"On the Button" - Now By Sandy Eastlake (as featured in the Napanee Beaver) 

The closing Martin & Walters had 20 teams ending this season with a fun filled day of curling, eating, curling and eating. Starting with morning snacks, followed by lunch, snacks (yes again) and ending with a 4 table pot luck. Thanks to Sandi McNamee and her helpers Eleanor Ramshaw, Bernice Pringle, Joanne Wright (daughter Allison), myself, and Sharon VanGent who coordinated the pot luck supper. These ladies were assisted by many of our curlers also. Keeping everybody’s glass topped up was Tom Ayling, Barry Brummel, Maui, Eleanor Ramshaw, Beau & Gail Maracle, Bill Ryan, Ken Clancey and Elaine Badgley. The winning team of Tom Ayling, Shirley MacDonald, Cindy Crowson and Jim Wood thanked all the organizers but especially Don Currier for terrific ice to curl on. Ayling also thanked those dreaded little pieces of paper of which ensured his win. The Button High winner was Marc & Vicki Babcock, Lucille McDonald, Bob Deline followed closely by runner up Don & Jane Pearson, Darryl & Lana Latimer. The annual Turkey toss organized by our Junior Director Dave Travers with helpers Brenda Travers, Steve Eastlake and the Rick Guthrie team was won by Don Pearson and I won the Ham. We both donated our winnings back to the Juniors who ended up with another $50 in their kitty. I have been told that all had a great time and my head confirmed this on Sunday.

The General Meeting held Sunday to finalize business for the season was well attended and your Directors have a few new business items to attend to over the summer. Your Directors thank you for your caring about the daily operation of this, your curling club.

Last week I promised you the rest of the league’s winners so starting with Monday Mens we have A-Don Currier, Kirk Donald, Al Thompson, Rome Dorval; B- John Deman, Ted Davie, Paul Spooner, Barton MacLean; C-Phil Wilson, Cam McFadyen, Tom Shillington, Chris McTaggart. The Wednesday Senior Mens winner was Chris Ramshaw, Kees VanGent, Ron Reynolds, Wayne Chadwick followed by the Thursday Mens Daryl Latimer, Paul McDonald, Jim Emmons, Terry Bawn. The Tuesday Mixed showed Robert & Jane Hough, Laurie VanStraalen, Jack Green making it to the winners circle and the Friday Mixed had Ken & Beth Clancey, Daryl & Lana Latimer followed closely by Rebecca & Paul Murphy, Laurie Bradshaw, John Taylor and Don & Debbie Currier, Hugh & Liz Goldie.

Wednesday night ladies winner was Gayle Johnson, Kelly Roantree, Phyllis Babe, Linda Veley and the Thursday ladies was won by Jane Hough, Susi Reinink, Bernice Pringle with a spare. The ever popular Up & At’Em winners were in last weeks article.

Before saying adios for this 2009/2010 curling season I want to thank The Napanee Beaver for allowing us to have space in the paper for this article and I again thank Ted Davie for all his many articles keeping you informed on club happenings.

See you all at the Banquet Friday, April 23^rd. Tickets are still available so call Sandi McNamee 354-2414. Have a great summer and see you in the fall; boy I hate that sentence as now I know for sure that the season is over. SOB!

LITTLE ROCKERS COME 5^TH IN ZONE COMPETITION

Volunteers at the Napanee & District Curling Club have again this season ensured the success of all our bonspiels and they have been thanked in previous articles. Our club rentals are also very important and we keep organizations returning year after year because of our Smart Serve volunteers who step forward most weekends during the season. These same Smart Serve persons step forward each day of the week to ensure the bar is manned and all can get their opposition a drink after a tense, close game. Beau Maracle and his February Bar Captain Barry Brummel thank Bill Ryan, Al Thompson, Cindy Crowson, Ed File, Andy Graham, Eleanor Ramshaw, Kees VanGent, Dennis Snider, Jim Mullin for their assistance at these rental events.

The bar is only one area of need followed closely by the kitchen, bonspiel committees, Director committees, Maintenance assistants, Ice crews, Robert Hough who makes sure we have somewhere to sit, Earle Bush who ensures the club is never full of all that dreaded recycle, and the list goes on and on. The success of your club depends on all 264 of you stepping forward and giving a few hours of your time and I thank you. The vast number of “little check marks’ on the Volunteer Chart in the foyer shows all how many persons it takes to complete all these necessary duties. If for some reason you have not been able to assist much and you have some hours prior to the Banquet there will soon be a sign up sheet at the club for you to help us make this seasons’ banquet great fun and a happy way to end the season. The more who sign up to set up or clean up means less working hours for just a few.

Paul Dickson, Don Currier, Mark Dunham and Darrell Pritchard lost in an extra end at the Colts Regional last weekend. That must have been some terrific curling, nice try guys!!

Dave Travers once again took one of our junior little rock teams to enter the Zone 4 Playdown for the Little Rock Championship held at the Trenton Curling Club 7 March 2010. The team consisted of Maclean Marlin, Kyle Hartin, Cody Milligan and Logan Kennelly. The boys played two really good games finishing 5th and receiving a medallion each for their effort. They really looked professional in their new NDCC Junior jackets provided by the club. To all you juniors, keep up the good work and naturally good curling; congratulations.

Come to the club Saturday and see some terrific shot making as all participants try to win the trophy at this years Ford Hot Shot Competition; then sign up for the Martin and Walters closing funspiel open to members, family and friends being held March 27^th. Then attend the closing General Meeting Sunday, March 28^th at 1 pm.

Banquet tickets being co-ordinated by Sandi McNamee are now available thru Sandi McNamee, Bill Hogg, Sandy Eastlake/Shirley Bush, Ingeborg Donald, Gayle Johnson, Debbie Currier and Cindy Woodcock. Phil and Cindy are also looking for crews to set up and clean up the banquet, April 23^rd. Cocktails at 6 pm, dinner at 7 pm and dancing at 8 pm. What a way to end another great season - plus, as an added thank you for the successful 2010 Ontario Men’s Curling Championship - we are leaving the cost at $20 per person this year even with the rising cost of food and music.

NAPANEE JUNIOR CURLS WITH THE GOLDEN GAELS

Queen's University Golden Gaels Skip Jon Beuk,  Third Andrew Inouye, Second Chadd Vandermade, Lead Scott Chadwick Alternate Andrew Minty are curling in the 2010 CIS/CCA UNIVERSITY CURLING CHAMPIONSHIP being held this year in Edmonton, Alberta March 10-14^th.

This goes to show that our terrific Junior program can and will pay off for any of our juniors in future years to come. Good luck and good curling Scott.

Meanwhile, Dave Travers and Mark Dunham took two little rock teams to Trenton for the Moospiel. One team came first in C and the other was runner up in the D event. Congratulations to Marlin MacLean, Kyle Hartin, Cody Milligan, Logan Kennelly and Austin Dunham, Isaia Dunham, Victoria Yeamans, Chellea Webber.

            On the other side of the coin our Grandmaster (over 70) team of Walter Genereux, Ed File, Paul Spooner, Andy Graham won our zone playdowns and are off to the Provincials at the Thornhill CC March 26-27^th. This was a 5 team double knockout with two club rinks, a Tweed team (who also advances to the Provincials due to an injury), Belleville, and the Loonie Club. Great curling gentlemen.

            The Highland Lassie convened by Heather Ramshaw and assisted by Christine Ramshaw, Eleanor Ramshaw, Liz Graham plus Drawmaster: Andy Graham thanked all for making this another successful bonspiel at the NDCC. The winning team of Janet Fowlow from RKCC thanked Eleanor Ramshaw for breakfast, Sandi McNamee and her helpers Helen Brown, Marg Martin, Norma Jackemeck, Joanne Fenwich, Heather Baker for a delicious lunch, especially the amazing sherry bisque, and Sharon VanGent with Doug & Heather Baker, Merv & Anne Connery, Darrell & Connie Pritchard, Doug Alkenbrack, Kees VanGent for a delicious stuffed chicken supper. The second place team of Donna Poirier from RKCC/NDCC skipped by Gayle Johnson thanked all the bar staff Tom Ayling, Brian Hobin, Jack McNamee, Jack Barker, Paul Murphy, Brian Woodcock and then continued to thank Frank Dunham, Steve Eastlake, Rick Siegner for terrific ice to curl on. Heather then thanked the Piper, Connor Lamont and Marj Pearce for the opening ceremonies and the sponsors Marj Pearce, Playground Licensed Childcare Centre (Christine Ramshaw), Shelley Alkenbrack for their kind donations which ensure the prize table at this event is always the best. She further thanked those who donated raffle prizes; Marj Pearce, Christine Ramshaw, Eleanor Ramshaw, Sandy Eastlake, Vivian Moore, Sally Lambert, Liz Graham, Shirley Bush, Joan Reynolds and Jody Allum. Congratulations, Heather for another fun filled bonspiel at the Club.

 The season is not over yet. Sign up and mark your calendar for the Pringle Ford Hot Shot Competition Saturday, March 13^th – call Christine 354-1511, the closing Martin & Walters Saturday, 27^th March – call myself 354-7138 and the Annual General Meeting Sunday, March 28^th at 1 pm. Your agenda has been emailed to you or is available at the club. See, still lots of events to  come at the Napanee & District Curling Club.   

NAPANEE CURLERS STILL KEEPING THE CLUB IN THE NEWS

Most leagues are now starting their last draw – where did the season go. Congratulations to the 2^nd draw winners and second place teams. Tuesday Up&At’Em winner was  Walter Genereux, Bill Ryan, Shirley MacDonald, Diane Noltiing with runner up Jean Morrison, Paul Spooner, Gerry McCracken, Peter Wilkie. These two teams only won by a margin as four other teams were closely on their tail with 4 wins out of 6 games. The Tuesday Mixed co-winners are Marc & Vicki Babcock, Jaan Lees, Danielle Brisban tied with Kirk & Ingeborg Donald, Andy & Liz Graham followed by another tie in runner up Bill & Sandy Casselman, Laurie VanStraalen, Lana Latimer and Jim & Peggy Sunstrum, Bill & Gail Spencer. Obviously the teams in this league are evenly matched to end the draw with two sets of ties. The Wednesday Ladies league winner is Louise VanHeighten, Elaine Badgley, Phyllis Babe, Jane AllenCortes with runner up Gayle Johnson, Karen Mills, Cindy Crowson. Friday Mixed showed Steve Angel, Tom Ayling, Linda Veley, Cyndie Beleveau coming first followed closely by Doug & Shelley Alkenbrack, Jim Head, Ellyn McEwen / Ken & Beth Clancey, Daryl & Lana Latimer.

The annual Town & Country bonspiel last Wednesday convened by Jack McNamee with helpers Hugh Sharpe, Robert Hough and drawmasters Cor Vandenberg and Bob Cawley added another notch in the clubs history of successful events. The winning team of Tom Hayes, Noel Heron (skip), Daryl Heron and Mike Salmon thanked Jack but especially thanked Sandi McNamee and her helpers Shelley Alkenbrack, Liz Griffith, Cathy Palmer, Gail Spencer for a delicious prime rib lunch with carvers Hugh Sharpe and John Deman. Tom continued to thank the bar staff Cindy Crowson, Michele Penner, Jennifer Clarkson, Ed File and Captain Barry Brummell. Frank Dunham and Don Currier provided excellent ice (as usual). Jack ended by thanking all the 16 teams for participating and asked for a round of applause to the sponsors: Home Hardware, Moore Bros, O’Neill Farm Supplies.

            As promised,  Napanee is still in the news. The team of Gayle Johnson, Louise VanHeighten, Cindy Woodcock, Lana Latimer won the “Queen of the Castle’ bonspiel in Picton - congratulations ladies.  Meanwhile Andy Palmer, Cathy Palmer, Darrell Scott, Cheryl French represented Napanee in the OCA Senior Mixed last weekend but did not advance and then Paul Dickson, Gayle Johnson, Don Currier, Louise VanHeighten stood up for Napanee in the Mixed OCA but also did not advance. Good try to both teams and thanks for representing the club.

            The Highland Lassie is this Saturday so come to the club to see some great ladies curling. We have teams from all over the area participating.

            Saturday, March 13^th is our annual Ford Hot Shots Competition. With the kind sponsorship of Pringle Ford we are hoping for a full roster of men and women. This is a fun day with lunch and prizes. Divisions are made by what position you normally play so Skips will throw against Skips, Vices against Vices, Seconds against Seconds and Leads against Leads. This competition is for all to come out and try your luck and/or natural skill of throwing a rock. Watch for the sign up sheet soon to be posted on the clubs’ bulletin board. Check it out www.fordhotshots.curling.ca  just register free and play

Wow, a week of curling has passed since the finals of the 2010 Men’s Curling Championship and I have seen some terrific shot making; I guess a lot of us did take lessons.

First of all I want to thank Ted Davie for his dedication in ensuring the Clubs’ article was included in each and every week’s edition during the curling season and I would be remiss to not thank The Beaver for allowing this article to happen. Ted, good luck with your new endeavour - see you around the club and who knows I am probably curling against you next Tuesday AM .

Publicity about the club has been over welming and is not over yet. The team of Paul Dickson, Don Currier, Mark Dunham and Darrell Pritchard won our Colts Zone playdown and will be representing us at the Regionals in Gananoque March 6^th and 7^th.  Good luck and good curling. A couple of other teams are curling in other Zone playdowns this coming up weekend and we all wish you luck too.

The Monday Night Men’s is now in their third and final draw with the second draw winners being A – Don Currier, Kirk Donald, Al Thompson, Rome Dorval with runner up Paul Dickson, Steve Angel, Darryl Latimer, Darrell Pritchard topping Bill Hogg’s team by a couple of ends only. B – Chris Ramshaw, Ron Graham, Bill Spencer, Jim Mullins with runner up Walter Genereux, Ken Healy, Phil St.Jean, John Lees. C- Andy Palmer, Stephen Paul, Jim Emmons, Gord Mitchell with runner up Braden Scott, Darrell Scott, John French, Chris Goody. Congratulations to all of you.

Still to come around the club is the Highland Lassie Saturday 27^th of February. The bonspiel is full but Heather Ramshaw is looking for helpers during the day and also a nice gift for the raffle table would be nice. The Ford Hot Shots is next on Saturday March 13^th so watch for a sign up sheet;  followed by the closing Martin & Walters, but I will not go there yet as I am still very into curling --- not having if over

As the Volunteer CoOrdinator of the Tankard I want to remind all the volunteers to attend our Thank You Wine & Cheese, Saturday 20^th from 1 to 3 pm at the Strathcona Paper Centre.

                The Tankard has left the building!  I’m thinking it is already on its way to the engraving shop to put Glen Howard, and the names of his teammates, on the trophy, again, the fifth year in a row.  They deserve a loud CONGRATULATIONS for their achievements and now go on to represent Ontario in the Canadian curling playdowns.  The curling was incredibly good all week.  The eleven teams were quite well matched so that any one team was capable of beating any other team on any day depending on their consistency.  Howard won all his games but was seriously challenged several times, including the final against team Cochrane.  The Howard team will be excellent ambassadors for the province at the Brier in Halifax in March.

                When Glen Howard made his acceptance speech, he said that the attendance at this Tankard was the best he had experienced. All went very well and an event Napanee can be very proud to have hosted.  Much credit has to go to the 2010 Tankard Host Committee chaired by Stephen Paul.  His father, Robert Paul, was the Sponsorship Chair assisted by Patti Sharpe and Karen Mills; Chris Ramshaw was the Social Chair supported by his wife Eleanor, and daughters Christine and Heather; Joe Jackemeck was the Advisor/Media Relations Chair; Steve Eastlake was the Ice Chair assisted by our two ice makers: Frank Dunham and Don Currier; Paul Murphy was the Finance Chair supported by his wife Rebecca;  Rob Plumley was the Game Operations Chair assisted by Andy Palmer looking after the timekeepers/scorers and Bill Casselman responsible for the team hosting; Kevin Hill, the Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture Dept, was the Facilities Chair assisted by his staff members: Vicki Hallam and Janet Uens;  John Deman was the Logistics Chair assisted for the many facets by Ron Graham and Phil Berry for security and Phil Wilson for communications;  and Sandy Eastlake was the Secretary and Volunteer Coordinator of the nearly 200 volunteers required to cover all the areas of responsibility.  As one of the many volunteers, I can attest to a very well run event supported by comments from Howard and many other out-of-town visitors. To all those who contributed time and talent, and especially those committee members, thank you, thank you!  To the many volunteers who came out every day, thanks for supporting the Tankard event.

                Meanwhile, back at the Club, curling will never be the same for most Napanee curlers.  Overwhelmed by the beautiful, smooth, consistent deliveries and the amazing broom and weight control witnessed this week, most of us have seen the many areas where we can improve and have seen firsthand, every day, what is possible if you get it right – and practice enough.  It is going to be a tough week dealing with reality at the NDCC.

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Well, it is here!  The Tankard curling event finally arrived and the Town is a abuzz.   The OCA and the ice makers from the Club did a wonderful job transforming the Strathcona Paper Centre, on the Goodyear side, from a hockey rink to five beautiful curling sheets in the short period from Wednesday midnight to Sunday noon.  It is magic just to see, without the best provincial curlers even on the ice.  Then they arrive!  Seeing them warm up by sliding half way down the sheet and throwing a few rocks each to get a feel for the keenness and curl of the ice is a thrill too!  They make it look sooo easy.  Then the curling begins.  Every team in the competition is worthy of you taking the time to see a game or two.  It will never get closer!  Get out there, the stands have lots of room for you.

It appears all is well as all the planning for the event has come together nicely and everyone seems content.  The curlers are very happy with the ice and apparently they have been overwhelmed by the hospitality.   The many volunteers can be seen in their ‘volunteer black and red jackets’ performing many tasks: timers and scorers at the end of  each sheet for every game; the busy ice helpers cleaning, scraping, pebbling, placing the bumper pads and arranging the rocks; the cooks preparing the meals for sale and all the food supplied to the curlers; all the helpers in the Ice Hut gathering dirty dishes and empty bottles, squaring off the area and cleaning tables and floors; the security teams checking the tickets and watching the various areas that need supervision/control and doing taste checks on the Horton boxes; manning the tables at the front entrance giving directions and information to all who ask; selling 50/50 tickets all day, every day; hosting each curling team and assisting them when necessary like eating their sandwiches; parading the curlers on for each draw; and the list goes on. 

The organizing committee deserve much credit for making this truly a memorable event for Greater Napanee.  Congratulations!  The local hosts who accepted the challenge of running the event (Napanee and District Curling Club, Napanee Sports Foundation and the Ontario Curling Association in partnership with the Town of Greater Napanee) are still busy making sure everything runs as expected.    Whereas the Dominion Insurance is the Tankard sponsor, our local sponsors deserve much credit for supporting this  rather large undertaking for a Town our size: Premier sponsors: Century 21 Lanthorne Real Estate Ltd, BMO, Lafarge Canada, and Waste Management; Gold sponsors: CKWS, My FM, Napanee Guide, Kingston Whig Standard and Belleville Intelligencer, Prince Edward and Lennox Addington Community Future Development Corp, and Cogeco; Community sponsors: Geo A Grant Insurance, Hampton Inn, Hart N’ Hart, M&M, Snappy Print, Jet Ice, Shoeless Joe’s and Gay Lee.  Please support them.

They have scheduled great entertainment daily/nightly at the Ice Hut. The main event takes place following the evening curling at 9:30 pm.  The bar stays open until 1:30 am and they are having a fun time there every night.  If you have not been there yet, get off your behind before you miss it all.  For more details see the Tankard website at www.2010tankard.com.

By the way, the actual Tankard (trophy) is in the building.

                The Tankard week is fast approaching and there are some neat side events being planned, besides the Ice Hut!  For example, the committee has invited about 400 local school children to attend a two hour free curling seminar and watch the morning game at the Strathcona Paper Centre on Wednesday morning of February 3^rd, with no admission fee.  This is a great idea to introduce these kids to the game of curling and for them to see, close and personal, the best curlers in the province competing.

                A local team of Frank Dunham, Hugh Sharpe, Jack McNamee and Kees VanGent went to Campellford on the weekend for the Master Seniors Bonspiel (that’s as old as it gets) and won their flight.  They had won the bonspiel last year and are awaiting word on their finish this year.  Well done (for your age!).

