The curling season will be soon here. George and Phil have been busy getting the flooding done to prepare the ice.  (My apologies to their helpers since I am unaware of who is assisting.)

For last year’s members — and If you know of former curlers or other folks who are seeking winter fun and socialization — please forward the names onto Phil or Neil. Should you have a friend who does not curl, and you think he/she might be interested, ask. New members are always welcome.

This year’s 2015-2016 registration forms for both adults and juniors have been uploaded to the rink’s website. ( http://www.chedabuctocc.ca/registration-2015_16 )

For next Wednesday’s (Oct. 28) Open House at the rink (6:30 PM – 8:00PM) it would be helpful if you could take a completed copy of this year’s registration form to enable us to have it for the rink’s emergency binder — just in case. Your presence will also assist with us with knowing who is planning to curl. (My advance thanks to Phil and his “volunteers” for being there. (I am away next Wednesday therefore will be unable to attend the Open House.)

We do not save the registration forms from year to year thus it is vital that new ones be completed both for your safety and the rink’s liability.

The notices to go home for the Juniors via the school will be distributed this week. (My thanks to Angie Travares and the MODG Recreation Department for the assistance with the distribution of those notices.)

Our hopes are to have all leagues curling during the first week of November therefore dig out your curling gear and present your name for the makeup of the teams and for Juniors League preparation.

Any other questions, please contact an Executive member.

Cheers 🙂

Ray

Photo of Earle Morris

Team Canada curling coach Earle Morris (father of Olympic Gold Medalist John Morris and coach of Team Pat Simmons) assisted the Turning Point Curling School with its High Performance Curling instructions held recently at the Bluenose Curling Rink, New Glasgow. (Left to right) Earle Morris; Donalda Mattie, Turning Point Curling School; and Ray Bates, Chedabucto Curling rink participant.

Photo: Harry Daemen

It has been mentioned numerous times that Chedabucto CC should have a stick-curling bonspiel.  Your executive considers such a suggestion an excellent idea but we need others to work with us to get the stick delivery games going. Our hope is to have a stick-curling tournament in late November or early December as one of our two featured events before Christmas; the other being a “turkey shoot”. Basically, stick delivery games involve two curlers per team, with sweeping allowed only between the hog line and back of house, six end games and six rocks per player per end. With all of the demands upon the executive as we get the Chedabucto CC rink up and curling for another great season, the assistance of other members to help with the organizing of a stick curling tournament is vital.  I guarantee that the organizing volunteers will receive all the assistance that they seek from the executive; it is just that the executive cannot do all that needs to be done by ourselves. Our rink currently has 18 members who use a delivery stick; surely two or three of those numbers will step forward to oversee another aspect of curling being added to our rink’s year.  All curlers are welcome to participate in the stick delivery tournament(s) — but they must adhere to the Canadian Curling Association’s Stick Curling Rules. For the rules of stick curling, cut and paste the following: http://www.empressive.ca/stick-curling-rules.html Any questions or to volunteer, contact me at your earliest convenience.

Cheers 🙂

Ray (902.533.2528)

Before formal and finalized information is sent about this year’s Junior (ages 10 years +) curling I thought it best to give you some tentative news for this year’s Junior curling. I met with Principal Avery and Recreation Director Angie Traveres last week; both on firmly onside with their support for our young curlers.

Our tentative start-up date will be Wednesday, November 4, from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM. A school bus will be available again to transport the curlers to the curling rink but a note to grant permission for the bus transportation MUST be sent by the Juniors’ parents to the school office before November 4. That requirement will be mentioned again in the letter that will be coming home from the school before the end of October.

The Junior dues for this year are again only $25.00 (that included tax).

Donalda Mattie, Turning Point Curling School, has agreed to be our lead coach pending our rink obtaining the necessary provincial funding to cover her costs. If you know of other youngsters who are interested in the Chedabucto Curling Club’s Junior Program please share this information with them and their parents. Over the next two weeks there are some points that I need to firm up and then a formal letter will come home via the school, over the rink’s web site and by way of email. Spread the word about this year’s Juniors.  We are working on some ideas to make it even better than it already is therefore more excitement for all involved.

My best wishes to all for an enjoyable Thanksgiving.

Ray

Ray met with Principal Avery today to discuss the Juniors. Her day of choice for Junior curling is for Wednesdays due to other events already planned for Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; therefore Wednesday it is. More details to follow once everything is finalized.