Curling News UNITED STATES
Fall 2011
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Volume 67 Number 1
Established 1945
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www.usacurl.org
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$2.50
Arena growth spurs membership jump by Gabrielle Coleman, USCA Director, MoPac Region
In July, PyeongChang, South Korea, was selected as the host city for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games
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veryone knows curling has grown over the last decade, but did you know how much? As a part of a growth planning project, the USCA Arena Curling Committee took a look at club membership payment data since 2000 and found some remarkable trends: Arena curling is booming. Over the last 12
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years, the total number of USCA members has grown 37 percent, from about 11,700 to about 16,100. Sixty-two percent of that growth was in arenas. In 2000, arena curlers made up less than 10 percent of the membership. Today nearly 25 percent of USCA members curl in skating rinks. Arena club growth has been even more remarkable. In 2000, 10 percent of U.S. clubs were arenas. Today, they’re a
whopping 40 percent. Nearly half of all U.S. curling facilities are arenas. No region has changed more than the GNCC, which almost perfectly reflects this trend. In 2000, 5 percent of GNCC curlers played in arenas. Today, 15 percent do. In 2000, about 20 percent of GNCC clubs were arenas; today a full 50 percent are. There are now 17 arena clubs in the GNCC – that’s four more than there are in MoPac.
Camp-tastic
BANTAM BLITZ: Youth program grows, P3. USCA BOARD: Three new directors. P4 FRESH APPROACH: New season may mean new team, P4. TOP COACH: Sandra McMakin honored, P5. COLLEGE CHANGE: Tournament makes updates, P6. ALL-AMERICANS: 2011 winners named, P10. BALANCED ATTACK: Is your delivery shaky? Get tips, P12. PLAYING DOWN?: Event calendar, P13
Here are a few more fun bits of trivia about U.S. curling today: • Wisconsin is the largest region with approximately 4,100 curlers. The GNCC is second with 3,800 and Minnesota is third with 3,400. • The GNCC includes 25 percent of the country’s total number of arena and dedicated clubs.
See Arena Growth, Page 4
Kettle Moraine, Wauwatosa clubs set to host senior men’s bonspiel by Bob Hipke & Herb Rasmussen, Co-Chairs, 2012 Senior Men’s Bonspiel
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DEPARTMENTS Bonspiel Results – P14-15 College Curling – P6 Comics – P7 Curler’s Calendar –P13 Member Services – P3 Rocket Exhaust – P15 Tales from Sheet 9–P7 Training Tips–P12 Tucked in the Back–P15 USWCA – P9-10 Youth Corner–P3
U.S. curlers took part in several curling camps this summer including the Bucks County Junior Camp (above), which took place in August in Warminster, Pa., and the World Curling Federation’s Junior Camp in Fuseen, Germany. Submitted photos
he 2012 Senior Men’s National Bonspiel, sponsored by the U.S. Senior Men’s Curling Association (USSMCA), will be co-hosted by Kettle Moraine Curling Club and the Wauwatosa Curling Club from Feb. 16-19. Both clubs have hosted this event in the past along with numerous other successful bonspiels. The 2012 event will be limited to 64 teams in three events: 32 in the 36th Senior Men’s Curling Championship; 16 in the 19th Super Senior Men’s Curling Championship; and 16 in the 12th Masters Men’s Curling Championship. Any additional teams will be placed on a waiting list. Participating teams will be guaranteed four games.
See Senior Bonspiel, P12
By-laws brain freeze? Separating myth from fact By Chris Sjue, USCA President and Chairman of the Governance Task Force & Dave Carlson, USCA Vice President, Member of Governance Task Force
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n September 2010, the USCA Board of Directors unanimously passed the following resolution: “The USCA will take this opportunity to review its governance structure and to implement
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governance best practices, with regard to a strong operational role for the COO and a clear policy setting role for the board and its committees. We call on the president to promptly establish a governance task force to make proposals to the board for implementing this policy.” In the ensuing year, the Governance Task Force met numerous times, in person and by phone, and also held
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several open Town Hall meetings across the nation. Town Hall meetings were also staged by teleconference and webinar for those members interested in learning more who were not able to attend the in-person sessions. On Sept. 10, at the fall 2011 USCA Board of Directors meeting, a new set of by-laws was approved for the organization by an almost three-
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fourths vote in favor. Based upon the organizational structure currently in existence, those by-law changes must now be voted on by the USCA members. The current members of the USCA are the 10 State/Regional Curling Associations and the atlarge curling clubs.