                Curling is continuing this week at the Club but I daresay most of the time and effort is being allocated to next week and the Tankard.  Our ice making volunteers start on Wednesday converting the Strathcona Centre hockey ice to curling ice for the event.  As mentioned last week, their results will be tested by the Fun Spiel for volunteers starting at noon with three groups of forty curlers participating.  I think I heard that Pringle’s Ford, or was that Boyer’s, were considering something new and shiny for the big prize.  And whether you are a curler, a tv curling fan or an ice fisherman, you do not want to miss all the shenanigans scheduled for the Ice Hut during the week.  So, come out, see our best provincial curlers in action and enjoy some of that home grown, warm Napanee hospitality.   See you at the Ice Hut!

          I think I see signs of the after holiday blues at the Club.  You know, everyone feeling lethargic, bloated from too much holiday food and not enough exercise, wishing they were someplace warm for a week or two, wondering why their curling hadn’t improved after the long layoff…  It’s easy to feel sorry for oneself until you look at the images coming out of Haiti.  We have so much for which we should be thankful, besides curling.

            Meanwhile, back at curling, there were several bonspiels in the area last weekend.  Reports received include the Andy Palmer rink of his wife Cathy with Jane and Robert Hough placing runner-up in the “A” event at the Cataraqui Annual Mixed.  Phil Wilson took his rink of Ken Healy, Ray Vesey and Tom Shillington to Picton for the Sportsman and was runner-up in the third event.

            Great fun was had at the Club last Saturday during the annual Mixed Open Bonspiel.  The weekend event was modified to a one day ‘spiel because of fewer entries.  However, they demonstrated again that size does not matter as everyone still had a great time.  The event was organized by Rebecca Murphy assisted by her committee members: Jane Pearson, Lana Latimer, Cindy Woodcock, Beth Clancey and Louise VanHeighten.  Michele Penner and her team in the kitchen of Lucille McDonald, Bob Deline, Rick Guthrie and Marg Palemeka contributed to the bonspiel theme by serving delicious Mexican food.  The excellent dinner was catered by Krysta Huyck.   Winners were Scott Buckley and his team from the Royal Kingston CC: Kim Dickson, Dan Boers and Heather Ramshaw.  The runner-up was Napanee’s Ken Clancey with Louise VanHeighten, Daryl Latimer and Beth Clancey.  The bar was ably handled by Tom Ayling, Linda Veley, Peggy and Jim Sunstrum, Jordan and Dave VanVlack with special margueritas by Brian Wookcock, apparently one after another, after another, after another. Thanks to drawmaster Hugh Sharpe and ice assistants Mark Dunham and Rick Seigner helping Don and Frank.

            Yes, there is curling going on at our Club as usual but most curlers have their minds on the Tankard week and the various events already scheduled.   The first event, named Olympic Day by the organizing committee, starts on Sunday, January 31^st, when forty of the Tankard volunteers take part in a Funspiel on the new ice at the Strathcona, using Tankard rocks.  This will also be a test of the new ice and allow the icemakers a chance to observe the results of their icemaking before the real competition begins.   The draw starts at noon with each team curling four ends and continues with new volunteers curling at 1 pm and again at 2 pm.  Sandy Eastlake is coordinating the Funspiel and has posted the names for the teams at the Club.  Obviously, not all volunteers are able to curl in the Funspiel but Sandy has a list of “stand-by” curlers ready to participate should any of the original curlers have to cancel out.

            The Ice Hut, at the Strathcona Paper Centre, will be open to the public from 3 pm to 9:30 pm on Sunday and will host a fun-filled programme of ‘Olympic Events’ coordinated by Chris Ramshaw. A reminder to all that the Ice Hut events are open to the public and will include games, trivia, dancing and food.  And, those at the Strathcona will be able to watch the Tankard teams practice from 5:30 to 8:30 pm.  The popular group “On Tap” will entertain in the Ice Hut from 6:30 – 9:30 pm.  So, get in the Tankard mood by coming out to the Ice Hut on Sunday and enjoy some fun and games with curling on and off the ice, a hockey shoot out, cross country skiing and more - and you might even win a gold medal before the Olympic games begin.  See you at the Ice Hut.

Here we are, another week closer to the Tankard and there is a buzz in the air.  General ideas are reaching fruition through detailed planning and meetings.  Napanee is about to be over-run by curlers from near and afar interested in seeing close-up our provincial Brier hopefuls competing to represent Ontario.  This is curling history so don’t be guilty of not watching when it is being staged right here in Napanee where you could see for yourself how exciting professional curling can be and the physical requirements for those competing at that level.  Get your tickets before they are all sold out!

We had some late reports in of other first session league results.  The Thursday Mixed winners were Robert & Jane Hough, Susi Reinink and Dan McGrath and the runners up were Jim & Peggy Sunstrum, Lana Latimer and Andrew VanVlack.  In the Thursday Men’s, the winners were Marc Babcock, Bill Ryan, Kirk Donald and Dennis Snider and the runners up were  Brian Chadwick, Steve Eastlake, Al Thompson and Bill Creighton.  Congratulations to all.

The 17^th annual “Deacon’s Bench” Senior Men’s Bonspiel was held on Saturday with sixteen teams squaring off three times during the day.  The Napanee teams did very well this year with the trophy going to Andy Palmer’s rink of Bill Hogg, Dave Travers and Gord Mitchell and the other three game winner being another Napanee rink of Brian Chadwick, Steve Eastlake, Frank Banks and Phil Berry.  The two game winner, also from Napanee, was Robert Paul with Ken Clancey, Robert Hough and Jack McNamee.  The runner up was the Tony Bush team from the RKCC including Reg Gore, Bruce Dowling and Dave Finn followed by the Joe Jackemeck rink including Frank Dunham, Kees VanGent and Hugh Sharpe. The one game winner was Walter Genereux and his team of Ken Healy, David VanVlack and Barry Brummel.

Our thanks to the bonspiel sponsors: Quinn’s Meats and the Briar Fox Golf and Country Club.  All winners went home with packages of steaks.  Shirley Bush looked after early morning coffee and buns for the first draw.  A great soup and sausage lunch was organized by Marilyn Cole assisted by Helen Brown, Lorraine Wilson, Joan Banks, Doug and Joyce Meredith. The prime beef dinner organized by Elizabeth Vandenberg with help from Diane Davie, Joan Reynolds, Sue Sharpe, Gloria Cawley and Barb Graham was absolutely delicious with Hugh Sharpe wielding his big knife, again.  Bar Captain David VanVlack was assisted by Bartenders Doug Baker and Gerald McCracken.  High Sharpe was the drawmaster assisted by Bob Cawley and Cor Vandenberg.  Thanks to Don Currier and Frank Dunham for excellent ice.  All in all, it was another success with local rinks doing very well at the steak table.  Thanks to all the volunteers.

This is the last reminder that on January 16 will be the annual Mixed Bonspiel.  For last minute entries to the Mixed ‘spiel call Rebecca at 354-5445.

            Welcome to all the new curlers who have joined our club for the remainder of the season.  We hope this is just the beginning of a wonderful, long relationship.  We hope you will have fun in our club but whether or not you win the Provincials or the Brier/Scott’s in time - is now up to you.

            All volunteers for the Tankard received a letter from Stephen Paul, Chair of the 2010 Host Committee, this week outlining what is expected from volunteers and explaining when and where to pick up their accreditation, what the pass means and restrictions, expected dress when on duty, parking areas, check –in policy coming on duty and general responsibilities as ambassadors throughout the week.  If you didn’t get your copy, you should ask and make sure you have one.

 A reminder that the Club will be closed for the duration of the Tankard 31 Jan to 7 Feb.   Hope you are all practising for the Ice Hut activities.     

            Well, after much celebrated merriment, 2010 finally arrived and as we all staggered down to the Club, weighed down by too much turkey and good cheer, we were immediately uplifted by the sight of beautiful, new, clean ice.  This very pleasant new year experience was the result of all the hard work done over the holiday period by our ice technicians and their volunteer helpers.  Everyone is filled with gratitude and thankfulness.  Then, we had our chance to curl and it even got better!  The new improved keenness of the ice is wonderful and so helpful to us older members who are having increasing difficulties drumming up ‘normal’ take out weight.  We will soon run out of excuses for missed shots!  Many, many thanks to Frank and Don all those involved.

            The year end was also the end of the first draw in several curling leagues and we recognize the various league winners.  In the Wednesday Senior Men’s League the winner was Joe Jackemack and his team of Ken Healy, Bill Anderson and Cor Vandenberg.  The runner-up was Bill Hogg and his team of Murray Halliday, Gerry McCracken and Larry McNeil.  In the Tuesday Up&At'Em League the winners were Frank Banks, Murray Halliday, Pat Keech Stevens and Joanne Kellogg.  The runners-up were Ed File, Bill Ryan, Gail Spencer and Liz Griffiths.  The first draw of the Thursday Ladies had co-winners: Jane Hough’s rink of Jo Sutton, Joan Banks and Joanne Wright and Cathy Palmer’s rink of Sue Sharpe, Marilyn Cole and Joan Reynolds.  The runners-up were Benita Murphy, Liz Graham, Heather Baker and Liz Goldie.  Congratulations to all winners in the first draw.

             The 17^th annual “Deacon’s Bench” Senior Men’s Bonspiel will be held in Napanee this Saturday, 09 January.   The sixteen teams have been signed up for some time and the local competition, just to enter the bonspiel, required playoffs and we aren’t sure if that is because of the Saturday evening menu or the new, improved ice but everyone wants to play in Walter Genereux’s bonspiel, again!

            A reminder of the 2010 Mixed Open Bonspiel being held on January 16^th.  Last I heard, there is still room for more rinks.  This is an event you do not want to miss if you are looking for curling and lots of fun.  The Mexican theme this year has got to be good for some laughs and many neat costumes with curlers using those trinkets and hats left over from their last trip south of the Rio Grande. For more information and entry forms see the club website www.ndcc.ca

            Time is running out for those procrastinating over tickets to see the Tankard – as are the tickets- so get down to the Strathcona Centre or go online to get your tickets now before it is too late.  Detailed plans for the event are taking shape and will be announced soon.

            The Club offers a hearty welcome to all our new curlers and those returning after some absence.  You have taken a significant step towards making 2010 a happier year.  Finally, a special thank you to our instructors who conducted the curling clinics on Sunday, 03 January: Andy Palmer for the Skip’s Skool, Ian Munro for the new curler clinic and John Deman and Beau Maracle for doing the refresher clinic.  We all probably should have been there.  See you at the “Ice Hut”.

            I suppose it wasn’t all bad news when the Kevin Martin team beat the Glen Howard team in Edmonton on Sunday for the right to represent Canada at the Olympics in February.  Now we can all look forward to seeing the Howard team in Napanee at the Tankard playoffs in February.  By the way, if you haven’t already got your tickets to attend some of those games that week, I suggest you do not put off your purchase much longer as the ticket sales are already well over the 12,000 mark and with the full page adds in the newspapers opportunities to attend may disappear soon.

            The Tuesday Up & At’Em league wound up this week with the following results: first by Frank Banks and his team of Murray Halliday, Pat Keach-Stevens and Joanne Kellogg with eight wins and a tie; second by Ed File and his team of Bill Ryan, Gail Spencer and Liz Griffiths.  All enjoyed a great pot-luck feast after Tuesday’s draw.

            All members are reminded that the Club will be closed for ice maintenance from 24 December to 02 January.  Clinics are now organized for 03 January: new curlers, refresher training and a Skip’s course.  Participants encouraged are to be at the Club ready to curl at 1 pm.

            It is not too late, although it is getting close, to join our club and get curling in the next session.  Dues are pro-rated considering the curling time remaining in the season so, don’t delay, call Sandy at 354-7138.  Guys, give your wife/girlfriend a special gift this Christmas by paying her fees for the rest of the season and let her get out and have fun.  Or, ladies, if you want to get your man out of the house, sign him up for curling and you may never see him parked in front of the television again.

            A Napanee team of Frank Dunham, Kees VanGent, Hugh Sharpe and Merv Connery had a unique experience this week when they were one of four teams invited to the annual Looney Bonspiel.  The Looney Curling Club is the one sheet rink at Chaffey’s Locks.  The other rinks were from Cataraqui, Smith Falls and the Looney and the Napanee team won the ‘spiel. If you really love curling and happen to win the lottery, you too can have your own curling rink right beside your garage!

            The first club bonspiel in the new year will be the Senior Men’s on 09 January.  The draw has been posted so good luck to our older member participants.  If you think you are too old to curl, come out and watch the Seniors and you will realize just how old one can be and still curl.  Sticks and the replacement of knees and hips have extended our curling time by at least ten years.

            On January 24^th there will be a Ladies In-Club Bonspiel and the annual Mixed Bonspiel is scheduled for 15-17 January.  The social side of the Mixed is something you don’t want to miss.  The dress theme this year is Mexican Fiesta.  Call Rebecca now at 354-5445 to enter or check our website www.ndcc.ca

            The Club will be closed from 30 January to 07 February while all the curlers volunteer at the 2010 Ontario Men’s Curling Championship.

            The Board of Directors, all curlers and club volunteers wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a new year filled with hope, health, happiness and lots of curling.  See you at the rink in 2010.  Happy New Year!

The first draw of curling in most leagues is nearing completion prior to the holiday break. Curlers in all leagues are putting their best game(s) together hoping to have their names engraved forever on one of the coveted trophies. League Directors are posting sign-up sheets for the second draw so remember to find these lists to ensure you are entered in the next draw. If you are not curling in any particular league but want to, please call the applicable Director so he/she has your name.  Also, any curler or new members wanting to join and curl for the rest of the season, please call Sandy Eastlake 354-7138. For those who are not sure who to call, the list of the Executive is posted in the lounge and there are 2009/2010 telephone directories with all members’ numbers available also in the Club.  Congratulations to Robert Paul, Don Currier and Larry Pringle and their respective teams who won their Divisions in the Men’s Monday night competition.

                Our Napanee and District Curling Club is well supported by our local business community.  Besides sponsoring our many bonspiels throughout the year, we are blessed with their general support through advertising at the Club.  There are three different categories: wall, button and on the ice. Those  advertising on the walls of the Club include  Wager & Myatt Ltd  Real Estate Brokers, Goodyear Canada, Doyle’s Windows, George A Grant Insurance Broker Inc, Napanee Beaver, Pringle Ford, Giant Tiger, D & L Carpentry & Kitchen Design, Colio Estates Wine, Canadian Awning & Canvas Products, North Key Construction & Orkney Residential, The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company, Quinn’s Meats, Sign Me Up Hart N’ Hart, Patricia Dafoe Insurance Agency Inc, Woodcock’s 401 Automotive & Tire Centre and L & A Mutual Insurance Company. The “on the ice” group includes Colour Connection, A & M Sports, Country Traditions Frozen Foods, Exit Reality, Tim Hortons, Napanee Opticians, Centre Street Auto and Murray Drywall.  The button advertisers are: The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company, Scotia Bank, Home Hardware Building Centre and Bert’s Golf.  Our special thanks to all of you for your continuing support.

A Refresher Clinic will be held at the Club on January 3rd from 1:30 pm.  New curlers and experienced curlers interested in improving their curling skills should sign up on the sheets posted in the Club.  Free instruction is available to anyone who wishes to take the time.  If you just want to practice, that is also a good time to do so before the curling takes off again on January 4th.  A Skips Clinic will be held at the Club the same day run by Andy Palmer. For those curlers interested in advancing to the highest level on a team, come and learn what Skips need to know tactically to maximize the chances of winning.  Learn, not necessarily to become a Skip, more about the game so that you can understand what is happening during the game and get more enjoyment when curling.  Please sign the posted sheets.

The Napanee team of Robert Paul, Bill Casselman, Robert Hough and Ray Snider curled in the Campellford Farmer’s Bonspiel this week and finished 3^rd of the 16 rinks entered. Congratulations.

A final reminder of the Men’s Senior Bonspiel on 9 January and the Mixed Open on 15-17 January.  The Mixed has a Mexican theme this year for the costumes, music and drinks and there is still room for teams wishing to enter. Call Rebecca at 354-5445.

      The big attraction last weekend in Napanee was the Annual Ladies Open Bonspiel.  Heather Ramshaw, Ladies Bonspiel Director, was the Coordinator with committee members Eleanor Ramshaw, Jennifer Clarkson and Liz Graham assisting.  Greeters were Bea Moore, Kim Dickson, Jennifer Clarkson and Liz Graham, Draw master Andy Graham and Master of Ceremonies Hugh Sharpe.

The sixteen entries included 4 Napanee, 1 Garrison, 1 Gananoque, 1 Carleton Place, 1 Ottawa, 1 Belleville and 7 Royal Kingston teams.  The top point winner was Betty Bush’s Team of Joanne Manion, Mary-Stewart Ross and Lil Rynbend from the Royal Kingston (RKCC).  The other two game winners were: Lin Jenkins’s team from the RKCC, Rebecca Murphy’s team from the Napanee Curling Club (NDCC) and Maelane Hums team from the Carleton Place Curling Club.  Rounding out the top 8 teams who were all offered a wonderful selection from the prize table included teams skipped by Donna Smith (RKCC), Judy Poirier (Garrison), Hilary Casey (Riverside Ottawa) and Heather Ramshaw (NDCC).  Of course, this was only possible because of the generous sponsors: Jennifer Clarkson and the Playground Licensed Childcare (Christine Ramshaw) with financial contributions and Gerry Henderson, Colio Wines, a  donation of a case of wine.  The raffle and door prize donators were: Michele Penner, Bernice Pringle (Community Living), Eleanor Ramshaw, Debbie Currier, Heather Baker, Doris Ogley, Marj Pearce, Liz Graham, Lorraine Wilson, Elizabeth Vandenberg, Sandy Eastlake, Napanee Tankard Committee, Starlet and Quinte Curling Supplies.

Frank and Don with helpers Ray Moore, Bill Ryan and Rick Seigner ensured the ice was keen and clean for the ladies.   Bar services were provided by Tom Ayling, Linda Veley, Darrel Latimer, Ken Clancey and Arnold Van Heighten.

Breakfast was convened by Eleanor Ramshaw with Helpers Shelley Alkenbrack, Liz Goldie and Jennifer Clarkson who provided a wonderful selection of coffee cakes, fruit, yogurt, coffee and tea.  Lunch was convened by Ingeborg Donald with Helpers Kirk Donald, Janet Hobin, Phil Berry and Susi Reinink who served a delicious selection of sandwiches, soup with special rum flavoured cakes and tasty cookies for dessert.  The big dinner was convened by Beth Clancey with Helpers Ken Clancey, Vicki and Mark Babcock, Chuck Gray, Stan Yallup, Phyllis Babe, Darrel and Lana Latimer and Peggy Sunstrum.   This was an incredible spread of caesar salad, buns and stuffed pork done perfectly with gravy, potatoes, mixed vegetables and baked apples.  Nobody went hungry.

Three teams of the ‘older’ curlers ventured to Tweed on Thursday for their Senior (had to be over 60) Bonspiel. The John Deman rink (vice Ted Davie, 2^nd Paul Spooner and lead Bart Maclean) finished 5^th in the early draw.  In the late draw, the Chris Ramshaw rink (vice Bill Casselman, 2^nd Kees VanGent and lead Andy Graham) placed 2^nd and the Robert Paul rink (vice Frank Dunham, 2^nd Robert Hough and lead Hugh Sharpe) finished 7^th.  Tweed , too, is known for its keen ice and good food and no one was disappointed.

          The 2010 tankard Social Committee needs your help!  If you have any items to assist them in decorating the “Ice Hut” lounge please contact Sandi McNamee at 354-2414 (ie ice fishing items, fishing related souveniors, pictures, banners, etc…)

            All members are reminded of the semi-annual curling meeting on Sunday, 06 December at 1 pm at the Club.  A short briefing of the Tankard arrangements will be given.  And, if you haven’t already signed up for the Hot Shots competition do so quickly or call Chris 354-2003.

A correction is required for last week’s article to the phone number for Dave Travers and Junior curlers.  It should have been 373-0016.  Please call and get your children involved in a life-long activity.  Get them involved and you will know where they are for years to come!

         Well, the Napanee Men’s Open Bonspiel has come and gone for another year but there are  some memories and images still lingering.  I am sure you have already read about the eight-ender that was scored on Saturday by a Napanee/RKCC rink skipped by Chris Ramshaw, vice Bob Helliar, 2^nd Tom Miller and lead Phil Berry.  Many curlers had never seen an eight-ender so it was a neat addition to the bonspiel.          

                Phil Wilson and his bonspiel organizing committee of Paul Macdonald, Jim Head, John Deman and Drawmaster Hugh Sharpe did a great job, according to all reports.  The support of the local event sponsors (Home Hardware, Quinn’s Meats, Burke Printing and Woodcock 401 Automotive and Tire) and other local commercial advertisers, teamed with the curling volunteers, made this event the attraction that brings teams back year after year.  Many thanks to all involved.  Well done, Phil.

