Nicolette decided to start a blog because so many people were asking her to write a second book.  “ I am not able to write a sequel at this time, so I wanted to keep my readers connected to Maddie until the second book comes out” says House.

Nicolette has been giving talks at libraries and schools. The talks are geared toward a variety of audiences. She covers the areas of writing, competition, her travel experiences and health and nutrition in sports. Nicolette is happy to come to your educational institution or ice arena to sign books and give motivational talks.

Nicolette House is a 4 time US Gold Medalist and international ice dancer with her partner Aidas Reklys.  She is the author of Maddie Takes the Ice and a graduate of DePaul University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology.

“I love writing and am looking forward to working on my own blog” says Nicolette.

Presented by IceTalent Inc., “Military Time” was the second show created by Nicolette Amie House and Aidas Reklys. This year they were proud to include Olympic Champion, Ilia Kulik and “Jumpin Joe” Sabovcik. US Pairs Medalists, Rockne Brubaker and Mary Beth Marley were among the featured guests.

Opening the show with sounds of airplanes and lights bolting over the ice surface, you were immediately brought into the theme.The “Captain Jack” group number sported men in army camouflage running their drill, complete with guns and military step. As the soldiers gathered to say their gooddbyes, the sound of train whistles could be heard as Nicolette and Aidas performed a heartfelt farewell to “Goodbye my Lover”.

The rest of the first half gave way to songs such as “There You’ll Be” from Pearl Harbor, skated by the beautiful Taylor Kulpa. Rockne and Mary Beth chose “American Girl”. Rock On by Jozef and a good ol’ American Pie.

In the middle, Tomoki Hiwatashi began the USO show with a memorable program to “Military Bandstand” followed by Yankee Doodle, performed by “little Nicolette and Aidas”, Rachel Men and Daniel Turchin. And of course, “There Ain’t Nothing Like a Dame” and “Candyman”.

Next to perform Suraya Kaiser with her cirque de soile type performance. Additional entertaining programs by the cast brought us to the journey home, Gracie Gold. Then came the moment when Aidas returns home as the “Heroe” to skate that number with his partner Nicolette. “The Boys are back in Town” reunited the soldiers with their lovely ladies.

The show had an intimate and theater like quality complete with fans lined up to get photos of the cast. Wonder what they have up their sleeves for next year?

Thank you to our Sponsor Friends:
Retro Bistro *
Pavlis Furs
Rainbo Sports
Hoffman Estates Animal Hospital
Mercedes Benz of Hoffman Estates
Grand Duke’s Restaurant
Mantas Photography**
Memories Custom Video

* Retro Bistro is offering a free dessert with meal purchase if you show your ticket on the 12th

**mantasphoto@yahoo.com -official show photographer

          Magnetic energy abounded this past week at the indoor rink in Sun Valley, Idaho as more than fifty skaters took to the ice to the participate in the eighth annual ProSkaters seminar. The best turn out by far, the two-hour clinics and live auditions gave skaters an inside peek into what it takes to be in professional ice shows.

            ProSkaters is a non-profit organization that hopes to educate interested skaters on the ins-and-outs of show skating as well as help producers and skaters connect, while ultimately growing and improving the quality of shows around the world. Current president, Ashley Clark, organized the events held this Sunday July 24, and Wednesday July 27. The Sunday event boasted a live audition for those that competed in the collegiate championships that were held in Sun Valley this year. Competitors were extremely fortunate to be able to skate in front of the producers for some of the biggest shows around, such as Holiday on Ice, Disney on Ice, and Willy Bietak Productions.

            The Wednesday evening seminar also offered skaters a chance to audition live for the producers, but it included so much more. Skaters were able to gleam advice from current and well-known performers who also happen to be staples in the  star-studded Sun Valley ice show, held every Saturday night on the outdoor ice rink. Every performer and teacher has something unique to offer and every skill learned at the seminar will benefit the attendees as they venture out into the professional world.

            Participants were able to learn ensemble choreography, how to skate in a block formation, improvise while skating with props, and practiced some adagio moves. Pro skaters Craig Heath, Gia Guddat, Elena Leonova and Andrei Khavlko, Kate McSwain, Natalia Zaitseva and Bert Cording, Kim Navarro and Brent Bommentre, Joel Dear, Kelly Smith and many more were on hand to show upcoming show skaters what they know.

            Opportunities to perform for producers and soak up the information these skaters had are rare. Those looking to go into show business were lucky to be a part of this informative seminar. And nowhere better to do it than Sun Valley where creativity and show skating talent shines all year round. To join ProSkaters or to learn more about them go to www.proskaters.org. And go pro!

Years ago I attended many theater productions in Chicago when my cousin was making his way up the chain of theatrical roles that would eventual lead him to leads at top venues like the Goodman Theater. He would eventually be known for his great character roles especially that of Scrooge, which he played for many years. It was great fun watching the eclectic group of theater goers who faithfully showed up for each performance. The audience itself was a special community of theater-lovers who supported the art with passion.

I had that same feeling when I witnessed the enthusiastic skating fans who lined up last Saturday for “Military Time” Figure Skating Show at the West Meadows Ice Arena. It was not your average suburban crowd as a lot of European fashions and languages dominated. One thing they all had in common was their love of skating.

Regardless of your ethnicity, for fans of figure skating, Military Time was a special treat that should not go unnoticed by suburban fans. First, for those who love romantic skating dances, there was Aidas Reklys and Nicolette House, the ice-dancing couple who produced the show and played the romantic lead in the performance. Although Reklys-House are still young, they are old pros on the international skating scene and their routines were polished and evocative. The Military Time theme was reminiscent of the old movies from Hollywood’s golden era that tugged at the heart strings showing a young couple separated by war.

Presented by IceTalent Inc. (www.icetalentinc.com), “Military Time” was the second show produced by Reklys-House in the Northwest suburbs and like their first show, “After Dark,” that debuted last year, it enlisted crowd-pleaser “Jumpin Joe” Jozef Sabovcik. Veteran of many ice shows, Sabovcik is an acrobatic figure skater who gets “big air” with his jumps and draws some of the biggest applause at every venue he performs.

Pairs skater Rodney Brubaker and his new partner Mary Beth Marley performed beautifully. Brubaker, who hails from Algonquin, won two U. S. Championships with a former partner and has teamed up with Mary Beth Marley from Naperville as he begins another trek toward to the pinnacle of skating pairs. Several fans waited after the show with cameras in hand to have pictures taken with this pair.

One of the really wonderful things about the IceTalent presentations is the intimacy of the shows and the ability to rub shoulders with the stars afterward.
http://triblocal.com/buffalo-grove/community/stories/2011/03/top-talent-shines-in-military-time/