See By-laws, Page 5
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Curling News UNITED STATES
VOLUME 67, No. 1
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Next editorial deadline: Nov. 18, 2011 The United States Curling News (ISSN 1064-3001; USPS 392-020) is published five times per year in October, November, February, March and May by the United States Curling Association. The USCA and Curling News office is located at 5525 Clem’s Way, Stevens Point, WI 54482. Telephone 715-344-1199. Subscription price for non-USCA members: $16 per year (North America), $26 per year (overseas), payable in US currency. Single copy price: $2.50. Advertising rates on request. Established 1945. Periodicals postage paid at Waupaca, Wisconsin, and additional offices as requested. Postmaster sends address changes to US Curling News, 5525 Clem’s Way, Stevens Point, WI 54482.
United States Curling Association Officers President Chris Sjue Vice Presidents Kent Beadle Dave Carlson Jerome Larson James Pleasants Treasurer Sean Silver Secretary Bob Pelletier Directors Paul Badgero [2012] Kent Beadle [2012] Craig Brown (AAC) [2012] Dave Carlson [2013] Maureen Clark (AAC) [2012] Gabrielle Coleman [2014] Lynita Delaney [2012] Janet Farr (USWCA) [2012] Dean Gemmell (AAC) [2012] Nancy Haggenmiller [2013] Peggy Hatch** [2014] Jonathan Havercroft [2013] Cyndee Johnson [2014] Gwen Krailo [2013] Jerome Larson [2012] Jan Legacie [2014]
Rich Lepping* [2012] Gordon Maclean [2013] Richard Maskel (AAC) [2012] Bob Pelletier [2012] James Pleasants [2013] Allison Pottinger (AAC) [2012] Leland Rich [2014] Sean Silver [2012] Chris Sjue [2013] Mark Swandby [2014] Ann Swisshelm (AAC) [2012] Beau Welling* [2012] Sam Williams [2014] * Board-elected ** Voice, no vote
USA Curling National Office 5525 Clem’s Way Stevens Point, WI 54482 Office: 715-344-1199 • Fax: 715-344-2279 E-mail: info@usacurl.org • Web site: www.usacurl.org CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER: Rick Patzke, rick.patzke@usacurl.org DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS: Terry Kolesar, terry.kolesar@usacurl.org CONTROLLER: Sandy Robinson, sandy.robinson@usacurl.org EVENT SERVICES MANAGER: Dawn Leurquin, dawn.leurquin@usacurl.org ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Christy Hering, christy.hering@usacurl.org GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: Kim Nawyn, kim.nawyn@usacurl.org Off-site staff: Director of Sport Education Scott Higgins 913-449-2933 • scott.higgins@usacurl.org Director of High Performance Derek Brown derek.brown@usacurl.org US: +1 715-254-5024 • UK: +44 7793 099668 National Wheelchair Development Coach Steve Brown, steve@stevescurling.com National Wheelchair Curling Outreach Development Director Marc DePerno, mdeperno@sitrin.com Head Ice Technician Dave Staveteig 701-772-0705 • daveandbrenda@gfwireless.com
AMERICAN CURLING FOUNDATION & MUSEUM The Museum is located at the Chicago Curling Club, 555 Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062 CURATOR: James M. Miller Jr. 2011 Glendale Ave. Northbrook, IL 60062 847-272-7224
UNITED STATES WOMEN’S CURLING ASSOCIATION OFFICERS PRESIDENT Maureen Guay FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Bridget Matzke SECOND VICE PRESIDENT Shelley Dropkin SECRETARY Mary Ann Hulme TREASURER Carolyn MacLeod USCA LIAISON Janet Farr PROMOTIONS & Nancy Wilhelm PUBLIC RELATIONS
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
Raffles, runs and rejuvenation ring in fall
FALL 2011
Official publication of the United States Curling Association Editor — Terry Kolesar Associate Editor—Rick Patzke Emeritus Editor—David Garber Design: Terry Kolesar
FALL 2011
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his month I say a somber goodbye to summer but with the fall always comes rejuvenated energy for upcoming projects. But let’s go back to summer for a minute. In July, PyeongChang, South Korea, was named the host city for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. The curling venue will be familiar for some of us who traveled to nearby Gangneung for the 2009 Women’s World Championship. I’m told that will be the site for the curling competition come 2018. In August, I got to put on the Director of Fun hat and orchestrate our monthlong contest spree (I keep trying to convince Rick to let me change that to my permanent title but he usually just laughs or frowns, but I digress...). We ran three fun contests on our website and while it may look like the East Coast curlers were greasing our palms, I can assure you that it is purely coincidental that all three winners are from the east. That being said, congratulations to our “Month of Contest” winners: • Michael Stefanik, Schenectady Curling Club, winner of the registration spot in the Glenn Howard instruction camp. (Unfortunately for all the campers, there were customs issues at the border and Team Howard did not make it to New York and the camp was canceled!) • Bob Semaniuk, Schenectady Curling Club, winner of the three-night Hilton Hotel stay. • Richard Collins, Midlothian, Va., former member of the Potomac and Triangle clubs, winner of the all-expenses paid trip to Las Vegas to curl in the SinSitySpiel on Halloween weekend. Look for future contests this season posted online at www.usacurl.org. As we moved into September, Team Curlers Kicking Cancer represented USA Curling at the American Cancer Society 5K in Stevens Point. It is with much pride and appreciation that I report that together we raised $2,000 to help fund cancer research programs in honor of Garland Legacie (USCA ice technician) and Chris Moore (USCA past president). A heartfelt thank you to our loyal donors. It means a lot to us as a staff to participate in this and help carry on the memories of two people who were such a big part of our day-
