Junior Lions collect third win

 

The stick bonspiel organized by Glen Cougler at the Morrisburg Curling Club last week went over well, with two teams from Morrisburg, two from Winchester and Russell, as well as ones from Maxville, Kemptville and Prescott taking part. 

In the first draw, one Winchester rink won out, while the second finished third. Our Morrisburg foursome, Pete Zeran, Andy Patenaude, Greta Mc Gann and Bob Bechard defeated one Winchester team in their first match, and last year’s champions from Kemptville in their second. They were both tight games, and our local heroes finished in second place.

In the second draw, Sid Morrell, Neil Williams, Don O’Brien and Alice Thompson finished in first place, defeating Lancaster in the morning and a strong Russell foursome in the afternoon to finish first overall on the day. Lunch was delicious and ample.

Last week, in Cornwall for their 24-team bonspiel, Jack Barkley, Raymond Benoit, Neil Williams and George Rutley finished first in the competition, defeating a Montreal foursome for their repeat win. Our second team, Pete Zeran, Karl Duncan, Earl Jeacle and Paul Gunther were neck-in-neck with the other winners, defeating Laval, but lost out on draws to the button. 

Two days later, three of our teams of senior men returned to Cornwall for a friendly bonspiel. Jack Barkley, Ron Beaupre, Earl Jeacle and Paul Gunther tied their match. Wally McDonald, Ray Benoit, Doug Jarvis and Fred Langlotz lost their game, while George Rutley, Dave King, Sam Locke and Keith Robinson won theirs. As always, it was a very pleasant social event.

Morrisburg hosted the Gamble, the annual four-club mixed bonspiel on Saturday. 

John Allison,  Carolyn Beckstead, and Jim and Wendy Casselman  were tied coming home in their first game against Russell but lost the exciting match on the last rock. They were defeated in their second game by a Winchester team, and failed to advance to the final. 

Our other curlers, John Toonders, Susan McIntosh, Sam Locke and Ruth Kelly lost their first match to a powerful Russell team, but won their afternoon game handily against John Allison’s Winchester opponents to advance to the ‘B’ final.

After a delicious dinner, catered by Bill Laurin, with pork as a main course, and a short business meeting, the two Russell teams did battle in the ‘A’ final, with Trottier winning out. Our Toonders foursome defeated Lapierre from Winchester in a thrilling match which went to an extra end, to claim the champions’ pins and get their names etched on the winners’ shield. 

Our thanks to the organizers, to our ice man, to the chef, and to the many volunteers without which these events could not function.

On Sunday, the first annual Two-Person Bonspiel was organized again by Susan McIntosh. Thanks to Dave McIntosh for the fine chilli luncheon, to Wally Baker for setting the ice up for us, and to the many volunteers who kept the ice prepared through the day, and handled the other aspects of the bonspiel. 

As always, there were champions declared in three divisions, and the profit for the day was dedicated to paying for a second new measuring stick.

In the ‘C’ Division, Sam Locke and Darryl McDonnell defeated Josh Laurin and Judy Morin. The ‘B’ division saw Paul St. Pierre and Ron Beaupre victorious over Claire and Paula Locke, and in the ‘A’ division, the top prize for the day went to Ian and Kathy Wilson, who won out over Peter Zeran and Bud Perry. 

It was another great day, with people from every league in the club participating. 

That’s it for this week,

Good curling to all!    

[…]

 

For the first time, on Sunday, May 5, Dundas County Hospice joined thousands of people across the country in raising funds for hospice palliative care programs and services.

Hike for Hospice is a national event, and this year the Dundas County Hospice organized a hike locally.

It took place at the Iroquois Locks with 30 participants raising about $2,100 for the local organization which provides end of life palliative care support for those with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

“Individuals, families, couples with pets, running enthusiasts and groups such as students from Seaway District High School participated,” said Jackie McMillan, who is a board member with the Dundas County Hospice. “Everyone enjoyed a 1/3/5km hike/walk/run at the scenic Iroquois Locks.” 

Volunteers at the registration were thrilled with the turnout for this first event and are already thinking about next year’s event.

[…]

 

wo of 11 skaters representing The Morrisburg Figure Skate Club at the 2015 Eastern Ontario StarSkate Invitational Championships (EOSIC) earned the right to advance to the Skate Ontario Championships, in Brampton, March 13-15.

Alexis Engwerda and Trina Dykstra-MacPherson put together some fine skates at EOSIC, February 13-15 at the Nepean Sportsplex and both are working hard on their programs for the upcoming All-Ontario.

