This one little Video below attracted 37 would be CURLERS to show up for an Open House in Oklahoma City this past weekend !
As mentioned in the video, Jonathan Havercroft is our very own Jonathan the Membership Director of the DFW Curling Club.
Great video by KFOR TV in OKC.
Click the Title Bar above to be wisked away and get more information on possible curling in Oklahoma.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
DFW Curling Club is MOVING !
WE ARE MOVING !!!
The D/FW Curling Club will hold it's 2009-2010 season at the FARMERS BRANCH Dr Pepper StarCenter.
The D/FW Curling Club will hold it's 2009-2010 season at the FARMERS BRANCH Dr Pepper StarCenter.
This decision was made because of the pending demise of the Duncanville Dr Pepper StarCenter.
We have been offered a Sunday evening, 7pm-9pm slot in Farmers Branch. Click HERE for directions. Your board of directors has voted unanimously, albeit some a bit reluctantly, to approve this. The alternative was to risk the potential of no curling for the coming season.
Everyone understands that this move will create a hardship to some members and we are saddened that we may even lose some great friends and curlers who cannot adapt to this new location or time.
Curling at a new facility will be a challenge. However, we are convinced that this will be positive to the Club. This venue offers more exposure for curling and a more central location. Your board will be working hard to take advantage of the this new potential.
Our hoped for start date is October 4th. It could be put off one week as the StarCenter attempts to fit us into their schedule. Please check back here often for updates on our Times and Dates. Applications will be online soon. We WILL be offering PayPal payments this season.
The D/FW Curling Club Invites YOU to Our Last Open House of the Summer - Sun, Sept. 20th.
The Dallas/Ft. Worth Curling Club announces it's last Open House of the Summer. This learn to curl opportunity on Sunday afternoon is from 11:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m. on September 20th. This is the last Open House - Learn to Curl event before the curling leagues start in October.
The open house will be held at the Dr Pepper Star Center in Farmers Branch just Northeast of the intersection of Stemmons Frwy, I-35E and LBJ Frwy, I-635. Directions. If you know where Sam Moon is, it is just 300 yards to the north of it.
WHAT: OPEN HOUSE - LEARN TO CURL
WHERE: DR. PEPPER/STAR CENTER FARMERS BRANCH
WHEN: SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 20TH,11AM to 1PM
COST: A $5-10 DONATION WOULD BE APPRECIATED
The open house will feature instructors from the club and will include an orientation on rules and terminology, an overview of sliding and delivery techniques and instruction on sweeping and strategy.
Wear tennis shoes and a light jacket, we like to keep it coool....
Curling, a game that has been described as “chess on ice,” involves two four-person teams who alternate sliding rocks down 146 feet, sheet of ice. The team that places the most rocks nearest the center of a circular target at the end of 8 ends (similar to innings) wins. The game is an ancient Scottish sport (over 500 years old) and was wildly popular during both the Salt Lake City and Torino Italy Winter Olympics in 2002 and 2006. Many US Curling Clubs were swamped with curious folks wanting to learn and try this unique sport as the Olympics ended.
Beat the rush. Come out and get involved BEFORE the Olympics in Vancouver. Save Your Spot NOW!
The Curling Club is asking for donations of $5-10 to help pay some of the expense. All persons must sign a waiver as required by the Dr. Pepper/Star Center. The D/FW Curling Club is a 501 (c)(3) public charity. The public is cordially invited.
For further information, please contact Judy Willingham 817-933-1837 or visit our web site at www.dfwcurling.com
Monday, August 24, 2009
Olympic Curling Tickets Available
We (DFW Curling Club) got this information from the USCA about OLYMPIC TICKETS !!
Contact info in in the message below.
Cheers
======================================
The USCA has a limited number of unclaimed tickets for most, if not all, of the qualifying round draws for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. We do not have any tickets remaining for the playoff rounds, but, like everyone else, are told that these will likely become available as teams advance in the competition.
