January 29 in The Leader

“We had an incredible time on this trip,” said teacher/coach Lilace McIntryre who took her Seaway District High School senior girls volleyball team on the journey of a life time when they flew to Hawaii during March Break, 2012, to take part in the Sun and Surf Tournament run by Encore Sports. 

“In spite of rumours that Air Canada might strike, we had no problems at all,” McIntrye said. “The Hawaiian teams and their coaches who were our hosts at the tournament were very friendly and hospitable. And the students from Seaway did their school and community proud as ambassadors to the tournament.”

The students, 10 of them members of the Senior Girls Volleyball team, accompanied by four score keepers, had been planning for the trip to the United States competition for over a year.  They held a number of fund-raising events to help off-set costs while they were actually in Hawaii.  With chaperones and some family friends, 25 South Dundas travellers flew to the islands.

“We took part in one tournament, and played a number of exhibition matches,” McIntyre said. “Encore Sports, which operates the Sun and Surf Tournament, brings in schools of all sizes from across Canada and the U.S. The level of competition is very good. This was a chance for our Seaway girls to meet new competitors and to improve on our skills by playing outside our league.” Many of the Hawaiian teams were club teams, so the level of play was high. 

When they weren’t on the court, the Seaway students took in some of the famous sights in Hawaii. They visited Pearl Harbour, climbed up to Diamond Head and enjoyed a traditional luau. A high point of the holiday was a trip to the North Shore with its sandy beaches and big waves. “The girls learned just how powerful those big swell can be. We had to link arms to keep from being knocked down.” Despite a busy games schedule and special tours, the students still managed to find time to shop.

“We are planning a similar trip in about three years or so,” Lilace McIntryre explained. “It’s something the next group of Seaway players  can look forward to.”

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  For the second consecutive year, David Lapier will be back at the helm of the South Dundas Minor Hockey Association.  Lapier, who was not present, was reelected at the association’s annual general meeting this […]

On Saturday, three Morrisburg men’s teams represented us as our club hosted the 

Merkley, a two-team, four-club competition. Joe McCooeye, Robbie Stitt, Peter McCooeye and Sam Locke dropped their first match against a Metcalfe foursome before coming in to enjoy the lunch prepared and served by our volunteer committee. Then everyone went back out and Joe’s team lost to the other Metcalfe team, clearing the way for these two foursomes to face each other in the “B” final after the evening banquet. 

Our other scheduled team, Larry Cooper, Chris Barkley, John Toonders and John Allison,  defeated the first Metcalfe team, but lost in the afternoon to Winchester. Jack Barkley, Dave King, Doug Jarvis and Rick MacKenzie filled in for an absent Russell foursome, who cancelled out on Friday night. They acquitted themselves well, but thankfully didn’t get into the playoffs, as a second “Russell” team.

Winchester and the lone Russell team played off in the evening, and Winchester won the “A” trophy. We enjoyed some very good curling and some great meals, looked after by our volunteers, who helped with the ice, tended bar and made and served the meals.

Two Morrisburg senior men’s teams competed last week in the Sullivan bonspiel in Russell. Pete Zeran, Don McMillan, Andy Patenaude and Keith Robinson lost their morning game to Metcalfe on skip’s rocks, but won their afternoon match against Russell, qualifying them for the “B” final.

Jack Barkley, Dave King, Doug Jarvis and Bud Perry lost their morning game by one point, but, guess what –they won against Winchester in the afternoon, qualifying them to play against Pete in the evening. Jack’s boys were modest about the results, but they get their name on the trophy. Great work, fellows! 

It must have been interesting, looking over at the next sheet, and seeing two Metcalfe foursomes playing off for the other trophy.

Today we’ll be having the Hughie Hutchinson funspiel for the senior men. We’ll have those results next time. No haggis? Hugh’s Scottish DNA would have been unhappy.

We had a very helpful information night last Monday, with about 20 members in attendance, as well as several executive members. Ron Beaupre, Wally Baker and John 

Allison provided the information and answered questions. It looks as though we’ll be putting in the “Icemaker’s Mistress” or a reasonable facsimile, for next season. It will cost about $15,000, which we have available in our budget. We also have some additional money invested. The night set-back will save us considerable money, $6-7,000 a year, we’re told. Ron and Wally will look at the possibility of an incentive package from hydro, which would provide additional savings.

The executive has some work to do on the project yet, but has done considerable research already including queries to numerous clubs for ideas. We thank the board of directors for this and other improvements to our club. Well done!

Good Curling!

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