Since 1898 in Bathurst, since 1908 at the Bathurst Curling Club. An all volunteer club except one.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Happy 40th Birthday Bathurst from The Bathurst Curling Club
From left, Claude LeBlanc, Brenden Sealy, Kayla Young-Daigle, Pierrette Pallagi, Pat Maher, Rita McGrath, Lynn Fontaine and Omer Fontaine.
Click on photo to enlarge.
Friday, December 29, 2006
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Check out this site for curling in Texas
Curl in an Air Conditioned curling club. Don't we have cold air to sell?;-)
http://www.lonestarcurlingclub.org
Jim's Keen Ice as it apprears in the Northern Light Dec 26 2006
Today is the Family Spiel and we hope that there are lots of families in attendance and that the fun is as great as it usually is. With Christmas behind us, and the end of the year in sight, it is fitting that we take a look at where the club is this year.
Monday Night Competitive is in full swing with fourteen teams and two draws: It has been a considerable number of years since we have been able to say that.
Tuesday night is drawing four sheets of fun curlers.
A small but hopefully growing group of Ladies are playing – and eating – on Wednesday Ladies Night. This is a small group but, as we have seen with the ‘Industrial League, small beginnings can grow to bigger things.
Another four sheets play on Thursdays and our week is rounded out with four sheets of seniors on Tuesdays and Fridays afternoons plus four rented sheets of UCT play on Sunday before the Little Rocks take to the ice. This makes a total of nine draws a week, every week and we still have a substantial number of Pay-As-You-Play members.
Compared to where we were just a couple of years ago, we are in considerably better shape than we have been. Hopefully we can build on this success and get the club back to former levels of participation.
I hope everyone realises that these things don’t just happen: There has been a lot of work from the executives, volunteers, and people like Emile Babineau, Bob Quinn, Pat Maher and Beth Sullivan in making it happen. Bar Chair Ken Leaman and Treasurer Guylaine Cote are other major contributors. Above all, it has taken support and participation from all levels of members to make this happen. To the club and it’s members, Happy Hogmanay! (That’s Scots for Happy New Year).
On Sunday December 17th, in UCT play, Raj Chettiar got by Emery LeBlanc, Val Saulnier outscored Alvin Lavigne, Roe Doucet beat Andy Savoie and John Ferguson defeated Albert Mazerolle.
On Monday, December 18th, Fred Elhatton outscored Alvin Lavigne, Dale Glendenning squeezed by Omer Fontaine (in 9 ends! – my team!), John Ferguson beat Paul Laframboise, Bob Nicolle defeated Emile Babineau, Pat Maher won over Terry Giberson, David Godin got by Marc Imbeault and Joel Roy defeated Andy Savoie on the final stone.
Tuesday December 19th saw close to 40 afternoon curlers have their Christmas bash, which was greatly enjoyed. Along the way they celebrated Julian’s birthday (83rd?) and had a gift of appreciation for Bud Hanley. There were celebrations at the evening curling also, while in evening play there were only two sheets on which Ken brown defeated the Comeau team and Amy Anderson defeated Dale Glendenning.
The Wednesday Evening Ladies will next be held around January 10th and we still hope that this event will gain in popularity in the New Year, so sign up soon, ladies.
Due to Christmas and Boxing Day falling right in the publishing window for the Northern Light, the deadline had to be moved ahead, so that Peter, Greg and the staff could get some time off, and the Thursday December 21st results will be added in to the next column, which will be either January 2nd or 9th depending on when I get back from visiting family. Drive carefully, don’t wear your wobbly boots too often over the holidays and I will see you on the ice later in the month.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Jim's Keen Ice article as it appears in the Northern Light
Players tonight (Tuesday) and on Thursday are reminded to bring snack food for a pre-Christmas get together after curling.
The UCT Christmas party was held in the club on December 16th and a good time was had by all. Thanks to the UCT, the peel and slice brigade, the barmen and the cooks.
Remember to sign up for the Bayside Chrysler Family Bonspiel on Boxing Day, December 26th. This is a long-standing tradition at the club going back farther than my membership does. Enter your family team (the definition of ‘family’ is loose, by the way) and come out and enjoy a fun day at the club; all ages and all relatives welcome!
I believed the club to have started in November 1909, but on rereading the history, I am wrong. It was December 21st, 1909: Ninety-seven years ago come Thursday! The history says: “In1907, in traditional fashion, it was back to the roots of the sport and outdoor games were held on Kent’s Pond. Two years later, in 1909, a combined Curling and Skating Rink was built on St. Andrew’s Street on the site of the present club. (11) December 21st, 1909: “On motion E.P. McKay was elected Chairman” “On motion it was decided to proceed to organise a Curling Club” “On motion it was decided that the name of the club be ‘The Bathurst Curling Club’” The founding members were: “E.P. McKay, P.J. Veniot, Henry White, J. McNichol M.D., Jnr J. Harrington, H. Bishop, T.M. Burns, F.O. Landry, F.J. Melanson, J. Bennet Hachey, Cha’s H. Ellis, J.G. Stout, A. Gatain, H.H. Murray, William Gammon, George Gammon, A. O’Donnell, Gordon Read, Ernest Branch, Fred Gatain, J.B. Mullens, A.W. Ramsay, P.J. Burns, J.H. Kent, J.D. MacMillan, B.C. Mullens, J.P. Leger, P.J. Leger, R.G. Duncan M.D., Jake White, Jr. Arthur McKendy.” Thus, with a membership of 31 an annual fee of $0.25 and a ‘Rink Fee’ of $5 began the saga of our St Andrew’s Street club, now heading toward a centennial.
