January 21, 2004

THE WEEK IN CURLING

The inaugural Bernie Brunt Invitational Bonspiel was successful and profitable last week, with teams from Ottawa’s Navy Club, Buckingham, Brockville, Prescott, Winchester, Cornwall, Brockville, and Kingston competing, and excellent press coverage of the day, for which we are grateful.

Winning the ‘A’ flight was the Navy team of Wayne Hodgson, Steven Burke, Orest Popovich and Kevin Benson. On the ‘B’ side, the Buckingham foursome of J.J. Lafontaine, Mannie Kennedy, Fred Munger and Jean Seguin will have their names engraved on the trophy. We thank the Brunt family, especially Allan, Loyal, and Joan, who made the presentations to the winners. Organizer Jack Dikland reports some tight matches, with J.J. Lafontaine’s team winning their draw by half a point. The teams assured us they’d like to be back next year, and all seemed to have a good time.

The senior men had a busy week, with six teams at Brockville on Wednesday for ‘friendly’ competition. Teams led by Don O’Brien, Jack Dikland, Eric Orgee, John Wilson, Karl Duncan and Neil Williams took to the ice on the six-sheet rink and acquitted themselves well, winning half of the games. Afterwards they repaired to the dining room, where they were served a delicious meal. While they loved the surroundings, the men noted that their opponents had a $400 membership fee and a substantial compulsory bar bill to deal with annually. With that bit of news, our seniors decided our local club would do them fine, and returned home for a quiet afternoon.

On Friday, our other four senior teams, led by Peter Zeran, Raymond Benoit, John Lyon and Bob Bedingfield took in another ‘friendly’ morning at the Cornwall Curling Club. Pete Zeran and Raymond Benoit came home with victories, for this day also ended in a tie, as regards wins. Raymond reports the stories were entertaining, and that he renewed an acquaintance with a fellow he had curled against in the Canadian Masters’ championship. The senior men look forward to the other similar events ahead this year.

Bobby Hart took a team to the Alexandria Mixed Invitational recently. He and Mike Perry, Kim Campbell and Kate MacDonald lost their first game 5-4 to a foursome from the Ottawa Hunt Club, but won their second 10-3 over Huntington Quebec’s entry. They had a good time, and recommend the bonspiel to other interested curlers.

On Saturday, our club hosted the Broder Cup. Our first team was Kathy Norg, Wendy Casselman, Susan McIntosh and Greta McGann. They lost their games, missing the ‘B’ final in a close match with Russell, the eventual ‘B’ winner. Anita Cooper, Nancy Barkley, Nancy Skakum and Paula Locke won both of their contests, but lost in the ‘A; final to the strong Metcalfe team, who also won last year. Our ladies served lunch to the visitors, and enjoyed a catered roast beef dinner before the final matches in the evening. Well done to all, as players and as hosts!

We watched the Canadian Mixed Finals from Timmins on Sunday afternoon, as Kleibrink from Alberta defeated Ontario’s McCormick for the title. Kleibrink had been in the final last year, and this year’s win marks the first time that a woman has skipped the championship team in this event. Nice to see.

Little Rockers Samantha Cassell, Jessica Dodge, Danielle Arsenault and Kerri Bennett were in Metcalfe last weekend for a bonspiel. They won their first game and tied their second, finishing second overall on the day. Bantams and Little Rocks teams are out for the next few weekends, so more on them as word filters back. Good curling to all!

January 28^th, 2004

THE WEEK IN CURLING

Our bantam curlers went bonspieling again last weekend. On Saturday, in Richmond, Calvin Collins, Brittany Elliot, Natalie McDonell and Mallory O’Neil played two eight-end games. They lost their first, but were tied coming home in their second before dropping a squeaker. On Sunday, Cornwall was the venue for Colin, Chris, and Nicholas Tupper, along with Nathan Bygott. They were in their games to the end, but lost both of their tight matches. The adventures continue next week.

Bob Bedingfield, Pete Zeran, Raymond Benoit and Karl Duncan returned home happy from the Lancaster Senior Men’s Invitational last week. Turns out they won the fifteen team bonspiel, bringing home the Footstool Trophy, and $200 they will likely claim on their income tax returns. They won six of eight ends in every game of the two- day bonspiel, and knocked off Montreal West in the final for the title. For the record, Lachute finished second, and Vankleek Hill was third.

Tuesday saw two senior mixed teams in Russell for their first friendly match with our northern neighbours. The curlers split their games, had a hot meal, and came home already planning for the return visit. Our foursomes were Gerry and Cheryl Thompson, Ray and Lana Larsen, and Don O’Brien, Susan McIntosh, Doug Brannan and Dorothy Culkin.

