Jim's Curling News as it appears in the Northern Light on Jan 9 2007

Firmly astride another of this season’s hobbyhorses, I found interesting articles in the December 2006 Curling News. In the “60 Years of the Curling News” section were letters regarding the curling ‘code of ethics’ and the threat of ‘spreading professionalism’.

Joe Marriott of Edmonton, in a letter from February 25^th 1958, takes not only issue, but umbrage with one Eric Bishop of radio station CFAC and the Curling news regarding “The Case in Favour of Car Spiels” (Teams curling with a car as the prize) for having referred to “curlers without the ability to participate in these events along with veteran curlers associations officials, who have seen the game pass them, by providing all the vocal protests. Car Bonspiels are the beginning of the end, they babble foolishly, and the game is being corrupted beyond recognition …”

The umbrage is evident when Mr Marriott refers to “… my resentment of your unkind, disrespectful, cowardly, malicious, brazen, unsportsman-like attempt to lay the blame for the failure of Car Spiels on the veterans who through long years, before you were even a gleam in your Daddy’s eye, helped to maintain and endeavour to improve the game which is now, for you and a younger generation to enjoy, in comfort.” Now that is calling a spade a shovel! Even I do not wax that lyrical.

He also says: “A good curler, in my book, is a person that is a member in good standing in a club that plays for the Love of the game and the good fellowship that prevails in every healthy club and respects the code”.

The Canadian Curling News ‘Opinion’ from October 1968 refers to three Ontario curlers suspended for playing for snowmobiles but adds that they are “sacrificial lambs who prompted the OCA to move back in line with the rest of the Dominion.

While New Brunswick still persists with the code of ethics their stand was never one to be considered seriously …” “ … The code of ethics sprang in to being in an attempt to offset, restrain or eliminate the growing tendency of professionalism … there was a threat, many said, that as the idea spread there would soon be a wholesale takeover of the so-called pro’s on the Brier Scene.” Guess what? They were right! That is both with regard to the pro’s taking over and the need for a code of ethics to protect amateurism. This situation still cries out to be corrected!

On the final day of 2006, the UCT results show Emery LeBlanc downing Alvin Lavigne, John Ferguson beating Andy Savoie, Val Saulnier overcoming Raj Chettiar and Roe Doucet defeating Albert Mazerolle.

Monday was New Year’s Day and there was no curling and the Tuesday night draw was minimal with two games primarily involving spares, and a ‘scratch’ game on the other sheet. I think we will just put this past week’s results under ‘reorganisation’ and expect a full turnout for this week.

I know that Bud is reorganising the afternoon senior’s teams for the second half of the season. He is hoping to have five sheets in play; we shall see this afternoon I expect.

Tomorrow is the next in the series of Ladies’ Wednesday Nights with Eastside Steak Subs on the menu, sponsored by Moosehead. Sign up and keep this important initiative for our Ladies Club going.

Two of out Junior Boys, Brenden Sealy and Jesse Arseneault, were at the Provincials this past weekend; this was their second such trip and an achievement in that alone.

Here we go in to another year of ‘the roaring game’, my New Year wish to all club members is that they continue to enjoy this, the best of winter sports for all ages and, above all, have fun! See you on the ice.

Canada's Team of the year - Gushue

From left, Brad Gushue, Mark Nichols, Russ Howard, Jamie Korab and Mike Adam pose with their gold medals on the podium at the Halifax Metro Centre in December, 2005 after winning the Canadian Olympic curling qualifying trials. The team advanced to the Turin 2006 Olympics and won the gold medal. (Eric Wynne / Staff)

Happy 40th Birthday Bathurst from The Bathurst Curling Club

Our thanks to Peter Assaff for this Northern Light Photo.
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.

UCT Sunday Curling Dec 31 2006

UCT Sunday Dec 31 2006 Action Happy New Year!

Thursday Night Action Photos

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

UCT Curling Schedule 2006-2007

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 17^th, 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 18^th, 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 19^th saw close to 40 afternoon curlers have their Christmas bash, which was greatly enjoyed. Along the way they celebrated Julian’s birthday (83^rd?) 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 10^th 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 21^st results will be added in to the next column, which will be either January 2^nd or 9^th 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.

Christmas Greetings!

May
your
Christmas
be
wonderful
and
nice!

Thursday Night League Schedule

Click on the schedule for a larger view!

Jim's Keen Ice article as it appears in the Northern Light

Merry Christmas! Today is the pre-Christmas party for the afternoon seniors (Hanley’s Horde!) and I am sure that it will go well. This week is also the end of the 2006 curling. Play will resume with Monday night curling in the week of January 8th 2007.
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.

Dec 4 Monday Night on ice action

Little Rock curling Sunday December 3, 2006

This is the sport to watch on Sunday, check us out every Sunday at 2 p.m. Thank you volunteers and, if you wish to volunteer please call the club at 546-5665 and ask for Peter.
We are proud of the parents of these children, your support is appreciated.

Jim's Keen Ice article as it appears in the Northern Light

I watched the Continental Cup, on November 26th, with mixed emotions as North America fell to the curlers of Europe. Team Gushue defeated Dave Murdoch of Scotland in the final skins game(hence the mixed feelings) but the European teams were just too strong for the current crop of North Americans. Had Ms Nordberg and Dave Murdoch not had a slip in form, it would have been over sooner! In recent discussions regarding opinions my last week Canada’s curling superiority has been patriotically promoted to me. I remember the same things being said about Europeans and hockey. Paul Trulson, Dordy Norby and other European veterans are coming to the end of their career. The ultimate question will be whether there are replacements forthcoming. The same is true for Canada, how much longer will we have the Furbeys, Martins, Kleibrinks and Jones’ to maintain our place in the world? The rest of the world smell the money available in North American sports and are demonstrating that they can win it. If you doubt this, check the range of nationalities now represented on the PGA prize list. Curling will be next and we need to be ready.
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.

Little Rock Coach plus more photos.

Our coach is Peter Assaff and his right hand persons are Rita McGrath, Ed Theriault, and many of the parents. Thanks to all for making this event popular and thank you for Volunteering. All coaching and staff are Volunteers and let us know if you wish to volunteer; your help is always appreciated.

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

Here are your results,
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 20^th 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.

Fun Spiel December 15 and 16

HoHoHo everyone,
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!