What do you get when you take a rink of ice and add some golf balls, curling brooms, Gatorade bottles, sleds, hockey pucks and a bunch of curlers?
Chaos!
But fun chaos!!
Sunday afternoon we ate copious amounts of pizza, handed out door prizes (including a signed Rachel Homan jersey), played some crazy games, and – as is tradition – shredded the ice with a skate party for our youth curlers.
Fortunately, some of the fun was caught on tape:
It was a very successful season for the Wednesday Evening Ladder League, with 18 teams taking part, great attendance, and no nights missed due to weather or other factors, With only four nights left in the season following Round Two (including during March break), attendance continued to be great in the last 4-week “mini round”. The winners in the four-week round are difficult to determine as we had some teams with byes and some without, and not all teams playing all others.
In the “A” pool, we will declare the Greg Groves team the winners, with the Paul Neima foursome coming second. Team Groves went undefeated with three wins and a bye, while Team Neima had three wins and a loss (no bye), but both teams went up against Team Mark MacDonald, with Team Groves beating them while Team Neima lost to them. As well, Team Groves beat Team Milligan, who won the pool the first two rounds,
Team Groves includes skip Greg Groves, third Donald Weeks, second Allan Stefanik, and lead Marjorie Matthews, while members of the Neima foursome are skip Paul Neima, third Alan Mason, second Jeff Hannam, and lead Randy Goodman.
In the “B” Pool, the Cody Whynot squad won all four of their games, so we’ll award them first place. The Legion of Broom rink, skipped by Josh McInnis and showing 3 wins, may also have won all four, but neither they nor their opponents marked the scoreboard in their last game. The Kolin Beaton and Kelly Watts rinks are also showing only one loss, both to Whynot. Beaton did not play Watts. The Whynot team includes skip Cody Whynot, along with Shauna McGill, Chris Creighton, and Sarah Doak.
I’d like to thank everyone who participated this year, and hope to see everyone back in the fall for another edition of the Wednesday Evening Ladder League!
During the 6th end of the last draw the end result was still up in the air – but the Red team got some key points to secure the victory in the 2024 Red & Blue Closing Spiel.
It was a great weekend and we’d like to thank all the volunteers who helped make it a success as well as the curlers who played with both a hearty competitive spirit as well as fun attitudes!
Blue’s winning streak comes to an end and as the blue rock handles are retired we look forward to many more years of friendly competition in the rebranded Red & Yellow!
The prizes for this season’s event are: (note: we’ll do team pictures on Friday next year!)
First Place: Red Team 3 (Eugene Murphy, Garth Nicholson, Katelyn Burgoyne, Gail Campbell, and Jessie MacPhail)
Second Place: Red Team 4 (Kimball Blanchard, Bernie Field, Italo Marzari, and Brenda Morrison)
Third Place: Blue Team 11 (Brent Irving, John Clark, Richard MacEwen, and Travis Jones)
Fourth Place: Red Team 6 (Bryan Sutherland, Chris Creighton, Anne Boswall, Mike Wilson, and Garth Cudmore)
Fifth Place: Red Team 8 (Gordon Matthews, Jenine Bodner, Tom O’Rourke, and Katelyn Browne)
Spirit Award: Red Team 11 (Hans Wicki, Gerald Dykerman, Angela Sanderson, and Rick Sutherland)
Travis will be in the office next week so those team members can arrange to pick up their prizes then if you weren’t here at the end of the event.
Have a great summer!
The Friday 50/50 was $175 and the winning ticket was 994142
Bring your ticket to the bar and receive your winnings!
It was a back and forth battle this evening with Red team gaining 10,000 points in Draw 2, only to see Blue team come back in Draw 3 to gain back 14,000.
After Friday’s curling the Red team still holds a 21,000 point lead – but don’t forget the end values increase tomorrow in both rounds!
Team Donald Weeks scored an impressive 117 points in the final round of the Thursday Mixed League to take the round by 19.5 points over Team McGuigan. Congrats!
Gail Campbell, Alan Craswell, Angela Sanderson, and Donald Weeks
Blue outscored Red in three out of four games in Draw 1 but Red still came out with a surplus – pushing their lead to 25,000.
The final pre-weekend Red & Blue event took this place this afternoon at the club with members of our junior curling teams facing off.
It was a close game – with 9,000 points on the line in a tie-breaker draw to the T-LINE at the end.
But Red’s good fortunes so far this year continued with them edging out the tie-breaker to take a 13,000 to 2,000 win.
That pushes Red’s lead to 17,000 (97,000 to 80,000)- though the Junior event tie-breaker shows points can swing very quickly.
It’ll be an exciting weekend to see if Red can hold off Blue or Blue can make a comeback to secure the three-peat.
The stick curlers held their annual Red & Blue event today and Blue team outscored the Red team 69,000 to 63,000.
Blue’s win in the stick event helps cut into the Red lead, but a lead for Red it remains with Red now holding a 6,000 point lead – with 84,000 points to Blue’s 78,000.
Next up is the Junior Teams event this afternoon!
The Annual General Meeting of the Cornwall Curling Club will be held in the Club on Thursday, May 16th at 6:30PM.
Just a reminder that there is no drop-in curling today as it’s the annual Red & Blue event for our stick curlers.
The second round of our inaugural season of the Stick Curling League wrapped up today.
In the In Turn Division, two teams – Etta Reid/Elaine Hughes and Myrna Sanderson/Janette Fraser – ended up with 4-1 records. Etta & Elaine took first place via the tie-breaker. The team of Donald Weeks/Glenn Singleton finished third with a record of of 3-2.
The team of Bill Glydon/Tom Dunn walked away with the victory in the Out Turn Division, with a record of 5-1. Two teams – Travis Jones/Emilie Jones and Roddie MacLean/Chuck Sawatsky – finished with 4-2 records, with the Joneses taking second place via the tie-breaker.
The league has been a huge success and will be making a return next season – likely on Thursdays.
The club would like to offer condolences to Kim Muise and her family on the passing of her mother, Mary Estelle (Fisher) Muise.
Her obituary is below:
It is with heavy hearts, the family of Mary Estelle (Fisher) Muise announce her peaceful passing which occurred on Friday, March 29, 2024, at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Born in Dorchester, Massachusetts on March 21, 1944, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Helen (MacDonald) Fisher. In addition to her parents she was predeceased by her husband Peter D. Muise.
She is survived by her children Kim Muise (Alan), Michael Muise (Trish), Bethann Coombs (Sean), Donna Muise (Gord) and PJ Muise (Lynn); cherished grandchildren Ashley (Tyler), Jenna Marie (Landon), Hailey (Dexter), Holly (Colby), Michael (Brenna), Brynn, Abbey and Peter; great grandchildren Lincoln and Carter; her siblings Ed Fisher (Elizabeth), Ellie MacDonald (Sandy), Jimmy Fisher (Clara) and Frankie Fisher (Margaret); and several nieces and nephews.