Mark Swandby, our team leader, has been coordinating the ticket requests and handling for the families and friends of the Olympic Team curlers, and is willing to try to fulfill other requests on a first-come, first-served basis. We are at the point where we will soon be returning any leftover tickets to either VANOC of CoSport, however. CoSport is the only official licensed US seller for Olympic tickets. Other tour companies (such as PSG, the one we are aligned with) are able to package tickets with tours, but CoSport is the only place you can go in the U.S. to buy tickets alone. Their prices are also significantly higher than what we have to offer at the moment, which is $65 per ticket for qualifying round games.
If you are interested in purchasing any of these tickets, please contact Mark immediately at swandby@engr.wisc.edu. We will be returning tickets soon in order to reduce the USCA’s financial exposure on these tickets.
Contact info in in the message below.
Cheers
======================================
The USCA has a limited number of unclaimed tickets for most, if not all, of the qualifying round draws for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. We do not have any tickets remaining for the playoff rounds, but, like everyone else, are told that these will likely become available as teams advance in the competition.
Mark Swandby, our team leader, has been coordinating the ticket requests and handling for the families and friends of the Olympic Team curlers, and is willing to try to fulfill other requests on a first-come, first-served basis. We are at the point where we will soon be returning any leftover tickets to either VANOC of CoSport, however. CoSport is the only official licensed US seller for Olympic tickets. Other tour companies (such as PSG, the one we are aligned with) are able to package tickets with tours, but CoSport is the only place you can go in the U.S. to buy tickets alone. Their prices are also significantly higher than what we have to offer at the moment, which is $65 per ticket for qualifying round games.
If you are interested in purchasing any of these tickets, please contact Mark immediately at swandby@engr.wisc.edu. We will be returning tickets soon in order to reduce the USCA’s financial exposure on these tickets.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Green Bay Tailgate Open
Back from a weekend in Green Bay Wisconsin !
I LOVE THIS SPIEL ! Seriously, it is my favorite spiel of the summer, and great ice is only part of the reason.
Green Bay is an official training facility for the US Olympic Teams. They scrapped down the ice, added all new markings and logo's and added the magnetic strips in the ice for the sensor handles used during Olympic games.
This was Olympic caliber curling ice, 5 feet of curl both directions, 24.5 to 25 second ice absolutely awesome. I'm not claiming it was Olympic Ice based on my experience, heck what would I know, but there were lots of people that did know with years and years of experience that were as excited as anyone to play on this kind of ice.
One of the other really great things about this spiel is the FOOD. Lots and lots of food, and it was continuous feeding time it seemed. Brats, burgers, fixins, sandwiches, fruit more fruit, snaks, pancakes, eggs, sausage, soup, 150lbs of beef out on the barbecue grill....every meal WAS a meal, and you could always make a small sandwich if needed. You were always fueled up and ready to go curl. If you went hungry it was your own fault and if you went out to eat.....WHY ?? Everything you needed was in the club.
I was talking to one of the Green Bay guys and commented on how great the food was and how much there was and all the volunteers and the round the clock cooking....he just looked at me and said "this is Green Bay, food is supposed to cover your plate."
On Saturday Steph, Tim and I went into downtown Green Bay for a little wine tasting. A place called The Captain's Walk Winery. For $3 you could taste up to 7 of their wines ! What a deal, so we did and found some excellent wine. I had 6 bottles shipped home, I ended up spending alot more than the $3 I thought I would spend....but it is soooo good. They don't grow grapes in Green Bay, this winery gets them from Oregon and then does their magic on them.
Great time, not sure how long we spent at this tasting, but it was a very fun time while waiting for our next game.
Had a few Canadians come down for this spiel, not from "Winterpeg", but from Ontario. Elliot Lake area and some folks from the Guelph Curling Club. They were a little surprised at how far people had come to curl in July in Green Bay with people they didn't know (California, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Ohio to name a few that I remember) AND make an absolute grand party with perfect strangers. You weren't strangers for very long. I think they will be back next year, I know they had a great time and did I mention the GREAT ICE !