                Of the 24 teams competing this year, 19 of them were returning from Ottawa, Winchester, RKCC, Napanee and Cataraqui with new entries from Toronto’s Tam Heather, Gananoque,  Killahoe, a new entry from Cataraqui and two from Prince Edward.   Winning the “A” event and the $1000 first prize was the Suddergaard  team from  Cataraqui  with the Helliar rink taking second; the Munro rink from Napanee won the “B” event,  with Buckley from Cataraqui coming second; Schneider from the RKCC won the “C” event with Hemming from Toronto placing second; and, the Mullen brothers from Killahoe won the “D” event by beating the Napanee Pringle rink.   The curling was great helped partly by the excellent ice provided for the contestants by Frank Dunham and Don Currier and their many helpers: Art Dawson, Mark Dunham, Steve Eastlake, Robert Hough, Dennis Snider and Rick Siegner.

                Of course, in Napanee, the big attraction after our hospitality is the food.  This year was as good as any other thanks to the kitchen volunteers.  The Friday night early evening snacks were prepared by Eleanor Ramshaw and Sandi McNamee and, later, the chicken wings were prepared by Christine and Heather Ramshaw.   Saturday morning breakfast was prepared by Diane Davie and her team of Tom and Pat Keech Stevens and Joan Reynolds.  The Saturday lunch was organized by Linda Blake and her team of Keith Chapman, Cory Royale, Charlene Huffman and Cindy Crowson.   The absolutely delicious beef dinner was prepared by Moira Sickling and her team of Lana Latimer, Mary Jane Evans, Ellen McEwen, Lana Jager, Gail Maracle and Cindy Woodcock with Hugh Sharpe doing the generous carving.  The Sunday morning breakfast was prepared by Shirley Bush with Joan and Frank Banks followed by Sunday lunch done by Liz Graham, Janet Hobin, Jo Sutton, Gail Spencer and Benita Murphy.  Well done ladies (and those few men assisting)!

                Yes, the bar was open and provided the friendly service curlers expect.   For a great weekend of service, we thank Brian Woodcock and his team of bartenders: Louise and Arnold Van Heighten, Beth and Ken Clancey, Gerry McCracken, Tom Ayling, Michelle Penner, Jennifer Clarkson, Jack McNamee, Cynthia Woodcock, Lana Latimer and Jim Head.  Everyone enjoyed the bar service, so thank you.

                The preparations for the Tankard playoffs in February are always going on within the Club.  During the weekend, the Ontario Curling Association (OCA) officials were in Napanee briefing the timers and scoring officials for the event.  Under the watchful eye of our coordinator for local officials, Andy Palmer, the volunteer officials had the opportunity to ask their many questions and were required to practice “timing” a couple of ends during the bonspiel play.   The Tankard event is proving to be very beneficial for the Club as already at least fifteen members are now more knowledgeable about OCA rules with respect to the Tankard playoffs – with lots more to come.  Get your tickets early at the Strathcona Centre.

         It didn’t take long for curlers to get in the swing (and sweep) of things although your curling reporter took considerably longer, missing his submission date for two consecutive weeks.  All leagues are well underway and those with some Club responsibility are busy trying to deal with those loose ends we all knew would arrive but were not sure what or where they would be. 

We are enjoying good ice again this year which, for those of us still struggling with the game, causes some frustration as we can no longer, honestly, blame missed shots on the ice!  Thanks to Frank and Don, and their many helpers, for giving us such wonderful ice.  Our guest curlers coming for the Men’s Open Bonspiel this week, on 20^th – 22^nd November, and the Ladies Open, 28^th November, will be in for a real treat.   And the ice is not the best part!

If members have not yet volunteered to help at one of the bonspiels, or for the many other jobs we need to do as volunteers at the Club, don’t be shy.  Step right up and ask any of the Directors what you would like to do or what needs volunteers and I’m sure we can fit you in someplace, sometime.  A reminder that we are able to keep our curling fees low, compared to other clubs in the area, only because we do so much with volunteers versus hiring personnel that then costs the Club which has to be passed on the members. Volunteering is a win-win situation so please do your part.

The 2009-2010 NDCC telephone directories are now available at the Club.  Thanks again to Burke Printing for their continuing support for these directories.

The John Deman team (Ted Davie, Bart Maclean and Phil Berry) curled in the Thousand Island Seniors at Brockville last Saturday and came second in their half of the bonspiel. Very keen ice is such a treat for us older curlers!

Preparations for the Tankard curling playoffs, being held in Napanee Strathcona Centre February 1-7, are well underway.  Timers will be trained during the Men’s Bonspiel this weekend.  For more information visit the website www.2010tankard.com or call 354-4423.

And, it is not too late to curl this year.  Come and see us at the curling rink, or call Sandy at 354-7138, and we should be able to accommodate your needs.  We are very interested in more Junior curlers and all queries for that can be addressed to Dave Travers at 373-9916.

         We are enjoying excellent ice again this year which, for those of us still struggling with the game, causes some frustration as we can no longer, honestly, blame missed shots on the ice!  Thanks to Frank, and his many helpers, for giving us such wonderful ice.  Our guest curlers coming for the Men’s Open Bonspiel, on 20^th – 22^nd November, and the Ladies Open, 28^th November, will be in for a real treat.

If members have not yet volunteered to help at one of the bonspiels, or for the many jobs we need to do as volunteers at the Club, don’t be shy.  Step right up and ask any of the Directors what you would like to do or what needs volunteers and I’m sure we can fit you in someplace, sometime.  A reminder that we are able to keep our curling fees low, compared to other clubs in the area, only because we do so much with volunteers versus hiring personnel that then costs the Club which has to be passed on the members. Volunteering is a win-win situation.

The 2009-2010 NDCC telephone directories are now available at the Club.  Thanks again to Burke Printing for their continuing support for these directories.

The John Deman team (Ted Davie, Bart Maclean and Phil Berry) curled in the Thousand Island Seniors at Brockville last Saturday and came second in their half of the bonspiel. Very keen ice is such a treat for us older curlers!

And, it is not too late to curl this year.  Come and see us, or call Sandy at 354-7138 and we should be able to accommodate your needs.  We are very interested in more Junior curlers and all queries can be addressed to Dave Travers at 373-9916.

             It didn’t take long for curlers to get in the swing (and sweep) of things.  All leagues are well underway and those with some Club responsibility are busy trying to deal with those loose ends we all knew would arrive but were not sure what or where they would be. 

We are enjoying excellent ice again this year which, for those of us still struggling with the game, causes some frustration as we can no longer, honestly, blame missed shots on the ice!  Thanks to Frank, and his many helpers, for giving us such wonderful ice.  Our guest curlers coming for the Men’s Open Bonspiel, on 20^th – 22^nd November, and the Ladies Open, 28^th November, will be in for a real treat. There are still openings for teams wishing to curl in the Men’s so, if interested, call Phil Wilson 373-2252.

If members have not yet volunteered to help at one of the bonspiels, or for the many jobs we need to do as volunteers at the Club, don’t be shy.  Step right up and ask any of the Directors what you would like to do or what needs volunteers and I’m sure we can fit you in someplace, sometime.  A reminder that we are able to keep our curling fees low, compared to other clubs in the area, only because we do so much with volunteers versus hiring personnel that then costs the Club which has to be passed on the members. Volunteering is a win-win situation.

The 2009-2010 NDCC telephone directories are now available at the Club.  Thanks again to Burke Printing for their continuing support for these directories.

And, it is not too late to curl this year.  Come and see us, or call Sandy at 354-7138 and we should be able to accommodate your needs.  We are very interested in more Junior curlers and all queries can be addressed to Dave Travers at 373-9916.  

This season is an extra exciting one at the Napanee & District Curling Club as we are hosting the Ontario Men’s Curling Championship – February 1^st to 7^th in partnership with the Napanee Sports Association and the Town of Greater Napanee.  Ontario’s best and finest curlers from all over the province will be competing for the chance to represent Ontario in the Nationals (The Tim Hortons Brier) being held in Halifax this season. The host committee has been working hard all summer to get prepared for this event. As with any event a great number of volunteers are needed and as per normal our curling club members have ‘stepped up to the plate’. There is a requirement of 200 volunteers to cover the week and the club has filled 150 of these positions. The rest have been recruited from town organizations or other area clubs. Thanks to all of you.

Back at the club, league curling has the first week completed and most sore muscles should be healed by the time you are reading this article. Monday Men have 22 teams; Up&At’Em-20 teams; Tuesday Mixed-10 teams; Wednesday Senior Men-12 teams; Wednesday Ladies-7 teams; Thursday Ladies-11 Teams; Thursday Men-11 teams and Friday Mixed-22 teams. Gayle Johnson our Wednesday Ladies director is still looking for curlers to fill that 8^th team spot, so if you are interested please call her at 354-3581.

            Your directors are busy compiling all the bonspiel lists, league rosters, league assistants, junior assistants and all other needed volunteers to complete club duties for this season. If you notice help is needed to fill a spot on the lists soon to be posted please step forward and add your name.  

Upcoming events to remember: Mens Open Bonspiel - 20^th – 22nd  November; Ladies Open - 28^th November and the General Meeting Sunday the 6th of December at 1 pm.           

Sandy Eastlake (filling in for Ted Davie)

A hearty welcome to another season of socializing  and curling from your Board of Directors: President/Kitchen – Sandi McNamee; VicePres/Mens-Mixed Bonspiels – Phil Wilson; Mens Games – Bill Hogg; Mixed Games – Cynthia Woodcock; Juniors – Dave Travers; Ladies Bonspiel - Heather Ramshaw; Fundraising - Christine Ramshaw; Ice - Steve Eastlake; House – Bill Ryan/Gord Mitchell;  Ladies Games – Debbie Currier/Gayle Johnson,  Bar/Rental – Beau & Gail Maracle (Shirley Bush) and myself your Membership Director at the Napanee & District Curling Club.  

This year we have 243 members, 35 of whom are new to the club and/or to curling in general. I would like to thank Gayle Johnson, Beau Maracle, Cam McFayden, Ian Munro and Andy Palmer for all their time insuring our new and returning members had full instruction prior to their first game. Steve thanks our two Ice Techs Frank Dunham and Don Currier plus helpers Rick Siegner and Tom Ayling for installing the clean, fast ice you will be curling on. Bill and Gord thank Ron Reynolds, Cor Vandenberg, Chuck Gray and Dennis Snider for assisting with painting and general building cleanup. There are many more to thank as set up for a new season takes many, many hours of volunteer duties and those not listed above will be thanked in a future article.

The club telephone directory will be available by the end of next week so pick up your copy at the information centre. There are a lot of important flyers on the tables and the various bulletin boards so be sure to familiarize yourself with this information.

This years’ 7^th annual Swing and Sweep convened by Heather Ramshaw and Kim Dickson started off with a morning of golf; although on the crisp side the sun warmed everyone quickly. Lunch was served at the curling club (soup and sandwiches) by Eleanor Ramshaw with help by Jennifer Clarkson. Beau Maracle had the bar open and kept everyone served all afternoon with helpers Kees Van Gent, Brian Hobin, Brian Woodcock and Dennis Snider. Curling was played by all participants on the great ice prepared by Frank Dunham and his helpers.
Dinner was prepared by Kim Dickson, Eleanor & Heather Ramshaw with Anne Angel and Cyndie Belleveau being a great help in the kitchen at dinnertime. Christine Ramshaw prepared an amazing raffle table with donations by many local sponsors and all monies will go towards the 2009-2010 Fundraising campaign for which she will report separately. Heather and Kim thanked all participants, volunteers and supporters for an excellent day once again; and a special thanks to Eleanor Ramshaw, for her tireless efforts. Chris Ramshaw presented the trophy to the 7th Swing&Sweep winners- Paul Dickson, Steve Angel, Daryl Latimer and Robert Dickson and prizes to Runner up - Ian Munro, Brian and Janet Hobin and Robert Hough, Men’s Closest to the Pin – Robert Dickson; Men’s Longest Drive – Scott Buckley; Ladies Longest Drive – Louise Van Heighten; Closest the Pin – Rebecca Murphy. I think most participants went home with something or Steve just acquired the block of cheese he brought home.

Remember to mark your calendar for the Mens Open Bonspiel - 20^th – 22nd  November; Ladies Open - 28^th November and the General Meeting Sunday the 6th of December at 1 pm.

            To all new members, if you have any questions at all, do not hesitate to call me 613-354-7138; although any of the directors listed above will be happy to assist you.

 Sandy Eastlake (filling in for Ted Davie)

The Napanee & District Curling Club is just completing its last week of curling and members have been trying their best at their final chance to get their name on one of the coveted trophies…Good luck and good curling to all 259 of you. This has been a prosperous season for the Club with all our bonspiels being a great success thanks to the hard work of our club volunteers. Your Board of Directors thank each and every one of you for the many volunteer hours you have given freely to ensure this success.

Your league directors Bill Hogg, Janet Hobin, Gayle Johnson, Shirley Bush, Sandi McNamee, Cindy Woodcock, Jane Hough were busy compiling the awards that were presented this past week; the bonspiel crew – Eastlakes/Travers and Kitchen - Sandi McNamee / Bar -  Bakers are busy preparing for the closing Martin and Walters – April 4th; your Vice President, Sandi McNamee is trying to ensure all will be ready for the banquet April 24^th; and all directors along with the secretary and treasurer are typing their reports for the closing General Meeting – April 5^th at 1 pm. We hope to see you there with thoughts and ideas on improving the day to day operation of the club.

The GrandMasters Team of Frank Dunham, Hugh Sharpe, Frank Banks, Kees VanGent won their first game and had really close loses after that ending up as a semi finalist in the C event. There were 16 teams participating with a delicious banquet on Friday evening.  They all had a great time and plan on participating next season. 

If you have not bought your banquet ticket yet, it is not too late. Please call Sandy Eastlake 354-7138 However, we have a deadline due to ordering meals so ensure to request your ticket before April 17^th.

The young team of David Staples, Scott Chadwick, Nick Schroeder and Neil Roberts won the Napanee Curling Club championship this week by defeating Robert Paul’s team (vice Robert Hough, 2^nd Paul McDonald and lead Paul Murphy) in a close final that went down to the last rock of the last end.  What a way to finish the curling season!  These championship playoffs have gone on forever and it took many wins to get to the finals.  So, congratulations to the “kids” who showed us all how it should be done and we wish them all well as they go on to higher learning and more curling challenges.  We really enjoyed your participation this year. 

All the other leagues are running down to conclusion and those results will probably be available next week.

So, keep listening for and reading about the two curling events coming later this month: the Napanee Geritol team of Frank Dunham, Hugh Sharpe, Frank Banks and Kees VanGent are off to Thornhill on the 27-28 for the Provincial Masters and the Provincial Junior Mixed in Marmora that includes David Staples and Scott Chadwick.  We wish you good curling and luck, if required.

Forms for those interested in participating as volunteers in the 2010 Tankard Playoffs, to be held in the Strathcona Centre next February, are available on the Club web site: www.ndcc.ca. 

The big curling social event of the year, our annual banquet, will be held 24 April at the Club.  Tickets are now available from Sandy at 354-7138.  This may be your last chance to say ‘au revoir’ to your curling friends for the year.

This is the final reminder that our ice goes out on April 04^th this year with the traditional Martin & Walters Bonspiel and our General Meeting is scheduled for April 05^th at 1 pm.  See you at the banquet – wear your dancing shoes…

I am sure many readers have heard of, or seen, the television programme about the Week the Girls Left Town.  Well, last weekend, there was similar experience in Napanee  as many curlers were out of town, bonspieling, and it was very quiet for those remaining behind.  Here is a clockwise report of the various teams out there trying to put Napanee on the map.

In Kingston on Saturday, at the annual Kidney and Lung Foundation Stick Bonspiel at the RKCC, two Napanee rinks were pushing their rocks about.  At this annual fundraiser, the Chris Ramshaw rink (daughter Heather vice, Kim Dickson 2^nd and Tom Ayling lead) came out on top winning the bonspiel.  The other Napanee rink competing, and donating, was skipped by Hugh Sharpe, vice Bill Creighton, 2^nd Don Currier and lead George Elliott.

Meanwhile, in Picton on Saturday, three other local rinks were entered in the annual Heritage Mixed Bonspiel.  As usual, there was lots of good food, a few drinks, socializing and even curling.  The Johnson rink (Gayle skipping, husband Guy vice, Louise VanHeighten 2^nd and her husband Arnold lead) won two of their three games and placed fourth.  The HH team (Robert and Jane Hough, Janet and Brian Hobin) and the ML team (Rebecca and Paul Murphy, Lana and Daryl Latimer) both had a ball.

Also, in Belleville on Saturday, at the Quinte CC, two more local teams were enjoying the competition and hospitality in their annual Senior’s Bonspiel.  The Clancey team (Ken skipping, Ken Healy vice, Kees VanGent 2^nd and Walter Genereux lead) and the File team (Ed skipping,  Brian Chadwick vice, Frank Banks 2^nd and Andy Graham lead) both had a good day, both finishing in the top half of the sixteen teams entered.                                 

            Just to the north, in Tweed, on the same Saturday, two more Napanee rinks were competing in the annual Farmer’s Bonspiel.  The Casselman team (Paul Dickson skip, Bill Casselman vice, Scott Dickson 2^nd and Steve Cooper lead) had two out of three wins and the Davie team (Ted Skip, Murray Halliday vice, Paul Spooner 2^nd and Bart MacLean lead) managed one of three wins.  This is one of the most enjoyable ‘spiels in Eastern Ontario and certainly has one of the best prize tables in the area.  Everyone goes home full of wonderful food, a neat prize wherever you stand, and very satisfied because of their warm hospitality, high level competition and great ice.

            We are not through yet.  Two of our curlers, Dave Travers and Steve Eastlake, were in Renfrew at the annual Army Electrical Mechanical Engineer NCO bonspiel.  Their rink, who won the ‘spiel last year, came in second this year, losing by a quarter of one point.  I believe that is  equivalent to one point of the total scoreboard points for the bonspiel!  That is close.  Well done guys and better luck next year.

In Ottawa, on the same Saturday, a local Junior Mixed team of skip David Staples, vice Laura Brown, 2^nd Scott Chadwick and lead Gillian Moren were winning the “B” side of the Regionals and will go to the Provincial playdowns in Marmora on 28-29 March.  Congratulations.

Just down the river at Hawesbury, and yes on the same Saturday, more Napanee curlers were competing in the Senior Mixed Regional playoffs.  The team, skipped by Andy Palmer with his wife Cathy, and the Bakonyi’s from Trenton, had a great day but lost in the “B” semi-finals.  Well done and better luck next year.

Not on the same Saturday, but earlier, our Napanee schoolboys team had won the KASSA (zones) and the EOSSA (regionals) without comment.  Please accept my apologies for not reporting your curling success earlier.  Skip Scott Chadwick, vice Wes Kerr, 2^nd Braden Scott and lead Chris Galamb are scheduled to play in the Provincials in Grimsby on 28-29 March.  Congratulations!  However, if you have been paying attention, you will undoubtedly have discovered a problem – Scott is already playing in the Junior Mixed Provincials, on the same dates, in Marmora.  I do not understand!  I’ve been curling for nearly 60 years and have never had a problem like that – and here is young Scott, in his mid-teens, pulled between two Provincial playoffs on the same date.  I am waiting to see how he handles this predicament.  I know that mediocre curlers do not have these problems.

Last reminder that our ice goes out on April 04^th this year with the traditional Martin & Walters Bonspiel and our General Meeting scheduled for April 05^th at 1 pm.  Our annual curling club banquet is scheduled for 24^th April.  Avoid the rush, get your tickets now…

           Well, the local old guys did it with style and ease!   I’m talking about the Napanee Senior Master’s team (Frank Dunham, Frank Banks, Kees VanGent and Hugh Sharpe) who won the Regional playoffs on Friday.   That team (often referred to as the Geritol Guys) represent many years of curling experience and they are now off to the Provincial finals at Thornhill on March 27^th.  Reliable rumour has it that first prize this year is one year free room and board in the sponsor’s home for the aged  -  and the loser gets two years of the same!  Good luck guys and if we don’t see you around we will know you won one of the top prizes.

            The Intermediate Zone playoffs were held in Brockville on the weekend.  Apparently, the curling was top notch but our home team (Paul Dickson, Robert Paul, Paul Murphy and Paul McDonald) just failed to qualify for the Provincials losing both the “A” side and “B” side finals in well-played, close games.  Good luck to the Ottawa (Rideau) and Quinte teams who go on and better luck next year to our local Pauls.