Resting at Belvedere Funeral Home, where her funeral service will take place on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at 2 p.m. Interment in St. Martin of Tours and St. Francis of Assisi Cemetery at a later date. Marys service will be live streamed and can be viewed by following this link: LiveStream-Mary Muise (If you require assistance registering please call toll-free 1-877-895-2739)
Donations in Mary’s memory may be made to the PEI Humane Society or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
https://www.belvederefh.com/obituary/Mary-Muise-Serviceat200pm040324
By Bill McGuire
Public Relations Chair
Cornwall Curling Club
The Cornwall Curling Club is just a few days away from wrapping up probably its busiest and most successful season ever, on April 5-6, with the traditional final Red and Blue bonspiel.
The Red and Blue is the well-known nickname for the annual closing bonspiel to mark the end of another curling season at the Cornwall club.
After surviving COVID disruptions in 2020, 2021 and 2022, the club got back on track last season and things have really revved into high gear in 2023-2024.
Cornwall manager Travis Jones says he forwarded dues this season for some 430 curlers to Curl PEI, which indicates we have a healthy membership and user base that bodes well for the future of the club.
Except for the two days before Christmas, the club has been busy every weekend since opening in October, right into its closing event April 5-6, with bonspiels, club events, rentals and clinics.
Manager Jones says there have been 22 significant bonspiels (club, provincial, or rental) hosted by the Cornwall club this season.
And much of the club’s success would not be possible without the support of generous sponsors for curlers, bonspiels and the Cornwall Curling Club.
Longtime major bonspiel sponsors include Kenmac, Murphy’s Pharmacies, and O’Connor Glass who were were singled out for special thanks and appreciation.
Red and Blue bonspiel co-chair Shauna McGill, the past president on the board of directors, notes that almost every event has sponsorship support but it is somewhat ironic that the largest club event on the calendar hasn’t had a sponsor the past two seasons.
And that is something she would dearly love to rectify after the traditional sponsor for the Red and Blue decided to support a decal on the ice surface and stepped away from the closing bonspiel.
So McGill is issuing a public challenge to any company in the area to come forward and support the largest event involving club membership. The executive and its fundraising committee are always on the lookout for sponsors but haven’t been successful in finding a replacement yet for the Red and Blue sponsor.
Nothing would please McGill or the club more than to announce during the closing banquet April 6 that a new sponsor is coming on board for the inaugural Red and Yellow event next season.
So, as the club is close to wrapping up its 41st season, now is a good time to recognize and salute its sponsors, and remind members of the many companies and individuals who support our events and our club.
Curlers are invited to support them as they have supported us.
See our sponsors page on the website as well: Cornwall Curling Club Sponsors
Below are the teams and draw schedule for the 2024 Red & Blue Closing Bonspiel.
If you are unable to attend any sessions, the sooner you let the club manager know the easier it will be to find a spare for your team!
If you notice an error or mistake in the teams, please reach out and we’ll do our best to accommodate – any changes in the teams from this point will be sent out to the affected parties via email.
The Cornwall Curling Club acknowledges and recognises the immeasurable contributions volunteers make to the Club continually throughout the season. The dedication of our membership is what has been, and continues to be, the driving force behind the success of our Club. Without these volunteers, the Club would not be what it is today.
To recognize the amazing efforts of our members, we were pleased to launch a new award last season – the “Founders Award” for Volunteer of the Year at the Cornwall Curling Club. This award is now presented annually to an outstanding, exceptional and dedicated member of the Cornwall Curling Club at the Annual General Meeting.
The Cornwall Curling Club started because of the dedication and commitment of the founding members who believed in the dream of having a curling club in Cornwall. Today, the success of the club is largely based on the same desires of having a welcoming, reputable, and enjoyable curling club.
Every year, members of the curling club donate their time in many ways and it does not go unnoticed. There is a significant amount of time and effort dedicated to preparing the club for opening, special events, league play, general maintenance and much more! The outstanding and much appreciated efforts of our membership is acknowledged by the Board of Directors by the creation of the Founders Award.
The recipient of this award will receive recognition at the upcoming Annual General Meeting, with presentation of a certificate and plaque.
Members of the Cornwall Curling Club are encouraged to nominate their fellow deserving club mates for the Founders Award!
The nomination criteria include:
To nominate a fellow member, please send an email or letter to manager@cornwallcurling.com which contains the name of the nominee and a brief description of their contribution to the Cornwall Curling Club.
The deadline to nominate is Friday, April 19, 2024.
As always, if you have any questions please feel free to contact myself or any other member of the Board of Directors.
Kindly,
Sue Pollard (Volunteer Chair) & the Board of Directors
The club will be closed on Friday, March 29th for the Good Friday holiday.
The 2024 Red & Blue Bonspiel is currently FULL!!!
That’s 96 curlers signed up to participate in the Friday and Saturday event (and that doesn’t count the multiple junior curlers who will or have participated in their own Red & Blue events OR the sixteen stick curlers who will be competing next Wednesday in their own event).
If you are signed up for the weekend event you should receive an email today with some information. If you didn’t receive an email and think you should be registered please reach out to me ASAP!
The teams list will be posted on Monday, April 1st.
With so many people signed up it is inevitable that we’ll have people have to drop out last minute and/or who will need a spare for one of the draws.
If you are interested in being placed on the spare list, please email the club manager or sign up at the club on the bulletin board. We’ll need your name and which draws you would be available!
As with all of our major events, we are in need of volunteers to help everything run smoothly. If you are available for any of the slots below please let the club manager know or sign up at the club
Last but certainly not least, each year we seek donations of door prizes to hand out at the banquet. In the past members have donated gift certificates, greens fees, household items, etc. If you have an item you would like to donate, you can drop it off anytime next week at the club!
It’s hard to believe but the Red & Blue has officially kicked off already!
The Sunday Junior Curling program got the ball started last week where the Red Team took a commanding early lead.
Yesterday, the Novice Curlers tied in their matchup.
So after two groups the standings currently look like:
Our Stick and Junior curler groups will be participating in their Red & Blue events on Wednesday, April 3rd before the weekend spiel kicks off on Friday, April 5th.
Brad Gushue recently won his third consecutive Brier title, but last night Danny Kneabone pulled off the impressive season sweep of the Monday Night Mixed League – skipping the winning teams in each of the three rounds this season.
His team this round included Ellen Milligan, Bill McGuire, and John Clark.
They needed every point this round, squeaking by the Greg Groves skipped team by an incredibly tight half point over the seven week round.
Congrats to Team Kneabone and thanks to the PEI Food Island Partnership for donating some copies of Canada’s Food Island: A Collection of Stories and Recipes from Prince Edward Island!
The U16 Curling League finished up their season yesterday. The league had six teams this season with 10 rounds (including playoffs).