I am really lucky to get to curl in this spiel that's in the shadow of Lambeau Field. I get to curl with Stephanie and Tim from Madison and Shana from Dallas. Steph and Tim are long time curlers and in my case teachers. They are fine tuning my game and understanding, I learn so much and of course we have a grand time in the process.
We got into the 3rd Event Championship Round, a missed shot here and there made all the difference.....as it always does. We lost and got Runner up. But HEY we were playing on Sunday - TWICE - and got 5 games not just the 3 that alot of teams got.
In fact our 3rd game we came back from a deficit of 4 to win the game on the 8th rock in the 8th end.
I LOVE this spiel, Thanks to the Wilbergs for putting on such a great event, thanks to the volunteers in Green Bay and Thanks to my Team Mates.
LUUCY don't forget to sign us up again next year !
I LOVE THIS SPIEL ! Seriously, it is my favorite spiel of the summer, and great ice is only part of the reason.
Green Bay is an official training facility for the US Olympic Teams. They scrapped down the ice, added all new markings and logo's and added the magnetic strips in the ice for the sensor handles used during Olympic games.
This was Olympic caliber curling ice, 5 feet of curl both directions, 24.5 to 25 second ice absolutely awesome. I'm not claiming it was Olympic Ice based on my experience, heck what would I know, but there were lots of people that did know with years and years of experience that were as excited as anyone to play on this kind of ice.
One of the other really great things about this spiel is the FOOD. Lots and lots of food, and it was continuous feeding time it seemed. Brats, burgers, fixins, sandwiches, fruit more fruit, snaks, pancakes, eggs, sausage, soup, 150lbs of beef out on the barbecue grill....every meal WAS a meal, and you could always make a small sandwich if needed. You were always fueled up and ready to go curl. If you went hungry it was your own fault and if you went out to eat.....WHY ?? Everything you needed was in the club.
I was talking to one of the Green Bay guys and commented on how great the food was and how much there was and all the volunteers and the round the clock cooking....he just looked at me and said "this is Green Bay, food is supposed to cover your plate."
On Saturday Steph, Tim and I went into downtown Green Bay for a little wine tasting. A place called The Captain's Walk Winery. For $3 you could taste up to 7 of their wines ! What a deal, so we did and found some excellent wine. I had 6 bottles shipped home, I ended up spending alot more than the $3 I thought I would spend....but it is soooo good. They don't grow grapes in Green Bay, this winery gets them from Oregon and then does their magic on them.
Great time, not sure how long we spent at this tasting, but it was a very fun time while waiting for our next game.
Had a few Canadians come down for this spiel, not from "Winterpeg", but from Ontario. Elliot Lake area and some folks from the Guelph Curling Club. They were a little surprised at how far people had come to curl in July in Green Bay with people they didn't know (California, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Ohio to name a few that I remember) AND make an absolute grand party with perfect strangers. You weren't strangers for very long. I think they will be back next year, I know they had a great time and did I mention the GREAT ICE !
I am really lucky to get to curl in this spiel that's in the shadow of Lambeau Field. I get to curl with Stephanie and Tim from Madison and Shana from Dallas. Steph and Tim are long time curlers and in my case teachers. They are fine tuning my game and understanding, I learn so much and of course we have a grand time in the process.
We got into the 3rd Event Championship Round, a missed shot here and there made all the difference.....as it always does. We lost and got Runner up. But HEY we were playing on Sunday - TWICE - and got 5 games not just the 3 that alot of teams got.
In fact our 3rd game we came back from a deficit of 4 to win the game on the 8th rock in the 8th end.
I LOVE this spiel, Thanks to the Wilbergs for putting on such a great event, thanks to the volunteers in Green Bay and Thanks to my Team Mates.
LUUCY don't forget to sign us up again next year !
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Curling Getaway
Met these very nice folks from Elliot Lake Ont at the Green Bay Open Tailgate Bonspiel.
They either run or are associated with an Adult Curling Camp or Getaway in Elliot Lake. It is a 4 day camp with lots of ice time, limited to 40 persons, and all the instructors are Certified Level 3 and Level 4.
They told me that if you register before the end of August you get a $100 discount.