            The club leagues play on but there is a noticeable lack of enthusiasm at the rink as many of our curlers are snow birds down south – and the rest wished they were.  It is a great opportunity for those who wish to curl more every week as someone is always looking for a spare or two.

            If you see people running out of the curling club, don’t be alarmed.  It may just be our weekly fire drill.  With a new system just installed, all curlers are being reminded of what to look or listen for in case of fire in the club and where to go and how to get there when alerted.   It reminds me of public school drills we all loved as it broke the monotony of a dull class and may just be a new way of getting away from a game that is very much not going your way, which we have all had.  In fact, I have had several, quite recently.

            A reminder that the Ontario Men’s Curling Championships (referred to as the “Tankard”) will be held in Napanee Strathcona Centre next year February 1-7.  To be successful, this event will require many volunteers.  If you are interested, and you do not have to be a curler,  in helping, please contact Sandy at 354-7138.

            Another reminder that our ice goes out on April 04^th this year with the traditional Martin & Walters Bonspiel and our General Meeting scheduled for April 05^th at 1 pm.  Our annual curling club banquet is scheduled for 24^th April.  Avoid the rush, get your tickets now…                

            Another Friday passed and the zone Masters’ playoffs continue.  There are now only two teams remaining for the finals scheduled for next Friday at the Napanee Club: Napanee’s Frank Dunham, Frank Banks, Kees VanGent and Hugh Sharpe and the Brown rink from Kingston.  As the Napanee team have already beat the Brown team once in round robin play, the Brown team will have to beat the Napanee team twice on Friday next to win the right to represent the Zone at the Provincials.  Good curling Frank and his senior boys.

            Last Thursday, Tweed held their annual Senior’s Bonspiel and there was one rink entered from Napanee. The Ted Davie team with John Deman vice, Paul Spooner 2^nd and Bart MacLean lead won second in their half of the draw and a cash prize. Very keen ice and very good curling made it a great day for all the competitors.

            The Highland Lassie Ladies Bonspiel was held at Napanee last Saturday. The well run bonspiel was coordinated by Heather Ramshaw, assisted by sister Christine, mother Eleanor, Liz Graham, Jennifer Clarkson and Liz Goldie.  Drawmaster was Andy Graham. Food is always a big draw for attending the Napanee bonspiels and this one was no exception.  Breakfast was a wonderful selection of coffee cakes, yogurt and fruit and was convened by Eleanor Ramshaw with many helpers.  Hugh Goldie piped the ladies for the first draw onto the ice to give the day that special Scottish connection and Marj Pearce threw the first ceremonial rock to officially open the ‘spiel.  Lunch, convened by Sandi McNamee, and assisted by many, was a very tasty sherry bisque, quiche, salad and butter tarts that received raving reviews from the curlers.  The prime rib dinner, with all the wonderful veggies, topped off with a light chocolate crepe, was convened by Shirley Bush and Barb Graham and their many helpers.   Fortunately, this meal was served after all the curling had been completed.  Jack McNamee and Doug Baker looked after the bar requirements and Frank, Don and Rick Seigner did the ice preps.  Sponsors were Marj Pearce and Christine Ramshaw (Playground Licensed Childcare Centre) with raffle and door prizes donated by Michele Penner, Bernice Pringle, Marj Pearce, Mary Jane Elvins, Christine Ramshaw, June Hicks and Eleanor Ramshaw.  Many thanks to all the contributors who helped make the Highland Lassie what it was.  Oh yes, there was curling too!  Sixteen teams from the Cataraqui, Garrison, Picton, Belleville, Toronto Dixie, Royal Kingston and Napanee clubs competed for the “silver”.  The top point winners were Judy Poirer’s team from Garrison that included Bev Bacon, Donna Wright and Cheryl Harvey.  The other two game winners included: second place - Rebecca Murphy from Napanee;  third place – Donna Poirier from the Royal Kingston, skipped by local Gayle Johnson;  and fourth – Heather Ramshaw from Napanee.  The best dressed Lassies were the Roberta Hutchings team from Cataraqui.

            The Napanee Intermediate team travel to Brockville this weekend to compete in the Zone playoffs for the right to represent the area at the Provincials.  Good luck to Robert Paul and the other three Pauls (Dickson, Murphy and McDonald) as they head out all decked out in their Lafarge jackets.  It must be handy to be able to yell “sweep Paul” and everyone jumps.

Another reminder that our ice goes out on April 04^th this year with the traditional Martin & Walters Bonspiel and our General Meeting scheduled for April 05^th at 1 pm.  Hoping to see you there….

            The curling season may be slowing but most of us are having trouble keeping up with all the curling opportunities and activities at the Club.  This past weekend was a demonstration of all this!

            On Friday, Napanee hosted the zone Master playoffs for the older curlers.   Five teams entered the competition, two from Napanee.  Once the rocks were all neatly placed in their corners after the last draw, one of our rinks had been eliminated.  Walter Genereux’s team (vice Ed File, 2^nd Andy Graham and lead Ron Graham) experienced two losses and are out of the competition.  Our other team, skipped by Frank Dunham, vice Frank Banks, 2^nd Kees VanGent and lead Hugh Sharpe,  stayed alive and will be back next weekend to continue the playoffs.  Senior seniors still curling enjoy the advantage of only having to compete twice/day but the competitions do go on, and on.

            Saturday, Cataraqui G&CC hosted the annual Pat Lidd bonspiel.   If you ask ten curlers at the ‘spiel what the words mean you will get ten different answers so I am unable to interpret for you, and I was there!   The number of rinks is capped at twenty four and it is one of those bonspiels where it is almost impossible to enter.  Those who played this year will have first offer next year and no one knows who the last rink was that refused the offer.   It is the sort of thing you find in wills being passed on to the next generation of the same family.  Some of us were able to enjoy the experience because the original entry was short a player – snow birds not yet returned!   There were four teams from Napanee, and others from Ottawa, Quinte and all Kingston clubs.  Walt Genereux’s team (an active senior who had Friday night to rest before hitting the ice again Sat morning) with Robert Paul throwing last rocks, Kees VanGent at 2^nd and Ray Snider lead placed third; the Merv Connery rink with Ted Davie skipping, Al Little vice, Jim Head 2^nd and Merv throwing lead were the highest points single game winner and the Frank Dunham and Ed File rinks did well too.  All enjoyed a wonderful roast beef dinner before the prize presentation.  Oh, by the way, the Brown rink skipped by Larry Waller won the bonspiel taking home the coveted green fees at the Cat G&CC.  The winner for the past two years, Bob Hales (who apparently got his start in Adolphustown when he was the Anglican Priest there in the ‘70s) missed out this year by a quarter of a point.  Better luck next year Bob!!

            On Sunday, the Club held their annual Pringle Ford Hot Shots competition.  From all reports, it was a great event with some spectacular curling demonstrations and great moose chilli for all.  The event attracted more than thirty contestants this year with Ken Clancey winning the “car” with a score of 27 out of a possible 30.  Well done Ken!!  (Was that the same Ken Clancey I saw curling Monday night??)

            The Monday night playoffs for the Club championship continue.  It seems to be organized to end just about the time the ice goes out and is already starting to compete with golfing preps for the summer.  Nobody seems to remember how they handled all these activities before retirement….

By the time you read this, the annual Sweetheart’s Dinner will be over but will still be the talk of the Town.   The highland Lassie Ladies Bonspiel takes place at the Club on February 21^st.  It is full but Heather still needs volunteers to make this work.  Those interested and can help, please call Heather at 329-4313.  Our ice goes on April 04^th this year with the traditional Martin & Walters Bonspiel with our General Meeting scheduled for April 05^th at 1 pm.  Please put these dates on your calendar to attend and hoping to see you there….

  As winter moves on, slowly mind you, the various curling leagues at the Club are heading for their last stages too.  The groundhogs have now assured us of six more weeks of curling, or was that winter, so we still have time to perfect our delivery, win a game or even hit the broom, consistently.  Before we know it, we’ll be cutting grass again, wishing for Fall and the curling season to start.  It is a little quieter at the Club these days as many curlers have gone south to get ready for the golfing season or just to ‘hang out’ trying to replace that Canadian Pale with some Florida Red.

The Men’s Monday Night Curling league has completed its final round robin and has started their club championship double knockout play offs for the top 16 teams.  The other 6 teams will continue their curling in a consolation round robin event.  The round robin winners this year were: A Division:  1^st Ken Clancey, Joe Jackemack, Kees Van Gent and  Jack McNamee; 2^nd Andy Palmer, Bill Hogg, Steve Paul and Gord Mitchell;  B Division: 1^st Paul Dickson, Steve Angel, Darryl Latimer and Darrell Pritchard; 2^nd John Deman, Ted Davie, Paul Spooner, Barton McLean; C Division: 1^st Rob Marriott, Bob Eamer, Mike Wilson and Barry Graham; 2^nd Dave Travers, Steve Eastlake, Steve Cooper and Patrick Mueller.  Good curling in the play offs!

            Meanwhile, Napanee men’s rinks have been off bonspieling at neighbouring clubs with some success.  Recently at the Cambellford Super Senior’s Bonspiel (apparently, you must be over 70 to enter) the Napanee foursome of Frank Dunham, Hugh Sharpe, Frank Banks and Kees VanGent won the big prize.  And, at the Brighton Senior’s (these are the young guys over 50) another Napanee foursome of Robert Paul, Hugh Sharpe, Bill Casselman and Paul Spooner won the runner-up prize money.  Great curling guys and congratulations!

            We all wish Dave Travers a speedy recovery and hope to see his smiling face around the Club soon. His former service buddies in Petawawa all await his visit to the Senior NCO ‘Spiel.  Good luck up there and keep your heads up, so to speak.

The winner of the Draw 1 Wednesday Men’s League was Bill Hogg, Murray Halliday, Ron Graham and Gerry McCracken.                                                                                                                          

The Napanee Town and Country Bonspiel scheduled for February 11^th is full and teams are tuning up their skills for another chance to get to the prize table.

The final preparations for the Annual Sweethearts Valentine Dinner are almost complete with only a few tickets remaining.  If you haven’t already done so, call Ron at 378-0401 for tickets and we hope you are not too late.  Members are allowed to bring guests to the dinner, at the member’s price.

On Sunday, 15 February, the Pringle Ford Hot Shots Competition will be held at the Napanee Curling Club.  I am sure most will remember seeing this individual competition on television shown annually at the Brier.   Starting at 0900, the competition can accept up to 80 participants and there are still some openings.  The entry fee is $10 that includes a lunch of moose/venison/beef chili.  This is open to men and women curlers.  For those unaware of this competition you are encouraged to visit the Ford Hot Shots web site for details. If you want to see a live competition, come on down to the Club on the day.

Last weekend the zone Intermediate playoffs were held in Napanee and the winning rink was our own Paul Dickson, Robert Paul, Paul McDonald and Paul Murphy.  Congratulations.,

  You may have heard some noise from the curling rink on Saturday night as the curlers participating in the Annual Mixed Bonspiel played out their memories of “Woodstock”, the theme for this year’s event.  The rumors are that the costumes were truly fantastic, displaying both imagination and ingenuity, with the players acting out their parts as if they had been to the original event. And, there was some good curling all weekend too!

            Organized by a committee of Rebecca Murphy, Jane Pearson, Lana Latimer, Cynthia Woodcock and Phil Wilson, the event was another great success (from both a fun and financial perspective).  The committee, aided by Louise VanHeighten, had decorated the club to give the necessary atmosphere for total enjoyment. The drawmasters this year were Phil Wilson (I think he may have spent the weekend at the Club), Hugh Sharpe and John Deman.  In accordance with the NDCC reputation, the food and bar services were as good as it gets and were made possible by the hard working volunteers : Sandi McNamee, Gale Rogers, David Hart, Heather Wemp, Sandy Kennelly, Michele Penner, Eleanor Ramshaw, Joyce McClelland, Charlene Huffman, Phil Berry, Christine Peets, Sharon VanGent and Connie Pritchard in the kitchen.  In the bar, we thank Jim and Ann Angel, Sandra Semple, Kees VanGent, Jim Head, Tom Ayling, Arnold VanHeighton, Jim Peets and Doug and Heather Baker.  For good curling you need good ice and we thank Frank Dunham and Don Currier for their continued good work ably assisted by Mark Dunham, Steve Eastlake, Ron Reynolds, Steve Cooper and Robert Hough.  The sponsors for this year’s ‘spiel were Jean Morrison and the Napanee Beaver, Chris Good’s Commonsense Financial, Grant’s Insurance, Shoeless Joe’s Restaurant and Home Hardware.  Thank you.

            The big winner of the A event on Sunday was the Ron Long rink (Vice Sheri Henderson, 2^nd Steve Henderson and Lead Kirsten Long) from the Dundas Granite Curling Club.  The runner-up was the Alex Tosh rink (Vice Carole Rivington, 2^nd Randy Neal and Lead Nancy Tosh) from the Royal Kingston Curling Club.  The A event Consolation winner was the Donna Jeffery rink from RKCC (Gord Gillespie Vice, Debbie Gillespie 2^nd and Bruce Jeffery Lead).  The B event winner was former Napanee curler Dave Pallen and his St. Catherine rink (Vice Kristina Vanderlee, 2^nd Brent Craig and Lead Joanne McHenry) and the runner-up was our own Rebecca Murphy  (Vice husband Paul, 2^nd Jane Pearson and Lead Jim Head). In a real family affair, the C event winners were also from the NDCC as Heather Ramshaw (Vice Scott Buckley, 2^nd Kim Dickson and Lead Duane Buckley) defeated her parents Chris Ramshaw (Vice Eleanor Ramshaw, 2^nd Doug Baker and Leads Heather Baker/Susi Reinick).  Finally, the D event winners from the Trenton CC was the Bob Fish rink (Catherine Sutherland Vice, Mike Parry 2^nd and Catherine Holmes Lead) with the runner-up from the VanVlack clan out of the NDCC with Skip Dave, Vice Jordan , 2^nd Andrew and Lead Sandy – all VanVlacks.   Congratulations to all the winners.

            There is quite a buzz at the Club about the annual Sweetheart’s Valentine Dinner scheduled for Wednesday, February 18^th.  This year’s organizer, Ron Graham, has been busy with his volunteers organizing the menu and selling tickets.  This is a black tie event for the workers and the ladies get all dressed up and let their hair down for a well-deserved night out complete with wine and entertainment.  The maximum capacity for this event is 80 diners and any tickets remaining will be open to non-members as of January 26^th by calling Ron at 378-0401.  Cocktails are at 6pm followed by a delicious three course meal lovingly prepared and served by the men.  If ladies have the time and opportunity, you should put this event on your calendar.  Tickets $25.

            The Men’s Monday Flight curling concluded it’s regular draw this week so playoffs commence next Monday.  See the notice board at the Club, or call Bill at 373-8818, to find out when you curl next Monday night.

     Well, by now everyone will have read in the local newspapers the big news that the Tankard Curling Championships will be held in Napanee February 1-7 in 2010.  Well, I can confirm that the ten best Ontario Men’s curling teams in 2010 will be in town to compete for the right to represent Ontario at the Brier scheduled for Halifax that year.   The Napanee and District Curling Club, in partnership with the Town and the Napanee Sports Association, will organize and run this event.  To be held in the Strathcona Paper Centre converted to five curling sheets, this event will add to the momentum created by the U18 Hockey tournament held here last November of putting Napanee higher on the list of places to go in Ontario and National for sport.  Someone has predicted that we can expect an economic spinoff of $500,000 in the area from this event.   So, we have earned the right to hold this exciting provincial curling playoff in Napanee.  What remains is the participation and cooperation of our community, through volunteering, to help make this opportunity a real success.  I know we can count on our club volunteers to step up and help but not yet sure about the rest of the community although we have a good record.  As the plans develop, we will let you know how you can help.

A reminder to those signed up for the Skip’s Clinic on Sunday, 1^st of February at 1 pm.

The third annual Ladies’ In-Club bonspiel was held on Sunday with 16 club rinks participating.   This event is to give all ladies, especially those still in the labour market, in our club an opportunity to participate in a bonspiel.  Janet Hobin’s team of Heather Wemp, Liz Griffiths and Missy Hutcheson won the trophy for most points in the ‘spiel.  Second place went to Jo Sutton’s team of Louise Van Heighten, Anne Whalen-Knapp and Cheryl Lepine.  In third, was Cynthia Woodcock’s team of Donna Poirier, Joyce Meredith and Diane Davie. In fourth place was Sandy McPherson’s team of Heather Ramshaw, Cindy Crowson, Anne Angel and Diane Nolting.  Well done to the organizing committee of Benita Murphy, Eleanor Ramshaw, Janet Hobin, Lorraine Wilson and Liz Graham who did a great job with plenty of help from many other club members.  Breakfast and lunch were provided by Eleanor Ramshaw assisted by Chris Ramshaw, John Foster and Diane Nolting. The pot luck dinner was coordinated by Sandi McNamee, Elaine Badgley and Ingeborg Donald assisted by Roger Cole.   Andy Graham was the drawmaster, Brian Hobin and Jim Peets the registrars and Don Currier looked after the ice.  Bartending duties were handled by Jim Angel, Doug Baker, Tom Ayling and Jim Head.  The committee wishes to thank the ladies who donated the door prizes. The floral centrepiece was given by Sally Lambert. Other gifts were donated by Jennifer Clarkson, Jane Hough, Michele Penner, Eleanor Ramshaw and Liz Graham.  Thanks to everyone who helped make the day such a success.

       The  Mixed Bonspiel this weekend is full and the party hats have been ordered.  It promises to be a blast if the costumes are anything like they were last year.

       Get involved – curl.

Well another year has passed us by and many of us are still curling!

The results from the other curling club leagues for the first session of curling are in and deserve recognition.  Friday night winners were Rebecca Murphy, Paul Murphy, Jane Pearson and Don Pearson and the runners-up were Ken Clancy, Beth Clancy, Daryl Latimer and Lana Latimer.  Wed Ladies winners were Gayle Johnson, Donna Poirier and Louise VanHeighten.  The runners-up were Jo Sutton, Cheryl French, Laurie VanStraalen and Deb Kowalik.  The Thursday Ladies winners were Sandi McNamee, Susi Reinink, Cheryl Scrivens and Sandy Kennelly.  Runners-up were Shirley Bush, Elaine Badgley, Bernice Pringle and Joan Reynolds.  The Tuesday night Mixed winners were Bill Casselman, Sandra Casselman, Joyce Meredith and Doug Meredith and the runners-up were Robert Hough, Jane Hough, Arnold VanHeighton and Louise VanHeighten. The Thursday Men’s winners were Ian Munro, Stan Yallup, Steve Cooper and Karl Gray and the runners-up were Walter Genereux, Ray Moore, Tom Ayling and Mark Baker.  Well done to all the winners of the first session.

            Welcome to all the new curlers who have joined our club for the remainder of the season.  We hope this is just the beginning of a wonderful, long relationship.  We know you will have fun in our club but whether or not you win the Provincials or the Brier/Scott’s in time -  is really up to you.

Well the first section of club curling is now over and some of the results are in.  The Monday night Men’s Flight curling league has 22 teams and is divided into three different divisions. The team of David Staples, Scott Chadwick, Nick Schroeder and Neil Roberts finished first and Chris Ramshaw’s team second while Don Currier’s and Walter Genereux’s teams were demoted to B Division.  Brian Chadwick’s team finished first in B division and was promoted to A Division along with Frank Dunham’s team while the teams of Rob Marriott and Dave Travers were demoted to C division.  Ken Healy’s team finished first in C Division and was promoted to B Division along with Brian Hobin’s team.  It must be noted that the Staples rink, the only youth rink in the club, won all their games.   It was suggested at the annual meeting that the Staples rink should spot all other rinks at least four points to make it a closer contest.  Go guys, go and well done!

The only other league results in at this time are from the Tuesday morning Up & At'Em league.  The winner was the Ed File rink of Lorraine Wilson, Jo Sutton and Keith Chapman and the runner-up team of Ted Davie, Shelley Alkenbrack, Barb Graham and Cor Vandenberg.

As usual, the ice will be unavailable between December 23 – January 2 as the ice crew will be doing a melt-down, clean and re-flooding to get the ice in top shape for the next session.  Don’t forget to sign up for the Refresher Clinics to be held Jan 4^th.

It is not too late, although it is getting close, to join our club and get curling in the next session.  Dues are pro-rated considering the curling time remaining in the season so, don’t delay, call Sandy at 354-7138.  Guys, give your wife/girlfriend a special gift this Christmas by paying her fees for the rest of the season and let her get out and have fun.  Or, ladies, if you want to get your man out of the house, sign him up for curling and you may never see him parked in front of the television again.