On Saturday, the day before Robbie Burns Day, seven of our senior men’s teams answered the bell at the club for the 20^th Hughie Hutchison Bonspiel. Beginning at 8:30 a.m., by lunchtime the teams were whittled down to the finalists in the single knock-out event. After a delicious meal, including haggis, a fine Burns grace by Sid Morrell, and toasts to the Queen and the Lassies, the two finalists did battle for the championship. Jack Dikland, Dwight Gilmer, Dave Salsman and Len Bellingham prevailed over John Lyon, Tony Toonders, Glen Cougler and Brian Fawcett, and will have their name engraved on the trophy. The winners’ names now wrap around the base, and a second tier will have to be added soon.

Our thanks to Gerry Thompson, who organized the day, and to Neil Williams, who presented the haggis to Bill Magee under full piping. Bill developed a magnificent Scottish accent for the occasion, and waved his dirk menacingly before cutting into George Davies’ haggis and personally extracting servings for each of the curlers and guests. With several key people away or retired from curling, pulling off the event was no small feat, and thanks are due to all who assisted. Already there is talk of making this a two-day event next year, culminating in a Burns Dinner.

Two local teams are entered in the Senior Mixed Invitational here today. We’ll have a full report next week.

Finally, Jack Dikland’s plan to save money from the tip jar towards a television monitor and camera for our center sheet of ice is nearly one third of the way towards the seven hundred dollars required, after just three weeks. For $200 annually, an interested company can have its advertisement on the screen as we watch the action at the far end of the center sheet. Never again will we need to speculate as to which team has shot rock. If the tip jar permits, we might have all three sheets televised in two years’ time. Good curling to all!

February 4, 2004

THE WEEK IN CURLING

Our little rock curlers finally got to use their new full size stones in a bonspiel, in a big Brockville competition held on Saturday. Bobby Robichaud, Travis McMillan, Eric Kohnen and Connor Woodmass made up one team, and the other included Drake Levere, Liam McMillan and Dane and Brighton Levere. Both foursomes played well, and split their games.

The local club hosted a Senior Mixed Invitational Bonspiel on Wednesday, with three Morrisburg entries. In the first draw, Russell’s Bob Taylor was victorious, with the other Russell team, entered by Carol Geoghagan, a close second. Don O’Brien, Barb Rabideau, Jack Dikland and Sandra Beckstead came in third in the quality field. Curling well, but finishing just out of the money, were Gerry and Cheryl Thompson and Ray and Lana Larsen. In the second draw, Ron Hamson’s Metcalfe entry came out on top, with Eric Riviere of Cornwall second. A logjam followed, with Richmond, Morrisburg and Glengarry in a tight finish. Sharing the prize money were the last-minute Morrisburg team of Sid Morrell, Betty Locke, Keith Brannen and Donna Stephens. Their entry was made necessary when a Prescott team had to cancel on very short notice. The organizers are grateful to this foursome for saving the bonspiel. As always, the kitchen volunteers and food providers, organized by Alice Thompson, did a remarkable job. The noon meal sets this bonspiel apart from other similar competitions.

Sid had a busy week, for he led two Morrisburg teams to Prescott for the third leg of the four-club Parnell competition. For the first time ever, one of the teams entered has won three of the competitons in the same year. Sid’s team did it, with Neil Williams, John Lyon and Gerry Thompson the other members. Bob Bedingfield’s foursome finished second, one point behind the champions, and included Pete Zeran, Raymond Benoit and Karl Duncan. In the final leg of the competition, the Morrell foursome will attempt the grand slam, provided than can hold off a challenge from other local foursomes.

As promised, Sunday, February 15^th will see a second running of the two-person bonspiel at the local club. You need not be a member to play, and the sign-up sheet is at the bar in the lounge. Bobby Hart is organizing the event, and notes that a sign-up sheet for volunteers is also on view in the lounge.

On Saturday, March 13^th, the Open Mixed Invitational Bonspiel, replaced last year by the Centennial Bonspiel, will be held at the club. A registration form in the lounge provides the information, and invitations are being sent to local and regional clubs, including those who entered last years’ big bonspiel. Again, volunteers will be needed as we host this major event.

In Canadian Seniors’ Championship play, Ontario’s Anne Dunn was triumphant in the final over B.C.’s Cathy Smiley. It was her third victory in the past four years. On the men’s side, Newfoundland’s Bas Buckle defeated Steve Ogden of Nova Scotia with a draw to the four-foot against three, in an extra end.

