Patsy Cline Kick-Off Event

The club quickly got into party mode – and the first Fundraiser event of the season – on September 28th with THE PATSY CLINE SHOW featuring the Silver Diamond Country Dancers (who performed and provided a line dance lesson to boot),a LIVE performance by Patsy Cline aka Alyssa Nielson, and DJ Della. Lots of fun and lots of western wear in our NEW 9th End Saloon. Special thanks to Tina Hinds for spearheading the organization of this event.

2023 Sr. Mixed Bonspiel

The Abbotsford Curling Club hosted twenty-two teams for the Seniors Mixed Bonspiel on December 1, 2 & 3, 2023. There were eight visiting teams, including one from Portland, Oregon.

The competition was as keen as the ice, but in the true tradition of curling, winning is second to enjoyment. Our Club Manager and ice master, Kent, put in a very long day on Saturday as he re-flooded the ice at 4:00 AM to remove some of the irregularities due to some pipe issues.

Off the ice, our fabulous kitchen staff of Allyson and Lesllie made sure our curlers were well fed with offerings of treats, soups and sandwiches.

The lounge was very popular with locals and visitors alike. In the image below, former club president Art Heppner is enjoying a beverage with club secretary Tina Hinds and the effervescent Irene Brownlie while Bernie Putz seems to be adding to the conversation by listening intently. It is customary in the Abbotsford Curling Club for teams to adjourn to the lounge after their games and fraternize with their opponents. This allows everyone to remember the shots that were made and expound on the near misses.

Others at the table wanted to be included in the photo so here are the rest of the celebrants. Heather, Edith and Rick’s hat are now included in this merry group. Why not?

There was a concurrent “Sip and Shop” event going on in the lounge on Saturday afternoon. This allowed our participants to do some early Christmas shopping for local crafts and products.

Not to be outdone, the Bonspiel also offered its own raffle and wine cork prize events as well as a silent auction.

Team Wallace from Abbotsford was the top foursome in the bonspiel. They are from left to right – Vern Friesen, Gerry Wallace, Terri Dickson and Trudy Wallace. They might be able to take a trip to Aldergrove with their winnings!

2nd Place: Team Knutson (Chilliwack)

Russ Knutson, skip;
Ann Ramsbottom, 3rd;
Bob Ramsbottom, 2nd;
Dianne Knutson, lead.

3rd Place: Team Masuch (Mission)

Brent Masuch, skip;
Sherry Freeman, 3rd;
Rob Carmichael, 2nd;
Shirley Mogridge, lead

4th Place: Team Hanni (Mission)

Steve Hanni, skip;
Donna Kraakman, 3rd;
Bruce Kraakman, 2nd;
Jane Hanni, lead

Team Foremen was the top team from our ACC Thursday morning Senior Mixed League. Ken was joined by wife Marcia, Darlene Friesen and Past Club President Gord Wallington.

Sportsman Award: Team Geddert (Abbotsford)

Ron Geddert, skip;
Sheryl Marsh, 3rd;
Paul Goyer, 2nd;
Margaret Stone, lead

The event ended with a fabulous catered group lunch and the distribution of prizes.

Many of our social curlers do not generally participate in bonspiels but when we bring the bonspiel to them, they always enjoy it. Indeed, a good time was had by all and a lot of positive comments were received following the event.

We’ll do it all again next year!

Over 80 Bonspiel

Thank you to all the curlers and volunteers from our Over 80 Bonspiel, held Dec. 9 – 10.

Gary Jarl presenting the Art Shaw trophy to the Fred Malchuk team from Cloverdale. Other members of the team were Ted Edwards, Bill Parliament, and Lorne Zucht.

These are all the competitors from the Over 80 bonspiel held in Abbotsford on Dec 9 and 10.  The event was won by the Malchuk team from Cloverdale.