The first club bonspiel in the new year will be the Senior Men’s on 10 January.  The draw has been posted so good luck to the older member participants.  If you think you are too old to curl, come out and watch the Seniors and you will realize just how old one can be and still curl.  Sticks have extended our curling time by at least ten years.

On January 18^th there will be a Ladies In-Club Bonspiel and the annual Mixed Bonspiel is scheduled for 23-25 January.  The social side of the Mixed is something you don’t want to miss.  The dress theme this year is the Woodstock 40^th Anniversary.  Call Rebecca now at 354-5445.

The Board of Directors, all curlers and club volunteers wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a new year filled with hope, health and happiness.  See you at the rink in 2009.

It’s amazing how time flies by when you are having fun!  Here it is December and some of the curling leagues are coming to a close.  Anyone interested in joining for the remaining two thirds of the curling season should make their wishes known soon as new teams are being formed for the start of the next session.  There are special rates for those joining late with newcomers only paying for the time left in the season.  To join any of the leagues, interested curlers are asked to contact Membership Director Sandy Eastlake at 354-7138 and she can tell you what the cost is depending on how frequently you plan on curling every week.  Don’t delay – call now.

One of the leagues with special interest in new curlers is the Wednesday Evening Ladies League.  Designed to allow working ladies a chance to curl every week, this league is pleading for more participants to make the league more exciting and more competitive.  Here is a chance to leave hubby at home with the kids so you can have an evening out with friends getting some fresh air, exercise and some good clean fun.  For those who used to curl before work took all your time slots, here is a chance to get back in the game.  For those who have not enjoyed the experience – you have already left it too long and need to get at it, now.

Our Junior programme has really taken off with over twenty five participants.  The numbers, their interest and the calibre of curling will allow a few teams from the Club to enter some Regional competitions to wet their appetites on that part of curling.   The Junior Director, Dave Travers, and his curler assistants, is very pleased with the enthusiasm of the Junior curlers and their curiosity to learn more about the game.   Thankfully, several parents have taken a keen interest in the programme too which has really helped the kids and the instructors.  Like the other leagues, it is not too late for Juniors to join the programme by calling Dave Travers at 373-0016 or Sandy Eastlake at 354-7138.

A Refresher Clinic will be held at the Club on January 4th from 1 – 3 pm.  New curlers and experienced curlers interested in improving their delivery should sign up on the sheets posted in the Club.  Free instruction is available to anyone who wishes to take the time.  If you just want to practice, that is also a good time to do so before the curling takes off again after the New Year.

A Skips Clinic will be held at the Club on Saturday 17 January run by Andy Palmer. For those curlers interested in advancing to the highest level on a team, come and learn what Skips need to know tactically to maximize the chances of winning.  Once you know the shot required, all you have to do then is to make the shot.  Deciding the right shot for the player is important, the second part is to get the amount of ice required and the weight necessary to make the shot.  Come and learn how this is done, perhaps not to be a Skip but to learn more about the game so that you can understand what is happening during the game and get more enjoyment when curling.

On Saturday the Napanee Curling Club was filled with female curlers from far and wide participating in the annual Ladies Open Bonspiel.  Heather Ramshaw, the Ladies Bonspiel Director, coordinated the event ably supported by Eleanor Ramshaw and Jennifer Clarkson.  Bea Moore and Kim Dickson greeted all the rinks as they arrived and helped administer the event during the day.
The 16 teams  included 7 from the Royal Kingston, teams from Ottawa, Carleton Place, Garrison and 7 from Napanee.   The top point winners were Donna Poirier’s Team with curlers from the Royal Kingston (RKCC) and Napanee & District Curling Club (NDCC) with 35 1/2 points.  The team was skipped by Gayle Johnson, vice Nancy Tosh and second Louise VanHeighton.  The other two game winners included: second place -  Betty Bush’s team from the Royal Kingston Culring Club (RKCC), third place – Hilary Casey’s team from the Riverside Curling Club in Ottawa and fourth –  Judy Poirer’s team from the Garrison Curling Club in Kingston.  Rounding out the top 8 teams who were all offered a wonderful selection from the prize table included – Benita Murphy’s team, Jane Hough’s team, and Rebecca Murphy’s team (all from the NDCC) and Maelane Hums team from the Carleton Place Curling Club.

If you like eating the curling club is the place to be.  Saturday’s fare maintained our reputation as the best food on the curling circuit.  Eleanor Ramshaw and her team  provided a wonderful breakfast of cakes, yogurt  and fruit, Ingeborg Donald and her helpers served a delicious sandwich/soup lunch and Beth Clancey and her team served an incredible stuffed pork dinner withal the trimmings plus Doris Oglie’s apple pie.  I suspect all the ladies were on their treadmills on Sunday!

No club can run a bonspiel without the usual volunteers giving their time and talents to make it all happen.  Bar Captain Doug Baker and his elves Ed File, Phil Wilson, Brian Woodcock, Jack McNamee, Ken Clancey, Mark Baker, Tom Ayling and Linda Veley looked after the ladies’ thirst needs.  Frank Dunham and Don Currier, and their many helpers, looked after the ice.   The ladies seemed very pleased with the keenness and curl of the ice.

Our sponsors were Sharon VanGent and Jennifer Clarkson.  Raffle and Door Prizes were donated by Michele Penner, Bernice Pringle (Community Living), Jennifer Clarkson, Norma Jackemeck, Eleanor Ramshaw, Christine Peets, Pat Benn, Debbie Currier, Jane Hough and June Hicks.

A great time was had by all involved and special thanks to Heather for all her work and the good results.

Michele Penner has organized a Napanee and District Curling Club food drive to support the community needs through the Salvation Army.  This is the last week to bring in your donations (place them in the Christmas decorated boxes just inside the door) as the drive ends 9 December.  Thanks Michele for reminding us of all those in need at this time and giving us the opportunity to share.

Don’t forget to attend the General Curling Meeting on Sunday 7 December at 1 pm. 
 

The Napanee & District Curling Club is nearing the completion of the first draw of curling prior to the holiday break. Curlers in all leagues are putting their best game(s) together hopefully to be inscribed forever on one of the coveted trophies. Your league Directors will soon be posting sign up sheets for the second draw so remember to find these lists to ensure you are entered in the next draw. If you are not curling in any particular league but want to, please call the applicable Director so he/she has your name. Also, any curler or new members wanting to join and curl for the rest of the season, please call Sandy Eastlake 613-354-7138. For those who are not sure who to call the list of the Executive is posted in the lounge and there are 2008/2009 telephone directories with all members’ numbers available.

Your new Bar Directors Doug and Heather Baker want to thank all volunteers to date but especially thank the monthly Bar Captains: David VanVlack, Tom Ayling, Barry Brummel, Jim Angel, Jack McNamee and Paul McDonald for all their many hours helping with the day to day requirements of running an efficient bar. They further thank all members who step forward and do bar duty after each and every curling draw.

Frank Dunham and Don Currier, your ice technicians are doing a terrific job giving us clean, keen ice to curl on. Lets support them by not wearing fuzzy clothing and removing knees and hands (as soon as possible) from the ice surface.

Saturday the 29^th of November is our Ladies Open and Heather Ramshaw invites all of you to come out and see some terrific curling.

Sunday, 7^th December is our Semi-Annual General Meeting at 1 pm. All members are asked to come out and support your directors and the decisions that need to be made each and every year to keep the club viable and running smoothly. If you have not yet received your agenda by email or snail mail  please call Elizabeth Vandenberg 613-373-0099. There are extra ‘ proxies’ in the mail box on the kitchen counter so if you cannot make the meeting give your proxy to someone who is…your vote is important to the club as a whole.   Sandy Eastlake

MEN’S OPEN A BIG SUCCESS

The Napanee curling community were busy on the weekend with the 40^th Annual Men’s Open Bonspiel – either curling, watching or volunteering to provide the many meals and bar services.  Phil Wilson chaired the other volunteers on the bonspiel committee.  Although the number of rinks entered was down this year from last, there were 24 entries from far and very far: Royal Kingston and Cataraqui, Tweed, Winchester, Oshawa, Carleton Heights, Scarborough, Kemptville, St. Catherines, Ottawa, and North Grenville; some new faces and many familiar ones but, encouragingly, many younger curlers in attendance!  There were six local entries.  The Drawmaster was Hugh Sharpe assisted by his team of volunteers.

Friday afternoon, as all were gathering at the Club for their first game, curlers were given hot soup and “make your own sandwiches” coordinated by Sharon Van Gent and Eleanor Ramshaw.   After 7: 30 pm, curlers were treated to a Friday Night Wing Ding with delicious Chicken Wings sponsored by Rice Financial and served by Christine Ramshaw and her crew.  Nobody wanted to go home and there were still wings left when the bar closed.

A Saturday pancake and sausage breakfast was available for the morning curlers prepared by Diane Davie and all her volunteers.  Curling continued for some and before we knew it Linda Blake and her group were offering a hot chili lunch with all the butter tarts you could eat.  You should be seeing the pattern by now: we offer the visiting rinks so much food they can barely wiggle their ears and then we invite them to curl.  It does give our local rinks a distinct advantage.  Of course, the piece de réstistance has always been the Saturday night roast beef dinner and this year was no exception.  It was a fantastic meal, topped off with home- made pie, coordinated by Moira Sickling and her team of volunteers. Now even the local teams were starting to waddle.  Despite all this food, and some drink, the curling continued - some winning and the other half losing. By late Saturday night it was determined which teams would be there again on Sunday for the final and deciding games, ie, those taking home prizes.

Frank and Joan Banks prepared the Sunday breakfast for the morning curlers.  The semi-finals were played and then lunch was served by Janet Hobin for those competing in the four event finals.  In the end, the Garth Mitchell rink from St. Catherines won the A event (sponsored by Home Hardware) final, taking home the $1000 prize plus next year’s entry fee to the Men’s Bonspiel  donated by Lafarge(Ottawa),defeating the Don Currier rink from Napanee.  All other winning and runner-up teams selected their prizes from a very attractive prize table.  The B event (sponsored by Joyce’s Meat & Deli) was won by Cataraqui’s Ivan Suddergaard defeating Richard Roessner’s rink from St. Catherines.  The C event (sponsored by Burke Printing) was won by Rob Dickson’s team from Tweed who defeated the John Deman foursome from Napanee.  The D event (sponsored by Woodcock’s 401 Automotive & Tire) was won by the David Staples’ rink from St. Catherines who defeated the Robert St. Pierre team from Winchester.  Other generous sponsors included: Shoeless Joe’s, M&M Meat Shops, Moore Bros., George Grant Insurance, Optometrist Dr. Palmer, Barry Brummel of Wager & Myatt Real Estate, McCutcheon Insurance, Mainstay Natural Foods, Hart n’ Hart, AM sports, Napanee G&CC and Emmons Welding.  Without our sponsors and volunteers, there would be no bonspiel.  A heartfelt thanks to both, again. And well done Phil!!

CURLERS FOCUS ON HOCKEY

 It’s not often that the Napanee curling community is focused on hockey but this past week was certainly one of those times.  The National Women's U18 Hockey Championships really were the only games in town this week and what a fantastic display of hockey they put on for those many who took the time to go and watch.   I’m not qualified to comment on what they did or how well they did it but I do want to report on something that was very obvious to me during the week at the Strathcona Paper Centre.

The volunteer spirit of the curling club flowed over into the organization of the U18 hockey this week, big time.  Wherever you looked this past week, you saw volunteers from the curling club busily engaged in the many duties they had accepted.  Eleanor Ramshaw, and her curling teammates, provided all the lunches for all the volunteers, all week.  And, Sandi McNamee, and her curling teammates, provided all the dinners for all the volunteers, all week.   These were contract arrangements with the Host Organizing Committee for food services and the money earned went to the curling club.  There was no money involved for the Security team but John Deman had recruited many curlers who were involved with that all week too.  And, everywhere you looked, in so many other areas in the U18 organization, you saw curlers doing their thing for the community.  And, for those curlers who were not able to volunteer to help, they came to watch games whenever they could.  So, from my biased perspective, Napanee curlers can be very proud of their contribution and support of this latest wonderful, and successful, Napanee event.

Meanwhile, back at curling, the Club is busy preparing for the Mens Open Bonspiel starting Friday, 14 Nov, running all weekend with the finals on Sunday.  The Ladies Open bonspiel will be held two weeks later on 29 Nov.  Come and watch some good curling, at the smaller Napanee rink, and enjoy the friendly atmosphere at the Club. The next general curling meeting for all members will be held at 1 pm on Sunday 7 Dec.

It didn’t take long for curlers to get in the swing (and sweep) of things. All leagues are well underway and all those with some Club responsibility are busy trying to deal with those details we all knew would arrive but not sure what or where they would be.

We are enjoying excellent ice which, for those of us still struggling with the game, causes some frustration as we cannot, honestly, blame missed shots on the ice! Thanks to Frank, and his many helpers, for giving us such wonderful ice. Our guest curlers coming for the Men’s Open Bonspiel, on 14th – 16th November, and the Ladies Open, 29th November, will be in for a real treat. There are still openings for teams wishing to curl in the Men’s so, if interested, call Phil Wilson 373-2252.

If members have not yet volunteered to help at one of the bonspiels, or for the many jobs we need to do as volunteers at the Club, don’t be shy. Step right up and ask any of the Directors what you would like to do or what needs volunteers and I’m sure we can fit you in someplace, sometime. A reminder that we are able to keep our curling fees low, compared to other clubs in the area, only because we do much with volunteers versus hiring personnel that then costs the Club which has to be passed on the members. Volunteering is a win-win situation.

The 2008-2009 NDCC telephone directories are now available at the Club. Thanks again to Burke Printing for their continuing support for these directories.

And, it is not too late to curl. Come and see us, or call Sandy at 354-7138 and we should be able to accommodate your needs. We are very interested in more Junior curlers and all queries can be addressed to Dave Travers at 373-9916.

It will be a little quieter at the curling Club this week as so many curlers are volunteers at the U18 National Womens U18 Hockey Championship being held at the Strathcona Paper Centre. Support your community and Womens hockey in Canada by watching a game or two, around your curling.

Welcome back to another season of curling. This year we have 244 members; 23 of whom are new to the club and/or to curling in general. I would like to thank, Ian Munro and Andy Palmer
for their time and talents ensuring our new and returning members had some instruction prior to their first game. Frank Dunham, our Ice Technician thanks Don Currier, Rick Siegner,
Steve Eastlake and Tom Ayling for their assistance in the preparation of the ice this year. The superb painting on the ice was carried out by Rick & Phil of Capital Painting Ottawa. Our House Directors Bill Ryan and Gord Mitchell give special thanks to Chris Ramshaw for the major renovation job in the club kitchen/bar area helping to ‘spruce up the club’. All that and a new floor in the kitchen too! It looks so much brighter and better – thanks from all curling members.

Your new Board of Directors/assistants: President/Men’s Section- Bill Hogg, VicePresident/Kitchen – Sandi McNamee, Mixed Section- Cindy Woodcock, Ladies’ Section - Janet Hobin/Gayle Johnson, Junior –Dave Travers, Ladies’ Bonspiels - Heather Ramshaw, Men’s/Mixed Bonspiels –Phil Wilson, Fundraising - Christine Ramshaw, Ice /OCA Rep- Steve Eastlake, House –Bill Ryan and Gord Mitchell, Rentals – Shirley Bush, Membership – Sandy Eastlake/Ted Davie. Your treasurer Lia Dufour and secretary Elizabeth Vandenberg are busy with one set of books or another.

This season in the various leagues we have: Mon Men - 22 teams; Wed Men - 10 teams; Thurs Men - 14 teams; Tues Up & At'Em - 17 teams; Tues Mixed - 11 teams; Fri Mixed - 16 teams; Wed Ladies - 7 teams; Thurs Ladies - 11 teams. Juniors have 20 curlers with more to register. A reminder, juniors get to try curling without paying until the third week and no expensive equipment is
needed so call Dave Travers at 373-0016 if interested.

We wish to thank our sponsors who have participated in our curling club advertising programme:“on ice advertisement” is Colour Connection, A & M Sports, Country Traditions Frozen Foods, Exit Reality, Tim Hortons, Centre Street Auto, Napanee Opticians and Murray Drywall; Button advertisement is Bert's Golf, Tammy's Country Kitchen, Scotia Bank and Home Hardware Building Centre; and Wall advertisement is Wagar & Myatt Ltd Real Estate Brokers, Goodyear Canada, Doyle's Winsows, George A Grant Insurance Brokers Inc, Napanee Beaver, Pringle Ford, Giant Tiger, D & L Carpentry & Kitchen Design, Colio Estates Wine, Canadian Awning & Canvas Residential, The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company, Quinns Meats, Sign Me Up Hart 'N Hart, M & M Meats, Patricia Dafoe Insurance Agency Inc and Woodcock's 401 Automotive & Tire Centre.

Your Bar and Kitchen Directors have compiled their lists for volunteer duties, so please check for your name as to which Bonspiel, event, duty you are slated for. The Volunteer Chart in the foyer is posted for your viewing pleasure!!! I believe Sandi McNamee is still looking for a few Captains – great opportunity: less cooking, more organizing!

The telephone directories are ready for pick up thanks to the sponsorship of Burkes’ Printing. There are lots of other periodicals/notices at the Information Centre and on various bulletin boards so take a look this week.

This past weekend, Napanee teams had a clean sweep at the Royal Kingston Senior's Bonspiel: Winners Robert Paul, Paul Dickson, John Deman and Bill Creighton and the runners-up: Walter Genereux, Ken Clancy, Bill Casselman and Kees VanGent. Congratulations and what a great start to the season.

Remember to mark your calendar for the Men’s Open Bonspiel - 14th – 16th November; Ladies Open - 29th November and the General Meeting Sunday the 7th of December at 1 pm.

I thank the Napanee Beaver who generously print our curling article every week as yet another donation to the club. Many thanks.

Well, the 2008 curling season started off with some good and some bad experiences!

 First, the good experience.  The 6^th Annual “Swing and Sweep” event, organized by Heather Ramshaw and Kim Dickson, was held on Saturday and by all reports it was a great experrience, again.  The event started off in the morning with a Shot Gun start at the Napanee Golf Club.  A soup and sandwich lunch at the curling club by Eleanor Ramshaw was available for participants at noon with normal bar services provided by Dave VanVlack and Gerald McCracken.  The two four end curling games followed lunch with everyone enjoying the new, beautiful ice provided by Frank Dunham and his many volunteer helpers.  Everyone worked up an appetite for the delicious dinner prepared by the organizers mothers (Eleanor Ramshaw and Chris Moore), Sandi McNamee and other curlers.  Thanks to Bea Moore who tirelessly worked in the kitchen all day.  At the curling club, everyone pitches in and helps as necessary. That is part of the great curling club experience in Napanee.

Christine Ramshaw prepared an amazing raffle table with donations by many local sponsors with all monies going towards the 2008-2009 Fundraising campaign.  Thanks to our local sponsors.

A Swing and Sweep plaque, with the 5 previous winners inscribed, was donated by Chris and Eleanor Ramshaw and presented to the winners; Paul Dickson, Steve Angel, Daryl Latimer and Robert Dickson. The  Runner-up team was Bill Hogg, Mark Dunham and Heather Ramshaw.  Other prizes went to: Robert Dickson for the Men’s Closest to the Pin, and Paul Murphy for the Men’s Longest Drive.  Joyce Meredith won both the Ladies prizes: Longest Drive and Closest the Pin.   Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all participants and all those who made this event so successful and so much fun.

And now, some thoughts about the not so good experience.  The organization of curling clinics this year was a disaster and the person responsible should try again next year.  Well, that was me and I apologize to all those inconvenienced and disappointed by this lack of attention to detail and circulation of information in a timely manner.   I will try it again next year.  Being away at the time did not help and when I did return my system was not receiving e-mails, so even your complaints were not received.  Please accept my apology and feel free to remind me of my shortcomings at the rink.  My thanks to Sandy for trying to pick up the pieces.

See you there.

          Last Wednesday the RKCC held their annual Grandmother/Great Aunt Bonspiel and four rinks from Napanee competed.  The theme was 'Support our Troops" and 96 ladies did just that, most in red with “Support our Troops” ballcaps, etc.  An Izzy Doll pattern was sent to all participants in the hope that the bonspiel could collect a few to send to our troops for distribution to children around the world on their patrols. A representative from Base Kingston was the guest speaker and the ladies turned over 537 dolls -- 100 of them came from the Napanee Teams. Sandi McNamee, Norma Jackemeck, Heather Baker and Diane Davie won both games and came 5th out of 24 rinks.