And finally, Sherry Middaugh will represent Ontario in the Tournament of Hearts Canadian Championship. Ottawa’s Hanna rink finished first in the round-robin portion, but lost out in the playoff to a hot Middaugh foursome at Sudbury. Good curling to all!

February 11, 2004

CURLING NEWS

The Wednesday Night Ladies’ League has completed its second draw and congratulations are in order for the winners: Anita Cooper, Wendy Johnston, Eleanor Allison and Joanne Baker.

Last Tuesday the afternoon ladies hosted Prescott in a friendly bonspiel. Evonne Delegarde, Cheryl Thompson, Margaret Reynolds, Betty Locke, Sandra Beckstead, Dorothy Culkin, Kathy Norg and Donna Stephens made their visitors feel welcome. Afterwards, the bartender served the curlers and treats were enjoyed by all.

Our top bantam team competed Sunday in a bonspiel in Alexandria. Curtis and Calvin Collins, Natalie McDonell and Bobby Robichaud won their first game but lost a close second one, finishing fourth overall on the day.

On Saturday, Coach Sydney Schnurr took two of her teams to Winchester for the Big Four Playdowns. Curtis Collins, Brittany Elliott, Jaron Hess and Mallory O’Neil won their first game on the ‘A’ side, but lost their second. Calvin Collins led the other foursome, with Chris Tupper, Tyler Stewart and Jacob Hough rounding out the group. They played well, but dropped two close games. As usual, our young curlers enjoyed themselves, and were excellent ambassadors for the game and our club.

The senior men hosted Brockville in a friendly match last Wednesday. Don O’Brien, John Wilson, Karl Duncan, Jack Dikland, Eric Orgee and John Lyon skipped the local teams, fashioning a split in their games. As always, it was a very pleasant day with good food and fellowship to end the day.

Yesterday, the senior mixed curlers hosted Russell in a return friendly match. The first team consisted of Gerry and Cheryl Thompson, with Ray and Lana Larsen. Don O’Brien’s foursome included Sandra Beckstead, Doug Brannan and Dorothy Culkin, while Keith Brannen entered the third team, aided by Barb Rabideau, Karl Duncan and Donna Stephens. The curling was fun and the meal was great; our hospitality knew no bounds.

Bobby Hart reminds us there are still three openings for the two-person bonspiel here on Sunday. The rules and format are the same as for the one held just after Christmas. No sweeping is required, each game lasts about forty-five minutes, the cash prizes are huge, and you need not be a member of the club to enter. Let Bobby know if you’re interested, or sign up in the curling club lounge.

Rentals are the lifeblood of a curling club, and Saturday we had another exceptional one, with John Lyon, Jim Locke and their hard-working Iroquois/Matilda Lions committee hosting the Lions from Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec. They even entered a local team, with Brenda Lyon, Betty Locke, Ruth Robertson and Dorothy Culkin representing the hosts. Hats off to the Iroquois/Matilda Lions for a well-run bonspiel!

Last week we mentioned Sherry Middaugh as the Ontario Ladies’ representative for the Canadian Women’s Championship, the Tournament of Hearts. This week, we note that in the Ontario Men’s Curling Championship, Glenn Howard and Mike Harris, tied after round robin competition, met in the final, with Harris winning the right to advance to the Brier as Ontario’s standard-bearer. Bryan Cochrane, from Russell, finished with four wins and five losses. Good curling to all!

February 18^th, 2004

CURLING NEWS

They’ve done it! Sid Morrell, Neil Williams, John Lyon and Gerry Thompson won the Parnell Cup for the fourth time this year. No other team has swept the four-club event since competition began in 1970. Other local teams over the years have won one or more times, and have been led by Howie Eamon, Stanfield (one of whose team members was J. Parnell, for whose father the trophy is named), and of course Sid Morrell, who has led more teams to victory than any other skip from here, Prescott, Lancaster or Cornwall. Well done!

Sydney Schnurr took a girls’ Little Rock team to Prescott on Sunday, and while they dropped their first game, they next earned two ties. Congratulations to Kelsey and Jenna Craig and Nicole and Melissa Toonders for a fine effort.

