Ching Chatter
December 2023
A Great Fall!
Our first months of this season saw some terrific activities. And the New Year will bring many more. Your support and participation of club activities is greatly appreciated and welcomed. Looking forward to more in 2024!
Oscar’s Men’s Bonspiel
On November 11, the Chinguacousy Men’s Curling League hosted 12 teams at its annual Oscar’s Men’s Bonspiel. This one day, three-game spiel played down with lots of good curling, fellowship and tough competition. In the end, the team of John Earl, Ed Mathewson, John Keast and Paul Roslin emerged triumphant with 3 wins. Team Rob George finished a close second, followed by Team Phil Morchain placing third. It was a fast paced day, with a luncheon of ‘Beer and Wings’ provided by Oscar’s Restaurant and a catered dinner back at the Club lounge.
Ching Chicks Bonspiel
On November 18, the Ching Chicks bonspiel was rejuvenated after a 7-year hiatus. The focus of this bonspiel is to introduce women to the sport of curling, and it certainly did that as 8-10 new curlers put on grippers, grabbed brooms and learned the art of sliding on pebbled ice. Under the theme of Denim and Lace, 48 women in their various denims came together to have fun, lots of laughter topped off by lunch and prizes. It is our hope that next year will continue the tradition and perhaps return to raising money for local charities.
Anything Goes Bonspiel
Lots of groans followed by laughter were heard across the six sheets of ice for the Anything Goes Bonspiel run by the Sunday Night Open Mixed League. The groans were due to the “floating buttons” used throughout the game. Congratulations go to the Jamie Waters team, with Jeannette Burnside, Trudy Burnside and Shelby Bailey, who persevered to take the top spot. Second place team was Meagan Wright, Chris Wright, Sarah Schiller and Randy Schiller. Third place was taken by Paul Hale/Paul Gallant, Diana Cardoni, Ilaria Venditti and John Marsella. A challenging cross ice draw to the button (hack of sheet 1 to house of sheet 6) was won by Donald Miller! Many thanks to all who made donations to this fun day!
Youth Curling
There are now 24 youth curlers on Sundays, two were recruited from the recent Pop & Pizza event. There will be another Pop & Pizza event on January 13, 2024. Registration is open.
Some new youth curling terminology has emerged to better reflect the age groups as they are now being used in other sports.
Previous designations: Little Rocks (ages 7-12), Bantams (ages 13-16) and Juniors (17-20)
New designations:
U12 – Little Rocks
U15 – in between Bantams and Juniors
U18 – in between Bantams and Juniors
U20 – Juniors
U25 – up and coming terminology
50th Anniversary Celebration, December 2
It was a great day of curling, connecting, laughing, sharing stories and celebrating 50 years of Chinguacousy Curling as more than 340 signed our guest book! The 50-end game was enthusiastically played by 112 curlers! The 50th end was played by Team Christie (Glen Christie, Sandi Morris, Ruth Hay, Paul Roslin) and Team Cooper (Ella, Leah, Andrew, Terri). Red rocks won by a few points! Photos will be posted on the website over the coming weeks, so keep checking. Special thanks to the organizing committee, the volunteers and everyone who helped celebrate 50 years!
Marv White Award
We were delighted to bring back the Marv White Award, which had been on hiatus for the past couple of years due to Covid 19. This award honours individuals who have, in their own special way, made a very positive contribution to the betterment of our Club and recognizes the special efforts of each for their volunteerism, sportsmanship, competitiveness, club building efforts and fellowship efforts. The presentations were momentous as Marv White’s daughter, Nancy Trudel, came from Kingston to help honour the recipients. For the first time, we honoured two members posthumously – Audrey Greenwood and Al Freeman. Those awards were received by Bill Greenwood and Kathy Hay. A third recipient, Chris Nowak, was completely taken by surprise and earned a standing ovation! It was a very special event.
Upcoming Events
Members Clinic, Saturday, January 6, 2024 10:00-2:00
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is the improve and get more from your curling games, this is just the way to make it happen. Format similar to the clinic in the fall, including lunch! Register online.
Pop & Pizza for Youth, January 13, 2024 3:00-5:00
Open to all youth ages 7-18. Learn curling basics. Register online.
Adult Learn to Curl, January 14 – March 3, 2024
Curling basics, hands-on instruction, a great opportunity to learn this great sport, meet new people and enjoy winter! Share with anyone you know who may be thinking about trying it.
Diamonds & Ice, Winter Freeze Bonspiel, January 17, 2024
The Day Ladies League is once again hosting this bonspiel. It will be great fun! Team entry. Two 8-end games. Register by December 22. Tell all your friends in other clubs. Online registration.
Let the Games Begin, Business Women’s Bonspiel, January 27, 2024
Two 8-end games, breakfast, lunch and snacks and of course, great fun! Information and sign up on the website.
Ching Swag / Apparel
There is apparel with the new Chinguacousy Curling Club logo available. Something to suit everyone. The website will be open for two windows, December 2-16 and December 17-31. Click on the link below for more details:
https://whitebirdpromotional.ca/chinguacousycurlingclub/shop/home
Etiquette
Be ready. Take your position in the hack as soon as your opponent has delivered his/her stone. Keep the game moving; delays detract and distract from the sport.
Terminology
Burning a rock - An infraction that happens when a player touches a stone as it’s traveling down the sheet
T’was the night before curling and all through the house,
The rocks sat quiet, waiting to rouse.
The brooms were all set by the sheets with care.
The scoreboard was waiting patiently for numbers to share.
To all a wonderful Christmas and joyful curling New Year! Be safe. Take care of each other.