The Napanee rink of Walter Genereux, Ray Snider, Ed File and Andy Graham were in Thornhill this weekend for the 2^nd Annual Provincial Grand Masters Curling Championships.  This level is limited to those curlers over 70 years old, so not all can compete!  Having previously won the Zone 4 playoffs, the Genereux rink represented us well ending up as the runners-up in the Second event and were defeated by well known provincial champ Joe Gurowski.  Now that everyone knows your ages (roughly) you can expect to see much more respect both at the Club and on the street.  Congratulations for putting Napanee on the Ontario curling map.

The annual Martin & Walters, the final curling club event of the year, was held Saturday and was great fun for the sixteen teams. Convenor John Deman and statistician Sandy Eastlake kept all entertained while Sandi McNamee ensured all hungers were sated and Jim/Anne Angel quenched all thirsts. This is not your normal curling bonspiel.  Every end is designed to be different and presents various challenges like curling around/through pylons, delivering your rock with a stick, discovering it’s not the closest rock to the button that scores but the ones in the house farthest from the button, etc.  That’s why it’s called a funspiel. The winners this year were Paul Spooner, Al Thompson, Phil Berry and Jim Peets beating Robert Hough, Jane Hough, Frank and Mark Dunham by just one end. All curlers picked out one of the many prizes generously donated by Country Traditions, Mr. Sub, Pizza Hut, Flowers by Barbara, La Pizzeria, Movies ‘N More, Paul’s Pizzeria, Dairy Queen and the Smiling Wilderness Family Restaurant. Keeping with tradition, the curlers then gorged themselves with a three table pot luck and those that were still able tried their hand at the barefoot draw to the button turkey/ham toss won by Steve and Sandy Eastlake. Many participants helped throughout the day and we thank you all for helping us make this a funfilled ending to the 2007/2008 curling season.

The annual general meeting was held at the Club on Sunday.  We can happily report that the Club had a good year and remains financially stable, thanks mainly to our volunteers and our advertising supporters.  Thanks to all the Directors, plus the Treasurer and Secretary, who managed our Club this year.  Special thanks goes to John Deman, outgoing President, and Bill Hogg, incoming President.  We are always happy to see new faces at the Club and we hope more in the area will be curious enough to come out in the Fall when curlers get together again for a season of fun – together - and see for themselves.

This is the final reminder that the annual curling Banquet will be held at the Club on Friday, 18 April.  This is an evening of cocktails, dinner and dance overshadowed by FUN so call and get your tickets from Sandy at 354-7138.

As this is the last article this season, I thank the Beaver for their generosity and cooperation in printing our weekly article on curling activities in Napanee.  Hopefully, I will be writing to you again in the Fall.  Have a great summer and stay in shape for curling next season.

          The Napanee & District Curling Club is now into its last two weeks of curling and all members are trying their best for their final chance to get their name on one of the coveted trophies…Good luck and good curling to all 280 of you. This has been a prosperous season for us with all our bonspiels being successful thanks to the hard work of club volunteers.  I have never been part of a club with an 88% volunteer rate and I personally thank all of you. For you other 12%, next season will have plenty of opportunities for you to get this rate even higher.

Club teams representing us at other Club Bonspiels have been successful too. Added to the events already written about is the 7th Annual Marvin Valensky Memorial Stickspiel (an event which raises funds for the Kingston Chapter of the Kidney Foundation) at the Royal Kingston Curling Club; Hugh Sharpe, Ed File, Don Currier and Ric Jones were the bonspiel winners   Ron Graham's team with Chris Ramshaw skipping, Ron vice, Heather and Christine Ramshaw came in second.  Christine also came in second in the ‘draw to the button’ shoot out.  She was just inches away from the button and donated the $100 prize back to the Kidney Foundation. Wow, what club representation!! Meanwhile, Andy and Cathy Palmer/Paul and Rebecca Murphy won the D Event of the Trenton Mixed skins. Way to go guys!!

The Monday Mens are down to three final teams vying for the Mens Club Championship. Robert Paul, Robert Hough, Paul McDonald, Paul Murphy in A is patiently waiting to play the B side winner whose final game is between Ken Clancey, Joe Jackemeck, Mark Dunham, Jack McNamee versus Walter Genereux, Ray Snider, Jim Head, Barry Small. By the time you read this article one of these teams will have won and will be playing Robert Paul on Monday 24^th of March.

Your league directors are busy compiling the awards to be presented the last week of curling; the bonspiel crew and Kitchen/Bar Directors are busy preparing for the closing Martin and Walters – March 29th; your Vice President is trying to ensure all will be ready for the banquet – April 18^th ; and all directors along with the secretary and treasurer are typing their reports for the closing General Meeting – March 30^th at 1 pm. All these and more are posted on the easel for your information. See you on the ice…….Sandy Eastlake  

           Ted Davie is doing a great job on this article but he is away at the Brier so you will have to put up with my write-ups for a couple of weeks.

The “Hot Shots” competition convened by Chris Ramshaw with Christine as his assistant and Eleanor making a delicious chili lunch was great fun. Twenty-two curlers raised, tapped, doubled and drew their best to be the annual Hot Shot winner; thanks to the sponsorship of Larry Pringe, Pringle Ford. This seasons’ winner was Case VanGent with runner up Cheryl Scrivens. The B event winner was Cynthia Woodcock with runner up Sandy Eastlake…Better luck next year, guys!!!!

            The second draw for Thursday men's had Ian Munro, Dave Haines, Grant Miller, Dennis Snider as the winning team with Brian Chadwick, Jack McNamee, Phil Berry, Terry Young in 2^nd place. Most of our leagues are now into their last draw --- where did the curling season go --- although the winter itself can be over any day now!!! The other league(s) second draw winners are not available to me at this time so check out our informative Web Site www.ndcc.ca  maintained by Heather Ramshaw or on the tables in Rebecca Murphy’s monthly Newsletter. Thanks ladies.

            The sign up sheet for helpers for the Banquet Friday, 18^th April is posted and tickets are available from Bill Hogg (convenor), Shirley Bush, myself, Jane Hough, Janet Hobin, Gayle Johnson and Angela Cronk. Also posted is the sign up sheet for our annual closing “Martin&Walters” which is great fun for members, family and friends. The convenor John Deman has a few surprises up his sleeve and the pot luck supper is always a mouth watering display of many different dishes. 

            Your agenda for the closing General Meeting Sunday, 30^th March at 1 pm has been emailed and there are copies for those without email on the kitchen counters or our Web Site. This year 7 of our 12 Directors’ terms are up and although some of them have agreed to stay for another term we really need members who have not served to step forward and fill the vacant positions.  Your current outgoing Directors have approached a lot of you already or will be doing so soon. So please review the nomination form and volunteer to do your part to ensure the continued prosperity of this your curling club. See you on the ice……….Sandy Eastlake 

            In case you missed them, the Highland Lassies have come and gone for another year.  If you missed the colour and the swirl of tartan kilts you may have heard the piercing sound of the bagpipes.  Master Piper, and NDCC member, Hugh Goldie added some pomp and ceremony as he “piped” the participating lady curlers on the ice for the two first draws.  You had to be there to appreciate just how special it can be. The annual ladies bonspiel, coordinated by Heather Ramshaw and her always supporting family members Eleanor and Christine, with the assistance of Liz and Andy Graham, was a wonderful experience for the 16 teams involved.  This year there were representative teams from Toronto (2), Picton, RKCC (6), Cataraqui, Garrison and Napanee (5).  The food, ice and hospitality maintained the Napanee standard of ‘second to none’.  Rebecca Murphy’s Napanee team of Jane Pearson, Cindy Woodcock and Lana Latimer was the top point winner with second place going to Judy Poirier’s Garrison team, third place to Grace Armstrong’s Picton team and fourth place to Colleen Bennett’s Royal Kingston team.   Rounding out the top 8 teams who were all offered a wonderful selection from the prize table included Fran Cooney’s RKCC team, Jordan VanVlack’s NDCC team, Benita Murphy’s NDCC team and Mary Jane Elvin’s NDCC team.   Well done to the many volunteers who made this bonspiel another NDCC success and thank you for your time and talents.

The second round of the Tuesday morning Up & At’Em league was won by  Sandi McNamee (George Elliott, Rick Siegner and Jennifer Clarkson) with two teams tied for the runner-up: Ted Davie (Elaine Badgley, E. Vandenberg/M. Therien and Bill Neville) and Sandy Eastlake (Rich Libby, Shelley Alkenbrack and Marg Martin).

            An important aspect of developing and maintaining curling as a recreational choice in Napanee is our Junior curling programme.  For reasons not completely understood, we have been having some difficulty attracting enough junior curlers to come out to learn about the game.  However, Ian Munro continues the programme and was pleased to host the Eastern Ontario Junior Curling League and the Eastern Ontario Little Rock League teams at the NDCC on 17 February.  Napanee did not have any curlers in the Bantam or Junior teams but had two Little Rock teams (under 12).  Both teams played well and the players reported that they enjoyed their first ever experience at this level of competition.  The next event for our Little Rock curlers is the Moo Spiel in Trenton in early March and curlers are preparing enthusiastically for their second appearance in that annual event.

            Despite our lack of Junior curlers feeding the system, we are seeing some success this year for our high school curlers.  Mark Dunham has continued to work with high school students interested in curling for several years with mixed results.  He himself was a product of a school curling programme which produced many wonderful curlers, some still in the club.  Mark is very pleased with his NDSS Boy’s School team this year.  The team led by the very competent young curler Scott Chadwick includes Wes Kerr, Justin Murray and Chris Galamb.  Last week, in Kingston, they won the KASSAA (Kingston Area Secondary School Athletic Association) playoffs and will represent our area in the EOSSAA (Eastern Ontario Secondary School Athletic Association) held in Garrison Mar 5-6.  Napanee supports you all the way to the National Schoolboy’s Championship!  Go for it NDSS – and good curling.

          I think the town is still buzzing with the excited talk of the success of the Sweethearts Dinner held at the club for our Ladies on 13 February.  All those fancy dressed men, under chief cook and bottle washer Jim Angel, did well to organize, prepare and serve a very good meal with all the trimmings.  Thanks to all the men who participated and helped make the evening memorable. I discovered we did have some outside help that should be recognized: Heather Baker provided the wonderful dessert selections and Sandi McNamee roasted the potatoes for us.  Thanks ladies.  We obviously needed your help.  Special thanks to John Stimpson who provided wonderful mood music on piano and guitar during the entire dinner and then music for dancing following the meal.  It was a very nice touch and added greatly to the success of the night.  Ladies should mark their calendars for next year’s similar event now.

Walter has pulled it off yet again!  On Friday, the finals for the Zone Grand Masters were held at the Club and Napanee has another winner this year.  Walter Genereux (teammates Ray Snider, Ed File and Andy Graham) won the privilege to represent this Zone at the Provincial playoffs in Thornhill the weekend of 28-30 March by defeating the Hutchinson team from Tweed.  Who says there isn’t much sport left in men over 70?

            Unknown to me last week was the good news that another Napanee rink had won a local bonspiel.  Gayle Johnson (vice Kim Pringle, second Kelly Roantree, and lead Louise VanHeighten) won the Queen of the Castle bonspiel in Picton on 09 February.  Well done ladies and thank you for spreading the ever increasing curling reputation of Napanee.

            The results of the first curling league draw are published; a bit late but better late than never.  Monday night Mens: A Draw: Ian Munro and Paul Dickson, B Draw: Bob Marriott and C Draw: Cam McFadyen; Up & At’em: Ray Snider and Jean Morrison; Tuesday Mixed: Marc Babcock; Wednesday Seniors: Dave Travers; Wednesday Ladies:June Hicks; Thursday Ladies: Michele Penner; Thursday Mens: Ian Munro and Friday Mixed: Ken Clancey.  Congratulations to all winners and their teams.

            Curling watchers are reminded that the Ladies Highland Lassie bonspiel will be held at the club on Saturday, 23 February.

BONSPIEL TIME

            It is February and that means bonspiel after bonspiel after various levels of provincial playoffs.  It’s hard to keep up with all the activity.  This past week for Napanee curlers was no exception.

            On Wednesday, Jack McNamee coordinated the annual Town & Country one-day bonspiel at the NDCC.  There were two last minute cancellations but the remaining fourteen rinks played two eight end games each and between games were treated to a delicious meal provided by Sandi McNamee and her team in the kitchen.  Congratulations to the bonspiel winner skip Walter Genereux and his team of Don Walker, Ray Snider and, import lead from RKCC, Ernie Carter.  Apparently, the success was mainly due to their import!  As usual, there was plenty of bird seed to go around for the other competitors.

            On Friday, the Club hosted the first level of the Zone Playoffs for the Provincial Senior Masters.  Napanee was represented by Walter Genereux (teammates Ray Snider, Ed File and Andy Graham) and Frank Dunham (teammates Hugh Sharpe, Frank Banks and Ron Reynolds).  There were also a rink from Quinte and another from Tweed.  After the dust settled, Genereux was the two game winner and received a bye to the finals.  Dunham and Tweed (both one game winners) square off next Friday morning at the Club and the winner of that game gets to play Genereux in the afternoon but must beat him twice to advance to the Provincials in Thornhill.  How many other sports provide opportunities for provincial competition for those over 70 years of age?  Just another advantage of the game of curling that one appreciates as we get older.

            On Saturday, four Napanee rinks entered the 25^th Annual Pat Lid Bonspiel at the Cataraqui CC.  Congratulations to the Frank Dunham rink (John Deman, Robert Hough and Murray Halliday) for tying for second.  Some may wonder when Frank has time to maintain our wonderful ice!!

            All friends, family and fellow curlers congratulate Rob Dickson and his rink for making it to the Provincial playoffs in Waterloo last week.  We were all disappointed (probably nothing compared to Rob and his teammates) with the final results there but we are all still are in awe of their success just to get to Waterloo.  Thinking of the thousands of Ontario curlers who would have been very proud just to make it through even one level of the competition required to get to Waterloo, it was a fantastic accomplishment for Rob and his team to represent the zone at these Provincial Brier playoffs.  They should be proud, as we are, of their curling success.  It seems to me that Howard and the rest were just fortunate that the Dickson rink didn’t find their groove earlier.  Beating Middaugh in the 10^th draw and Lobel (one of the finalists) in the 11^th draw, must of felt reeeaaal good. There will be another day, Rob, and look at the experience you are collecting at your age. Let this be a warning order for future Brier hopefuls in Ontario: the Dicksons will be back!

SWEETHEARTS VALENTINE DINNER 

            Well, it’s that time of year again when our thoughts turn to romance (hard to believe that only happens once a year now) and the curling club is abuzz about the annual Sweethearts Valentine Dinner.  Traditionally, on a night close to Valentines Day, the men of the club hold a dinner for the ladies in the club, and guests too when there is space available.  And when I say “hold”, I mean the men organize, prepare, cook and serve a special dinner for their loved ones with minimal assistance from the women.  It’s hard not to get a lot of free advice.  This year the dinner will be held on Wednesday, February 13^th.  The night starts at 6 pm with the “gathering” of the guests at the curling club, dressed to the hilt, who are greeted by men in “fancy” attire. The guests are served choices of tasty hors d’oeuvres and offered the cocktail of their choice.  While this is going on, you will see and hear the wild scurry of men in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on the three-course meal soon to be served.  At 7 pm, the guests are formally seated and the dinner commences with a light and delicious consommé followed by the main course (kept as a secret until served) and an incredible dessert – not quantity but quality this year.  And, of course, a wine of your choice will be offered.  The programme says “entertainment” is included and, I believe, that is still being developed and rehearsed as I write.  This is one of the big hits of the season and nobody should miss it.

            Limited to only 80 seats due to space limitations at the club, tickets are initially sold to members only.  However, after January 21^st, tickets are also available to any lady who wishes to come.  The cost is $25/ticket and if there are some men out there wondering what to give their loved one for Valentines this year (while you are down south golfing), here is a special deal.  Tickets are still available from Ron at 613 354-3761.  Don’t wait too long or you may miss the opportunity of the season.  Hopefully, we will see 80 ladies on the 13^th.

            The Town and Country Men's Bonspiel is this Wednesday, February 06 and the Ladies Highland Lassie is on February 23.  Both spiels are full.    

GOING TO THE MOVIES AT THE CURLING CLUB

           The annual Mixed Open Bonspiel was held this past weekend attracting curlers from far and wide.  Lots of good fun and good curling were conspicuous all weekend.  Organizer Rebecca Murphy did a great job pulling the many volunteers together to produce the results achieved.  The Clubhouse was well decorated for the “Movie Theme” with posters and cinema paraphernalia and most teams took up the challenge with fantastic movie costumes for the Saturday night dinner and dance.  Thought, work and creativity were demonstrated with the various entries representing the movies Titantic, Monty Phython, Blues Brothers, Wizard of Oz, Matrix and others.  It was quite obvious that the participants had come to have fun and the winning combination of friendly hosts, engaging visitors, great food and an obliging bar staff made for a great weekend.  As curlers were leaving the big question seemed to be: “What is the theme for next year?”

            Oh yes, there was plenty of great curling too!  Finals were held Sunday and congratulations goes to our local rink of Ken Clancey, Linda Blake, Daryl Latimer and Beth Clancey won the “A” event, runner-up was the Tim Bakunyi rink from Quinte CC, and the third place consolation prize was the Rob Gray rink from Carleton Place.  The “B” event winner was Amber Moulton and her Junior team from St. Catherines and Ottawa and the runner-up was Dave Wolovick from the RKCC.  “C” event winner was NDCC’s Andy Palmer and runner-up was Dave Travers also from the NDCC.  “D” event winner was Dean Clark from RKCC and runner-up Jim Mullen from the NDCC.  Rebecca had organized great prizes for all the winners thanks to our sponsors the Napanee Beaver and Commonsense Financial.

            You might not realize the number of volunteers required for the decorating, draw, ice, kitchen and bar necessary to run a bonspiel for three days.  For this event we needed over 50 and in the NDCC tradition they came out and gave their time and talents willingly and that is truly the success of our Club.  As has come to be expected in Napanee, the food was terrific all weekend: Fri night snacks, Sat breakfast, lunch and dinner and Sun breakfast and lunch.  The Sat night feast was catered by Water’s Edge Catering and it was delicious!  From where I sat during the weekend observing the many volunteers, special mention goes to Rebecca Murphy for all her hard work and great organizational skills and to Tom Ayling who was everywhere all weekend: bartender, helping prepare the ice and ably assisting the drawmaster.  Thank you both, and all the other volunteers, from all your grateful club members.

            Congratulations to the Andy Palmer rink consisting of wife Cathy, Jane and Robert Hough who won the Open Mixed bonspiel at the Cataraqui CC last weekend.

WEEKEND FULL OF CURLING

The Napanee & District Curling Club was a very busy place this past weekend.  Saturday was the annual Senior Mens Bonspiel and Sunday was a Ladies Club Bonspiel.

            The fifteenth annual Senior Mens “Deacon’s Bench” Bonspiel, organized by Walter Genereux, was a booming success.  Eight Napanee teams and eight outside teams from Brockville, Kingston clubs and Quinte met for three six-end games and the Napanee teams fared very well.  The high point three game winner was the Joe Jackemeck team (Frank Dunham, Dave VanVlack and Kees VanGent) from the home club.  The other three game winner was the John Deman team (Ted Davie, Paul Spooner and Hugh Sharpe), also from Napanee.  The high point two game winner was the Larry Waller rink from the RKCC.   Waller has won this bonspiel for the past SEVEN years.  The high point one game winner was Mike Breen, also from the RKCC.  The winning rinks all received boxes of steaks.  Thanks to the sponsors: Quinn’s Meats, Brier Fox Golf Club and Goodyear.

            In case you are wondering, the name “Deacon’s Bench”, comes from the  Bonspiel Trophy.  A friend of Walter’s, very handy with his hands, had built a Deacon’s Bench and with the left over wood he made a small curling rock of wood that bears the plaques with the names of the annual winning rinks. As everyone has come to expect, the food was absolutely wonderful again this year.  Soup and a sausage roll for lunch, organized by Jane Hough and her team, and a full roast beef dinner, organized by Elizabeth Vandenberg and her team.  Lia Dufour and Jacquie Brown handled the bar.  Don Currier looked after the ice which continues to impress all curlers.