Bobby Hart organized a second Two-Person bonspiel at the club this year, and it turned to out to be a successful and highly entertaining event. Several new curlers, women’s teams, father-son combinations, and a couple of university students, to name a few, competed for the prize money. In the ‘C’ final, Derek and Colin Tupper defeated Jeremy Schnurr and J. J. Hollister. ‘B’ final bragging rights belong to Bob Fortin and Doug Tupper, who won out over Tara Deavey and Leslie McDonell. The ‘A’ championship featured a draw to the button to break a tie. Glen Cougler watched as his son, Donny, a first year curler, drew to the four-foot circle over Bobby Hart, whose partner, Derrick Whitteker, was curling today for the first time ever. It was an exciting day, with some superb shot making mixed with unlikely bounces to provide suspense-filled competition. Special thanks to the organizers, who also made a generous donation to the club’s camera fund.

It was great to see someone organize an event like this. It would be nice to see other new club activities take place. Why not consider volunteering to help the club in some way? Perhaps someone would like to reactivate the May yard sale this year. Extra income is always helpful. Our reserve fund is over $7000, but that can disappear in a hurry if major repairs are needed.

In a senior mixed bonspiel in Winchester, Jack Dikland, Cheryl Thompson, Raymond Benoit and Sandra Beckstead played well and split their games there with Perth and Cornwall.

Your club executive met this week and several matters were considered. The minutes are available in the clubhouse. Membership, bonspiel, and bar revenues are up, but insurance and association dues are higher. However, the club is in good financial shape, assuming the rest of the year goes well and that there are no major problems. Jack Dikland expects to recommend a movie camera purchase for the center sheet shortly, along with an estimate of the installation costs. Ian McGillis has offered to donate a video monitor so that spectators can follow the game more closely via the ceiling-mounted camera at the far end of sheet ‘B’. The executive passed a motion that will see the club’s portion of the remaining house of gold draws this year dedicated to the purchase and installation of the movie camera/video monitor combination.

The Canadian Junior champions were decided over the weekend. Mouzar of Nova Scotia defeated Cantin of Quebec for the women’s title, and on the men’s side, Peters of Manitoba won out over Blanchard of Newfoundland. Good curling to all!

February 25, 2004

CURLING NEWS

The senior men are now into their final draw of the season, this time for the Gerald Adams Trophy. Winners of the previous draw, for the Jim Fraser Trophy, were Jack Dikland, Dave Salsman, Len Bellamy and Ken Wilson.

On Tuesday the day ladies curled in Prescott in friendly competition. Cheryl Thompson, Betty Locke, Sandra Beckstead, Donna Stephens, Dorothy Culkin, Margaret Reynolds and Evonne Delgarde were expected to make the trip.

Over the weekend our top Little Rock team, Bobby Robichaud, Travis McMillan, Luke Whittaker and Connor Woodmass finished first in the Zone Playdowns in Metcalfe. Congratulations to the champs, who now advance to the Regionals in Manotick at the end of March.

The Sullivan competition, the four club, double team bonspiel for senior men, was held last Wednesday in Winchester. Neil Williams, Dwight Gilmer, Gerry Thompson and Al Gowanlock dropped both of their preliminary games and did not advance to the evening finals. Bob Bedingfield, Peter Zeran, Raymond Benoit and Karl Duncan, defeated Russell and Metcalfe teams on their way to the evening ‘A’ final. They lost a tight match to the other double winner, Winchester.

On Saturday, two men’s teams went to Russell for the Merkley, a similar four club, two team competition. Ian McGillis, Gary Gallinger, Allan Harriman and Joe McCooeye won their first game but dropped their second. Our other team, Larry Cooper, Bob Bergland, Chris Barkley and Gerry Thompson, lost their first game but won their second, moving on to the ‘B’ final after the usual delicious supper. Paired with a strong Winchester team, our local heroes emerged victorious, and the shield for the ‘B’ champs will be displayed in the Morrisburg trophy case for the next year at least.

In Daytime Mixed play, Jack Dikland, Ray Larsen, Len Bellamy and Lana Larsen have won the second draw. Play, with new teams, continues this week for the final series of matches.

On Saturday, March 13^th, the local club will host a mixed invitational bonspiel. At time of writing there were still five openings in this popular bonspiel. Call Steve Thompson at 543-3134 if you’d like to enter a team.

With just over a month of curling left, one Saturday remains for those interested in rentals. Monday and Sunday nights are also free should anyone wish a closing curling party. Call Steve Thompson if interested. Curling will end on Thursday, April 1^st with the closing matches for two of our leagues. The awards night, closing banquet and annual meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 31^st.

Buckingham, Raymond Benoit’s former club got his old team in the provincial playdowns for the right to represent Quebec in the Canadian Masters Championships, as they did last year. We met the fellows at a senior men’s invitational bonspiel here last month, and sympathize with them in their 6-4 loss in the final.

