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| March 7, 2002 |
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| Some Kind Words From Fans |
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I have been a fan of Steve and Danielle's for quite sometime and have always
been proud of them, their sportsmanship and their accomplishments. I had the
pleasure of sitting next to Danielle on an airplane once and she is an
absolute delight! I wish them both much happiness as they both continue to
follow their dreams. |
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| Nancy N. |
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Thank you both for some wonderful memories. Your long program at this year's Skate America will remain a favorite, with your incredible line and expression and just pure joy of skating. And I will always remember the
first perfect death spiral I ever saw -- yours, in a practice session. Ah- I said, so that's what it is supposed to look like! I hold everyone else to that standard. Good luck to you both, with many years of happiness ahead. |
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| Sharon S. |
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| I hope they both are proud of their accomplishments, they were quite enjoyable to watch. I will miss them. |
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| LB |
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Danielle and Steve, I always enjoyed watching you skate. Your skating and
attitude have always been a tribute to the U.S. pairs field. Everyone in the
skating community will miss you. Best of luck in the future, |
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| Jocelyn |
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| January 26, 2002 |
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| Tonight the skaters that Steve & Danielle coach had a party for them at Great Lakes Crossing. The students with their parents treated Steve & Danielle and their mom and dad to dinner and hours of play-time at GameWorks. They all had a blast. The students are Jennifer, Gabriella, Destiny, Zachary, Katie, Lauren, Erin, Alexandra, Nina, Neal, Alix, Damerin, Samantha, Megan and Rachel. |
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| January 20, 2002 |
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| Last night we talked to Steve about his injury. The preliminary report from the MRI is that there is a partial tear of the muscle, no bone was torn off with the tear. He should be back on the ice in 2-4 weeks. Steve said he is very busy watching talk shows on TV all day and is running out of things to do. |
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| January 14, 2002 |
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| The U.S. National Championship Competition is over and Steve and Danielle were dealt another blow. On Monday at practice Steve was doing a sit-spin when he felt a pull with pain in the left groin area. Being the competitor he is, he felt he could work through it. They continued to practice daily and on Wednesday did their normal light practice before the short program. That evening they skated a near perfect program. Their only mistake was Steve did a double toe jump while Danielle completed a triple toe. After the short program they were in 4th place. While disappointed in their marks, they felt they were in good position going into the long program. On Thursday, Steve was in pain but again felt he could work through it. They continued with their practice sessions. Friday they did the normal light practice but Steve was in a lot of pain. He was given Aleve and Vioxx. Later, at the warm-up session, we could tell that he was in a great deal of pain while doing his double axel. Danielle's face showed a lot of concern for Steve. She cried when she told us that they were going to give him a shot for the pain. When the final group came out to warm up before the long program we watched Steve. It was clear he was in a lot of pain and his coaches told him to attempt an axel. He skated into it but never took off. He shook his head and went back to the boards. We saw him hug Danielle and we knew it was over for them this season. Danielle told the coaches that she was going to do one more triple toe, and she went out and landed it beautifully. In the meantime Steve told the referee that they were withdrawing from the competition. Steve and Danielle met at center ice for their bows and were given a standing ovation. |
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| Steve is extremely strong. If there was any way he could have skated safely, he would have. He was concerned that in his painful condition his sister or he would get hurt. We feel it was a courageous and wise decision, although heartbreaking for them. Their Olympic dream was gone. |
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| Danielle was fortunate to have her boyfriend Chris at her side during this difficult time. He was a also a big help to Mr. and Mrs. Hartsell and a comfort to us, as well. Another good friend of the family, John (Gipp) was there from Arizona. And, it was heartwarming to see how much support the family received from the figure skating community and the fans. |
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| Steve will undergo testing in Michigan to determine the extent of the injury. We will keep you posted. |
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| The week wasn't all about pain and tears. The Hartsell family had a wonderful time visiting with friends in the figure skating world. They celebrated Steve's birthday at a steak house called Nick and Steph's on Sunday. On Tuesday they dined at Spago in Beverly Hills, compliments of one of Danielle's skating students. Danielle spotted Michael Caine at the next table, but couldn't remember his name. Saturday they spent the day seeing the sights of the L.A. area. |
