Since 1898 in Bathurst, since 1908 at the Bathurst Curling Club. An all volunteer club except one.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
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.
Friday, November 17, 2006
4th Annual Bathurst Junior Cashspiel
4th Annual Bathurst Junior Cashspiel
Monday, November 13, 2006
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Curling girls doff duds to keep rocks on ice
Calendar/fundraiser: 'It's very tame. It doesn't reveal too much'
Allen Cameron, CanWest News Service
Published: Tuesday, November 07, 2006
© National Post 2006
Yup! The Ice is ready


The pictures tells all! Click on the photos to enlarge and then click again to enlarge once more.
Jim's article as it appears in the Northern Light:
Only one week to get in shape! Welcome to Wobble Week! This is the time to get down to the club and get your balance and your draw weight in shape. C’mon down!
When you are first at the club, take a look at the ice: The five sheets you will be playing on are formed by about twenty layers of ice and three coats of white paint laid down by Alvin with help from Ken Leaman, myself and the indefatigable Emery LeBlanc. The circles and lines were the result of a hard worked, well organised half day by Dale Glendenning, Guy Gallant, Brendan Sealey, Jesse Arseneault, myself, Alvin and Emery. The rink doesn’t just happen; it takes skill, planning, work, electricity and money. The club owes a vote of thanks to the whole crew for a job well done. While you are at it, note the club crests on the hacks – Alvin’s idea, which only worked after Emery suggested varnishing them. Note, also, the waxed floors and other evidence of the pre-season work put in by our president Emile Babineau, throughout the club.
Competitive curling starts next Monday while the fun leagues regular play starts with next Tuesday and Thursday nights. For the retirees and returning veterans, ‘Hanley’s Horde’ will take to the ice Tuesday and Friday afternoons at 2 p.m., this week, for practice and next week for play. By the way, the afternoon curling dues are $57, not $57.50 as I said (Sorry).
Come down and sign up that team, or sign up as a willing participant or spare. The club is what you make it: Remember that. We are expecting great things of this season, so those of you who have yet to join should get to the club after 6:30 any evening this week and get signed up as well as exercised. We need to know the players and teams to make the draws!
During Wobble Week, and on Wednesdays, we will be offering to try to help new curlers with the basic skills needed to enjoy the game. All ages and skill levels are welcome and if you want to try curling to see if you like it, Wednesday is the day to find out if it is your kind of game. Come around 7 p.m.
You can pay dues at the bar or at the Registration desk, which will be operating each evening this week. Our expectation is that there will be more members, more teams, more competition and more fun than ever this season. Ladies are requested to express their interest in the Wednesday evening initiative by contacting Beth Sullivan directly. Seniors and retirees are directed to Mr Hanley, or to the registration desk/bar to sign up. The ultimate authority on all matters concerning membership is Brenda Gallagher.
Little Rock curling will be back and enquiries should be directed to Peter Assaff Be sure to talk to him regarding the requirement for helmets this year to keep the little ones just a wee bit safer. Little Rock curling will begin this Sunday, following the Junior Cash Spiel finals: be there for 2 p.m.
Rental enquiries should be directed to Mike Kierstead who will be happy to arrange your Christmas or New Year celebrations, family event, training sessions, birthday parties or other functions at our remarkably low rates.
Finally, the first Funspiel will be held on Saturday November 25th. There is a sign-up sheet posted and you will need to see Omer Lafontaine for details. I am sure he can also use suggestions and help from anyone interested. Omer is planning one funspiel per month, so get a gang together and prepare to have the best (can’t stand the word ‘Funnest’ – not sure it is even a word!) season of all.
See you on the ice.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
The news about the club by Jim Duncan
Next week is Wobble Week!!! First you must finally get organised and join the club! Second, you really should do a little bit of stretching of those old curling muscles – if you don’t, you will be sorry! Third, lay aside some time to come to the club after 6:30, between the 13th and the 15th: This is to meet and greet, practice, and plan your weekly curling schedule – and wobble! You will be able to have short practice sessions, possibly help out by helping a new curler, or by holding the broom for someone, and spend some time socialising with the curling chums you have seen so little of over the summer.
UCT members are reminded that their curling begins this Sunday. This is the most regular and most appreciated rental the club has and you are all welcome to resume regular play as soon as possible. Contact Emile for details.
The season proper begins November 20th with Competitive League curling; Tuesday has afternoon seniors and evening Industrial fun league play. Wednesday will try a new approach for ladies with six-end games, between 5 and 6:30, and a catered supper at a cost of $10 for members and $15 for non-members – contact Beth Sullivan. Thursday evening is the original industrial fun league night and the afternoon seniors have their second session Friday afternoon. Omer Lafontaine will organise monthly weekend funspiels, open to all; watch for his first event, planned for November 25th, and sign up. Beginners are very welcome during Wobble Week and will get some instruction.
If you have kids, you should consider getting them signed up for their season. As decided last year, helmets are mandatory for Little Rocks. You can take the opportunity to find out when the curling sessions are, and at what time. As a parent, you should consider joining as a fun curler just to have a better idea what the kids are learning. We can almost guarantee that you will find the game as much fun as the kids do.
The weekend after Wobble Week is the annual Bathurst Junior Cash Spiel. This regularly draws teams from each of the Atlantic Provinces and you are invited to come down to the club and see the cream of the youngsters who are in the game this year.
It is also time for businesses and organisations to consider booking the club facilities for Christmas and/or New Year parties, for individuals with celebrations or events to book space, and for organisations holding courses, or functions, to check our economical rentals rates. We can accommodate self-catering or outside catering.
The club also raises funds by placing advertisements on the walls of the ice shed: We have a pretty comprehensive list of companies that we approach, each year, but if we have failed to contact you, we would be more than glad to hear from you and to include your company name on the wall. Contact any executive member, or leave word at the club or at the bar. Each sign is two feet by three feet and made to your specification.
Our group of afternoon players has grown significantly over the past two years and the twice-weekly afternoon sessions are truly fun events. Teams are formed for balance and amusement, ahead of competition, but if you are free in the afternoon why not contact Bud Hanley, or the club, and join in the ‘forever young’ group on Tuesday and Friday afternoons? We would love to have you and the cost is minimal at $57.50.
Our fun curling leagues on Tuesdays and Thursdays can also accommodate teams who want to play as a unit. Put together a team of friends or workmates and sign up for a weekly stint of curling against other fun minded teams. Come and throw rocks at houses!
If you would like to curl without feeling ready to commit to regular play, you can play for a $5 donation, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, until you are sure whether you want to take out a membership. Come join in, during our 96th year on the ice. See you there.
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Start shining your shoes


As you can see the ice is being created and is now painted white. The lines are going in on Saturday November 4, 2006. Drop in and watch the process, the finishing touches will be done by mid week. The photos are Volunteers helping our Ice Man. Of course the Ice Man is Alvin Lavigne doing a super job as usual.See you soon on the Ice.
Don't forget to get a closeup just click on the photos.



