Early play in the Tournament of Hearts, the Canadian Ladies’ Championship, suggests Team Canada, led again by Colleen Jones, will be heard to beat. Expect Nova Scotia’s Heather Smith-Dacey, along with Ontario’s Sherry Middaugh to be around for the playoffs as well.

Good curling to all.

March 3^rd 2004

THE WEEK IN CURLING

We’re into the last month of curling at the club for this season, in what has been a busy year. There are still a number of events and rentals on the horizon, with a few spaces left for additional competitions. The committee still hopes to have one of our video camera/monitor combinations operational before we put our curling brushes away until fall, and we await word on the Trillium grant for the club.

March 13^th’s Mixed Invitational Bonspiel still has three openings. We thank Harland Veinotte Ltd. Transport of Morrisburg for its sponsorship of this event. They serve Ontario, Quebec and the U.S. A., but are located right in Morrisburg.

Bobby Jack Hart is trying to arrange a date and curlers for yet a third two-person bonspiel. The non-sweeping format and prize money seem to appeal to people.

Last Saturday, the Easter Seal Bonspiel was played here. It was a successful event, both for the deserving charity and for our club. Congratulations to the local people and members: Betty Locke, Bonnie Cameron Wright, Sandra Benoit, Wally McDonald, Paul Robertson, Anjo Norg, Margaret Reynolds and other volunteers, who made the day run so well. It was good to see a full slate of curlers for the memorable games that ensued.

Last Tuesday, Steve Thompson, Neil Brannen, Ken Wilson and Art Carkner ventured to the 48-team bonspiel in Maxville. They came home with second place prize money, and Ken won the fifty-fifty draw. A pleasant day for the local seniors.

The Canadian Women’s Curling Championship has declared a winner for another year. Colleen Jones, Kim Kelly, Mary Ann Arsenault and Nancy Delahunt won it all for an unprecedented 4^th time in a row. While Colleen has often had trouble translating these wins to a world championship –this year being held in Sweden -Canadians may have to accept that European curling is on a par with our own. Canadian coaching has helped them over the years, and many teams now come here for the big bonspiels that provide essential experience for the world championship. We wish Team Canada well in Sweden.

It was a delight to see the young Quebec foursome do so well, knocking off the favoured Ontario champions in the semi-final, and then giving Colleen all she could handle on Sunday afternoon. The game was not without controversy as Nancy Delahunt kicked off a Quebec rock in the fifth end without the measurement their young third seemed to want. Kelly, the third, could be heard asking Nancy to wait, but the deed was done. In the end, Skip Marie-France Larouche conceded the point to Team Canada, even though she had the right to deny it to them. Life is getting confusing at this level, as both the Jones and Ferby rinks have curlers with responsibilities outside their normal positions.

By the way, why not have the ‘Team Canada’ concept for the men’s championship as well? To be invited back to defend your title is an honour, guarantees some name recognition for new fans, and gives the other teams in the province more of a hope of getting through the playdowns. Just a thought. Good curling!

Wednesday, March 10, 2004

THE WEEK IN CURLING

Last week, Keith Brannen somehow became Neil Brannen when he competed in the 24 team bonspiel at Maxville. Our apologies. Neil is a fine name, but it is not Keith’s.

We’re still hoping to have a full early draw for the Mixed Invitational Bonspiel in Morrisburg this Saturday. At time of writing, there is room for two more teams. Give Steve Thompson a call if interested. Our thanks to Harland Veinotte Traansport Limited for sponsoring our bonspiel. Teams from Cornwall, Prescott, Rideau, the R.A. and Ottawa, as well as local teams, are among those competing

Betty Locke took her daytime ladies to Prescott on Tuesday for another Friendly match. Then today she led a team to Perth. Results next week.

That Easter Seal Bonspiel at the Morrisburg Club last Saturday was quite successful, and got good press coverage as well. Congratulations to many local curlers, who helped in the fundraising and entered teams. The early draw was won by Bobby Hart, Jim Locke, Tara Deavy and Dorothy Culkin. Winning the second draw were Don O’Brien, Barb Rabideau, Keith Brannen and Sandra Beckstead.

Last week one of our little rocks teams competed in a bonspiel at Winchester. Danielle Arsenault, Kari Bennett, Konnor Mullen and Nicholas Goupil won their games, finished first in their draw, and ended up in second place overall. Well done!

On Sunday, Morrisburg hosted the Big Four Little Rock competition. This is a double team event, featuring teams from the host club, Russell, Metcalfe and Winchester. In the early draw, Bobby Robichaud, Travis McMillan, Luke Whitteker and Connor Woodmass defeated Winchester in their first game, but lost the second to Russell on the last rock in a very tight match. They played well.