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| December 30, 2001 |
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| Steve and Danielle had a very nice Christmas and celebrated with their family. Danielle's boyfriend Chris was here for 10 days from Virginia to spend Christmas with the Hartsell family. Steve & Danielle are planning to celebrate New Year's Eve with a party at Steve's apartment with a number of their friends. |
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| On Friday night they did a show at Detroit Skating Club and skated their short program. They have returned to the music from last year Tocatta in Fugue but the program is totally different. On Friday night they did a very good job, with an almost perfect program. |
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| Next Saturday they leave for Los Angeles to settle in for National's. They are really looking forward to the competition and are in great shape for it. |
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| Next Sunday, while at National's, Steve will have his 24th birthday. His family will be in Los Angeles to celebrate with him. |
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| November 18, 2001 |
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| Wednesday is Danielle's 21st birthday. Because she will be in Kansas City for her big day we celebrated early today with Danielle, Steve their mom and dad with dinner and cake and presents. We had a nice visit with them and introduced them all to the Michelle Kwan Figure Skating software. Danielle chose the costume and choreographed the program while Steve watched football (of course, its a guy thing). Danielle took Michelle all the way to a Silver medal at Worlds and of course Steve had to prove that he could do better. And, he did. He won GOLD for Michelle! They had a great time playing the game and taught us a few things too (crossover, crossover, crossover). |
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| Steve Danielle also got a chance to watch the tape from Lifetime TV from Skate Canada. Lifetime did a fantastic fluff piece on them for the broadcast and there were lots of hoots from Danielle when they showed them skating when they were so little. They winced when they saw their performance in the long program and were frustrated that the commentators made nearly as many errors in calling the program as they did in skating it. |
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| September 9, 2001 |
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| Today Danielle & Steve performed in a benefit at the Birmingham Ice Rink, in Birmingham, Michigan. The event was held to raise funds for Jon Grocki who has leukemia, and is the husband of Michelle Grocki, a coach at the Birmingham Rink.Steve & Danielle performed their short program, and even when the music started over in the middle of the program during their lift, they continued and did a wonderful job. Also skating in the exhibition were Dan Hollander who did Mrs. Doubtfire, Larissa Speilberg & Craig Joeright, who performed this seasons short program, Andrea Aggeler, Michelle Rosinski and team Elan, the synchronized team from DSC. The American Red Cross was also on hand at the rink to screen potential bone marrow donors. |
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| Steve is back doing jumps again as of this past week. They are working mostly on their long program and are quite excited about it. Steve explains it as telling a story to the audience, and they are enjoying it, doing something different. |
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| The next event Danielle & Steve have scheduled is Evening With Champions in Boston in October.They love doing this show and look forward to it every year. |
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| August 5, 2001 |
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| Steve is training off ice for about two weeks while he heals a broken left toe. About 2 weeks before Skate Detroit he began experiencing a lot of pain in his toe with his jumps. It was getting worse, but he was determined to participate in Skate Detroit. After that event he had x-rays and a bone scan and found that he has a fracture of his left great toe. Even with the injury Steve managed to complete his triple toe in the program at Skate Detroit but now must let it heal, and no jumps for a couple of weeks. Steve Danielle are concentrating on their artistry and choreography for the time being. These kids continue to show what tough competitors they are. |
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| July 27, 2001 |
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| It has been a rough week for Danielle and Steve, but Steve got the surprise of his life today! |
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| Kristi Yamaguchi was at the Detroit Skating Club waiting for Steve to show up for practice for Skate Detroit. When he arrived he saw a large crowd outside the building and a television camera crew. He was so interested in what was taking place he didn't notice the camera was pointed at him! He walked up to Kristi and she said Hey Steve, we got a surprise for you. I want to present you with this new Chevy Venture from Chevrolet Team Behind the Team. |
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| Steve was one of 40 Olympic hopefuls from around the country to be awarded a new Chevy Venture from Chevrolet. |
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| Early in the year Steve wrote an essay for a contest sponsored by Chevrolet explaining how a new Venture would help make preparing for the Olympics easier. Steve explained that his parents had always worked very hard to support him and Danielle, and had gone through much hardship. When they won Nationals in 1999 it eased the burden, but, after Danielle was injured and they were unable to skate they were back to square one, and had to start over. In addition to that Steve had a lease on his car that was to expire in April (2000). He needed to have a new car but hated to put another burden upon his family. |