On December 10th, in UCT play, Raj Chettiar beat Andy Savoie, John Ferguson beat Val Saulnier, Roe Doucet beat Emery LeBlanc and Alvin Lavigne beat Albert Mazerolle.
In last Monday’s Competition (Dec 11), Michel Godin defeated Andy Savoie, Alvin Lavigne defeated Paul Laframboise, Bob Nicolle defeated Marc Imbeault, Joel Roy defeated John Ferguson and Omer Fontaine (Hurray – that’s my team!) defeated Pat Maher.
On Tuesday (Dec 12) winners were Wells Chapman, over J. LeBlanc, Ken Brown, over Terry Wilbur, Raj Chettiar, over Boucher, and Anderson over Comeau
Wednesday Evening Ladies, on December 13th, was sponsored by Catherine and Company and featured Meat Pie and dessert along with the usual fun evening: Sign up for the next one ladies, there is room for more participants and Moosehead is sponsoring East Side Steak Subs.
Thursday night (Dec 14) saw Biff Homiak (in absentia) beat Ken Brown, T Giberson beat O Fontaine, T MacDonald beat T Wilbur and P Assaff beat J-C Gagne.
I am off to see our grandchildren over the holidays so; Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night! Hopefully I will be back early January. See you on the ice.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Sunday, December 03, 2006
Little Rock curling Sunday December 3, 2006
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Jim's Keen Ice article as it appears in the Northern Light
Our first Funspiel, intended to mark the final celebration of the anniversary of the City of Bathurst, was more than a little flat. Pat Maher contributed a delicious soup but there were few there to share it. Hopefully the next fun spiel on December 15th and 16th will draw more curlers. It will be our best chance to celebrate Christmas, being a mere eight days before it. Bring yourself and friends along to curl or just to participate. Watch the sign-up board for the chance to register
Claude LeBlanc is keeping the Bathurst Curling blog up to date at http-bathurstcurling.blogspot.com. In addition to up to date news there are pictures and you can even view your curling schedule to help with your planning. These facilities and the associated links make this a great spot to visit
In UCT play on November 26th, Raj Chettiar defeated Roe Doucet, Emery LeBlanc defeated Albert Mazerolle, John Ferguson defeated Alvin Lavigne and Andy Savoie defeated Valmont Saulnier.
On Monday Elhatton Defeated Fontaine, Imbeault got by Glendenning, Giberson outscored Laframboise, Maher beat Babineau, Savoie downed Nicolle, Roy won over Lavigne and Godin out pointed Ferguson.
On Tuesday Wibur defeated Savoie, Boucher, comfortably got by Anderson, Chapman out pointed Comeau, decisively, Brown beat LeBlanc and Glendenning won over Chettiar.
Wednesday Ladies night is underway but could do with a little more support. Ladies (women even!) are encouraged to come out for six ends of curling and a lunch to follow. Leave the bloke to fend for himself! Last week it was Dannyburgers!
On Thursday …
There remain only three weeks to Christmas. We have two Christmas rentals lined up for the festive season, but if you want to have a Christmas or New Year function and are looking for an economical, fun place to hold it, contact Mike Kierstead, Emile Babineau or any member of the executive about renting the club.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Little Rock Coach plus more photos.
Little rock takes to the ice
It's Sunday and it's 2 p.m. and the little rocks are now in training and play. Little rocks are of an age of 7 to 11, if your children are not now in sports; then curling could be an alternative for them.
As the photo suggests many were registering last week and are now on ice.
You have another week to register your child; after November 30 no registration will be accepted.
UCT Curling results for November 26, 2006
Team Emery LeBlanc over Albert Mazerolle
Team John Ferguson defeated Alvin Lavigne
Team Andy Savoie defeated Val Saulnier
Team Raj Chettiar defeated Roe Doucet (Babineau)
Good game all!