Our other team, Samantha Cassell, Danielle Arsenault, Kurtis Delegarde and Kari Bennett lost their first match against Metcalfe and moved to the ‘B’ side, where they defeated Winchester and advanced to the ‘B’ final. They tied their game and went to skips’ rocks, then thirds’ rocks before they lost in the tiebreaker. Congratulations to our team for making it to the final.

The ‘A’ winner of the Beavers Dental Shield was a Russell team. Winners in the previous six years were Metcalfe, the defending champions, and Winchester. Perhaps next year will be Morrisburg’s turn.

In senior men’s play, Sid Morrell, Neil Williams, Raymond Benoit and Gerry Thompson competed in an open bonspiel in Maxville. They triumphed over a Brownsburg team in their opener, but bowed to youth in their second game, losing to a foursome from Cumberland.

The Brier, the Canadian Men’s Championship, is underway, with teams from the provinces, the territories and Northern Ontario competing. Alberta’s Randy Ferby, Russ Howard of New Brunswick, Bruce Korte of Saskatchewan, Ontario’s Mike Harris, and Nova Scotia’s Mark Dacey are off to great starts. Ferby has looked shaky at times, but it’s hard to see anyone else as Canadian champion this year, the fourth time in a row for the Alberta team.

Finally, our best wishes to Don O’Brien, feeling a bit under the weather these days. Hopefully we’ll see him back before the season ends. Good curling to all!

March 17^th, 2004

THE WEEK IN CURLING

The senior women’s team of Betty Locke, Cheryl Thompson, Sandra Beckstead and Dorothy Culkin entered a St. Patrick’s Day bonspiel in Perth last week and won both of their games. They finished second overall, and came home laden with prizes. Well done!

Our afternoon ladies went for a friendly match in Prescott last week. This is becoming a popular outing for them, with Prescott ladies returning here yesterday for another one.

We had a bantam team in Winchester for a bonspiel on Sunday. Chris and Nicholas Tupper, Brittany Elliott and Tyler Stewart played well, splitting their two contests.

Reserve Wednesday, March 31^st, for our awards dinner and annual meeting. The social hour is at 6:00 p.m, with a $12.00 roast beef dinner at 6:30. Sign up in the lounge.

In the annual Two-team Senior Men’s McLennan Bonspiel in Cornwall last Friday, Sid Morrell, Neil Williams, Gerry Thompson and Karl Duncan tied both of their games. Bob Bedingfield, Jack Dikland, Raymond Benoit and Wally McDonald lost their first match, but won their second. The Lancaster rinks emerged as champions.

Another successful Mixed Invitational Bonspiel is history, topped off by a delicious roast beef dinner and the presentation of prizes. Our thanks to Harland Veinotte Transport Ltd., whose sponsorship helped ensure an attractive prize table for the six top rinks. We were short on volunteers for this important bonspiel. Thanks to those people who helped.

Some local teams entered, and one of them, Bob Bedingfield, Barb Rabideau, Wally McDonald and Kathy Norg, finished in first place. Wally Bridger, Laura Payne, Gary Wright and Lauren Mann of Prescott were second. Another local foursome, Derek and Colin Tupper, Wendy Casselman and Carolyn Beckstead finished 3^rd, City View’s entry of Don and Pat Muldrew and Peter and Julie Hayes finished 4^th, while another Morrisburg quartet, Jack Dikland, Cheryl and Gerry Thompson and Betty Locke, placed 5^th. Prescott’s Neil and Jean Dufour, Jen Peterson and Curtis Stephenson rounded out the winning entries. Honourable mention is due the team of Maryanne Robertson, Sam and Josh Laurin and Laurie Irvine, who finished half a point out of the prizes.

At the Club’s executive meeting last Tuesday, the decision was made to purchase two more of the lightweight plastic tables. Glenn Cougler and Cheryl Thompson will be dropping off the executive, and this is the end of Steve Thompson’s term as president. A nominating committee has been formed, and will present a slate of officers for consideration at the annual meeting. Please indicate your interest if you would like to assist. The Club will keep the ice in until Sunday, April 4^th. This will provide for a little extra curling for some leagues, and will make a final Two-Person Bonspiel on April 4^th possible. Please sign up in the lounge if you are interested in entering this season-ending event.

We now have enough money to finance the first of our three camera/monitor setups for our sheets of ice, and arrangements for installation are now being made.

