to meet people and see people from all over the world. It’s great. Everywhere we went people were congenial. It’s great to be able to travel and enjoy yourself especially being among a lot of people you don’t know but then again we’re just like family. There are other people on this cruise that really aren’t skaters but came with us to have a wonderful time. Desi: What did you enjoy the most? Fred: I enjoyed the food the most. I’m still full. Then when you win in the casino, Gosh. I won. That was the most memorial part, winning, even though I went back and lost most of it. I have a few bucks left so I’m still ahead of the game. But to be here and experience the camaraderie with all of the skaters, it was a wonderful experience. We are looking to try to make the next trip even better. Desi: How many times did you eat? Fred: All day. You just have to know where to go. Everyday, all day, whenever you wanted to eat. Desi: How did the food taste? Fred: It was great. I enjoyed it. I know I picked up 10 pounds. Chocolate cake every night. Desi: Tell me about the club scene. Who went clubbing and shut the club down? Tone: That’s the people from Jersey. Steve shut it down every night. He’s a real party person. He had the whole club jumpin’ from doing the hustle, ballroom dancing, the dance show things and the line dancing. We had so much fun. And of course Reggie from Kansas City. That’s the party animal. Desi: What about the relaxation activities? Lorna: I had a massage today, it was off the hook. It cost but it was worth the money. This ship has something for everyone. There was some kind of entertainment in every club. Desi: What time did you all get to bed every night? Tee: 12:00 a.m.; 2:00 a.m. Tone: 3:30 a.m. Cynthia: I get really tired when I stop from all the activity but as long as I keep going and keep active I can keep going. No time for naps. But it’s okay. I’m having too much fun. We’ve been playing cards about every day. Joi and I have been winning most of the time. DRR not pictured Tiffany Brown (not on board) Kylah Preston (unconscious) Acknowledgements The Detroit Rhythmic Rollers would like to thank . . . · The entire staff of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines · Roberto, our bus driver, Dynamic Bus Company · James Thomas (Detroit) for creating the DRR Bon Voyage Cruise & Skate T-Shirts · Larry Masumy owner of Detroit Roller Wheels and Northland Roller Rink and Chuck Jackson of Bonaventure and Skatin Station II, for allowing our club to solicit and distribute flyers over the past year. To those who came and brought a guest and the non-skaters that came along with us to participate on this first Cruise & Skate, the non-members of clubs who stepped-up to take care of things that needed to be addressed. Also, the guys that helped the bus driver load up before and after the cruise. Although we may not know everybody names…we want to acknowledge the services you provided and your stepping up to assist with various activities to ensure that things ran smoothly. DRR especially sends “Thank you” to our travel agent, Mrs. Patricia Slack, of PM Travel Services, Inc., of Detroit., MI. Pat went out and beyond her services to make it possible. Behind the scene she worked day and night, seven days a week. We are happy to announce that she will be working with us for our 2nd Cruise & Skate in May of 2006! Great Job Pat!!! Desi of SkateGroove, what can we say??? “Thank you” “Thank you” “Thank you” for giving birth to SkateGroove.com -----without it-----------nationwide awareness would not have happen! Looking forward to you participating with us in May of 2006! To our Heavenly Father for allowing everyone to return home safe from any harm or danger, you guided and protected us and this we say “Thank you Lord”