Taking first was Team Savill (Aiden Savill, Oliver MacEwen, Landon Seaman, and Aaron Haight).
Second place went to Team Beaton (Kolin Beaton, Owen Milton, Ben Bradley, and Kane MacKinnon – spare: Colin Waite).
Third place was Team Pater (Veronica Pater, Kenna Warnell, Sophie Gallant, and Gracie MacIntyre – spare: Ashlyn MacDonald)
Congratulations to all the teams on a great season and we look forward to next year’s U16 Curling League!
The Town of Cornwall has asked that we remind our members and guests that there is no street parking on Seymour Drive.
Especially with the Red & Blue coming up we would like to remind members that if the parking lot at 29 Cornwall is full to use the overflow parking behind Murphy’s Pharmacies.
This will help us keep good relations with neighbors!
We had several members of the club competing in the Maritime Stick Curling Championships held at West Prince Curling Club last week.
Our very own Marg Stewart & Bernie Field defeated fellow Islanders Stephanie Grills and Susan Thorbourne from the Montague Curling Club in the finals of the Women’s Division to take home the trophy.
Congratulations!
Due to ongoing ice plant maintenance/upgrades there will be no curling March 20th.
The ice will be ready by 4pm today for the afternoon/evening schedule.
By Bill McGuire
Public Relations Chair
Cornwall Curling Club
If you mention ‘Red and Blue’ at this time of the year anywhere else on PEI except in Cornwall and area, you will likely get a query if someone was involved in an accident, mishap or brawl – and how extensive are the red welts and purple bruises.
Fortunately, things are not that physical on the ice at the Cornwall Curling Club.
The Red and Blue is the well-known nickname for the annual closing bonspiel to mark the end of another curling season. Curlers are grouped into two divisions – based on the colour of the rocks — and then battle each other on the ice for wins, points, title and bragging rights. Players basically remain in the same group for life – until those handles are pried from their cold, arthritic hands.
The competition is friendly but intense and this year will be no exception. The bantering has already started, and those bragging rights will carry over well into the new year.
Red and Blue bonspiel co-chairs Shauna McGill and Sue Pollard – the past president and social committee chair respectively on the board of directors – have been hard at work for weeks organizing the event and are confident it will match the success of the April 2023 historic finale.
Last season, the Red and Blue was selected as the bonspiel to celebrate the Cornwall Curling Club’s 40th anniversary. There were several special events during the closing spiel to mark 40 years of curling in Cornwall, and original Founders, board members and volunteers were singled out for special attention and thanks – those original members who played a key role in founding the club and guiding it through its formative years.
All that being said, this will likely also be the last year for the long-running Red and Blue bonspiel – well, sort of.
But, fear not, the bonspiel will continue, only under a slightly different name, the Red and Yellow. As Shakespeare said, a rose by any other name will smell just as sweet.
The colour change is one of necessity since the blue rock handles are being retired at the end of this season and are being replaced by the more popular and widely used yellow handles. This will all come to pass if our new rocks arrive in time for the 2024-2025 season and the club’s board of directors feel confident this will happen. The new handles will go on the new rocks and hopefully that will occur by this fall.
You can watch any bonspiel or curling event on television or go into any other curling club, and most rock handles are red and yellow. The board of directors decided on the colour change after a number of requests from members, because the blue handles are simply harder to see, especially at the far end during game action. Blue stones on blue circles are just a tough combination.
Our rocks are more than 42 years old, have different weights and the striking bands are worn. For the past three years, the club has held a fundraiser to replace the aging stones, and now, with some expected government help, it looks like our five-year timetable for new rocks will advance by a couple of years.
A positive decision on the provincial government help to assist the club’s fundraising efforts to buy new rocks is expected this spring. If that happens, then rocks will be ordered shortly afterward and should be here and ready for use this fall, in time for the start of the 2024-2025 season. The total cost will be over $70,000.
Board members have been busy selling new yellow handles most of the season and the final one or two were just sold in recent days, so members, sponsors and businesses will have their names on the new handles for many years to come.
A new tradition will launch next year – the Red and Yellow. It may sound a little different for the first year or so, and who knows, the ‘Red and Yeller’ might become a popular nickname. Several full-voiced skips at the club – and you know who you are – may appreciate it.
One curler suggested – perhaps tongue-in-cheek – that Ketchup and Mustard might be an apt nickname in the future, with the MVP or top team being named the Hotdog award winner.
But back to the April 5-6 final Red and Blue.
The sign-up sheet has been busy with room for just a few more slots out of the 96 spots available, said club manager Travis Jones.
McGill says it’s encouraging to see such strong support and she and Pollard are hopeful of a sellout. “It’s looking good to a full field.”
Teams will play three, six-end games — one Friday night and two more on Saturday – sandwiched around a 1:00pm banquet (a hot roast beef dinner) “to accommodate as many curlers as possible,” said McGill.
“That started last year to have more people available for the meal.” Daytime curlers and others who participate in the Red and Blue can come out to the banquet. The awards presentations will take place immediately after the final game late Saturday afternoon.
“Juniors and younger curlers have their own competition, and stick curlers and some daytimers, along with evening curlers,” will all compete in the Red and Blue. Each group will keep track of their points, and they will be added to the Red and Blue totals at the end of play April 6 to determine the overall winner. Eight daytime teams will join 16 evening teams for the two-day final bonspiel.
McGill said Team Blue has won the past two years, much to her chagrin, since she plays on Team Red. McGill says she is looking forward to getting revenge this year, especially since manager Jones insists on adding “GO BLUE” at the end of every email. “He likes to rub it in.”
McGill said registration is $40 which includes three games, breakfast, the banquet, snacks and a chance for some door prizes and team prizes.
“If anyone wants to contribute to the door prizes, we will take anything they can give us.”
McGill said there has been no title sponsor the past several years after the previous sponsor decided to switch to supporting a decal on the ice surface. “So, it’s a club run event, with donations.”
McGill said she’d like to see a title sponsor come forward as the club has much success with sponsorships for other bonspiels and events during the year. (Another update on Cornwall club sponsors is coming soon to the website.)
The Red and Blue is normally held a week earlier but because this year the Good Friday and Easter holiday weekend is the end of March, it was decided to avoid a conflict and go a week later with the club closer.
Then on Sunday, April 7, in another Cornwall tradition, the Little Rockers, Novices, and Junior curlers can go skating on the official last day before the plant is shut off for the season.
Players are encouraged to wear red or blue clothing during the closing bonspiel, an area where McGill noted there’s been some good-natured opposition to the name change.
“The Blues are going to be yellow. I’m not sure how that’s gonna go over. Paul Neima was telling me he has a tickle trunk full of blue stuff that he whips out just for the Red and Blue. Now he has to buy a whole new wardrobe.”