So here is another opportunity to get some fine tuning to your game or learn something you didn't know you were missing.
Click the picture for a super large version, or click the link to be wisked away to their web site.
They either run or are associated with an Adult Curling Camp or Getaway in Elliot Lake. It is a 4 day camp with lots of ice time, limited to 40 persons, and all the instructors are Certified Level 3 and Level 4.
They told me that if you register before the end of August you get a $100 discount.
So here is another opportunity to get some fine tuning to your game or learn something you didn't know you were missing.
Click the picture for a super large version, or click the link to be wisked away to their web site.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Rocky Top Bonspiel - Knoxville TN
FINALLY !
Finally made it to the Rocky Top Bonspiel after hearing how much fun it was for the last 3-4 years. And I must say flying into Knoxville TN is one of the most beautiful countrysides I have ever seen ! Green rolling hillsides with a many a huge house at one end of the property, and pastures and green green green untouched land, simply beautiful.
My cheap-o GPS got us to the ice with no problem...except for one strange intersection just off the highway. Right, left, straight (sort of) or do we do one of the curvy options ? Our skip and broom bag hauler got a little lost.
NOPE that's not the ice house.....
At this point he called the Ice Rink and they gave him directions....his GPS needs a little updating I guess.
The crew from Ice King came down from Ontario and for the cost of the entry fee and all the beer they could consume (even into Monday I hear) took arena ice and worked their magic on it, they made it flat, no falls, no ridges, no negative ice, no negative turns, predictable curl, what a great job. If you play on arena ice you know what I'm talking about and can really appreciate the hard work.
I don't have a picture of the Ice King Crew...sorry, but this was our team. Handsome Dudes ! (Picture by Shana)
One of the great things about summer spiels is not having to wear long pants. Of course if you are shy or have really knobby knees and skinny legs...well Todd and I don't or we don't care, we just wanted to be comfy. My knee brace just adds to the ??? effect don't you think ?
I guess David and Don must have some of the aforementioned leg issues ???
I really need to be comfortable, and we must have been very comfortable as we seemed to really click on the 2nd game. I know I didn't miss a shot the first 4 ends, which freaked me out into missing both shots in the 5th. (Pictures courtesy of the Curling Club via their Face Book Page)
Our 2nd game didn't get going till about 1015pm, so by the time we had a few beers and chatted and got back to the hotel it was 2am. Good thing we won cause we didn't have to play till 2pm on Saturday.
It's always the goal to be playing on Sunday Morning, that's the goal next to getting some hardware, too bad we didn't have time to discuss that goal cause if you are going to lose a game it needs to be game 1 or game 2 NOT game 3. We lost game 3 to some nice folks from Milton Ontario, so we were OUT ! Time to head to the chow down at the Yacht Club on the river. Lots of beer, silent auction, lots of stuff, GREAT RIBS ! and did I mention lots of beer...just making sure.
Well since we didn't play well enough to play on Sunday and our flight didn't leave till 6pm, we said goodbye to Don and his wife Paula as they headed for North Carolina. Todd and Shana were heading to Nashville, so David and I took a drive to see a little of the Smokies and some really touristy spots that I would not want to see again.
The drive in the mountains was beautiful, the scenery was just as awesome, we made it all the way to North Carolina.
Can you believe these pictures were taken with my cell phone ? There is alot of history in these mountains, including the CCC (Citizen Conservation Corps) from the Great Depression days.
The Rocky Top is a good bonspiel, well worth your time and money, and they have unlimited beer ! Did I mention that ?
Click the link at the top of the page or click HERE to jump to the Great Smokey Mountains Curling Club.
Finally made it to the Rocky Top Bonspiel after hearing how much fun it was for the last 3-4 years. And I must say flying into Knoxville TN is one of the most beautiful countrysides I have ever seen ! Green rolling hillsides with a many a huge house at one end of the property, and pastures and green green green untouched land, simply beautiful.
My cheap-o GPS got us to the ice with no problem...except for one strange intersection just off the highway. Right, left, straight (sort of) or do we do one of the curvy options ? Our skip and broom bag hauler got a little lost.