            Last year, in an effort to get the lady curlers of the club from the various leagues together so that they might make new friends and join more leagues, a Ladies Club Bonspiel was held.  It seemed to work, everyone had a good time and so the second annual was held on Sunday.  The normal Skips are displaced by the Vices and generally all the ladies curled in different team positions.  The Cheryl Scrivens rink (Jo Sutton, Diane Davie and Joan Banks) won the trophy (yet unnamed) created by Sherry Pringle, Jane and Robert Hough.  Help us find a name for this trophy (wedding cake shape topped by a chicken wire curling rock).  The ladies have a “regifting” exchange where they pass around gifts better suited for someone else.  A “pot luck” supper topped off the day.

            On Jan 6^th three local ladies teams caught the organized bus and headed for the annual three days of curling and fun at the Chateau Montebello.  Napanee teams have been going to this event for many years and it has a great reputation for being well worth the cost.  Winning teams host the losing teams in their Chateau rooms after each game so the ladies they take the necessary “supplies” for the duration.  At the end of the bonspiel, the ladies entertain each other with skits, song, whatever and generally have a ball.  Hospitality provided by all the curlers seems to be the secret of their success.  See Jean Morrison if you want to go next year.

CURLING AGAIN 

            Curling starts with enthusiasm this week with all leagues active.  All those new Christmas brooms, shoes and apparel will be on display as curlers take to the ice.  Even the ice has had a make over as Frank Dunham and his band of hard workers did a melt down to get all the dirt on the surface, scraped the dirt off and it now looks like as bright and clean as it did when we started curling in October.  Hopefully, all curlers will take note and observe the requirement to wear only clean footwear on the ice, cleaning the bottoms of their shoes every time they go out on the ice.           

            The holiday break was also used to train more “Smart Serve” bartenders and we now have over 50 trained with another 20 taking the course soon.  Well done to all those involved with solving this problem so quickly and thanks to the many bartender volunteers. 

            The clinics were held on 6 January as planned.  Andy Palmer trained another 10 skips, John Deman trained 6 new curlers and many members came out to get back in the “swing”.  Practicing ends as the leagues get going again. 

            Happy New Year to all curlers and especially to those readers north of the Soo who try to keep track of what is going on in Napanee by reading the Beaver weekly.

CURLERS TAKE A CHRISTMAS BREAK

             This week marks the end of organized curling at the Napanee District Curling Club for 2007.  The Club will be closed from December 22 and will undergo ice maintenance from 27 Dec to 02 Jan inclusive.  Some scheduled curling will take place the first week of January but members are encouraged to contact their league coordinators to check what team they are on and when they next curl.

Another reminder that there will be a refresher curling clinic (and Skip clinic) on 06 January at 1 pm.  Members interested in either clinic, or require more information, are to contact Sandy at 354-7138.  If you did not sign up for the clinic but would like to  throw some rocks, practice your slide or lean on your broom like a Skip, please feel free to join the clinic on the 6^th.  This is a special welcome to new members who may like some extra time to improve their style and game.

There are two bonspiels scheduled at the NDCC in January: the Senior Mens on Saturday 12 January and the Mixed Open on Fri/Sat/Sun the 25-27 January.

Make a member of your family very happy on Christmas morning by giving them a membership to the NDCC for the remainder of the 2007-2008 season.  Good chance you will know where they are and what they are doing, some of the time.

Your Board of Directors wish all members of the Club a very merry Christmas and good curling in the new year.  This is the last On the Button article until January ’08.

NAPANEE HOSTS TSC TANKARD PLAYOFFS 

            The Zone 4 TSC Tankard playoffs held in the Napanee Curling Club this past weekend were exciting and quite successful thanks to the many volunteers. The curling results were covered in  special earlier articles in the Beaver and Whig. 

            Our ice, and our icemaker Frank Dunham, received compliments from many of the competitors.  Keen help for the icemaker all weekend was provided by Mark Dunham, Rick Siegner and Ray Moore.  The bar catered to the many spectators and curlers thanks to Andy Graham and Bill Casselman.

            Over the weekend the hungry crowd were fed by Eleanor Ramshaw and her team of Lana Jaeger, Debbie Currier, Anne Angel, Angela Cronk and Adrienne Laing.  Special thanks to Sandy Kennelly for her delicious pies served both Saturday and Sunday meals.   It’s the sort of touch that makes curling in a Napanee competition uniquely special.

            While the competition was on the ice, the club conducted a Smart Serve course for some of our bartenders in preparation for the new provincial laws that become effective in January 2008.  Those aspiring to be a bartender at the club in 2008 need to have this course before 08 Jan and volunteers are encouraged to sign the list on the notice board for the next course.

            There will be a refresher curling clinic (and Skip clinic) on 06 January at 1 pm.  Members interested in either clinic, or require more information, are to contact Sandy at 354-7138.

JUNIOR CURLING AT THE NDCC            

          During the winter, the young are often attracted to more popular school sports like hockey and basketball but we all know that we should be planning for things to do when we “grow up”.  This is not a question of maturity but one of physical capabilities as we age.  Individual sport is where we all end up, eventually, for the rest of our lives.  Golfing in the summer and curling in the winter, both with good social opportunities, is a winning Canadian combination for the rest of our lives. Most of us wish we had started both, sooner.  Curling for the young offers something to do (vice nothing to do) during the winter months with the added bonus of regular exercise, competition with friends and a controlled social opportunity – all for a very reasonable rate – and its great fun!  The long term potential of a curling club is usually measured by its Junior curling programme and the NDCC is trying to attract more young curlers and some more experienced curlers to assist in their training and education.

          Last year, the NDCC sponsored a 4H programme to design a curling club.  Last week, the winner of that competition was selected and awarded a free membership in the Junior curling programme for the year.   Congratulations to Amanda Sherwood.

          There are currently 25 Junior curlers registered ranging from 6 to 16 years.  Through a cooperative agreement there are another twelve 4H members and offers have been made to the local schools for them to join as well.

          Ian Munro, the Director Junior Curling, is encouraged by the response this year but would like to see more.  However, even with the present number curling, he needs more help.  The Juniors curl twice/week: Wed 4-5:30 and Sun 7-8 pm.  Ian needs adults to assist Wed and they do not need to be curling instructors – more like adult supervisors to help keep the programme focused and the Juniors curling safely.  On Sun, he could really use one or two experienced curlers.  Come on members of the NDCC, call Ian at 354-1828 and volunteer to help.

          This year Ian is looking for some out of town competitive games for his Junior curlers.  The Eastern Ontario Junior Curling League (EOJCL - all clubs from Brockville to Belleville) will have some league games together on 16 Dec with another outing 17 Feb and someone with a few hours to help organize these events would be appreciated.   Parents, you need to give Ian a call too, either for more info or to register your child.

          Members are encouraged to watch for  “sign up sheets” for the next period of curling and any new curlers interested in joining please call Sandy at 354-7138.

 LADIES OPEN ANOTHER CLUB SUCCESS 

            It was another busy week at the Napanee & District Curling Club but the two main events this week were the Trillium Grant recognition ceremony on Wednesday, already fully covered by the press, and the Ladies Open Bonspiel held on Saturday, 24 November.  Jordan VanVlack, bonspiel co-ordinator, was extremely happy with the whole day.  As usual, the volunteers did their good work and the warm, friendly atmosphere at the Club made all our visitors feel very welcome.  The sixteen teams were mainly from Kingston and Napanee but there was one, again this year, from as far away as the Riverside Club in Ottawa.  They played two games each and the team with the highest points won which was the Judy Poirier rink from Kingston Garrison.  And as the teams were leaving, they made it clear that they will certainly be back next year for the Open and probably at our next Ladies ‘spiel (Highland Lassie) in February too.  With great food all day, super ice, very good prizes and the typical friendly Napanee atmosphere, why wouldn’t it be a great success? 

            The great food was the result of breakfast captain Shelly Alkenbrack, lunch captain Ingeborg Donald and dinner captain Sandi McNamee and their teams of helpers.  The super ice continues thanks to Frank Dunham and Don Currier and all their bonspiel helpers.  The good prizes were from our many local sponsors and coordinated by Liz Graham and Misty Ventura.  Interesting to note that Jordan had organized the draw so that the ladies had time between their games to eat and do some local shopping of which, apparently, many took full advantage.  The drawmasters were Hugh Sharpe and Phil Harrington while Anne and Jim Angel, Earl Bush and Jack Barker ran the bar.  

            The next big event at the Club will be the mens Ontario Curling Association and the ladies Scott zone playdowns on 8/9 December.  These involve those Eastern Ontario teams with aspirations of representing their provinces at the annual Brier and Scotts and guarantees excellent curling for those interested in watching the games live. Come on down and check out the great atmosphere that weekend,  enjoy a drink with the other spectators and see in person how the experts behind the glass seldom make a mistake.  If you are not a club member, come and see why our club as such a great reputation.  It is not too late to join the club for curling in the second half after Christmas!

MEN’S OPEN A SUCCESS - AGAIN  

            The annual Men’s Bonspiel was a success again this year thanks to the good fun, great food and genuine fellowship provided by the Club.  However, this, as always in our club, was built on sound organization and the many, energetic, reliable volunteers who are the saving grace for all our events.  For most of our visiting curlers this weekend, the support given by our many volunteers blew them away.  If they could be so lucky!

             Organizationally, Phil Wilson, Bonspiel Chair, and his team of volunteers, kept the schedule on track, on time, for a well-run affair.   Well done Phil!  The 32 rinks included curlers from Oshawa, London, Ottawa, Quinte, Tweed and many other closer clubs.  The Milne team, from Richmond, use this bonspiel every year as a reunion of college mates and includes one curler from France who keeps coming back to Napanee.  His accumulated air miles may be of a future 50/50 draw prize. 

            The competition this year was excellent, with many extra end games, and may be connected to the fact Napanee will host the OCA Zone Playoffs 8/9 Dec.  The Zone winners will playoff later to determine which team will represent Ontario at the Brier.  Several of the rinks in our bonspiel will return to compete for the OCA Zones.  The winners for this year were: A event- John Collins, Quinte and Runner up Ivan Suddergaard, Cataraqui; B event- Cam McFadyen, NDCC and Runner-up Ian Munro, NDCC; C event- Andre Chapman, Quinte and Runner-up Ed Warren, Carleton Heights; and D event- Bob Tester, Cataraqui and Runner Up Kevin McLean, NDCC.  Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all participants for making this a great spiel.

            Then there was the food!  It’s hard to believe so few men could eat so much in one weekend.  There was a lot of sweeping this weekend and most were there without their wives.  What’s to hold them back?  Even good food requires organization and Sandi McNamee, our Kitchen Director, provided that for us.  She had able Captains, and their teams, to look after every meal: Friday night Captains Sharon VanGent, Eleanor and Christine Ramshaw; Saturday breakfast Diane Davie, Saturday lunch Linda Blake and Saturday dinner Joan Ives; Sunday breakfast Shirley Bush and Sunday lunch Liz Graham.  The lady volunteers waited on the men all weekend in a manner they were unaccustomed to, and the men loved every minute of it.  Thank you ladies.  Let’s hope the men are willing and able to do as well at the Ladies’ Open Bonspiel next weekend.           

Not to mention those responsible for the excellent ice everyone enjoyed would be a major oversight.   The club gives a special thanks to Frank Dunham, Don Currier and their many assistants for a job well done.  According to our visitors, our ice is as good as any ice in Eastern Ontario.  Keep it up guys!

     Welcome back all last year’s curlers and a special hello to our new curlers.  Where else in the neighbourhood can you get regular exercise, good clean fun, fellowship and weekly winter social opportunities for such a reasonable price?  The NDCC is still the best kept secret in Town. 

            As you should note, Sandy Eastlake has moved on from this column after many years of dedicated contributions.  All members of our curling club are in debt to her for the many facets of the club she had directed, some of which she is still doing.  I’m sure many are unaware of what she does year after year so here are some facts.  The Membership Director, that’s Sandy, organizes the membership applications, registration days, takes all that info and puts it into the database (that includes identifying those curling in each league, new curlers, those only curling in one league, volunteers in all aspects of our club and those wishing lockers), sends league lists to each league Director, sends relevant volunteer lists to each functional Director, sends membership lists to OCA and Treasurer, coordinates e-mail address distribution and types, copies and distributes our annual telephone directory.  Now the rest of us can start to curl.  Of course, she is still busy organizing the clinics for our new curlers and allocating lockers to all those who had requested. If you consider the number of curlers in our club, hopefully you will realize all the work that this lady has done for some time.  Next time you see Sandy at the club, thank her for her dedication and the hard work she has done/continues to do for our curling club.  Heck, demonstrate your gratitude, buy her a drink! 

            Each year the Club is fortunate to have local sponsors advertise in our Club which provides much appreciated revenue.  These have been done in three categories this year: wall advertisement (Barry Brummell – Wagar & Myatt, Goodyear Canada, Doyle’s Windows, Geo A Grant Insurance Brokers, Napanee Beaver, Pringle’s, Giant Tiger, M & M Meats, D&L Carpentry, Colio Estate Wines, Cdn Awning & Canvas, Hart N’ Hart, Napanee Bulk Food, North Key Construction & Orkney Residential and the Dominion of Canada General Insurance); on ice advertisement (Colour Connection, A & M Sports, Country Traditions, Exit Reality, Tim Hortons, Shear Magic Hair Styling & Spa, Napanee Opticians and Dairy Queen) and the button advertisements (Tammy’s Country Kitchen, Scotia Bank, Home Hardware and Bert’s Golf).  If you have the opportunity, please support our sponsors.

             A reminder to check the list of volunteers posted by Kitchen Director Sandi McNamee to see when you might be doing breakfast next or if you are to bring pie or cookies for the Men’s Open  Bonspiel this weekend, 16-18 November. The general public is welcome to watch curling any time but a very good time would be during that weekend when the quality of competition is expected to be very high. Hope to see you at the Club.

"On the Button" - By Sandy Eastlake (as featured in the Napanee Beaver)  

      Welcome back to another fun filled season of curling. This year we have 270 members; 31 of whom are new to the club and/or to curling in general. I would like to thank Joe Jackemeck, Gayle Johnson, Craig Manley, Beau Maracle, Cam McFayden, Ian Munro, Andy Palmer and Kim Pringle for all their time insuring our new and returning members had full instruction prior to their first game.  Steve Eastlake and Frank Dunham, our new Ice Technician heartfully thank Don Currier, Rick Siegner, Dave Travers, Ian Munro, Andy Graham, Chuck Gray, Brian Hobin, John Deman, Chris Ramshaw and Tom Ayling for their assistance in the preparation of the ice which took many, many extra hours because of the installation of the new Headers (pipes). This expensive Header replacement was completed upon receipt of a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and we thank them immensely.  Our House Director Jennifer Clarkson give thanks to Cor Vandenberg, Tom Ayling, Ian Munro, John Deman, Shirley Bush, Chris Ramshaw, Chuck Mercer, Steve Eastlake, Jim Angel and Frank Dunham for helping ‘spruce up the club’.

The 5th annual Swing and Sweep showed members and friends a great day on the links/on the ice thanks to co-ordinators Heather Ramshaw and Kim Dickson. I heard that the weather conditions were much more friendly than last year.  Lunch was ready and served at the curling club (soup and sandwiches) by Eleanor Ramshaw. Jim and Ann Angel had the bar open and Bill Ryan and Shirley MacDonald help keep everyone served all afternoon. Curling was played by all participants on the great ice prepared by Frank Dunham. Dinner was prepared by Chris Moore, Eleanor & Heather Ramshaw, Sandi McNamee and a few other curlers. Beth Clancey helped out as well in the kitchen all day.  All participants helped with the clean up of the club and dishes.  Jim Sunstrum's team of Hugh Sharpe, John Deman and Jeff Sunstrum won the spiel with the Ian Munro's team a close runner-up.  Gift baskets prepared by Jennifer Clarkson and the Wilton Cheese Factory as well as a picture donated by Christine Ramshaw from the Playground Childcare Centre were raffled off at the end of the night with monies going towards the 2007-2008 Fundraising campaign. Heather and Kim thank all participants, volunteers and supporters for an excellent day once again; and a special thanks to Eleanor Ramshaw and Chris Moore, their mothers’ for their endless help with any activity their girls volunteer for.

Your new Board of Directors (and assistants): President/Mens-Mixed Bonspiels - John Deman, VicePresident/Mens Games - Bill Hogg, Mixed Games - Diane Shea, Kitchen - Sandi McNamee, Junior - Ian Munro, Ladies Bonspiel - Heather Ramshaw/Jordan VanVlack, Fundraising - Christine Ramshaw, Ice - Steve Eastlake, House - Jennifer Clarkson, Ladies Games - Janet Hobin/Gayle Johnson,  Bar/Rental - Jim Angel/Tom Ayling/Shirley Bush and myself your Membership Director welcome you to another fully scheduled winter of curling. Your treasurer Lia Dufour and secretary Elizabeth Vandenberg are busy with one set of books or another.

Our leagues this season have: Mon Men - 20 teams; Wed Men - 10 teams; Thurs Men - 10 teams; Tues Up & At'Em - 17 teams; Tues Mixed - 15 teams; Fri Mixed - 26 teams; Wed Ladies - 7 teams; Thurs Ladies - 11 teams. Juniors have 20 curlers with more to register. Remember, juniors get to try without paying until the third week and no expensive equipment is needed so call Ian Munro 354-1828.

Your Bar and Kitchen Directors have compiled their lists for volunteer duties, so please check for your name as to which Bonspiel, event, duty you are slated for. The Volunteer Chart in the foyer is posted for your viewing pleasure!!! I believe Sandi is still looking for a few Captains – come on ladies – it is just “cooking’ after all.

            The telephone directories are ready for you to pick up thanks to the sponsorship of Burkes’ Printing and there are lots of other periodicals/notices at the Information Centre and on various bulletin boards

Remember to mark your calendar for the Mens Open Bonspiel - 16^th – 18^th  November; Ladies Open - 24^th November and the General Meeting Sunday the 2nd of December at 1 pm.

I want to thank The Napanee Beaver for letting me be ‘a little wordy’ in this my first and last article of this curling season. I am remiss in not getting part of this published last Wednesday. I have thoroughly enjoyed writing to you and I know my successor, Ted Davie will also keep you well informed with club happenings/events. It is time for you to see someone elses smiling face each week in our On The Button’ article.

See you on the ice or in the lounge…..I have been heard to say more than once “Its twelve o’clock somewhere”.

      The Napanee & District Curling Club has now completed its first week of curling with 270 members; 31 of whom are new to the club and/or to curling in general. I would like to thank Joe Jackemeck, Gayle Johnson, Craig Manley, Beau Maracle, Cam McFayden, Ian Munro, Andy Palmer and Kim Pringle for all their time insuring our new and returning members had full instruction prior to their first game.  Steve Eastlake and Frank Dunham, our new Ice Technician heartfully thank Don Currier, Rick Siegner, Dave Travers, Ian Munro, Andy Graham, Chuck Gray, Brian Hobin, John Deman, Chris Ramshaw and Tom Ayling for their assistance in the preparation of the ice which took many, many extra hours because of the installation of the new Headers (pipes). This expensive Header replacement was completed upon receipt of a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation and we thank them immensely.  Our House Director Jennifer Clarkson give thanks to Cor Vandenberg, Tom Ayling, Ian Munro, John Deman, Shirley Bush, Chris Ramshaw, Chuck Mercer, Steve Eastlake, Jim Angel and Frank Dunham for helping ‘spruce up the club’.

Your new Board of Directors (and assistants): President/Men's-Mixed Bonspiels - John Deman, VicePresident/Mens Games - Bill Hogg, Mixed Games - Diane Shea, Kitchen - Sandi McNamee, Junior - Ian Munro, Ladies Bonspiel - Heather Ramshaw/Jordan VanVlack, Fundraising - Christine Ramshaw, Ice - Steve Eastlake, House - Jennifer Clarkson, Ladies Games - Janet Hobin/Gayle Johnson,  Bar/Rental - Jim Angel/Tom Ayling/Shirley Bush and myself your Membership Director welcome you to another fun filled winter of curling. Your treasurer Lia Dufour and secretary Elizabeth Vandenberg are busy with one set of books or another.

The 5th annual Swing and Sweep was another success thanks to co-coordinators Heather Ramshaw and Kim Dickson. I heard that the weather conditions were much more friendly than last year.  Lunch was ready and served at the curling club (soup and sandwiches) by Eleanor Ramshaw. Jim and Ann Angel had the bar open and Bill Ryan and Shirley MacDonald help keep everyone served all afternoon. Curling was played by all participants on the great ice prepared by Frank Dunham. Dinner was prepared by Chris Moore, Eleanor & Heather Ramshaw, Sandi McNamee and a few other curlers. Beth Clancey helped out as well in the kitchen all day.  All participants helped with the clean up of the club and dishes.  Jim Sunstrum's team of Hugh Sharpe, John Deman and Jeff Sunstrum won the spiel with the Ian Munro's team a close runner-up.  Gift baskets prepared by Jennifer Clarkson and the Wilton Cheese Factory as well as a picture donated by Christine Ramshaw from the Playground Childcare Centre were raffled off at the end of the night with monies going towards the 2007-2008 Fundraising campaign. Heather and Kim thank all participants, volunteers and supporters for an excellent day once again; and a special thanks to Eleanor Ramshaw and Chris Moore, their mothers’ for their endless help with any activity their girls volunteer for.