“I’m not sure how many people have yellow clothing stashed away. They’re gonna look like canaries out there. I’m just happy to stick with my red.”
McGill said, “I just want to encourage all curlers to come out. They’ll love this fun event. It’s a great way to come out and play or do some sparing … show some spirit.”
McGill said she and Pollard are always looking for more volunteers to help. “It’s always appreciated. There’s a lot of stuff going on and we need some extra help. There’s a volunteer and sponsor signup sheets at the club so anyone who would want to help out or volunteer would be great.”
The Red and Blue ends a very busy and productive season in Cornwall. Manager Jones says the club forwarded dues for some 430 curlers to Curl PEI. Except for Saturday, December 23 (during midseason maintenance), the club was busy every Saturday and weekend with bonspiels, rentals, club events and clinics from opening day in October to the upcoming closing in April.
The Wednesday Daytime League moved to a round robin this season and Team Doherty (Robbie Doherty, Garth Cudmore, Edgar Coffin, Billy Doherty, and Paul Arsenault) won the league with an impressive 12-2 record.
They received Cornwall Curling Club gift certificates compliments of the Daytime Committee.
Clow’s Red & White also generously donated some free meat pies for draw prizes!
Several members of the club participated in the 55+ Games curling events recently and brought home some medals!
In the open curling division, club member Sharon McGuigan was on the gold medal team, while Garth Cudmore and Edgar Coffin brought home silver medals.
Gold Medalist Sharon McGuigan
Silver Medalists Edgar Coffin and Garth Cudmore
In the women’s curling division the team of Shirley Berry, Ellen Milligan, Gloria Turner, and Sandra Sobey were the silver medalists.
Silver Medalists Shirley Berry, Ellen Milligan, Gloria Turner, and Sandra Sobey
In the men’s stick curling division, Chuck Sawatsky and Don Gosse got the silver.
Silver Medalists Chuck Sawatsky and Don Gosse
And, in the women’s stick curling division Etta Reid and Elaine Hughes won the gold, while Ruth Stavert and Janette Fraser brought home the bronze medal.
Gold Medalists Etta Reid and Elaine Hughes
Bronze Medalists Ruth Stavert and Janette Fraser
Congratulations to everyone!
Emily Best, Sara Spafford, Amanda Power – along with Janique LeBlanc (in phone photo) will be representing PEI at the 2024 Everest Funeral Concierge Canadian Curling Club Championships!
Cornwall’s 2024 Club Champions, Team Power, won the 2024 PEI Club Championships this weekend at the new West Prince Curling Club!
After going 6-1 during the round robin, they defeated the West Prince team in the first round of the playoffs to face off against the Crapaud team that had defeated them in a tight game in the round robin.
Since Crapaud was undefeated, the Cornwall team had to win two in a row to secure the title. They stole one in the 8th of the first game to force a winner-take-all final showdown, where they prevailed 7-3 to claim the championship.
The victory was even more impressive considering they played the entire weekend with three players!
They will represent PEI at the 2024 Everest Funeral Concierge Canadian Curling Club Championships from November 17th-23rd in Barrie, Ontario.
Team Spence, the Cornwall men’s champion, also represented us well, going 2-3 in the round robin with a few tight losses.
The annual ParaSport Minispiel was held on Saturday.
Team Nick (Nick, Tom, Travis, Donald, and Shelley) won the event over Team Stella (Stella, Marlis, Italo, Cathy, and John).
We even introduced a new game to the club – called Curl Bowling by some but also known as Evict by some.
Thank you to Bill McGuire, Carlene Peters, and Gloria Turner for volunteering during the event and of course Vivian Nguyen from ParaSport as well!
We posted a change to this week’s schedule at the end of last week, but due to a part delay we have had to adjust the update:
Tuesday, March 19th: Will now be a normal Tuesday with daytime drop-in at 10:00am and the Tuesday Stick League play in the afternoon.
Wednesday, March 20th: There will be NO drop-in availability on Wednesday. We HOPE to have the ice ready for 4-person drop-in curling at 12:30pm – but keep an eye on the website throughout the day Wednesday. The ice plant will be undergoing maintenance first thing in the morning to make some upgrades and will be off for several hours that morning.
The following schedule changes for next week:
Tuesday, March 19th: No 10am Drop-in Curling due to ice plant maintenance/upgrades
Wednesday, March 20th: Now that the Wednesday Daytime League is over Wednesday at 10:00am will be a DROP-IN time and there will be AFTERNOON STICK DROP-IN at 12:30pm
The club stays pretty busy throughout the season – with league play, drop-in curling, practices, and ice maintenance going most weekdays from 10:00am to 10:30pm.
This season we also hosted over 20 spiels (club, provincial, rentals) as well as multiple rental groups.
While we try to post everything on the website, social media, and the bulletin board some times it’s hard to keep track of what’s happening when.
So we have added a NEW PAGE to the website – a page you can always go to to see what is happening THIS week and NEXT week.
Simply click on: This Week’s Schedule
You can find it on the website by clicking on the SCHEDULE menu heading and then clicking THIS WEEK’S SCHEDULE
We’ll update the page each Monday and as needed throughout the week and changes from normal will be highlighted in BOLD text.
We only have 8 slots in our EVENING division and 1 last slot remaining in our DAYTIME division of the Red & Blue!
There’s still time to register AND we will be beginning a waiting list for both divisions as well (invariably as the event approaches people’s plans change, illnesses happen, etc. so if you don’t make the initial registration please still sign up for the waitlist!)
NOTE: The DAYTIME DIVISION will have a game at 1pm on Friday and TWO games on Saturday (one in the morning, one in the afternoon). The EVENING DIVISION will have a game at either 6:30pm or 8:15pm on Friday and TWO games on Saturday (one in the morning, one in the afternoon)
For more information about the Red & Blue Bonspiel check out: https://cornwallcurling.com/spiels-events/red-vs-blue-closing-spiel/
Our ParaSport Minispiel is scheduled for Saturday, March 16th with draws at 2pm and 4pm with a pizza social at 5:30pm.
This event is a partnership between ParaSport and Recreation PEI and our Club, in which para-athletes and Club members team up to play two four-person per team six-end games.
Besides the two games, your $10 entry fee includes a pizza dinner as well, plus a chance to win prizes too!
There are limited spots available, so signup NOW, in advance of the March 13th deadline to avoid missing out!
UPDATE: At present we have the following openings remaining for the Red & Blue
Daytime Division: 2 Blue Players, 6 Red Players
General Division: 8 Blue Players, 12 Red Players
NOTE: People who are NEW to the event will be randomly assigned to one of the teams
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It’s hard to believe that it’s time to start registration for our annual closing event – the Red & Blue Bonspiel!
While sadly it marks the end of our curling season, the event is always a highlight of the calendar with loads of fun curling, eating great food, hanging out with other club members and, of course, the playful but intense competition between the Red and Blue teams!