NOPE that's not the ice house.....
At this point he called the Ice Rink and they gave him directions....his GPS needs a little updating I guess.
The crew from Ice King came down from Ontario and for the cost of the entry fee and all the beer they could consume (even into Monday I hear) took arena ice and worked their magic on it, they made it flat, no falls, no ridges, no negative ice, no negative turns, predictable curl, what a great job. If you play on arena ice you know what I'm talking about and can really appreciate the hard work.
I don't have a picture of the Ice King Crew...sorry, but this was our team. Handsome Dudes ! (Picture by Shana)One of the great things about summer spiels is not having to wear long pants. Of course if you are shy or have really knobby knees and skinny legs...well Todd and I don't or we don't care, we just wanted to be comfy. My knee brace just adds to the ??? effect don't you think ?
I guess David and Don must have some of the aforementioned leg issues ???
I really need to be comfortable, and we must have been very comfortable as we seemed to really click on the 2nd game. I know I didn't miss a shot the first 4 ends, which freaked me out into missing both shots in the 5th. (Pictures courtesy of the Curling Club via their Face Book Page)Our 2nd game didn't get going till about 1015pm, so by the time we had a few beers and chatted and got back to the hotel it was 2am. Good thing we won cause we didn't have to play till 2pm on Saturday.
It's always the goal to be playing on Sunday Morning, that's the goal next to getting some hardware, too bad we didn't have time to discuss that goal cause if you are going to lose a game it needs to be game 1 or game 2 NOT game 3. We lost game 3 to some nice folks from Milton Ontario, so we were OUT ! Time to head to the chow down at the Yacht Club on the river. Lots of beer, silent auction, lots of stuff, GREAT RIBS ! and did I mention lots of beer...just making sure.
Well since we didn't play well enough to play on Sunday and our flight didn't leave till 6pm, we said goodbye to Don and his wife Paula as they headed for North Carolina. Todd and Shana were heading to Nashville, so David and I took a drive to see a little of the Smokies and some really touristy spots that I would not want to see again.
The drive in the mountains was beautiful, the scenery was just as awesome, we made it all the way to North Carolina.
Can you believe these pictures were taken with my cell phone ? There is alot of history in these mountains, including the CCC (Citizen Conservation Corps) from the Great Depression days.
The Rocky Top is a good bonspiel, well worth your time and money, and they have unlimited beer ! Did I mention that ?
Click the link at the top of the page or click HERE to jump to the Great Smokey Mountains Curling Club.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
P.I.C. 1st Shot
Another comment from the PIC 2009.......
I had said I was hugely honored to be included in the "1st Shot" at the PIC, Yadranka sent me a couple of pictures of that moment.
Photo by Yadranka Thompson
Those aren't exactly small shot glasses as you can see in my hand, Leigh Armstrong is thinking "Oh my this is going to burn" as she takes a glass.....
Photo by Yadranka Thompson
It was actually quite smoooooth going down, it was cold on the ice, but I felt this nice warm glow on the inside. I had this stupid grin on my face that just got bigger and bigger.
What a great time we had !
I had said I was hugely honored to be included in the "1st Shot" at the PIC, Yadranka sent me a couple of pictures of that moment.
Photo by Yadranka ThompsonThose aren't exactly small shot glasses as you can see in my hand, Leigh Armstrong is thinking "Oh my this is going to burn" as she takes a glass.....
Photo by Yadranka ThompsonIt was actually quite smoooooth going down, it was cold on the ice, but I felt this nice warm glow on the inside. I had this stupid grin on my face that just got bigger and bigger.
What a great time we had !
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Back from the Pacific International Cup
WE are BACK from the Pacific International Cup, hosted by the Richmond Curling Club in beautiful British Columbia.
We won 3 and lost 4, losing all 4 to Canadian Teams and one of our wins was against our friends the Aussies !
So there you go, great time as always, great competition as always, and that's about it - right ?
OH HELL NO !!
