Slow start to February, but Valentine Funspiel coming up

Things felt quiet at Middleton Curling Club after a number of weeks of non-stop bonspiels and social activities. And although February is the shortest month, and only a few days old, it already feels far too long, with weather events, school cancellations, and difficult driving.

Curlers are usually a hardy bunch and rarely call off games, but this past week tested even the toughest. League games continued, but Friday’s “flash freeze” warning caught three teams of Middleton curlers from the Afternoon League down in Bridgetown after lunch. The home-and-home format includes one afternoon of play at each club, with this being the first of the two visits. Despite the warm hospitality of the Bridgetown club members, the MCC players got frozen out of the standings and have a considerable amount of catching up to do in the rematch at Middleton.

Then to add to their troubles, curlers went out to their cars to find the freeze had begun out in the carpark too, and windshield wipers, door locks, and windshields were also ice-covered.

Chase the Ace was cancelled for Friday night Feb. 2 – too many members live on rural unsalted roads and no one wanted to tempt fate by going ahead. The jackpot was more than $1,900 last week, so this week, on Feb. 9, it is sure to make it over the $2,000 mark with that night’s addition to the pot.

This weekend is also the annual favourite – the Valentine Funspiel, run for years by Dave and Nancy Acker. There is no limit to the ways in which curlers can adorn themselves with hearts and other glittery apparel and everyone has a great laugh before going on the ice where the challenge then becomes actually curling with bobbling headgear, flapping neckties, and dangly earrings.

The day includes two six-end games, lunch, and prizes for everyone. So there are no losers, literally. What a great game! These funspiels are always great for new curlers as the entries are all individual and Nancy balances the teams as much as possible, with new and experienced curlers together.

If you want to try curling or come back to it after a few years off, the next funspiel is the Spring is Here, in four weeks.

More news about the Valentine Spiel next week, and don’t forget Chase the Ace on Friday, Feb 9.

The latest pot can be seen at www.middletoncurlingclub.com

Following are the Monday Morning Coffee League bowling statistics

Stats as of Jan. 29:

Standings Team

Pts

Pansies Carnations Poppies Daffodils Morning Glories Roses

Top 10 Averages

Donna Pitman Elaine Drew Valerie Lincoln Diana Allders Jackie Leblanc Karen Riley Celina Toole Heather Bishop Sandy Mckinnon Bonnie Vaughan

Pinfall

39038 39538 39179 38955 38818 38579 88 74 72 66 58 50

Individual Season High Single