In Canadian men’s championships we had a bit of a surprise, with a fine Nova Scotia team, skipped by Mark Dacey coming from behind to defeat Alberta’s Randy Ferbey. Though tense in the early going, Dacey rebounded to take advantage of some uncharacteristic miscues late in the game. It was too bad to see the boorish behaviour of one refugee from the Brier patch as he heckled the Alberta foursome. Hopefully that wasn’t the reason for the defending champions’ errors. Best wishes to the winners as they travel to Sweden next month for the world championships. Good curling to all!

Wednesday, March 24^th, 2004

THE WEEK IN CURLING

Our senior men have completed competition for the Gerald Adams Trophy, named in honour of a fine former club member. Congratulations to the team of Wally McDonald, Fred Hofman, Doug Brannan and Keith Brannen whose names will be attached to Gerald’s trophy.

For the remainder of the season, eight senior men’s teams are competing, not for a trophy, but to have fun. With fixed teams as usual, they are doing such things as rotating players during the game, giving all a chance to call the shots, delivering rocks with a curling stick, and whatever other variations our coordinator can devise.

This Friday, six of the senior men’s teams are hosting curlers from Brockville for the final friendly match of the season. Drop in Friday morning if you get a chance.

The huge City of Ottawa Bonspiel is over. Normally several local teams are entered, but several had to pass on the competition this time around. Only one men’s team has reported in to date. Robert Houze, Joe McCooeye, Mike Felker, Rob Delegarde and Bev McQueen competed for the Nova Impressions Trophy. In the semi-final game on Sunday morning, the fellows dropped a nail-biter 6-5 to a strong Huntley team. The victors went on to the final for the trophy. In spite of the loss, the men curled well, ending the tournament with five wins and three losses.

Teams are entered in several other bonspiels in these final days, with results to follow as they become available.

Don O’Brien, one of the club’s premier skips, has undergone successful quadruple bypass surgery, and is expected home this week. Our best wishes for his continued recovery, and we look forward to seeing him back curling in the fall -perhaps even on the golf course this summer.

There are rentals at the club this Saturday and Sunday. As always, volunteers are needed to ensure the activities’ success. Next Sunday a two-person bonspiel is on, with some spaces still available on the sign-up sheet in the clubhouse. There were no results available at press time from the Little Rocks bonspiel held here over the weekend.

Our old friend Rod Matheson, from the Ottawa Curling Club, has taken the Senior Mixed Zone championships again. Along with Navan’s Bob Hawes, he competed next in the Regional playdowns in Quinte. No results are available yet.

The World Junior Championships are underway in Trois Riviers, Quebec. Ryan Sherrard dropped a close one to Scotland’s Hamilton rink, while Jillian Mouzar has won both her games to date, taking a 10-5 decision over the Russian entry. Norway, Denmark, South Korea, the U.S.A. Switzerland, Italy and Japan are also represented. The finals will be televised this weekend.

Don’t forget the annual meeting, awards night and banquet on Wednesday March 31^st. We hope to see all the winners in attendance for their photo opportunities. It is hoped that we will have an update on the status of our Trillium Grant proposal at that time, we will be reporting on the club status in general, and the nominating committee’s proposal for the new Board of Directors will be presented. Again, the sign-up sheet is located in the clubhouse. Good curling to all.

March 31^st, 2004

THE WEEK IN CURLING

The Tuesday night men finished off their season with pizza last night. Congratulations to the champions in the second draw, winners of the Pat Lid Trophy: Ian Wilson, Joe McCooeye, Bob Matheson and Frank Lalonde.

Our Tuesday afternoon ladies, in their final game of the season, had their friends from Prescott over for another friendly match yesterday. Who knows, the groups might even go for an interlocking schedule next year.

The Friday night mixed curlers have finished a very successful season. Winners of this draw were Gary Gallinger, John Toonders, Curtis Hynds and Monica Currier.

On Friday the daytime men had their last friendly bonspiel of the year, with Brockville providing the opposition. Three of our teams curled five ends in the morning against the visitors, and three more finished off the games after lunch. Some of the players for the afternoon game forgot they were invited for lunch, so the rest of us had extra sandwiches and dessert. Pity. The Morrisburg heavies won two of the games. The skips were Ray Benoit, Jack Dikland, Wally McDonald, Neil Williams, Steve Thompson and Bob Bedingfield. Since it is late in the season, there was considerable substitution among the ranks of the hosts. Our senior men finish their last draw this Friday. Thanks to Gerry Thompson for coordinating an extremely complicated schedule, with twice the number of friendly matches we generally have, sandwiched in between the regular league games.

