Some of you may remember a junior curler from Abbotsford named Kim Bonneau. She started curling in our Abbotsford Junior program a few years ago and helped out on the ice crew as well as coaching the juniors. Kim now lives in Alberta and she will be competing in the 2023 Points Bet Invitational in Oakville Ontario this week. She is part of Team Marks and they are playing against Kaitlyn Laws Wednesday (today) at 11am, this event is televised on TSN, not sure if her game is.
I wanted to thank everyone for another fun and successful year at the curling club. Special thanks to Nic Hoffard and Kevin Kostuk for helping me with the ice so I could get away to Hedley and spend time with the family, to Darlene Mclaren for assisting me in the office, pro shop, bar and making sure everyone had paid there dues, Paula LeSage for looking after the Monday, Wednesday night leagues and the junior program, and of course Linda Wilmott for making sure the bar was well stocked and everyone was well served. I will be back in the fall but this time with Della helping out in the bar and office, etc. The ice is almost out now and I will be leaving in 2 weeks for our vacation to Nashville, Memphis and the Kentucky Derby, yeeehaaa.
GOLF TOURNAMENT SUNDAY MAY 7
The Golf Tournament is taking place on Sunday, May 7 at Fraserglen Golf Course. Tee times will start at 10am in a best ball / scramble format. Registration and payment is on line at the link: https://abbotsford.curling.io/en/competitions
55+ GAMES VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We are still in need of volunteers for the 55+ games curling events being held at the Abbotsford Curling Club from August 22 to 26. If anyone is interested please contact George Peary at: georgepeary@shaw.ca
ACADEMY OF CURLING SEPT. 15-17
Registration is filling up fast for the Academy of Curling we are hosting on September 15 to 17. There is limited space ( clinic #2 is now sold out ) so please register soon to assure your entry. This year’s clinic will be run as two 1.5 day clinics with both clinics covering the same material and skill set. There will be no banquet this year. Registration is online at the link: https://abbotsfordcurling.com/academy-of-curling-2023/
BOB FATKIN RAFFLE
Thank you all for supporting the raffle in memory of Bob Fatkin. The raffle sold out and raised $2,790 which was matched in donation by Bob’s generous wife Diane Fatkin for a total of $5,580 to support junior and novice curling. These funds will help both programs for many years to come.
That is all for now. Have a Great summer everyone.
The Abbotsford Curling Club runs on an army of volunteers. Every year as the season ends, the Board invites our volunteers to a Thank You Luncheon.
Here is a photo of our fearless leaders. Current club President David Primrose is flanked by his predecessors – Gord Wallington and Art Heppner. These gentlemen are the ones who guide our ship with dignity and humour.
Our sport is co-educational and multigenerational. These lovely ladies – Beth Loney and Carole Parisotto – add value to our club by teaching in our instructional program and operating our modest club kitchen. It really is utilitarian approach – from each according to her abilities and to each according to her needs. As Cindy Lauper sang, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun!”
Rick, Jack and Brian enjoyed the game before lunch. We were given some very sparse clues and challenged to write a short phrase that captured the essence of our club. The game was designed by Tina, but it lost something in translation when Paula tried to replicate it. Nevertheless, it did make for some interesting discussions.
Mike Desante found a couple of charming tablemates for lunch. Paula Lesage and Tracy Sherman joined Mike as they worked on the word game before lunch was served. This trio invests many hours in teaching in our instructional programs and participating in our leagues.
A big “thank you” to Board Member Terry Dickson for all of the work that she did in putting this exceptional season-ending activity together! It won’t be long before we are enjoying the warm sunshine and pleasurable outdoor activities. However, we will all be back in late August to welcome visiting curlers to our club as a part of the BC 55+ Games!
24 teams, made up of men’s, women’s and mixed teams, participated in the annual ACC Stick Bonspiel held on March 4 and 5th . They each played 5 – 6 end games over the day and half event, collecting $10 for each game they won. Numerous prizes including gift certificates were handed out during each day with a significant 50/50 prize being awarded at the end of each day. By all accounts everyone had a great time.
The winning team, Desante/ Davis from Abbotsford, defeated the Moe/Skinner team from Peace Arch, in a close game in the final and collecting the $100 first prize. Prize money was awarded to teams finishing in 2nd to 8th place. The Bonspiel also featured a “Draw to the White Spot” where all teams had an opportunity to draw to the button for a chance to win a $100 White Spot Gift Certificate. A team from Langley, Terry McCarthy and Bill Cole emerged victorious defeating a team from Abbotsford and a team from Chilliwack in the finals.
The ACC executive who organized and sponsored the bonspiel had as their primary goal “lets make this a fun event”. It can be said they more than met that goal. Many people including our 8 out of town teams, indicated that they would be back next year. The lunch provided by the volunteers led by Allyson was superb as usual. Archie did his usual bang-up job as Draw Master. The ice was great. In all this was a most successful event.
Check out the photo gallery on the bonspiel page: 2023 Stick Spiel
The Abbotsford Curling Club hosted some Teachers & Teamsters for a Saturday morning Team Building exercise. Many of the teachers wore costumes but the drivers and non-teaching union members came dressed for work. It was a very successful event on and off the ice! We welcome other corporate groups for a similar session.
Zone 3 Curlers wanting a chance to participate in the 2023 55+ BC Games in Abbotsford in August must register for play downs with Zone 3 Ice Curling and Sturling Coordinator, Karen Lepine, by February 28. Email her at zone3icecurl@55plusbcgames.org
These handsome gentlemen (left to right) – George Peary, Jim Gordon, Charlie Lindsay, and Paul Pike represented the Abbotsford Curling Club at the Pacific Coast Men’s Curling Association 80+ Bonspiel on February 18 & 19 at the Mission Granite Curling Club.
The team did not finish in the money, but did win the Congeniality Competition. The men were good losers and the old geezers had fun!
George Peary, Jim Gordon, Charlie Lindsay, and Paul Pike at the PCMCA 80+ Men’s Curling Event