In addition to the second place podium finish for Engwerda and Dykstra-MacPherson’s fourth place,  the other nine Morrisburg Club skaters had some good personal results and skated away from EOSIC with valuable experience. 

“It was great to have 11 skaters represent MDSC at EOSIC this year,” said Morrisburg club president Julie Van Hoof.  “All our skaters skated their best, and the club is very proud of all of them for the hard work and dedication that goes into their skating.”

“Our coaches are very supportive of each of their skaters and help them work through the nerves which is often common at a competition this big!”

“MDSC is very proud to have two of our skaters representing Eastern Ontario at the All Ontario’s in March.”

Following is a list of the EOSIC skaters with comments from their coaches. 

Abigail Jordan: 13th, Star 5 (over 13 category) – Coach Allison Scott

Abigail skated with great effort and poise throughout her program, to her captivating music “Seniorita” composed by Bond.  

Abigail’s program consisted of two spins (a camel-sit-change sit combination and a flying camel), six jump elements, two of which were axels and one double jump, and a spiral sequence.  She completed the axels, was rewarded points for complete rotation on her double jump, and skated fluently and persistently focusing on one element at a time. 

Alisha VanHoof: 9th, Ladies Gold–Coach Louise Dimmick

For Ali’s last year competing at EOSIC before going away to school, she chose to skate to selections from the movie Love Actually. This has been a favourite selection of music for her and fittingly her program is elegant and expresses her love of skating. 

After over 10 years of working with Ali, it’s been a pleasure to see her grow through the levels, challenges and successes. 

She opened her program at EOSIC with a beautiful combination spin followed by a great double flip double loop jump combination. Her program was filled with double jumps, spins, and difficult footwork and transitions. An especially nice highlight was her impressive death drop sit spin.

Cameryn Broad: 6th, Star 5 Ladies-Coach Danielle Napier

Cameryn had personal goals set going into EOSIC (to land her double Salchow for the first time in competition, get full marks for a three position combination spin and skate as clean as possible). She met and exceeded her personal goals. Not only did she land one double in her program, but she landed two doubles for the first time in competition.  Cameryn received full points for her combination spin. She skated well with only a few minor areas for deductions and finished with a personal best score of 15.76. 

Erika Jordan: 1st Star 4 (under 13)-Coach Allison Scott

Erika had an awesome program and she completed a clean skate. She completed all eight elements, which included two spins (a camel-sit spin combination and backspin), five jump elements, (two of which were axels the most difficult jump in her program) and a spiral sequence. Erika skated to the dynamic and lively music “Libertango’ composed by Bond with great speed and attack, had good height in her jumps and quality rotations and positions in her spins.  

She achieved gold status in five of eight elements and three silver, for first overall!  An amazing EOSIC accomplishment!

Gracie Fairbairn: Star 2 Ladies-Coach Danielle Napier

Gracie skated at her first EOSIC at the Star 2 Ladies level in which she received a bronze marking. Gracie skated very well. She landed the five jumps in her program and completed two spins. Her highest jump is a flip, which she landed very nicely and received a silver marking on. Overall, Gracie was very pleased with her performance. 

Katie Buter: Junior Bronze Coach Veronica Whyte

Katie moved up to the Junior Bronze level for the first time and had a good skate at her first EOSIC.  Skating to a beautiful piece by Yani, Katie attempted a double salchow for the first time at EOSIC which is a great milestone. Katie grows as a skater at each competition.

Kristyn VanHoof: Sr. Bronze, 

8th-Coach Danielle Napier.

Kristyn met the goal she set for her qualifying event which was to place top four in her flight to advance to the final group.

Kristyn had a strong qualifying event and for the first time in competition landed her double flip. Her program is very demanding with two double/double combinations, an axel combination, three spins and three double jumps. 

She finished the qualifying program flight in first place with 22.05 points to advance to the final where she had a strong skate but lost marks on her flying spin.  She finished in eighth place with a total of 21.20 points.

Mikaela Furo: Star 3, silver Coach Veronica Whyte

This was Mikaela’s second time to skate at EOSIC, this year skating at the Star 3 level. Mikaela had a good skate and received her silver status. During her performance, Mikaela showed how much her spins have improved.

Xandra Furo: Star 3, silver Coach Veronica Whyte

Xandra had a good skate for her second experience at EOSIC to receive her silver status. It was an exciting event for Xandra who showed how much power and flow she has in and out of her jumps.

[…]