McINTYRE NEVER TIRES AT THE BRIER
Early in Brier week, as part of the intensive body-shaping process, this circular correspondent decided to walk laps around the Brandt Centre.
During one hour of non-cardio, I saw Bernadette McIntyre ... in seven different places.
Just like that, a column idea was hatched: What would it be like to follow her around for 60 minutes?
Bernadette, after all, has been involved in more major curling events than space allows me to enumerate, dating back to the 1982 Scott (now Scotties) Tournament of Hearts in Regina.
She led Regina’s successful bid for the 2018 Brier, and is an invaluable resource for all — and a gift to all — as a member of the host committee.
So here, without further preamble, is the Tour de Bernadette ...
2:37 p.m.: Bernadette, the director of program sales at the 2018 Canadian men’s curling championship, meets with four sellers — Diane Roesslein, Trevor Walker, Laura Blair and Marietta Klock — on the main concourse.
Their shift is over, so it’s time to cash out. Downstairs we go to a dressing room-turned-program headquarters.
“This morning, I saw Bernadette in the penalty box, and then I saw her filling the peppermint dishes for the coaches,” Walker says. “She does everything.”
2:49: Bernadette’s phone rings. Someone is calling from the Brandt Centre box office with news that a package has arrived for curling legend Russ Howard, who is part of TSN’s first-class coverage crew.
2:58: Arriving at the well-named box office, Bernadette picks up the box for Howard.
Don Gardiner, from whom I have purchased many a Regina Pats ticket over the years, begins to discuss his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs, lamenting the fact that most photos of the team’s most-recent Stanley Cup victory (in 1967) are in black-and-white.
Hockey, it turns out, will be a popular topic as the ubiquitous Bernadette makes her rounds.
3:03: Bernadette tiptoes up to the TSN booth, walks in, and quietly hands the package to an appreciative Howard as a match is underway. While leaving the booth, Bernadette gives the great Vic Rauter a tap on the shoulder and receives a cheerful wave.
3:07: Welcome to the penalty box area, where we visit the nice people who operate the electronic scoreboards — making their first appearance at the Brier — and side boards.
I meet Darcy Lupul (formerly of Lloydminster, now of Nipawin), whose second cousin is former NHLer Joffrey Lupul. Darcy is working alongside Leigh Powless, who stands a few feet away from umpire Judy Bell.
“I had to ask somebody how to get into the penalty box,” Judy says. “I’ve never high-sticked anybody, so I didn’t know where it was.”
3:12: It’s back to the concourse, where Bernadette visits with the “accreditation experts” — Kursten Faller, Michelle Knoblauch and Debbie Rodger — en route to the press box.
“It goes in fits and starts,” Bernadette says during one of her 16-hour days at the Brier. “Who knew that there would be a package for Russ Howard?”
3:15: We have reached the (gasp!) upper extremities of the (pant, pant) Brandt Centre, a 41-yearold facility that’s still without an elevator. (Paging Mr. Otis ...)
On the west side of the press box, we find the timers — supervisor Tim Baber, alongside Brian Mohns, Joanne Pomalis, Sandra England and Walter Seeley. One timer is responsible for each match. Thanks to the gruelling ascent to the press box, I fear that my time is up.
3:17: I courageously make the descent from the press box, several steps behind Bernadette.
“I’m taking him with me,” Bernadette says to one volunteer, pointing to the straggling scribe. “I’m taking prisoners.”
3:19: Bernadette pops in to say hello to the ice maker, Jamie Bourassa, in what is ordinarily the Zamboni tunnel. The purpose of the visit, as far as I can ascertain, is simply to show some friendly appreciation to one of the Brier’s unsung heroes.
3:21: While downstairs, Bernadette bounces into the media room, chats with Dave Komosky (Tankard Times), and says hello to Al Cameron, Curling Canada’s director of communications and media relations.
I’m reminded that Bernadette knows everybody by name. And there isn’t one person who does not receive a cheerful hello.
3:23: Welcome to the icemen’s room. One of the icemen is grabbing a nap on a couch, between shifts.
“They work the longest hours of anybody,” Bernadette points out. 3:28: Still downstairs, Bernadette checks in at the events office. Rodd McCormick of Victoria, B.C., is in charge of the “fan engagement stuff,” such as the sound, lighting, music and, of course, the Kiss Cam. He’s making his first visit to tropical Regina.
“This week, we had a blizzard in your honour,” Bernadette says.
Seated nearby are Dixie Lorentz and Marcy Hrechkosy, both of Curling Canada.
More hockey: Marcy is asked if she’s related to the late Dave Hrechkosy, a former NHLer (California Golden Seals, St. Louis Blues). He was, as it turns out, Marcy’s father’s cousin.
3:33: Back to “Program Central,” as Bernadette calls it, to conduct some highly important business — picking up some fudge as a gift for the icemen.
3:34: The fudge is gratefully received. Without throwing a single stone, Bernadette has made one of the best deliveries of the week.
3:36: Now on the concourse, where she seems to reside, Bernadette runs into Saskatoon’s Sherry Anderson, who skipped Team Saskatchewan at the recent Scotties in Penticton, B.C. Anderson subsequently won the Saskatchewan and Canadian senior women’s titles.
“Hi Sherry!” Bernadette exudes. “Congratulations on everything!”
3:37: The whirlwind Tour de Bernadette draws to a close.
“Twenty minutes until the next shift of program sellers,” she says, “and then it starts all over.”