For those who are new to the club or haven’t participated in the past – each member is assigned to either the Red team or, if you are lucky, you’ll be assigned to the Blue team.
We have events throughout the week with our juniors and stick curlers as well – and their points are counted toward the weekend scoring. On Friday and Saturday the games are played with a skins format and each team earns “money” toward their teams account.
The team with the highest scores at the end of the event are crowned the champions and get bragging rights for an entire year!
In addition to the curling there is a banquet on Saturday, trivia, and prizes for highest scoring teams and random door prizes!
Cost is $40 per curler and registration can be found on the bulletin board at the club.
If you want to attend the banquet only the cost is $20.
Here are the draw and schedule for the final Wednesday evening Ladder League draw of the season. We’ve been fortunate to have had no draw cancellations this year, leaving us with four weeks left for a “mini” draw.
The “A” pool will get the early draw the first week, as they had the late draw the last week of Round Two. Picking definitive winners will be difficult in a partial draw with byes, so the final results will be open to interpretation!
Here is the draw/schedule for Round Three:
| Ice 1 | Ice 2 | Ice 3 | Ice 4 | Bye | |
| Wk1: Mar 13 6:30 A Pool |
A9-Bodner v A7-Hanzl | A5-Neima v A4-MacDonald | A8-Boswall v A2-Arsenault | A1-Milligan v A6-Groves | A3-MacKenzie |
| Wk1: Mar 13 8:30 B Pool |
B9-Beaton v B7-Younker | B5-McInnis v B4-Stewart | B8-Kamphuis v B2-Watts | B1-Whynot v B6-Griffin | B3-Callin |
| Wk2: Mar 20 6:30 B Pool |
B2-Watts v B5-McInnis | B8-Kamphuis v B6-Griffin | B7-Younker v B1-Whynot | B9-Beaton v B3-Callin | B4-Stewart |
| Wk2: Mar 20 8:30 A Pool |
A2-Arsenault v A5-Neima | A8-Boswall v A6-Groves | A7-Hanzl v A1-Milligan | A9-Bodner v A3-MacKenzie | A4-MacDonald |
| Wk3: Mar 27 6:30 A Pool | A3-MacKenzie v A2-Arsenault | A9-Bodner v A1-Milligan | A4-MacDonald v A6-Groves | A8-Boswall v A5-Neima | A7-Hanzl |
| Wk3: Mar 27 8:30 B Pool | B3-Callin v B2-Watts | B9-Beaton v B1-Whynot | B4-Stewart v B6-Griffin | B8-Kamphuis v B5-McInnis | B7-Younker |
| Wk4: Apr 3 6:30 B Pool |
B1-Whynot v B8-Kamphuis | B7-Younker v B3-Callin | B5-McInnis v B9-Beaton | B2-Watts v B4-Stewart | B6-Griffin |
| Wk4: Apr 3 8:30 A Pool |
A1-Milligan v A8-Boswall | A7-Hanzl v A3-MacKenzie | A5-Neima v A9-Bodner | A2-Arsenault v A4-MacDonald | A6-Groves |
(Drag to scroll left or right to view entire table on narrow touchscreens).
Click this link to download a printable version: Wed. PM Ladder League Draw 3 – v2
| A Pool | B Pool |
| A1-Milligan | B1-Whynot |
| A2-Arsenault | B2-Watts |
| A3-MacKenzie | B3-Callin |
| A4-MacDonald | B4-Stewart |
| A5-Neima | B5-McInnis |
| A6-Groves | B6-Griffin |
| A7-Hanzl | B7-Younker |
| A8-Boswall | B8-Kamphuis |
| A9-Bodner | B9-Beaton |
It was a repeat A Pool win for the team of Gary and Ellen Milligan, Wanetta Whitmore, and Scott Ellis as round two of the Wednesday Evening Ladder League wrapped up this week.
“A” Pool Winners – Team Milligan (L-R): Gary Milligan, Ellen Milligan, Wanetta Whitmore, Scott Ellis
Meanwhile, there was a new team at the top of the “B” Pool, skipped by Matej Hanzl, with teammates Kevin Kane, Richard MacEwen, and Karen Edgar. Both the Milligan and Hanzl teams had only one loss in the round.
“B” Pool Winners – Team Hanzl (L-R): Karen Edgar, Richard MacEwen, Kevin Kane, Matej Hanzl
There’s good news on the prize front! Cody Whynot was able to obtain prizes for the winning team in this round. The Milligan squad, who also won the A Pool in Round One, will each receive an 18 hole green fee for the beautiful Clyde River Golf Club, 72 Clyde River Rd Route 247 in
Clyde River, while the Hanzel team members will each receive a ten dollar gift certificate good at J.R.’s Pizza and Dairy Bar, “Home of the Massive Slice” at 655 Capital Drive in Cornwall.
Looking at the A Pool scoresheet, Team Arsenault, skipped by Laura Arsenault, was second with 6 wins, while Tyler MacKenzie and his team came third with 5 wins, and the Mark MacDonald foursome finished fourth with four victories. All these teams remain in the A Pool for Round Three..
Four A Pool teams, captained by Greg Groves, Cody Whynot, Kelly Watts, and Paul Neima, had three wins, with two of them descending to the “B” pool for the next round, along with Team Doug Callin (2 wins), Looking at head to head results, the Watts rink lost to the other three teams and will be one of the teams dropping down, along with the Cody Whynot team, who lost to both the Groves and Neima rinks.
Moving up from the B to the A Pool for Round Three will be the Hanzl team, and the Bodner and Boswall squads, each with six victories,
Here are the teams for Round Three, which starts on March 13, and wraps up April 3. The A Pool will have the 6:30 pm draw the first week as they had the late draw the last week of Round 2. The Round Three draw will be sent out later this weekend.
| A Pool | B Pool |
| A1-Milligan | B1-Whynot |
| A2-Arsenault | B2-Watts |
| A3-MacKenzie | B3-Callin |
| A4-MacDonald | B4-Stewart |
| A5-Neima | B5-McInnis |
| A6-Groves | B6-Griffin |
| A7-Hanzl | B7-Younker |
| A8-Boswall | B8-Kamphuis |
| A9-Bodner | B9-Beaton |
We are looking for a few volunteers to help out with the upcoming ParaSport Mini Bonspiel happening on Saturday, March 16th!
We are looking for one volunteer to help out with the setup of the space and the arrival of the curlers before the Bonspiel begins. Volunteers need to be at the curling club for 1:30pm.
Additionally, we are looking for 1 or 2 more volunteers to help serve food and tidy up after the event. Volunteers helping with meal time are asked to be at the club for 4:30pm.
If you are interested in helping out with the fun event, please respond to Sue Pollard or the club manager.
Thank you kindly for offering to help with events at the Cornwall Curling Club!