Remember to mark your calendar for the Men's Open Bonspiel - 16^th – 18^th  November; Ladies Open - 24^th November and the General Meeting Sunday the 2nd of December at 1 pm.

            As I write this article, the second last of the season I do it with mixed feelings. I really want to get into my flower gardens but I also wouldn’t mind being on the ice. The General Meeting went well and we thank all those who attended. John Deman thanked the outgoing Directors, Ken and Joan Ives, Chris Ramshaw, Ron Graham, Liz Graham and Linda Smith for all their many hours spent for the betterment of the club. There were no major issues to report for the minutes but we welcomed the new Directors Janet Hobin/Gayle Johnson, Christine Ramshaw, Sandi McNamee, Jim Angel and Bill Hogg. Unfortunately we did not get a nominee for the Ladies Bonspiel position and we would like all of you ladies to consider volunteering and filling this position.

            On a better note I want to congratulate all the third draw winners. Starting with Monday Mens Club Championship – Steve Angel, Paul Dickson, Daryl Latimer, Darrell Pritchard with Don Curriers rink taking the runner up spot; followed by Wednesday Senior winner Walter Genereux, Ron Graham, Al Thompson, Walter Bell; then Thursday Mens winner Marc Babcock, Daryl Latimer, Scott Chadwick, Moe Drew. Next in line was the Tuesday Up & At’Em with winner Walter Genereux, Elaine Badgley, Paul Spooner, Anne Angel; the Tuesday Mixed winner Cam McFayden, Kirk and Ingeborg Donald, Beth Primeau. The Friday Mixed winner was Ken and Beth Clancey, Daryl and Lana Latimer. Last but certainly not least was the Ladies winners of Wednesday of Linda Blake, Jane Pearson, Anne Knapp, Laurie VanStraalen; then the Thursday ladies winner Janet Hobin, Elaine Badgley, Marilyn Cole, Norma Clarkson. Good curling to all of you.

            The Martin and Walters held last Saturday showed 24 teams having to draw from the dreaded envelope. Thanks to John Deman and his committee of Joan Ives, Shirley Foley, Paul McDonald, Ken Ives and myself the day was a great success with Liz Grahams’ team taking the top position with Don Pearson, Terry Young and Ray Moore. All participants made it to the glittering prize table and then proceeded to enjoy a three table pot luck. Lana Latimer won the eventful turkey toss later in the evening and a few of our members’ children enjoyed a final skate before the ice plant was shut down.

            Last on our agenda for the 50^th season is our annual banquet on Friday 27^th April. If you somehow did not get your ticket please call me 354-7138. This is going to be the biggest banquet ever as ex curling members and honored past presidents have been invited. The Beaver will be graciously covering this event so I will say adieus for this season; leaving you with this reminder --- invite all your friends to join us next year for another fun filled season at the Napanee & District Curling Club and call me with their address so I can send them an application early next fall. Have a great, fun summer and see you on the ice in the fall…….

             The 2^nd annual Hot Shot competition last Saturday was great fun. Thanks to the sponsorship of (Ford of Canada) Larry Pringle the lucky winner Bill Hogg now gets a chance to win a two year lease on one of their gorgeous vehicles. The convenor Chris Ramshaw did a great job keeping statistics with the help of Ron Graham, Bill Hogg, Heather Ramshaw and many of the participants. Eleanor Ramshaw, Barb Graham and Joan Ives served up a delicious Chili and Salad lunch with various kinds of chili prepared by Eleanor and Ron.

            By the afternoon the event was down to the final four curlers: Tom Ayling, Bill Hogg, Heather Ramshaw and Frank Dunham. Ayling and Hogg both made the dreaded “double takeout” resulting in a tie so they had to do a “closest to the button” shoot out. As all the rest of the participants watched with fingernails in mouth, Hogg bested Ayling by only a rocks’ difference. Great curling to both of you and thank you Chris for a fun filled day at this the second last Saturday of this 2006/2007 curling season.

            Next up is the closing Martin & Walters, Saturday the 31st and I am pleased to say we have three draws this year. Further information call John Deman 352-5523. Last, prior to the Banquet on the 27^th April, is the closing General Meeting on Sunday, 1^st of April at 1 pm. This meeting is for all members to voice their opinions and views on the day to day running of YOUR curling club.    

           The Napanee & District Curling is now into its last two weeks of curling for the 2006/2007 season. With this being the 50^th year of the club, Eleanor Ramshaw and her committee of Sharon VanGent, Benita Murphy and Sally Lambert are busy with the preparations of making this the best banquet ever. Ron Graham convenor of the banquet still can use your help with set up or clean up, so sign up today on the kitchen bulletin board and make our preparations easier and faster (as the saying goes “the more the merrier”). You should have no trouble getting your ticket(s) for this banquet, just ask Shirley Bush, Liz Graham, Chris Ramshaw, Jane Hough, Angela Cronk or myself.

            The club was well represented last week at the Sterling Ladies St Patrick bonspiel on Wednesday by two of our ladies teams. Shirley Bush, Sandi McNamee, Liz Graham, Cheryl Scrivens ended up 3^rd and Myself, Michele Penner, Barb Graham, Lorraine Wilson came 8^th. We also had two teams in the Tweed Ladies bonspiel last Saturday and we at least made the draw come out even. I am not naming names but we had a great time.

            I am sure you all know by now there sign up sheets on the easel for the Hot Shot competition on the 24^th and the closing Martin & Walters on the 31^st. The Hot Shots is a lot of fun as we all try to copy the TV elite curlers making double takeouts, draws to button…and so on. For further information call Chris Ramshaw 354-2003. The closing Martin & Walters is for curlers to finish the season playing a game or two with their teammates but also it is for any member wanting to get in one more game prior to season shutdown. The sign up sheet has team listings AND individual listings. Individuals will be curling too so if you signed up as an individual please check – your name is already in a team position or will be shortly. This is a closing FUNSPIEL so join us with family and friends. Call John Deman at 352-5523 if you have further questions about this fun day.

            For all you winning teams, presentations and awards will be made next week, the last week of the season. Congratulations to all of you!! This leaves a lot more time for dancing at the banquet and by the way, my dance card is not full yet……….

           The Napanee & District Curling Clubs’ “Little Rockers” (a newly formed team of young juniors) competed at the zone 4 playdowns in Belleville on Saturday March 3rd.  The team consisted of Thomas Hatch (lead), John Edwards (second), Gabriel Charlebois (vice) and Lian Kennelly (skip).  The team finished the day with an impressive one win and one loss record.The first game was against the Trenton club. Each team took three ends with the Napanee group finishing on top with a score of 6-4. The second game was against a challenging group from Quinte.  After losing the first four ends the Napanee group rallied back to take the final two ends losing 5-2. The curlers would like to thank Ian Munro, Janet Hobin and Scott Chadwick for helping them develop their skills throughout the 2006 - 2007 season. The team will compete again on March 25th in the Reid's Dairy second annual little rock Moo-spiel in Trenton and we wish them good luck, good curling and a lot of fun.The little rock program is showing more and more young juniors trying the sport of curling as these rock react the same as a regular curling rock but are half the weight.

            From one extreme to the other, two of our Senior Mens teams are also due a congratulations for making it to the winners circle at the annual Quinte Seniors Mens Bonspiel. In this 3-6 end game event Walter Genereaux, Ken Clancey, Kees VanGent and Ken Healy placed third while the team of Ed File, Brian Chadwick, Frank Banks and Andy Graham placed sixth. Great curling gentlemen.

            Our annual Banquet on the 27^th of April will be extra special in this our 50^th season at the club. You can get your ticket from Shirley Bush, Liz Graham, Chris Ramshaw, Andy Palmer, Angela Cronk or myself. There is a lot of set up and clean up for this annual event and we are looking for help with the set up and/or the clean up of the club for the banquet, so please volunteer and do your part to make it a little easier on the Directors and organizers of this your 50^th Anniversary banquet. The sign up poster is on the bulletin board near the kitchen waiting for your signature.

            As the season winds down you still need to ensure your calendar is marked for the Hot Shot competition on the 24^th; the closing Martin & Walters on the 31^st and the closing General Meeting on the 1^st of April at 1pm. All members should have received their agenda by now but if not please check the mail box on the kitchen counter. If yours is email and you did not receive it let me know. There are extra copies at the back of the mail box. You should consider filling one of the six directors positions and ask your friends to do the same. Included in the agenda package is a nomination form with the six positions listed and a brief description of their duties. A full statement of duties is hanging near the minutes and also beside the nomination box. Feel free to talk to the current director and he/she will give you an even fuller description of what is involved for the position you are planning on volunteering for.

           The club hosted the OCA Regional playdowns last weekend and thanks to the long hours of kitchen captain Eleanor Ramshaw and her crew of Charlene Huffman, Sandy Cassleman, Elizabeth Goldie, Sandra Semple, Sue Mercer, Shirley MacDonald, Lorraine Willows, Janet Hobin and Anne Angel she managed to keep all 64 curlers well nourished from morning snacks, lunch and supper from Saturday morning until late Sunday. Our OCA representative Steve Eastlake thanked Andy Palmer for his assistance and the ice crew of Gary Cound, Frank Dunham and Ray Moore. The curlers gave their thanks to Paul McDonald and HankJohn Reinink for quenching their thirsts.

            I imagine most of you have been watching the Briar this week and have seen the Ford “HotShots” competition that all the teams participate in each and every year. We will be having our 2^nd annual Ford HotShots at the club on Saturday 24^th March so make sure you mark your calendar. Chris Ramshaw is busy preparing the sign up sheet so be on the look out for it on the bulletin board.

            Congratulations are in order for Chris Ramshaw, Ron Graham, Christine Ramshaw and Chuck Mercer on their 3 game win and third place position at the Stick Bonspiel at the beautiful new Royal Kingston Curling Club last weekend. I have it from a good source that Mercer actually got to practice in his league game last Tuesday….way to go Shirley.

            A few other happenings around the club are drawing near so be sure to look for the posters advertising the closing Martin & Walters on the 31^st of March and the General Meeting on the 1^st of April --- and no it is not an “April Fools” joke. As an owner of the Curling Club it is in your best interest to attend this General Meeting to keep yourself informed on the events and finances of your club. The tickets for the banquet on the 27^th of April are now available for purchase; please see Shirley Bush, Liz Graham, Chris Ramshaw, Andy Palmer, Angela Cronk or myself. With this being our 50^th season many guests are being invited and we urge you to help by getting your ticket as soon as possible. We are looking for help with the set up and/or the clean up of the club for the banquet, so please volunteer and do your part to make it a little easier on the Directors and organizers of this your 50^th Anniversary banquet. The sign up poster is probably already hanging in the lounge waiting for your signature.

            All the leagues are now into the last draw of this the 50^th anniversary season at the Napanee & District Curling Club. Your directors are now busy preparing for the closing General Meeting on the 1^st of April and getting ready for your annual banquet on Friday, April 27^th.

            I am happy to announce the last of the second draw winners and as with the first draw most of these leagues had to wait for the very last game to find out the winner. This really shows the competitiveness of each team whether they are self picked or drawn from “that sometimes dreaded hat”. I have heard it from a good source that Earle Bush has even been threatened and/or bribed when it comes to drawing those team names.

            Congratulations to the Tuesday Mixed winners Bill & Sandy Casselman, Mike & Trish Szafranski, with runner up Marc & Vicki Babcock, Merv & Anne Connery. Next is the winning team from the Up & At’Em league – Linda Smith, Sandi McNamee, Carmen Milligan, Gail Spencer followed closely by Ron Graham, Jacquie Brown, Liz Griffiths, Wayne Tunstead. The Wednesday ladies ended their draw with Joanne Jones, Susi Reinink, Brenda Charette, Jane McQueen winning their draw with the runner up team of Liz Graham, June Hicks, Anne WhalenKnapp, Joan Reynolds. The Thursday ladies league ended with Sandi McNamee, June Hicks, Barb Graham, Elizabeth Goldiewinning the draw and Benita Murphy, Susi Reinink, Pat Benn, Marilyn Cole right on their coattails as runner up. Last, but with 24 teams, definitely not least is the Friday Mixed winning team of Ken & Beth Clancey, Daryl & Lana Latimer followed by 3 teams tieing for runnerup due to the closeness in the standings – 1^st - Jack & Sandi McNamee, Kees & Sharon VanGent; 2^nd - Paul Dickson, Lana Jaeger, Brian & Cynthia Woodcock; 3^rd - Don & Debbie Currier, Hugh & Elizabeth Goldie. Congratulations again to all of you. I also have some good news for a couple of the Friday teams on the first draw results. After recalculating and finding some lost data, Diane Shea announced there was three teams in contention for the winning position and because of byes, etc she has named all three 1st draw winners: Ken Clanceys’ team (listed above) and Jim & Peggy Sunstrum, Grant & Cindy Crowson and Scott Dickson, Kim Dickson, Paul & Jane McQueen with the team of Paul Dickson (listed above) taking the runner up position.

            We are hosting the Regional Intermediate men and women play downs this weekend, 3^rd- 4th; so come out and see some terrific curling games. Don’t forget to mark your calendar for our annual closing Martin & Walters funspiel set for Saturday the 31^st of March this year. 

            Last week was a busy one at the Curling club. The Sweetheart Dinner convened by Ron Graham with helpers John Deman, Shirley Bush, Lia Dufour, Jennifer Clarkson, Connie Pritchard, Sharon VanGent and Brock Laing showed our lady members how elegant our men can be all dressed up in “not curling” garb. The ladies had only oohs and aahs for the delicious meal prepared by Jim Angel with helpers Ted Davie, Chuck Mercer, Bill Ryan, Roger Cole, Andy Graham and served to the ladies in 5 courses by John Deman, Kees VanGent, Joe Jackemeck, Bill Hogg, Darrell Pritchard, Chuck Gray and Jim Sunstrum. At the bar Earle Bush and Jack Barker kept all thirsts quenched and Mr. Tim Hall provided entertainment for the ladies throughout the evening. Mr weatherman kept myself and a few others from enjoying this festive night out but I have heard it from many sources that the entire evening was terrific. Ron Graham gave his thanks to all his helpers and to all the kind sponsors of Wallaces Drugs, Mayhew Jewellers, The Basket Case, Pritchard Linens, Colio Estate Wine, Smarts Florists, Marie Davy, Wellness in the Woods, Sherry Pringle, Michele Penner, MaryAlice Paul, Jennifer Clarkson and Marg Pearce.

            The Highland Lassie Bonspiel last Saturday gave us another notch in our successful bonspiel belt. Linda Smith thanked her committee of Michele Penner, Shirley Bush. Bea Moore and drawmaster Ron Graham for helping her obtain this notch. Linda went on to thank all her sponsors for enabling her to present a gorgeous prize table – Marj Pearce, Lynja Injections, Lockharts Fine Linens, Gray’s IDA and the Silver Corkscrew. The winning team from Cataraqui Roberta Hutchins thanked all the helpers for a great day and especially the kitchen crew. Our Kitchen Captains Shirley Bush, Gloria Cawley and Joan Ives presented hearty meals all day long and they thanked their helpers of Penny Flaro, Jane Hough, Marg Martin, Shelley Hudgins, Tricia Cammaart, Mary Alice Paul, Ken Ives, Joan & Frank Banks, Ann & Merv Connery, Shirley Foley and Marilyn Cole. The second place team from RKCC, Donna Smith continued with a thank you to Earle Bush, Andy Graham and Ken Ives at the bar and Gary Cound, Rick Siegner, Robert Hough for great ice to curl on. The Napanee teams did well with Heather Ramshaw coming third, Shirley Bush fourth, Jean Morrison fifth and Jordan VanVlack eighth. Thanks Linda for all your work…..it really showed on Saturday. Another highlight of the evening was a presentation by Fran Clooney and Linda Miller of RKCC who gave our club a 50^th anniversary quilted wall hanging depicting our curling club pin/years of operation and various quilted rocks. This presentation shows the closeness and camaraderie of all the curling clubs in this area and we thank RKCC immensely.

            In my next On the Button article, I will have a list of the second draw winners which are still being compiled and are not ready for me to publish yet.

Happy Valentines’ Day. I am going thru my wardrobe looking for something comfortable to wear tonight to our 2^nd Annual Sweetheart dinner at the Napanee & District Curling Club. I imagine our gentlemen servers are sorting through their closet and ironing their outfit for tonight also.

 The Town & Country bonspiel held last Wednesday was another success for the club. The winning team of Robert McPherson from Belleville thanked Jack McNamee/Hugh Sharpe and their committee of Robert Hough, Paul Murphy and Robert Paul for an excellent day of curling, dining and socializing. Hugh Sharpe thanked all the sponsors for letting him present the wide variety of prizes for the winning teams: Home Hardware, O’Neill Farm Supply, Country Depot, Clow Farm Equipment, Moore Bros.,RONA, Hank John Reinink and Sharpe himself. Ian Munro the 2^nd place winner went on to thank Sandi McNamee and her crew of Michele Penner, Susi Reinink, Joan Reynolds, Marjorie Elliott for a delicious dinner; Carmen Milligan and George Elliott for keeping all the 64 curlers glasses topped up and Gary’s crew of  Frank Dunham and Rick Siegner for great ice to curl on.

            The Monday night Men’s League is now into the Club Championship playoffs with the top 16 teams playing a double knockout format. The teams of Robert Paul, John Deman, Ken Clancey, Rob Dickson, Chris Ramshaw, Ian Munro, Ed File, Andy Palmer, Don Currier, Frank Dunham, Paul Dickson, Kevin MacLean, Ken Healy, Tom Hayes, Ken Ives and Reg Gore will be battling it out over the next 7 weeks for that coveted name on the trophy winning position. The second draw winners were A division – Robert Paul, Robert Hough, Paul McDonald, Paul Murphy; B division – John Deman, Ted Davie, Paul Spooner, Bart MacLean; C division – Tom Hayes, Gerry Haggerty, Jim Head, Steve Cooper. Honorable mention goes to Rob Dickson, Don Currier, Bob Eamer and their team mates for winning the runnerup positions in this 2^nd round of curling.

            Come out to the club on Saturday 17^th for our Highland Lassie bonspiel and watch some more terrific shot making by 16 ladies teams from all over the area. See you there……….

         Some of your league directors are busy preparing lists for the final draw of the season while others are busy tracking the win/loss ratio of their league(s). The winter this year – or lack thereof, until now – seems to have simply past me by. If your leagues’ second draw is nearing completion, please remember to sign up for the last draw of this the 2006/2007 curling season.

         The volunteer board is filling nicely with the check marks I wait patiently to see and I thank you all for your continued help with the bar, kitchen, ice and the list goes on. Thanks to Robert Hough, who takes a lot of time welding and fixing all the broken chairs that happen to “fall apart” during the season, we all have a place to sit when we arrive at the club. However, if you haven’t had time or been approached to help yet – and now have an hour or three to spare - contact one of the directors – and lend a hand. Once each of you look at the Volunteer Board you will see how ALL of you are needed to pitch in and keep the club looking nice, running smoothly, and financially prosperous. There are still a lot of events from now until the end of the season needing bar, kitchen, committee or just general setup/clean up helpers. 

         Still to come is the Town & Country Bonspiel, Wed 7^th and the Highland Lassie Bonspiel, Saturday 17^th. I am also looking forward to the “Sweetheart Dinner” on Wednesday, 14^th February.

         Full information about our club happenings are available at www.ndcc.ca thanks to Heather Ramshaw and as I write this article, Bill Hogg is busy preparing February’s Newsletter.

            During the curling season each and every year a lot of club curlers form teams and enter Bonspiels at other area clubs. Congratulations to Andy/Cathy Palmer and Robert/Jane Hough on their B division win at Cataraqui last weekend. Great curling to Hugh Sharpe, Robert Paul, Bill Casselman and John Deman who won their division at the Mens’ Brighton bonspiel.

Be sure to visit our website www.ndcc.ca ; updated weekly by webmaster: Heather Ramshaw. Next up on our calendar of events is the Mens Town & Country on the 8^th of February followed by the Highland Lassie on the 17^th of February. I believe both of these events have a full slate of 16 teams.