14 / matters magazine / winter 2019 X-box time.” Plus it really isn’t that hard to set up. The first year, it took Leibensperg- er about eight hours to build. Now, he can get it constructed – and taken down – in about half that time. “First, I measure out a perfect rect- angle, mark each corner with a pole in the ground, and use string to outline the border,” Leibensperger says. The string shows Leibensperger where the brackets need to be put into the ground. From there, the boards can be put into the brackets and tight- ened together. Then he lays a liner over the boards and on the ground. “Fill it up with water and you are ready to freeze,” he says. Leibensperger fills the rink with their backyard hose, or – depending on the timing – rainwater. The goal is to freeze about two to three inches of water in each section of the rink. The tricky part is making sure the rink is flat, which depends on whether your yard is level. “One step I skipped the first year was to use a laser level to see how much slope was in the yard,” he says, admitting that their yard is not as flat as it looks. Leibensperger says that he’s learned a lot over the past five years of making the rink, including how to know if it’s ready for ice skaters. “This is more art than science, at least our approach,” he says. Once the ice is frozen, they keep it flat by keeping it clean and giving it a fresh surface when needed. This is done by spraying a layer of hot water on the top, which melts the bumps out and re-levels the surface. “[If you do this] on a subfreezing temperature night, you will have a new, ready to skate surface by the morning,” Leibensperger says. So how long does he plan on main- taining his annual tradition of setting up his family’s private backyard ice skating rink? “The rink will go up as long as the kids use it,” he says. “I don’t see that changing any time soon.” Malia Rulon Herman has walked past the Leibensperger’s ice skating rink every day for the past three years and has long been intrigued and utterly impressed by the family's annual backyard project. The Leibensperger children and their mother, Erin Konta, who grew up ice skating. Photo courtesy of the Leibensperger family. WELCOME DR. CHOI! OurNewestEyeDoctor PleasehelpuswelcomeDr.'Grace'Choi to our practice. Dr. Choi obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University and her Doctor of Optometry degree from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Dr. Choi helps patients with eye exams and contact lenses and also sees patients with cataracts,glaucomaand refractive errors. Dr. Choi is a welcome part of our growing team, providing cataract surgery, laser vision correction, eyelid plastic surgery, glaucoma anddiabetic eye care, as well as eye exams and premium lenses. To schedule an appointment, please call 973.763.2203 or use our online scheduling platform at www.nnjei.com. In Ae "Grace" Choi, OD joins Northern New Jersey Eye Institute NORTHERNNEWJERSEY EYE INSTITUTE 79 Maple Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960 South Orange ~ West Caldwell ~ Elizabeth NorthJerseyEye_1-4P_1018_V1_VM.indd 1 10/15/18 4:15 PM “May your thirst for life never run dry” Authentic Irish Cuisine, Irish Coffee, Fine Wines and Irish Whiskey worthy of Celtic Kings Experience the best of Ireland’s Pub traditions Family Friendly • Good Cheer Raw Bar on Fridays 4–7 p.m. ST.JAMES’S GATE APPAREL AND GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE www.stjamesgatepublickhouse.com Join us fireside for lunch and dinner 167 Maplewood Avenue Maplewood Village 973-378-2222 Join us in Celebration of the high holy days St. Patrick’s Day Sunday, March 17 Join us in Celebration of the high holy days St. Patrick’s Day Sunday, March 17 St. Patrick’s Celebration The Woodland, 60 Woodland Rd. Sunday, March 17 12 - 6 p.m. Live Music/ Sing A Long Beer  Corned Beef Sandwiches $30 per person (available at St. James’s Gate in advance or at the door)