We do our best to communicate with club members whenever there is a change to the club schedule – particularly during inclement weather.
However, there are times when the manager doesn’t have access to the club computer and its email lists, there are times (like today) when a reminder email is sent but gets stuck for hours in cyberspace, etc.
So the BEST option whenever there is a doubt about the club schedule is always to CHECK THE CLUB WEBSITE at www.cornwallcurling.com – we almost always have access to the website via a smartphone if necessary and it is always the FIRST and MOST UP TO DATE form of contact we have with club members.
The club would like to extend its condolences to Nancy FitzGerald and her family at the passing of her mother, Phillis Mary MacDonald.
Obituary:
The death occurred peacefully at Beach Grove Home on March 4, 2024, her 94th birthday, of Phyllis Mary MacDonald (nee MacKinnon) formerly of Cornwall and Churchill. Wife of the late Oliver MacDonald. Loving mother of Nancy (Mike) FitzGerald, Harvey (Claudia), Gordon (Janet), Debbie (Laurie) Downe, Elric (Colleen), Valerie (David) Worth and Fay (Alan) Worth. Grandmother of Darran (Tracey), Craig (Jim Rogers), Alexander, Rebecca, Meredith (Dominic) Downe Westwood, Monica (Alexandre Simo) Downe, Nicholas (Tamara), Caleigh (Curtis) Chaisson, Sarah (Ben) Woodside, Melanie (Taylor Mitchell) Worth, Jessica (Enrique Alonso) Worth, James (Charlotte) Worth, Alana Worth and Graham (Jocasta) FitzGerald. Great-grandmother of Hannah, Drew, Madeline, Oliver, Claire, Leo, Nellie, Mateo, Noah, Warren, Scarlett, Mark and Jack. Survived by her sister Doris (Paul ) Williams, sister-in-law Hilda (Garfield) MacKinnon and siblings-in-law Hazel Crosby, Shirley Pollard, Wendell (Heather), Audrey (Eric Ellsworth) Auld, Donna MacDonald, Colin Birt, Lea (Colleen), Mervin (Debbie), Donna (Kent) Gorveatt and Terry (Gayle). Also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by husband of 61 years Oliver MacDonald, grandson Jeffery MacDonald, parents Gordon and Lulu (Scott) MacKinnon, siblings Warren (Neila), infant Reginald, Thelma (Bill) Singleton, Garfield, and siblings-in-law Paul Williams, Dorothy (Andrew) Crosby, Joyce (Preston) Richards, Borden, Willard, Neil (Gail), Lomer, Sandra Birt, Henry Ferguson, Gerry Auld, Heath Crosby and Alger Pollard.
The family extends their thanks to Queens Home Care and Beach Grove Home for their care and compassion.
Resting at MacLean Funeral Home Swan Chapel from where the service will be held on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. For those wishing to attend virtually, the service will be live-streamed at https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=a7c73d11-6c4f-4aee-acfa-d39e280e24bd Interment later in Churchill Cemetery. If so desired, memorial donations may be made to Churchill Cemetery or Queens Palliative Home Care. Visiting hours Wednesday from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Online condolences may be made at www.macleanfh.com
Due to current conditions the club will postpone opening until NOON on Friday, March 8th
There will be NO 10:00am drop-in this morning.
Due to icy conditions the club will remain closed for the rest of the day on Thursday, March 7th so there will be NO Thursday Night Mixed League this evening.
Due to current and expected road conditions – particularly ice – the club will remained closed for the daytime of Thursday, March 7th with a further announcement made later today about the evening league.
The following events are cancelled:
The Cornwall Curling Club acknowledges and recognises the immeasurable contributions volunteers make to the Club continually throughout the season. The dedication of our membership is what has been, and continues to be, the driving force behind the success of our Club. Without these volunteers, the Club would not be what it is today.
To recognize the amazing efforts of our members, we were pleased to launch a new award last season – the “Founders Award” for Volunteer of the Year at the Cornwall Curling Club. This award is now presented annually to an outstanding, exceptional and dedicated member of the Cornwall Curling Club at the Annual General Meeting.
The Cornwall Curling Club started because of the dedication and commitment of the founding members who believed in the dream of having a curling club in Cornwall. Today, the success of the club is largely based on the same desires of having a welcoming, reputable, and enjoyable curling club.
Every year, members of the curling club donate their time in many ways and it does not go unnoticed. There is a significant amount of time and effort dedicated to preparing the club for opening, special events, league play, general maintenance and much more! The outstanding and much appreciated efforts of our membership is acknowledged by the Board of Directors by the creation of the Founders Award.
The recipient of this award will receive recognition at the upcoming Annual General Meeting, with presentation of a certificate and plaque.
Members of the Cornwall Curling Club are encouraged to nominate their fellow deserving club mates for the Founders Award!
The nomination criteria include:
To nominate a fellow member, please send an email or letter to manager@cornwallcurling.com which contains the name of the nominee and a brief description of their contribution to the Cornwall Curling Club.
The deadline to nominate is Friday, April 19, 2024.
As always, if you have any questions please feel free to contact myself or any other member of the Board of Directors.
Kindly,
Sue Pollard (Volunteer Chair) & the Board of Directors
Our ParaSport Minispiel is scheduled for Saturday, March 16th with draws at 2pm and 4pm with a pizza social at 5:30pm.
This event is a partnership between ParaSport and Recreation PEI and our Club, in which para-athletes and Club members team up to play two four-person per team six-end games.
Besides the two games, your $10 entry fee includes a pizza dinner as well, plus a chance to win prizes too!
There are limited spots available, so signup NOW, in advance of the March 13th deadline to avoid missing out!
By Bill McGuire
Public Relations Chair,
Cornwall Curling Club
There are indications that more good news about curling could be coming soon for Prince Edward Island.
The province was just awarded (on Feb. 29) the largest event on the Grand Slam of Curling’s event schedule, coming to UPEI in early October.
The GSOC’s Hearing Life event will feature 32 men’s and 32 women’s teams from around the world who will compete in two tiers at UPEI’s twin ice surfaces Oct. 1-6, 2024.
Next season will be a curling bonanza on PEI as Summerside has been recently awarded the Canadian junior curling championships and the national mixed doubles event.
Several speakers during the press conference at Charlottetown City Hall on Feb. 29 hinted there are two more international sports events coming to the capital city, with announcements expected in the coming weeks.
There were hints during the press conference that Charlottetown is in the running for the 2026 Scotties Tournament of Hearts. A source said the PEI capital is among the three finalists being considered for the event in two years time.
Charlottetown last hosted the Scotties in 2011.
Canadian curling legend Jennifer Jones, who has 17 GSOC titles, was in Charlottetown along with her Team Manitoba teammate Lauren Lenentine of Cornwall, to speak in support of the GSOC’s Hearing Life tour event.