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| We say, winning this contest couldn't have happened to a more deserving person. We are so happy for him. |
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| Detroit Free Press Article |
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| July 25,2001 |
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| Yesterday the funeral was held for Danielle and Steve's maternal grandmother Georgia Lee Miller. It was a lovely memorial befitting a much loved lady. Danielle, Steve and their mother Georgianna spoke at the gathering to recall Grandma's perpetual smile and loving support. They mentioned that everyone who met her came away feeling like a member of her family. We can attest to that. She will be greatly missed. |
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| June 22, 2001 |
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| It's been a long time since we were here! Just a couple of tidbits to add now |
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| I saw Steve today and told him I noticed that he seemed to be bigger in the chest than when I first met him. He said that just before Danielle's injury (which was right after we met them) he weighed 155 pounds. Since that time he has done weight training to build his upper body and now weighs 185! That is 30 pounds of muscle added to his chest! Amazing! |
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| On a different note, Danielle & Steve's grandmother is in the hospital right now. They hope their visits to her will help keep her spirits up. We send our good wishes her way and you may want to also. |
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| Mrs. Hartsell is again chairing Skate Detroit in July. She tells us there will be over 400 competitors this year, and there will be a pairs competition on the Friday afternoon. Check the schedule page because Danielle & Steve will be competing along with other world class pairs. |
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| February 5, 2001 |
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| On January 31st, we went to DSC to visit with Danielle & Steve. While there, we noticed that Aaron Parchem and Steve were helping Terese Anselmi and her new partner Derrick practice lifts. We took some pictures of Steve Aaron demonstrating a lasso lift. We could not believe our eyes! |
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| Steve had absolutely no trouble doing this lift. Who says he is too small for Danielle? Now, the coaches want to know who is going to wear the dress in this team . . . . |
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| We also went out to lunch with Steve & Danielle that day, and they did add some to their journals. We will try to get more from them when they return from Salt Lake City next week. |
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| On Friday night, February 2, the Detroit Skating Club had its annual Ice Champions Review. Danielle & Steve performed this seasons short program, Toccata in Fugue with a few minor bobbles. Both of the kids had their skates sharpened and both felt something was wrong. Steve was having trouble with turns and Danielle could not stop. They will have to have their skates resharpened in Salt Lake City when they arrive for the Four Continents competition. |
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| Danielle & Steve have some shows lined up over the next month and we will update the schedule page as soon as we have final details. Right now they are in Salt Lake City for the Four Continents Competition. We wish them well. |
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| January 24, 2001 |
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| 2001 US National's Competition |
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| Danielle & Steve arrived in Boston on Saturday, January 13, in peak form. Practices were going very well. At the draw party, they drew 4th to skate. |
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| On Tuesday morning at the Fleet Center, while practicing a lift for the long program, there was an accident. Danielle told us that the ice was new and very bumpy. Steve caught his stake on one of the bumps and fell, with Danielle falling on top of him. His immediate concern was her safety and he asked her if she was alright. She said yes, and he said Ouch, touched the back of his head, and realized he was bleeding. Richard Gillam, another pair skater, came to his aid and when it appeared that there was serious bleeding Steve was attended to by paramedics and placed on a board and in a neck brace for transfer to Children's Hospital of Boston. |
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| Danielle, of course, was devastated and actually thought she might lose her brother. |
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| At Children's Hospital, Steve was treated, receiving 12 stitches to the back of his head. To determine if Steve sustained a serious injury, he had to undergo several more tests, among them a CT of the head. |
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| Meanwhile, Danielle was told by her coaches to continue practicing, probably to help take her mind off of Steve's injury. After practice, Danielle went to Matthews Arena to watch some of her friends compete in the Junior Pairs Short Program, where she found us. As she told us what happened, she was close to tears much of the time and very worried about Steve. |
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| About 30 minutes later, Danielle came to tell us that Steve was OK, and they would be able to compete the next day in the Short Program. |
