An Ode to Whimsy (And a Fond Farewell to Blue) 

Some rocks are still red, 
In Cornwall, that’s true; 
Some new stones are yellow,  
But . . . they’ll forever be blue. 

—Anonymous (Probably some Colour-Blind Club Manager) 

By Bill McGuire, 
Public Relations Chair, 
Cornwall Curling Club 

Ah, tradition. It warms the heart, like a piping-hot coffee on a brisk PEI morning or a lucky curling sweater that hasn’t been washed in years (for superstitious reasons, of course). And yet, change comes for us all. In this case, it arrived from Scotland, wrapped in mystery, legend, and bubble wrap. 

Yes, folks, the great Cornwall Curling Club rock transition of 2024-2025 is complete, and the annual club-closing bonspiel is about to take place under a new banner: Red & Yellow. Gone are the days of Red vs. Blue—gone but not forgotten, especially by those diehard Team Blue curlers who now find themselves scrambling to update their wardrobes. 

For years, they lovingly collected blue tuques, blue scarves, blue sweaters, and even, in some cases, blue curling pants (which we all agreed was a bold fashion choice). But now? Now they must embrace the sunshine-bright glow of Yellow. And let’s be honest—some of them are taking it about as well as a bad pick on the final shot of an extra-end game. 

[Let us all pause for a brief moment of silence and remembrance for Paul Neima’s tickle trunk]

The Battle of the Bonspiel Begins 

This weekend marks the first-ever Red & Yellow Closing Bonspiel, where the newly minted Yellow faction will try to channel their inner golden warriors and take on the steadfast Reds, who are undoubtedly feeling rather smug about maintaining their colour continuity (and riding the high of last year’s victory). 

The event is sold out, the curling will be fierce, the competition legendary, and the volume of team-coordinated outfits truly astonishing. Teams are encouraged (nay, required!) to dress in their designated colour, which means there will be a sea of red and yellow sweeping across the ice, looking less like a curling club and more like a fast-food chain’s mascot convention. 

Club manager Travis Jones, a hardcore Team Blue devotee, is said to be taking the transition particularly hard. After several boisterous years of leading the charge for Team Blue, some say he’s been spotted late at night whispering words of encouragement to the now-retired blue stones, assuring them they will always be winners in his heart. Others claim he’s petitioning to have them repurposed as club décor, museum pieces, or—if all else fails—doorstops at Government House or for the renovated Province House.  

The Spirit of the Spiel 

The transition may have been a shock, but the spirit of the event remains unchanged. The Red & Yellow is still about friendly competition, club camaraderie, and, of course, an excuse to eat, drink, and be merry. (Let’s be honest: curling is really just a warm-up for the banquet.) 

This year’s event will feature: 

• Junior and Stick Curling divisions are already in full swing, ensuring everyone gets a chance to contribute to their team’s overall score. 
• The Red & Yellow Fundraising Challenge, where donations continue to pour in faster than an overenthusiastic lead throwing their first rock. 
• Friday night and all-day Saturday curling action, culminating in a dramatic finale where the victorious team will be showered with cheers, accolades, and possibly a few leftovers from the early afternoon banquet. 

And let’s not forget the all-important Bragging Rights for next season, which the winning team will recount at every opportunity for the next season, while the losing side graciously nods and pretends to be happy for them (until next year, when revenge will undoubtedly be plotted). 

A Look Back (With a Tear and a Chuckle) 

Last year, Red emerged victorious, breaking Team Blue’s two-year winning streak in their final hours. Some call it poetic justice, others call it sabotage, but regardless, it made the farewell to Blue even harder to bear. Now, with allegiances shifted and old rivalries rebranded, we step into a bold new era. 

Some of the remaining, blue-handled rocks, after more than 42 years of faithful service, now sit along the wall—retired, respected, reduced in weight, and probably feeling a little salty about their abrupt dismissal. But as history teaches us, the game goes on. And so, too, must we. 

Cornwall’s Curling Season: A Year in Review 

As we prepare to bring the season to a close, it’s worth reflecting on what a remarkable year it has been. Cornwall continues to be a vibrant hub of curling activity, boasting nearly 400 curlers—a number that more than doubles any other curling club on the Island. 

Highlights from this past season include: 

• The Grand Slam of Curling, where late last September and early October, we welcomed almost 50 international teams for practice, raised funds for the club, and turned Cornwall into a curling epicenter. 

• The debut of our new stones in mid-October, glistening and freshly polished after being quarried in Scotland. Red handles were transferred to half of them; while the blue handles gave way to newly-branded yellow ones. 

• An action-packed bonspiel calendar, ensuring that weekends were never dull and that no one left the club without at least one ridiculous team name to their credit. 

• A strong commitment to Little Rockers, Novice and Junior curling, guaranteeing a solid future for the club and the next generation. 

• A busy daytime and nighttime curling schedule kept the club busy every Monday to Friday. 

And so, as the final rocks slide down the ice this weekend, as the last celebratory beverage is raised in the clubhouse, and as the echoes of laughter and friendly ribbing fade into the night, we close the doors on another fantastic season at the Cornwall Curling Club. 

Red & Yellow may be new, but the spirit of competition, camaraderie, and curling chaos remains the same. 

Now, let’s get out there, throw some stones, and make some memories. (And if you’re one of those former Team Blue curlers—maybe pick up a yellow scarf at Price Mart.)