Valentine’s Spiel trophy goes to Banks team
The lull between winter storms gave Middleton Curling Club a bright, cold day for the 13th annual Valentine’s Spiel. Friday’s rematch with Berwick to be held at MCC was cancelled as curlers from both clubs dug out from the drifts up the mountains. And Chase the Ace began another run on Friday night with the inauguration of a new deck, under the supervision of president Ian Reesor.
But the happy news was on Feb. 11 when there was nothing to stop the full house of curlers wearing their hearts on their sleeves - and also on their hats, shirts, glasses and pants - in celebration of the season. Everyone came ready for fun and no one was disappointed in this funspiel favourite organized by Dave and Nancy Acker. Curlers play two games, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, lunch is served mid-day and everyone gets a prize! You can’t top that.
There were seven decades in age spanned by the curlers on the ice, but everyone is equal in a funspiel, from the first-time player to the lifelong member. The party continued on and off the ice, and Ervin Banks’ team with Tammy Phinney, Ank Burke, and Nick Bent won the trophy - but everyone else also won a prize, so there was a lot of cheering and celebration.
On Sunday, icemaker Ernie Killen and his team were back at work preparing for the upcoming Provincial Masters Championship, to be held at MCC Feb. 24 to 28. Last year a new ice-making regime started at the club that has resulted in much faster ice, closer to the speed at larger clubs with professional ice-makers. On the weekend, the ice-makers were regrinding the rocks to ensure their uniformity. There is a lot of work to keep up to these standards and MCC is grateful to this volunteer crew. Without them there would be no ice and no curling, and by extension, no club.
In the week to come, the afternoon league will reschedule their home-and-home with Berwick and look ahead to an exchange with Bridgetown Curling Club.
Bonnie Morine and her crew will run the next big breakfast on Feb. 18with doors opening at 8a.m. for the best hot breakfast in town. And don’t forget about chase the ace!
Details on www.middletoncurlingclub.com