After bringing a $6000 lead into Saturday skins play at the Cornwall Curling Club closing spiel, sponsored by Leary’s Independent Grocer in Cornwall, the Red team caught the Blues still sleeping in the morning draw, taking ALL the Skins ($36,000 of “funny” money), and going on to win the event by a final score of $240,000 to $151,000. Blue did a little better off the ice, winning the baby food eating contest, but that didn’t put much of a dent in the difference.

We received some unfortunate news in the early afternoon – the evening band would be unable to make it due to a family illness. However, the problem was quickly fixed thanks to Kelly Watts, who got on the phone and convinced Tim MacPherson of Vintage to fill in on very short notice, and, judging by the big turnout and the packed dance floor, he did a great job! 

During the day we had a great lunch of hamburgers, sausages and hotdogs cooked by volunteers on the barbecue, as well as lemon and banana cake, muffins and biscuits in the morning. Following the last curling draw, we were invited upstairs for an incredible roast beef dinner with all the fixings, and dessert, all catered by Allan Carmichael.

The dinner was followed by the prize presentation, with winners including: Trivia – Barb Duncan-Biagé team. Barb also won the female best costume award, while Peter Murdoch won the male. The reverse draw for a free membership was won by Danielle Girard, with the secondary prizes of Crowbush green fees going to Stephanie O’Keefe and Bob Fowler. The Draw to the Button contest was won by Dave Younker.

Draw to Button winner Dave Younker, with organizer Lisa MacEachern

Best costume winners Barb and Peter

It was time for the team prizes. The top Blue team, skipped by Peter Murdoch, were given gift certificates from the title sponsors.

 

The red teams were then given the pick of the prize table from the teams with the highest earnings to the lowest. The Danny Kneabone team were the biggest winners, and had first pick.

Team Kneabone

Here are the rest of the teams in descending order of winnings.

Team Chris Creighton (Chris is missing from the photo)

Team Garth Cudmore

Team Tom Dunn (missing from photo: Rick Neumeyer)

Team Mark MacDonald

 

Team Rob Gallant

Team Angus Kennedy (Angus is missing from the photo, and Dave Younker is replacing Hans Wicki who was listed on the roster)

Team Barb Duncan-Biagé (missing from photo: Gerald Dykerman)

Team Kimball Blanchard (Wayne Goodwin is missing from the photo)

 

The meal and presentations concluded with an address by Club President Allan Mason, who thanked the curlers, organizers, including Board members Lisa MacEachern and Darlene Howlett, the caterers, club staff, Board and volunteers. He highlighted the success of the Thursday evening “Learn to Curl” program, from which five members were entered in the bonspiel, and appear to be on their way to becoming regular members next season. Lisa also took the stage, and thanked everyone who helped make the event a big success. The curlers then headed downstairs to dance the night away to the great music.

Alan