Seaway comeback ruined

 

We’re into the third week of curling at the Morrisburg Curling Club and things are rounding into shape. 

The Swing and Sweep event had to be cancelled this year, as a result of low numbers interested. Instead, the executive organized an opening bonspiel for last Saturday. 

Other events scheduled are Glenn Cougler’s stick bonspiel, the women’s Invitational on Tuesday, December 4, the Gamble bonspiel on Saturday November 17, and the OCA Zone 1 Intermediates from December 22-23. 

In addition, a lady from Cornwall is trying to organize an Alzheimer’s bonspiel for Saturday, November 10. Club president, Mahlon Locke tells us there’ll be an information sheet in the lounge. Why not put together a team to support this charity? More information on all events is available at the Club or from the organizers.

Over the summer a good deal of work was done by the executive and other volunteers. The new carpet is in, painting (especially interesting is the red door) and upgrading inside has taken place, -washrooms, bar, etc., and feet-cleaning mats are down at entrances to the ice surface. 

The ice is fast, and Wally Baker has some other innovations that have much improved the surface and our curling experience. On November 10 our rocks’ running bands will be reconditioned, to bring back the wonderful curling ability they used to have, well back in the last century. 

Our membership numbers are down slightly from last year, but there are a number of new curlers, and it is still possible to register for the league of your choice. Those interested can also curl as a spare, or pay for single games if there is an opening on a team. 

Dave King is looking after the day men for anyone who would like to join that league. Tuesday night men’s coordinator Joe McCooeye is the person to see about signing up there, Alice Thompson for the Tuesday afternoon ladies, Susan McIntosh and Claire Locke for Wednesday night ladies, Ruth Kelly for daytime mixed, Ian Wilson for the Thursday night competitive league, and Mahlon Locke for the Friday night mixed league. 

Also, the little rockers are being looked after by Ian and Kathy Wilson. Hope to see some more people out!

Mahlon and Paula Locke and their committee organized the opening bonspiel, and arranged a delicious lunch for the curlers in the event. In the early draw, there was some mid-season level curling, with Sid Morrell’s foursome emerging victorious. His team included Ron Beaupre, Ted Herriman and Paul Gunther. 

In the second draw Mahlon Locke, Wendy Casselman, Dave McIntosh and Claire Locke were victorious. When the total points for the teams were considered, Sid’s foursome finished first, with Mahlon’s warriors ending up second overall. It was a good day, with profits from the event turned over to the club. 

A women’s team competed at Kemptville last Saturday. Gretta McGann, Cheryl Thompson, and Paula and Claire Locke played a single eight-end match in the morning, and defeated a foursome from Brockville. When the winners’ scores were tallied, Morrisburg was in second place, while Smiths Falls took the overall total.

Local teams are entered in several bonspiels around eastern Ontario, and we’ll report on those when they occur.  There will be friendly competitions with other club teams from various leagues, and we’ll do our best to keep you informed about those. Do keep us posted on your events, so that we can report to your fans.

Good curling, folks! 

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Our ladies are still travelling through Eastern Ontario, challenging curlers from other clubs. Greta McGann’s team had the early draw at Ottawa Granite last week. With Greta were Kathy Johnston, Claire Locke and Janie Connelly. They did well: in their first match, they dropped a tight game to City View, and after lunch curled against Ottawa Navy and defeated them. And there’s much more to come from these busy members. Well done, all! 

Curling in the late draw in the same bonspiel were Alice Thompson, Susan McIntosh, Sharon Van Allen and Linda Murphy. They lost their first game to the eventual champions from Cornwall, and had a better match against a team from Ottawa R.A., but couldn’t pull off the win.

We’ll have details about the Tuesday matches against the three men’s teams from Scotland next time. The Canadian side was bolstered by foursomes from Winchester and Cornwall. Our Morrisburg representatives were Sid Morrell, Raymond Benoit, John Allison and Ron Beaupre, as well as Mahlon Locke, Jack Barkley, Wally Baker and George Rutley.

With a change to an earlier date, January 19, the Alzheimers bonspiel is now on at our club. There are still a few openings, so sign up on the entry sheet in the lobby if you’re interested. It’s a charity we would like to see succeed.

Upcoming events include a friendly visit here by the Prescott senior men on Jan. 23, the Bernie Brunt Senior Men’s Invitational bonspiel on Jan. 30, the Senior Mixed 222 bonspiel, the Heart and Stroke bonspiel on Feb. 16, and the S. D. and G. High School Championship on Feb. 19.

Last weekend Wendy Casselman joined her three friends from Winchester again, Janet Lapierre, Janet Levere and Janet Thompson, in the Ladies Zone 1 playdowns for the Canadian championship, the Tournament of Hearts competition. Unfortunately they did not advance to the Regionals this time. Barbieri of the Ottawa Curling Club and Cameron of Russell were victorious and hope to make it to the Provincials. Better luck next year, folks! 

And congratulations to another Winchester team, skipped by Casandra Raganold, who won at Regionals and went on to the Junior Provincial championship, where they played well, but were edged out by the Manotick foursome for the title.

This morning three of our daytime mixed teams journeyed to Russell for a return “friendly” bonspiel. Our quartets were Andy Patenaude, Alice Thompson, Greta McGann, and Bud Perry, also Sue McIntosh, Grahame Hardy, Claire Locke and Fred Langlotz, as well as Sam Locke, Kathy Hardy, Denis Thibault and Bob Youmelle. Hope you all had a pleasant morning!

The bonspiel season for the little rockers is coming up, and we hope to have results for you shortly on their efforts.

Good curling to all!    

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Sports Stories in this week's issue of The Leader:

Novice C1 Lions hanging tight to first place

Morrisburg girls, Little Rocks time to shine

Midget Lions holding first place

Powerhouse Vikings collect 3-1 win from Jr. B Lions

Curling: People playing on ice

Spikes Program wrap-up 

Pickup your January 22 issue of The Leader at various locations throughout South Dundas.

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