Curling New from Jim Duncan as it apprears in the Northern Light
We thank Jim Duncan for his views and news:
This isn’t the place for a Rick Mercer Rant or a Rex Murphy Diatribe, but the decision to do away with the juniors’ zone play has really got under my skin! My daughter won the Zone here, at 12, and went off to crash and burn in the provincials. It is still a treasured memory to her. I partied around Zone and Preliminary play and it is one of my treasured memories: We never won the Provincial either. Without zones you can expect that all teams in the provincials will be from Saint John, Moncton and Fredericton, with no treasured memories in the ‘provinces.’ In my opinion the CCA has ruined the adult game for clubs, pandering to television, and is in the process of ruining the juniors by taking the fun out of the game. The first victims will be the smaller clubs, but what they are doing is suicide by slow poison: They are killing future teams. The final affect will be a simple lack of players and clubs. Already curling is a sport with more TV followers than participants. What is my solution? Consider golf, why is it not the same? Why are golf clubs burgeoning while curling dies? The P.G.A.! The Professional Golfing Association: If you want to play for big bucks, qualify for a ticket and get on the circuit. You don’t go to the Gowan Brae Open and play Mike Weir. If you are trying to get out of this province, in curling, you will play Russ Howard. We need a P.C.A.: A Professional Curling Association. We could employ the CCA or the NBCA (to whom we tithe $250 per sheet, per year) to run it. They are doing diddly for the small clubs! They have lost the place and the context. They are supposed to be an association of clubs to help clubs. They are running – and ruining – the sport! It is time the clubs took the asylum back from the lunatics. The clubs like ours will only survive if we can bring back the fun!
The Bathurst Junior cash spiel went well, as our opening event, with 7 boys’ and 7 girls’ teams participating. As reported, the Howard Girls’ team and the McIntosh boys’ team walked off with the ($1,000) top prizes but our junior boys were in evidence, participating on other teams. This included one on the McIntosh rink and two on a team taking home Qualifier money. Similarly, a revamped girls’ team gave it a strong try.
On Monday night we have two draws, for the first time in a long time. The results were: Fontaine fell to Roy, Doucet downed Laframboise, Savoie defeated Maher, Elhatton beat Imbeault, Glendenning got by Ferguson, Godin outscored Giberson and Lavigne won over Nicolle.
Tuesday has ten teams, of which eight were in action, and saw Brown defeat Boucher, Chettiar defeat Savoie, Anderson outpoint Chapman and Comeau overtake LeBlanc.
In November 20th UCT play Saulnier downed Mazzerolle, LeBlanc beat Savoie, Lavigne got by Doucet and Ferguson outscored Chettiar.
We have fourteen teams in two draws on Monday, ten teams on Tuesday and, I believe, eleven teams on Thursday along with the afternoon seniors, who are approaching ten teams, not to mention the Little Rock renaissance and that there is the Wednesday Night Ladies to come and the monthly funspiels. The club is, possibly, staging a membership comeback! Numbers will tell, Brenda and Claude are working on it.
This doesn’t mean that we lack room for more players, the fun is piling on, if you are interested, come on down and join in the fun. It is economical and open to all ages. See you on the ice.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Fun Spiel December 15 and 16
Please reserve December 15 and 16 for a great weekend of fun activities at the curling club, both Friday and Saturday's events will be a blast. Follow this blog for more details on this fun spiel. Register early!
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Sunday UCT Curling Results
Here is the results for your Sunday Curling on November 12, 2006.
Saulnier defeated Mazerolle
LeBlanc defeated Savoie
Lavigne defeated Doucet (Babineau)
Ferguson defeated Chettiar
Good game.
Information for Monday night curlers
This season we've decided to post all the teams schedule. You will see at the end of each weeks the results of play at the end of event on your schedule by the following letters W & L for.... you guessed it Win or Loss.
If you don't see your schedule click on November 2006 ARCHIVES on the right.
Also you will see on the right a list of links to your morning news, weather, sports (TSN & RDS) etc., in both official languages. Make this your home page; it's your link to the world.
Hope you enjoy our blog:-)
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Team Andy Savoie Schedule 2006-2007
20 November Ice 2A 6:30 p.m.vs. Maher, P. W
12 February Ice 2A 6:30 p.m. vs. Babineau, E.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
4th Annual Bathurst Junior Cashspiel
4th Annual Bathurst Junior Cashspiel
4th Annual Bathurst Junior Cashspiel
Sunday 9 a.m. draw just finished at 12:10 p.m. Girls Draw saw Simpson defeat Dickinson, so this afternoon at 2 p.m. it will be Simpson and Howard. Team Howard undefeated going into the game.
In the Boys Draw saw Stefani defeat Lahiton in a game that lasted over 3 hours to win. Stefani will go against MacIntosh. The last time these two teams did meet the MacIntosh team won, will the same be repeated this afternoon? Drop in at the club this afternoon (Sunday) at 2 p.m. for a great girls and boys finals.
Saturday, November 18, 2006
4th Annual Bathurst Junior Cashspiel
Lots of action at the Bathurst Curling Club. Girls Draw: Howard over Dickinson, Simpson over Deluca, Dickinson over Ronalds. Sunday Howard has a bye to the finals and will take on the victorious team between Simpson and Dickinson.
The Boys Draw: MacIntosh over Stefani, Lahiton over Greene, and Stefani over Shields. MacIntosh has a bye to the final game which will take on the winning team between Lahiton and Stefani.
More team pictures and action at the club.