Final week of curling at Middleton club

With the final week of club curling about to begin, members of Middleton Curling Club are planning their end-of-season socials and the final funspiels.

The last Big Breakfast is Saturday, March 24 with doors open at 8 a.m. for this popular local event.

And Chase the Ace will continue on Friday nights until the Ace of Hearts is drawn, so the club will carry on with the Friday evening TGIF - doors open at 6:30 for bar and snacks and the draw for the ace at 8 p.m.

MCC would like to thank everyone in the club and community for their support of this fundraiser, the proceeds of which go to the student curler youth programs. Over the years the ace has provided new equipment such as stabilizers to assist with balance in sliding, and replacement heads for the brooms provided by the club.

Curling is the most affordable sport there is for students, requiring only clean sneakers and a helmet - the club provides the rest with the aid of fundraising. Youth co-ordinator Dawn Spidle has seen the program flourish under her leadership and she has expanded the participation of the Juniors and Little Rocks in “away” tournaments as well as hosting outside teams at MCC.

Chase the Ace has helped support these competitive teams when they travel, as well as the funspiels for friends and family that Spidle runs at the club. The funspiels, in particular, are an excellent introduction to the sport of curling.

This year the Nova Scotia Community College was kind enough to loan a set of “Rocks and Rings” to the youth programs. This off-ice curling involves “stones” with little sliders on them that are curled down a sheet of plastic instead of ice.

Besides being a great novelty for young curlers, it gives them a chance to practice their In-and-out turns without the added concentration needed for balance and sliding on the ice. Plus they don’t need the warm clothing and the mittens and the helmets – all additional distractions.

During the March break, Spidle had a special morning using the “Rocks and Rings” and her student curlers could bring a friend or family member to try out curling without going on the ice. The youngest participant was two. They even played in some short games.

The final funspiel will be Bill Eaton’s evening event that runs for two nights with a six-end game on each of Monday, March 26 and Thursday, March 29. As with all MCC funspiels, this is open to all curlers and non-club participants. There are still some spots so be sure to sign up.

You can always contact the club by going to www.middletoncurlingclub.com