CURLING is more than just the actual game, that's why those that curl get so hooked, it's also about the social aspect of the game. Curler's love the social side, and nobody throws a bonspiel or an event like the PIC (Pacific International Cup) quite as well as Canada. The PIC is special, just ask any of the BC teams that had never been before, but now vow to return next year. The PIC is a gigantic celebration of the best of club curling.
We Texans delight in the fact we are allowed to compete and try our skills in the PIC. This year was special for us as we missed getting here last year - AND - for me personally, I was given a huge honor.
During the official opening ceremonies teams march down both sides of the 8 sheet ice, following 2 Piper's and 2 RCMP's, cross and form two lines and then are lead forward by the Piper's and RCMP's to a designated point.
Some speeches given by the founders of the PIC, the Mayor of Richmond, Leigh Armstrong (Canadian Champion), singing of the National Anthem, and so forth. That's when the ceremonial scotch is brought on ice, then Jim Mann steps back to the mike and says he would like one curler to step forward to represent all the International Teams, so would Dan Johnson of Texas please step forward.
Holy Moly...I froze, surprised, and had Andy pushing me saying that's you go on go on...at least that's what I remember.
So I joined them on the platform and joined in with the drinking of the scotch, everyone was shaking my hand, I was HUGELY honored to be included in such a ceremony and my team mates were very excited for me.
It is a major highlight of my very short curling life, if you thought I was possessed with curling before....it's worse now.
Of course once we got off the ice all the guys said HEY....you started drinking without us...you got a head start....and every other silly thing you can think of.
The scotch, BTW, went down smoothly, and made me feel warm and fuzzy afterwards. LOL
Can you believe it ? I wonder what brand of scotch that was ?
The PIC has 20 Men's Teams and 16 Women's Teams, I am possibly exaggerating, but I think the 8 BC Men's and Women's Teams have more play down games to get to the PIC than we have in our entire season.
Right across the street from the Richmond Curling Club is the Vancouver Olympic Oval ! Walking distance, so the PIC was organizing tours of the Oval, giving us all a first hand look, up close and personal, very cool of course and don't plan on parking within even a mile of this Oval during the Winter Olympics. You will be catching a mass transit train instead.
Draws started Wednesday afternoon, Thursday was curling, Opening Ceremonies, curling and that evening was the fan-tab-ulous banquet. Friday was curling, nothing but curling, from 7am to really late PM. We had 5 on our team, me being the eldest. which I took advantage of by announcing I would GLADLY give up my spot on the 7am game. HEY it's seniority - can you blame me ?!
We went looking for breakfast after that 7am game Friday and found this place....
What can I say ? I'm shameless, and seemingly everywhere....hahaha
Saturday was curling followed by CASINO NIGHT ! Or perhaps I should say the CASINO NIGHT PARTY - heavy on the PARTY !! We won 2-3 million $, combined our winnings with another team and were bidding on loot. It was great all the teams were together all in one place everyone having a great time, talking about how organized the PIC was, how they were ABSOLUTELY finding a way to get back here next year.
Speaking of bidding on loot....these two somehow bid and won the lovely frock's they are wearing....altho I am not sure at the time if they even remembered taking this picture - and they sent it to me ?? HA
That's Matt on the left from Australia and an all around good guy and good curler. Nick on the left, my skip, a very good curler and having a great time - OBVIOUSLY !!
There was one other special thing that happened, after the games were stopped and before the bidding on loot began they announced the Sportsmanship Awards. These awards were voted on by the teams, Men for Men and Women for Women. We were selected as the Men's Sportsmanship winner ! Team TEXAS ! I cannot remember the name of the Women's team that won but here we are all together and having a grand time I might add.
Where's John ? Hmmmmmmmm
Ok Here's John, having fun over at the OVAL, all around great guy and excellent curler. I don't know why he is not in the previous picture, but if YADRANKA ever sends me the pictures she took - I know he is in her camera....isn't that right Chester ?
The Pacific International Cup is all about club curlers, it is unique, it is highly organized and the Winners (both from Okanagan) are now headed to the Dominion Club Championship in Toronto in September !
