REFLECTIONS FROM THE PAST

Event winners from the 1983 Ladies Bonspiel

STICK CURLING CLINIC

A very successful stick curling clinic was held today at the Virden Curling Club. Twenty enthusiasts gathered at the club on Thursday morning to attend a session on stick curling, organized by Jim Lyons. He held a session upstairs, outlining the theory of the delivery and the rules of Stick Curling. Then the group hit the ice and everyone had a very enjoyable morning.

Some of the participants, hadnt curled in a few years, but saw this as a way back to the rink.

Many will be back next Thursday to curl in the first ever Virden Stick Bonspiel. The club is still taking entries, so if you want some fun and good friendship, call and book a spot. 748 - 1745 or 748 - 2743.

MANITOBA TOURNAMENT OF HEARTS - NEEPAWA

February 4th to 8th, 2009.

For the website click here

http://www.manitobascotties2009.ca/index.htm

VIRDEN JUNIOR CURLING

The Virden Junior program runs on Tuesdays at 4pm. Brenda Gerrand, Doreen Grieve and Barry Hayward spend many hours with these young curling hopefuls. Our sincere thanks go out to them for providing Virden with a place for kids to learn curling.

On Tuesday, January 27th we took some pictures of these bright future curling stars. Which one will win the Scotties and which one will bring the Brier trophy back to Virden. Well, it doesnt really matter, as long as they have fun at a game that we all love.

2009 SCOTTIES TOURNAMENT OF HEARTS

2009 Scotties Tournament of Hearts Seeding
Posted 2009-01-26

The 2009 Scotties Tournament of Hearts will be played in Neepawa, Manitoba at the Yellowhead Centre from February 4-8.

The full draw will be posted on the Scotties website at http://www.manitobascotties2009.ca or click on the link.Scottes Link

The Top Eight Seeds are:

1)Barb Spencer
2)Kristy Jenion
3)Janet Harvey
4)Chelsea Carey
5)Kim Link
6)Karen Porritt
7)Maureen Bonar
8)Holly Scott


ALL THE TEAMS PARTICIPATING FOLLOW :

Teams
Scotties Zone Winners (Courtesy of MCA)
Zone 1- Charlene Norquay- Burntwood CC (Thompson)
Zone 2 -Linda Stewart- Bowsman CC
Zone 3 - Maureen Bonar-Wheat City CC
Zone 4 - Lisa Blixhavn- Brandon CC
Zone 5 - Terry Ursel- Plumas CC
Zone 6 - Chelsea Carey- Morden CC
Zone 7 - Chris Scalena- La Salle CC
Zone 8 - Kim Link- East St.Paul CC
Zone 9 - Karen Rosser- Springfield CC
Zone 10 - Barb Spencer- Fort Rouge CC
Zone 11 - Janet Harvey- Assiniboine Memorial CC
Zone 12 - Karen Porritt- Fort Rouge CC
Zone 13 - Holly Scott- Fort Rouge CC
Zone 14 - Angela Wickman- Rossmere CC
East St. Paul Bonspiel - Kristy Jenion - Fort Rouge CC
MCA Bonspiel - Tina Kozak - Brandon CC

GLOW CURLING

REGINA -- The Tartan Curling Club is showcasing curling in a different light.

The 10-sheet facility has introduced Glow In The Dark Curling, which uses the magic of black light and neon to add a new look to the roaring game. The dividers and rocks are lit up with neon. Music enhances the overall atmosphere. It’s still curling but unlike any game that has been seen around rinks in Regina.

“It’s something new,’’ said Scott Comfort, the first-year general manager of the Tartan. “The reason we did it is we wanted to get different people in the building. We don’t have as many club members as we used to and our costs are going up. We want to get them in the building and hope that they have fun. If they do, then they might come back.’’

Glow curling is similar to glow bowling, which takes place at many bowling facilities. The first Saskatchewan glow curling event was held last year at the Prince Albert Golf and Curling Club. Comfort heard about the promotion, presented it to the Tartan board and the inaugural event was held Oct. 18. The second was staged Saturday. There are others scheduled for Feb. 14 and March 21. They are open to the public. The entry fee is $20 per person.

The promotion shuts down the facility. The bright lights are turned off and the black lights enhance the effect. Glow-in-the-dark rope is used to help outline the rings and the dividers. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes, glow-in-the-dark necklaces and bracelets, all of which contribute to an eerie sight in the curling club.

Skips have a glow-in-the-dark stick on their brooms, which curlers can see from the other end of the ice. There are neon sticks on the rocks but it’s still tricky to pick them up.

“You have to trust where the skip is putting the broom because you can’t see all of the rocks,’’ said Comfort. “You can see the handle but it’s hard to see the rest of the rock. Anything white really shows up. There are times when you can’t see anyone except for the white stripe on their jackets. You can definitely tell when someone is smiling.’’

Comfort said there are a lot of smiles in the event, which attracts all levels of curlers.

“The atmosphere is totally different from regular curling,’’ said Comfort.

“The music is blasting and it’s all fun and games. No one is serious because it’s more social than the other events we have.’’

Other curling clubs have picked up on the promotion. Comfort has fielded inquiries from North Dakota and across Saskatchewan. The Grenfell Curling Club has a glow curling event scheduled for Feb. 28.

“I’ve been sharing whatever I have because it’s all for the good of the sport,’’ Comfort said.

There was a time when curling clubs could open their doors and members would come marching in. That has changed over the years as people have more recreational options and demands on their time.

Events like glow curling may attract businesses looking for a fun group activity. The Tartan also offers a Tuesday league for young adults and an instructional league for adults.

The club has also started a sweep-and-eat promotion where people receive instruction in the game and then have something to eat. The Tartan also offers a babysitting service for parents to use while curling.

“We want to keep the place busy,’’ said Comfort. “We have to pay for the ice to keep it frozen so we might as well use it as often as we can. We have a great club atmosphere and everyone has fun when they are here.’’

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com

SENIOR MIXED BONSPIEL - Jan 23rd and 24th

2009 Virden Senior Mixed Bonspiel

Twelve senior mixed curling teams enjoyed 2 days of curling fun on Friday Jan.23 and Saturday Jan. 24. After 2 days of spirited competition Jim Lyons’ team of Marg Hayhurst, Ellis Elliott and Joyce Biccum emerged as the champions with 82 points.

Second place was won by Maxine Heritage’s team of Glen McKinnon, Bruce Lyng and Art Hunt with 64 points while third place went to the Gordon Hayhurst team of Larry Gabrielle, Georgina Coulter and Shirley Carefoot with 62 points.

At the end of two days of curling the curlers and guests enjoyed a great meal prepared and served by rink and canteen managers Doug and Debbie McLellan. As usual the ice was in great shape thanks to Geordie Barkley and his staff (Ethel Karwandy). Winners of the “Meat Raffles” were Geordie Barkley and Marg Hayhurst.