Off the Broom: Back to the hacks after Christmas season

The excitement of the Christmas season is pretty much over and it is back to the hacks at the Kincardine Curling Club. Regular draws are getting under way again this week.

But in the meantime, what the heck happened to the Innies in the annual Innie-Outie bonspiel? Yikes, they got whomped. Helping the Outies take the top prize, were skips Gene Gillespie, Gord Cale, Beth Mimnagh and Dan Norman. Skippers for the Innies were Robert Ross, Barb Kester, Jane Downs and Shelley Dechene. This year’s theme was “Rock ’n Roll,” and  prizes were given for the best costumes and the best karaoke performers. The “Raise the Roof” fund added about $200 through the sale of a “Mulligan” coupon book that included mulligans for hogged rocks, a throw-through and an opportunity to place the perfect guard. Thanks to Jen Lawrie for again organizing this spiel and to all her helpers as well.

The team of Mark Luckhardt, Glyn Pinkney, Richard Emmerton and Doug Kukurudza, finished first overall with 33 points at the Hanover Bonspiel in the Grey/Bruce Seniors' Curling League. The event was unique with two Hanover members in full Scottish kilts, bagpiping both draws out on to the ice surface, culminating in them downing a wee dram of Scotch arm-in-arm before departing the ice. Curling ice was super fun, with five- to six-foot swings on guard/draw weight making it challenging to place guards optimally.

The St. Thomas Ladies Bonspiel is always a great time but this year the team of Barb Kester, Barb Ross, Beth Mimnagh and Rhonda Persechilli, got the equivalent to a lump of coal in their Christmas stockings as they went zero-for-four at the spiel. Guess it just makes you want to go back next year to improve on that record.

We had several holiday rentals and many compliments from those parties that used the club. The festive decorations were a real plus this year—something a little new and refreshing. A big thank you must go to our volunteers who gave up some of their holiday time to help out and make these events a success.

A technical skills clinic with video analysis, was held for those who wished to improve their game and strategies. Maurice Wilson, a Level 3 coach with 10 provincial and five national championships under his belt, put this together. There were two sessions held and money raised again went into the “Raise the Roof” fund.

The Continental Cup will be played Jan. 9-12 at the Sports Centre in the Western Fair, London. Several local curling enthusiasts are planning to attend. But for one local junior curler, it will be something very special to remember. Caelen Turcotte, son of Chris and Andrea, has been chosen as one of a group of “Future Stars.” On the first evening of the competition, he and the others will receive team jackets and then meet their teams, either Team Canada or Team Europe. They will have a chance to watch their teams practice and speak with them. At game time, they will march out with their respective teams and be introduced to the fans. What a memorable experience for this young man!