The Thursday night competitive league is in the midst of playoffs, and we may have the results by Wednesday night.

Janet Levere, who works in Williamsburg and curls out of the Winchester club, took a ladies’ team to Stirling for the Trophy Event. They acquitted themselves well at the regional playdowns, winning one and losing two games. By the way, entries in many of the OCA events are often low. Next year, why not look at divisions for which you qualify, and plan to enter? Whether you win or not is relatively unimportant. You travel to different clubs, meet other curlers, and get to exchange news and views with them. Curlers are highly social, and are interesting people with whom to spend a day.

In World Junior championship play at Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, the Mouzar rink from Canada finished first in women’s round robin play, but lost in the final end to the Norwegian team, as the young Canadian skip was light on her last draw.

The men’s Sherrard foursome, from Canada, were eliminated in a tiebreaker, and Sweden defeated Switzerland in the final on Sunday afternoon with a thrilling last shot.

We had two very fine rentals over the weekend, with Cheryl Lowe’s group on Saturday organizing an excellent bosnpiel, and the Hercheves family party on Sunday. Cheryl curls out of our club, and for years was one of the prime organizers behind the Kraft Bonspiel. Cheryl hopes to make this an annual event, and we look forward to having them again next year. The Hercheves family, now out of Montreal and Toronto, still has roots in the area, and is frequently back for a visit. Monday afternoon saw some visitors from Japan dropping in for a visit, and tonight at 6:30 we have the closing banquet, awards presentations, and our annual meeting. On Sunday, the final bonspiel of the year, the Two-Person Mixed, will finish the season. Thanks to all who have made the season such a successful one. Good curling to all!

April 7^th, 2004

CURLING NEWS

The curling season at the Morrisburg Club ended on Sunday with another Two-Person Bonspiel. These have proved very popular and successful. Our thanks to Bobby Hart for organizing them. The air was clear in the lounge, although the club has not yet been declared officially non-smoking. Perhaps it’s time for a show of hands at the next general meeting as to whether we make it official.

In this latest bonspiel, the ‘C’ Division final featured Wally and Joanne Baker against the winners, Glen and Don Cougler. In the ‘B’ Division, Joe McCooeye and Leanne Coady defeated Sydney Schnurr and Bobby Hart. The ‘A’ champs were Wally McDonald and Gerry Thompson, defeating Jeremy Schnurr and J.J. Hollister. Well done!

On Friday and Saturday, two local teams competed in the 18-team windup bonspiel in Winchester. Robert Houze, Carolyn Beckstead. Leanne Coady and Joe McCooeye won both of their games and finished in fourth place. Raymond Benoit, Kathy Norg, Bill Hogaboam and Julie Somerville also won both matches and were sixth. Congratulations to both entries.

Last weekend our young curlers competed in the OVCA Championship at Manotick. Coach Sydney Schnurr has worked hard with all of our young curlers and will be back next fall with them. Our thanks to her for her effort and enthusiasm in this important facet of our curling club. Bobby Robichaud, Travis McMillan, Luke Whitteker and Connor Woodmass represented our club but didn’t come home with the hardware this time. Congratulations on making it to the final, and better luck next year!

On Thursday night, Craig Harriman, Graham and Robert Houze and Al Harriman won the Dodge Trophy, emblematic of the Club Championship. The final playoff game ended a full season of play for all teams, and our thanks to Ian Wilson for coordinating play. Congratulations to the winners.

Annual Meeting and Awards Night notes from Wednesday: presentations were made to most of the league winners, and a delicious roast beef dinner was enjoyed by those in attendance. A special note of congratulations to Len Bellamy, who, in addition to being a top hockey player, competes in most curling leagues open to him. We believe he won trophies in every division in which he played this year. The profit to date for the club this year is $6500, and our reserve fund is over $7000. The executive is still waiting for word on the Trillium Grant request. Without an organizer, there will be no club yard sale next month. Some of the curlers signed up for summer work at the club, and will be contacted later, as will others who may not as yet have had the opportunity. The executive is looking for at least one additional member, and for volunteers to assist in several activities and events. They meet next on May 18^th, when the new table officers will be elected from within the ranks of those approved by the 45 members at the general meeting.

It was good to see Don O’Brien back at the club on Sunday. He looks fit, and expects to be back on the golf course early in May.

Our ice went out on Monday, and we expect to have it back in time for registration night Friday, September 24^th, when our next general meeting is scheduled. In the meantime, we extend our best wishes to our Canadian men’s and women’s champions in Europe this month. A good summer to all!