Jones dropped hints that Charlottetown is a strong contender for the 2026 Scotties.
“To experience the Scotties and the atmosphere in the building is just something that you can’t appreciate unless you’re there in person,” said Jones. “You might watch curling on TV, but until you’re actually in the venue, you really can’t appreciate it.”
“Scotties curlers will come to the boards, we’ll sign autographs . . . I’ve signed chests and heads . . . we’ll sign like everything . . . well not quite everything,” joked Jones.
“But what I would say is that curling is growing and the Scotties final weekend in Calgary was sold out. I had friends and family that couldn’t get tickets and I know that this is going to rock here in Charlottetown.
“So what I would say is buy your tickets soon. You’re not going to want to miss it. We will not disappoint.”
It was unclear if Jones was referring solely to the GSOC or also adding in the Scotties coming to PEI. But was enough to send more excited ripples through the crowd.
Rob Doherty, who curls out for Cornwall, is now working with Sportsnet and the GSOC tour in communications and public relations. He said he was extra happy to see the GSOC event come to his home province.
“Just selfishly, I have to say how excited I am to say the Grand Slam of Curling is coming to Charlottetown,” Doherty told the crowd at the city hall press conference.
“A lot has gone on behind the scenes. We will be looking for 150 volunteers from the community,” to help with the Hearing Life event which will see more than 256 curlers competing.
He said Early Bird Passes are now on sale at thegrandslamofcurling.com. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.
Doherty said the main MacLauchlan arena will hold over 1,500 curling fans for Tier 1 GSOC action in October while the arena next door would seat less than half that number.
Wayne Long, manager of Economic Growth and Attractions for the City of Charlottetown, said when you include coaches, families, visitors, plus Sportsnet production staff and event staff, you can expect a tremendous economic impact for the city and province, estimated at more than $3 million.
Long was in Calgary at the recent Scotties to talk with Jones and Lenentine about coming to Charlottetown in support of the GSOC stop. And perhaps more.
“I had the opportunity to share in some of Jennifer’s final stones at the Scotties and it’s something I’ll cherish for a long time,” said Long.
He said sports tourism is a growing economic booster for the city and province, especially in winter and shoulder seasons.
Long also noted that Canada’s Sport Tourism Congress takes place in a couple of weeks in Winnipeg where Bruce Donaldson, the former coach of the UPEI Panthers women’s hockey team and athletics department volunteer and official, has been named among the top three finalists for Volunteer of the Year in Canada.
By Bill McGuire
Public Relations Chair,
Cornwall Curling Club
The curling world hasn’t seen the last of sports legend Jennifer Jones – not by a long shot.
Canadian curling legend Jennifer Jones, left, answers a question during a press conference in Charlottetown Thursday. Feb. 29 where it was announced that UPEI will play host to the Hearing Life Tour Challenge, the Grand Slam of Curling’s biggest event of the 2024-25 season, from Oct. 1-6, 2024. Also in photo are event master of ceremonies Robbie Doherty, a member of the Cornwall Curling Club, and Jones’ teammate Lauren Lenentine of Cornwall.
The Manitoba skip announced her retirement from the 4-person game just days before the start of the recent Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Calgary and twice came within an inch during two playoff games of defeating eventual champion Rachel Homan of Ontario.
Jones was on PEI, along with teammate Lauren Lenentine, on February 29th in support of the announcement that the largest event on the Grand Slam of Curling’s event schedule is coming to UPEI in early October.
Cornwall’s Lauren Lenentine speaks during a press conference Thursday (Feb. 29) at Charlottetown City Hall where it was announced that UPEI will play host to the Hearing Life Tour Challenge, the Grand Slam of Curling’s biggest event of the 2024-25 season, from Oct. 1-6, 2024.
Lenentine, of New Dominion, was a long-time member of the Cornwall Curling Club, before moving to Nova Scotia in 2018 to join the Kaitlyn Jones rink, and two seasons later, headed to Winnipeg to play with Mackenzie and Emily Zacharias. She graduates from university in May with a psychology degree.
The GSOC’s Hearing Life event will feature 32 men’s and 32 women’s teams in two tiers, and takes place at UPEI’s twin ice surfaces Oct. 1-6, 2024.
“Thank you so much for having me,” said Jones during the press conference at Charlottetown City Hall.
“I did just announce my retirement a few weeks ago and if you had made this announcement before that, I might have held off because Charlottetown is one of my favourite places in the entire country, in the entire world, to play.”
Jones won the Hearing Life event in Niagara Falls last fall and said she would have relished the chance to defend her title on PEI. She now lives with husband and fellow curling legend Brent Laing and their two young daughters in Horseshoe Valley, just outside Barrie, Ont. The couple still plans to compete in mixed doubles competition.
Jones and her lead stone Lenentine played together the past two seasons and reached the Scotties final both times. Their team will compete a final time when the GSOC’s seasonal wrap-up Princess Auto Players’ Championship takes place at the Mattamy Centre in Toronto, April 9-14, shortly after the world women’s championships in Sydney, NS. later this month.
“I’m hoping to be in Charlottetown in October in some capacity. I think the Lenentines would host me even if I didn’t have an official role, so we’ll see. I’m hoping to be doing some coaching or consulting or something. If I could do anything in the meantime to help promote this event, to help more dreams come true, to help make this so you want to host it every year. I know it’s that special. I’m here for you. Thank you for believing in curling and for allowing us to shine.”
Jones said she owes the sport of curling so much. Her career includes six Scotties championships – tied with Nova Scotia’s Colleen Jones for the most titles by a skip – along with two world championships and an Olympic gold medal.
She is especially proud that curling led the way in the sports world reaching equality with men’s events. For example, on the GSOC tour, women have equal status in terms of purse money, profile and coverage. The Scotties’ popularity rivals or surpasses the men’s Brier, and across Canada and the world, men’s and women’s curling events share the stage equally.
Jones said the Tier 2 event associated with the GSOC’s Hearing Life event is important in the growth of the game as it allows 32 up-and-coming teams a chance to compete on the world stage.
Islanders get the chance to see the top 16 men’s and 16 women’s teams in the world — “the best of the best” — but also the rising stars of the sport from around the world as well, said Jones. “It’s the opportunity for these teams to be able to advance to the next level here.”
“You’re going to be able to see people who have already kind of achieved their goals of reaching the Olympic stage. And you’re also going to see the Kerri Einarson’s and the Cory Dropkin’s who came up through the Tier 2.
“The energy that you’re going to feel in the (CARI) building is second to none. You’re going to see the best curlers you have ever seen, both on the men’s and women’s side. The top teams from around the world are going to come and they will love to experience PEI’s famous hospitality,” said Jones.
“So, we’re going to be dancing and we’re going to be listening to music. We’re going to be shucking oysters and we’re going to be loving everything that Charlottetown (and PEI) has to offer.”