The PIC is special and we love it and plan to return next year.
Cheers and Good Curling !
We won 3 and lost 4, losing all 4 to Canadian Teams and one of our wins was against our friends the Aussies !
So there you go, great time as always, great competition as always, and that's about it - right ?
OH HELL NO !!
CURLING is more than just the actual game, that's why those that curl get so hooked, it's also about the social aspect of the game. Curler's love the social side, and nobody throws a bonspiel or an event like the PIC (Pacific International Cup) quite as well as Canada. The PIC is special, just ask any of the BC teams that had never been before, but now vow to return next year. The PIC is a gigantic celebration of the best of club curling.
We Texans delight in the fact we are allowed to compete and try our skills in the PIC. This year was special for us as we missed getting here last year - AND - for me personally, I was given a huge honor.
During the official opening ceremonies teams march down both sides of the 8 sheet ice, following 2 Piper's and 2 RCMP's, cross and form two lines and then are lead forward by the Piper's and RCMP's to a designated point.
Some speeches given by the founders of the PIC, the Mayor of Richmond, Leigh Armstrong (Canadian Champion), singing of the National Anthem, and so forth. That's when the ceremonial scotch is brought on ice, then Jim Mann steps back to the mike and says he would like one curler to step forward to represent all the International Teams, so would Dan Johnson of Texas please step forward.
Holy Moly...I froze, surprised, and had Andy pushing me saying that's you go on go on...at least that's what I remember.
So I joined them on the platform and joined in with the drinking of the scotch, everyone was shaking my hand, I was HUGELY honored to be included in such a ceremony and my team mates were very excited for me.
It is a major highlight of my very short curling life, if you thought I was possessed with curling before....it's worse now.
Of course once we got off the ice all the guys said HEY....you started drinking without us...you got a head start....and every other silly thing you can think of.
The scotch, BTW, went down smoothly, and made me feel warm and fuzzy afterwards. LOL
Can you believe it ? I wonder what brand of scotch that was ?
The PIC has 20 Men's Teams and 16 Women's Teams, I am possibly exaggerating, but I think the 8 BC Men's and Women's Teams have more play down games to get to the PIC than we have in our entire season.
Right across the street from the Richmond Curling Club is the Vancouver Olympic Oval ! Walking distance, so the PIC was organizing tours of the Oval, giving us all a first hand look, up close and personal, very cool of course and don't plan on parking within even a mile of this Oval during the Winter Olympics. You will be catching a mass transit train instead.
Draws started Wednesday afternoon, Thursday was curling, Opening Ceremonies, curling and that evening was the fan-tab-ulous banquet. Friday was curling, nothing but curling, from 7am to really late PM. We had 5 on our team, me being the eldest. which I took advantage of by announcing I would GLADLY give up my spot on the 7am game. HEY it's seniority - can you blame me ?!
We went looking for breakfast after that 7am game Friday and found this place....
What can I say ? I'm shameless, and seemingly everywhere....hahahaSaturday was curling followed by CASINO NIGHT ! Or perhaps I should say the CASINO NIGHT PARTY - heavy on the PARTY !! We won 2-3 million $, combined our winnings with another team and were bidding on loot. It was great all the teams were together all in one place everyone having a great time, talking about how organized the PIC was, how they were ABSOLUTELY finding a way to get back here next year.
Speaking of bidding on loot....these two somehow bid and won the lovely frock's they are wearing....altho I am not sure at the time if they even remembered taking this picture - and they sent it to me ?? HA
That's Matt on the left from Australia and an all around good guy and good curler. Nick on the left, my skip, a very good curler and having a great time - OBVIOUSLY !!There was one other special thing that happened, after the games were stopped and before the bidding on loot began they announced the Sportsmanship Awards. These awards were voted on by the teams, Men for Men and Women for Women. We were selected as the Men's Sportsmanship winner ! Team TEXAS ! I cannot remember the name of the Women's team that won but here we are all together and having a grand time I might add.