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| On Wednesday, when Steve & Danielle stepped on the ice for warm-up, there was a huge ovation from the crowd. When their names were announced the applause was almost deafening. |
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| Danielle & Steve looked at each other and said Let's do it! and went on to skate the only clean skate of the evening, and a well deserved win over the other pairs. They were the happiest we had seen them in over a year. |
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| On Thursday and Friday, again, their practice sessions went very well. Skating in the last group, second from the last pair, they were in good position. In the warm-up before the last group, Danielle missed a triple toe jump and an axel, the first she had missed all week. She tried them again and was successful. As they stepped on the ice, their good friends Paul Binnebose and Trifun Zivanovic were among the loudest to cheer them on. |
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| The program began with their customary power and speed, the fastest pair on the ice all evening. Unfortunately, Danielle missed the same two jumps that she had missed in warm-up. They settled into the program and performed it very well, with a slight bobble on the same lift that Steve had injured himself during practice. Even with the mistakes, many felt that they still were in good position to win silver, if not gold. Six judges placed them in third place, three in second. After the final team skated Danielle Steve were third overall, and winner of the bronze medal. |
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| At the press conference following the event, Steve said We just didn't have it today. We made a lot of dumb mistakes.Danielle said Last year we weren't here. At least this time we made it. |
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| They were very disappointed that they did not place higher and were ultimately left off of the world team. |
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| The next competition for Steve & Danielle is the Four Continents held in Salt Lake City beginning February 7, 2001. Danielle & Steve are confident, ready, willing, and certainly able, and we are sure this is only the beginning of their climb to the top. |
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| At the 2001 US Nationals, Danielle and Steve won the respect of thousands of fans for their determination, their ability, their power, and their heart. |
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| December 10, 2000 |
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| Today was our final fundraiser for Danielle & Steve for the year 2000. About 40 of us gathered at the Hilton Suites Hotel in Auburn Hills, Michigan, just prior to the Hershey Kisses Figure Skating Challenge being held the same day at the Palace of Auburn Hills. |
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| When our guests first arrived they were able to review the displays we had set up for them to see. This included a few trophys and silver platters, some of Steve's many medals (Danielle has hers displayed nicely in her room at home). They were also able to watch a video of Danielle & Steve doing one of their first pairs programs, Grease, when they were 6 & 9 years old, as well as other very early programs, both pairs and singles. There were some of their costumes on display As well. each table, decorated with flowers, held a couple of framed pictures of Danielle & Steve when they were really young, along with a goodie bag for each guest, filled with tea, cookies, candy, and other items donated to us. |
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| After a luncheon of soup, salad, grilled chicken with bow-tie pasta in alfredo sauce, baked potatoes with several choices of toppings, hot rolls and beverages, Danielle & Steve held a question and answer session.& They were asked a lot of great questions and told some fun stories. Everyone had a wonderful time getting to know these kids a bit better, and hearing them answer their questions. |
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| After the Q & A session, our guests had pictures taken with Danielle & Steve who also signed autographs. As each guest left they were given another bag filled with more goodies including Blades Magazine, Blade Runner Newsletter, Go Figure Newspaper, a Catalog from Rainbo Sports and a book of their choice, like Scott Hamilton's Landing It or Kristi Yamaguchi's Figure Skating for Dummies |
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| After the luncheon, almost everyone headed to the Palace of Auburn Hills for the Hershey Kisses Figure Skating Challenge. We had arranged to purchase a group of seats, and they were located just next to the Kiss & Cry area! We were in the first three rows. Tim Goebel & Sarah Hughes, on noticing Danielle & Steve sitting with us, ran over to greet them thrilling all of us! Most of the skaters, when they finished their program, were enticed over to our area for hugs, pictures and stuffed animals. |
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| We all had a great time and it was fun meeting everyone. Thanks so much for coming everybody: (Forgive me, I have forgotten some of your names!) Hadas (Your Dad was great to bring you!), Nicole, Aaron with your Mom & Sister, Marg, Lisa, Carol, Diane and your group (I wish I could remember everyones names), Leigh, Kim your friend, Ann, Mary, Ellen (gosh, I can't remember the name of the lady with you! and we had such a good chat out in the lobby of the Palace!), Chris from near the U.P. (you still sound Canadian to me!), Chris, Beth, Anna, Christina, William, Ed, Candace, Mike, Georgia, Larry, everybody! Let's do it again next year! |
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