She said, “My curling career has been more than I could have ever imagined, really. I was a little girl who was very shy to talk to the person next to me, and now I can come and talk to a room full of people because of curling.”
As much as the players and teammates, Jones says the fans also played a key role in the thrill of competition. “I remember very vividly back in 2011 in Charlottetown . . . the energy in the building.”
She said the Tour is grateful to PEI for welcoming the Hearing Life. “And I know that the fans are going to come out, and that’s what makes it special to curlers. And I hope that everyone comes over and says hello, because we have never lost our gratitude for you all in this room for believing in curling, to host this event, cheering on everybody, for growing our game, to having it on TV. We’re so grateful for each of you for helping to make our dreams come true. Curling is truly special and unique.”
Jones said when the season started last fall, she didn’t think it would be her last year.
“I know that I’m retiring. It makes me sad to say it. I still can’t believe it. So, to be honest, when we lost the Scotties final and the kids came over the boards to give me a hug, my little 7-year-old just kept saying, ‘please change your mind, please change your mind, please change your mind,’ with tears running down her face.”
Jones said she felt very grateful to play the last two seasons with Lauren from PEI and mate Karlee Burgess from Truro. “And I’ve had just the best time and I’m going to be cheering for them with everything inside of me to continue on the road to great success.”
Lauren, a two-time Canadian junior champion, added a world junior title in 2020, claimed her first GSOC event title in Niagara Falls last fall. She said the Hearing Life is the first event of the season, so all the players really look forward to coming. “We’re getting back into the pace of things and we’re just so excited to be back on the tour. And we’re doing it in Charlottetown, so this is extra special.”
Lauren said she remembers the Scotties in Charlottetown 2011 and the players in 2014 in Summerside and those events “really showed me what curling can be. I’m excited for the next generation of island curlers to be able to experience it as well because we don’t get these big curling events. I’m really excited about that.
“I had great teammates in Cornwall. I played with the same three girls from when I was 9, so being able to share those memories and experiences with them is special. And I think it just really speaks to the growing curling community that we’re so connected, and we support one another.”
Lenentine was asked what advice she might have for fans coming to the province in October for the GSOC. “You need to see, not just Charlottetown, but the whole island. There’s such great hospitality here. It’s truly special and you can’t really find it anywhere else. It honestly is magic.”
Jones was asked if she intends to spend more time in the Sportsnet broadcast booth next season after making a number of guest appearances in recent months as a GSOC colour commentator.
“Honestly, I don’t have plans yet. I really didn’t decide until the Monday before the Scotties to retire and it just finished. I don’t have any plans yet. Going into the broadcast booth is something I’m interested in. I wanted to get through the Scotties and enjoy it, and now I’m going to figure out what I’m going to do in the future. “
She didn’t rule out working with the GSOC on PEI. “I love coming here. I love the grand Slams and anything I can do to support it, I’m all in. “
Jones said she didn’t need much persuasion to come to Charlottetown Feb. 29 even though it was just four days after the Scotties and two days before the Brier where her husband Brent Laing is coaching Mike McEwen’s Team Saskatchewan.
“I wanted to come with Lauren. This is really important to me and I think it was great to be able to spend some time with her and her family.
“I put a lot of thought into retiring and it wasn’t a decision I came to lightly. I just felt it was the right time. Mixed doubles has a little bit more flexible schedule. It was just hard to do both men and women. I didn’t have a weekend off from the end of August until after Christmas, and so it was just a little bit too much.”
Lauren said she intends to remain in Winnipeg after graduating from university this spring. “I’m going to be staying.”
Lenentine, second stone Emily Zacharias and mate Burgess are returning to play together but there has been no decision on a new skip yet. “I think that Jen is really happy taking a step away from curling so I don’t really see her coming back.”
Lauren said, “It is so much fun to play in the Scotties. It’s what every female curler growing up wants to do. And so to have the opportunity to play in it again, was really incredible. And to reach the final for the second year in a row was unbelievable.”
“Last year, I think we surprised ourselves a little bit. We knew that we were capable, but it was our first year together. You never really know what’s going to happen. But this year, we felt like we kind of really had a fair shot of going all the way and yeah, an inch here and an inch there, it’s a different result, but we’re still really proud of what happened.”
Lauren said, “Last year I think I was quite nervous. This year, I barely felt any nerves at all and I think I just knew that what was meant to happen, was going to happen. I knew it was Jen’s last event, so really just soaking in the moment. Whatever happened in the end is going to be.
“We’re together for one more event in the Players and that’s our last event and then we’ll see what the future holds. I really don’t know what we’re going to do.”
March 6 is the final night for Round 2 of our 18 team Wednesday Evening Ladder League. To accommodate the extra teams this year, we had to increase the length of rounds 1 and 2, which leaves us with four nights – March 13, 20, 27 and April 3rd for Round 3.
There will likely be players off-Island on March 27, during March Break. You need at least three players, at least one of whom is a regular team member, to play a game.
If your team decides NOT to play in Round Three, please let me know at derek.macewen@gmail.com
If you are continuing, but can’t field a team on March 27 (or another night) please let the opposing team know (after the new draw is made up). As always, you have the option to reschedule at a mutually-convenient time, or to forfeit.
Depending on whether there is an even or an odd number of teams continuing, and on whether any teams drop out, there may or may not be byes in Round 3.
Round two curlers are reminded to ensure that the Round 2 results sheet on the draw board is fully completed.
The club will be hosting the PEI Retired Teachers’ Association Bonspiel next Tuesday, March 12th.
Below are the teams and draw schedule:
Downloadable PDF:RTA Teams and Draw revised 2
Several of Cornwall’s junior curling teams were in action this weekend at the PEI U16 Championships – with Cornwall teams sweeping the top three spots!
The team of Veronica Pater, Kenna Warnell, Sophie Gallant, and Gracie MacIntyre (coached by David Murphy) cruised to the victory Sunday at the Montague Curling Club, maintaining their undefeated record.
The team of Grace Myers, Greta Edgett Gallant, Norah MacKinnon, and Lily Whalley (coached by Darren Gallant), won the silver medals.
Rounding out the podium Kolin Beaton, Owen Milton, Ben Bradley, and Kane MacKinnon (coached by Shaun MacArthur) took home the bronze medals.
Teams Savill and Landry, also from the club, placed 6th and 7th in the event as well.
Also presented during the closing ceremonies were the True Sport Award and the Coach Award.
The True Sport Award is voted on by the curlers and recognizes a curler who brings the True Sport principles to life while competing. This year U16 True Sport recipient was Greta Edgett Gallant, third for Team Myers.
The Coach Award is voted on by the coaches to recognize a coach who exemplifies the the attributes of coaching. This year’s U16 Coach Award recipient was David Murphy, coach of Team Pater.
Great job to everyone involved – the future of curling in Cornwall is looking GREAT!