Where's John ? Hmmmmmmmm
Ok Here's John, having fun over at the OVAL, all around great guy and excellent curler. I don't know why he is not in the previous picture, but if YADRANKA ever sends me the pictures she took - I know he is in her camera....isn't that right Chester ?
The Pacific International Cup is all about club curlers, it is unique, it is highly organized and the Winners (both from Okanagan) are now headed to the Dominion Club Championship in Toronto in September !
The PIC is special and we love it and plan to return next year.
Cheers and Good Curling !
Two Bonspiels
Actually we are back from the Pacific International Cup in Vancouver BC....
While I wait on some pictures and get my thoughts together...
Here are a couple of spiels I picked up while in Vancouver...
We had a great time...
We actually played a group of guys from Kerry Park Curling Club, but we got the bonspiel info from some ladies from Kerry Park. It's a long ways to go if you live in Texas, but combine it with some vacation time and see Victoria, maybe some Orca's, maybe some golf....I'd love to go, perhaps next year.
We ran into some friends up from Chicago, I do believe we have been to this spiel before, great competition, free beer and free food all weekend....and as I recall they DID NOT run out of beer....this is in October, check it out....a really great time.
While I wait on some pictures and get my thoughts together...
Here are a couple of spiels I picked up while in Vancouver...
We had a great time...
We actually played a group of guys from Kerry Park Curling Club, but we got the bonspiel info from some ladies from Kerry Park. It's a long ways to go if you live in Texas, but combine it with some vacation time and see Victoria, maybe some Orca's, maybe some golf....I'd love to go, perhaps next year.
We ran into some friends up from Chicago, I do believe we have been to this spiel before, great competition, free beer and free food all weekend....and as I recall they DID NOT run out of beer....this is in October, check it out....a really great time.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
DFW Club Champions
Yeah that's right we WON the whole EN-CHI-LADA !
And we played terrible for the first half of the season. What a struggle !
We frequently only had one sweeper, altho there were times when we could let John hold the broom and have 2 sweeps, he had to be careful with the wheelchair and not knock any rocks around getting out of the way.
That's Nick on the left, Judy, John in the wheelchair, me (should have combed my hair) and Judy's son Ethan.
When Ethan could play we had him helping out with sweeping chores, he's getting pretty good, and sweeping a full length sheet not a half sheet like in little rocks.
Very nice win for us, we found our groove about halfway thru the season and in the playoff's....color us HAPPY !!
We get a trophy we call the Cardy Cup, get our names engraved on it and then get to each keep it about a month before handing it back in October or November. Sort of like the Stanley Cup.....we had one guy take it to his pool, photograph it with his dog, at a picnic etc etc...pretty funny stuff.
These are the guys and gal we played in the Final, Janet on the left, David, Cec and John.
We added a new trophy called the Presidents Cup, for the Team with the Best Overall Record. This group was very hard to beat, always on broom on weight a really good team.
Stephen on the left, Todd, Don and Leni.
The date on all these pictures is off by 1 month...should be 3/22/09
And we played terrible for the first half of the season. What a struggle !
We frequently only had one sweeper, altho there were times when we could let John hold the broom and have 2 sweeps, he had to be careful with the wheelchair and not knock any rocks around getting out of the way.
That's Nick on the left, Judy, John in the wheelchair, me (should have combed my hair) and Judy's son Ethan.
When Ethan could play we had him helping out with sweeping chores, he's getting pretty good, and sweeping a full length sheet not a half sheet like in little rocks.
Very nice win for us, we found our groove about halfway thru the season and in the playoff's....color us HAPPY !!
We get a trophy we call the Cardy Cup, get our names engraved on it and then get to each keep it about a month before handing it back in October or November. Sort of like the Stanley Cup.....we had one guy take it to his pool, photograph it with his dog, at a picnic etc etc...pretty funny stuff.
These are the guys and gal we played in the Final, Janet on the left, David, Cec and John.
We added a new trophy called the Presidents Cup, for the Team with the Best Overall Record. This group was very hard to beat, always on broom on weight a really good team.
Stephen on the left, Todd, Don and Leni.
The date on all these pictures is off by 1 month...should be 3/22/09
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