From the Editor’s Desk
Ideas? Complaints? Send your thoughts to Curling News Editor Terry Kolesar terry.kolesar@usacurl.org 715-344-1199, Ext. 202
to-day jobs for the many years we were blessed to know them. Thanks to staffer Dawn Leurquin for designing us some kick-butt lime green team shirts. One other fun note, at the USCA Fall Board Meeting earlier in the month we honored Sandy Robinson, USCA controller, who has now worked at the USCA for 25 years!! Next time you call the office, please express your congratulations to her. As September comes to a close and the weather in Wisconsin reminds me of the snow that is yet to fly, I turn my focus now to the 2011-12 season. The new Media Guide & Directory is online and likely on a table at your club. A new instructional video was developed this spring and finalized this summer. The video, which was produced by Nick Kitinski of the Hollywood Curling Club, comes in two variations – a quick, 6minute introduction to the sport, which is ideal for showing at the start of open houses, and a longer version that goes more indepth into sweeping and delivery. The long version is available for purchase for $19.95 in the online downloadable version (keep it on your laptop or burn it to your own DVD for use) or for $24.95 you can purchase a DVD copy. The shorter version is free but only available via download. Club presidents will receive a copy of the short version via email in early October. We’ll also post these items on our website for downloading. To make it easier to purchase instructional materials (brochures, posters, etc.) Christy Hering has created a merchant account and shopping cart to ease the sales process. Please also look in the
coming weeks on our website for the debut of our new online store featuring USA Curling clothing and merchandise. We’re pretty excited to begin a new contract and have items for sale once again. Kim Nawyn, a curler from the Ardsley Curling Club in New York, is making the journey to Wisconsin in October to join the national office staff as Growth and Development Manager. Check out the next issue of the Curling News for a complete story on the new face here at the USCA. The boss continues to be outnumbered 5:1 by women. This season, we hope to provide better webstreaming of our events. We have a great group of eager volunteers waiting to help us broadcast more curling via the Internet. In addition, we hope to streamline the USA Curling website and make the content easier to locate and less cluttered overall. Michael Campbell of the Philadelphia Curling Club has already been a great asset to assisting with this project over the summer as we start to strategize on the site map. For all the social media mavens out there, please be sure to connect with USA Curling on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Many of our competitive teams have team Facebook and Twitter accounts as well. You can follow their journeys throughout the season, which is kinda fun. We also now have a FourSquare account and would love to see the clubs build one online too, making it a fun place to “check in” while bonspieling and visiting other clubs. New to FourSquare? I am too. You can learn more at www.foursquare.com. Have a great season, and I hope to see you on the ice or along the ice.
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FALL 2011
UNITED STATES
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Bantam curling gaining steam across the U.S.
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his past spring the USCA Youth Committee launched an initiative to foster bantam-age curling in our states and regions The Bantam Program consists of two age levels – 13 and under, and 17 and under. Both age groups are as of Dec. 31 of the current curling season. The 13-andunder group plays six-end games in an open format, while the older group members play eight ends and have a separate boys and girls format. The goals of the Bantam Program are to: (1) Encourage younger kids to try competitive curling where they would be hesitant to play at the junior level. (2) Give kids a chance to win at a younger age and,
Youth Corner
By Dave Jensen, Chairman, USCA Youth Committee
hopefully, to carry an optimistic curling spirit onto the junior level. (3) Ensure a pipeline of experienced curlers feeding the junior age group. North Dakota has held Bantam age bonspiels and a
State Bantam Championship for the last five years. The result has been a growing number of playdown teams competing in U-18 and junior events at a time when overall membership among most clubs has declined. The idea is catching on. To date, discussions have been held with the Iron Range clubs of northern Minnesota, along with the Bemidji Club and the GNCC region, all of which have made plans for or are looking for ways to host Bantam age bonspiels. The northern Minnesota clubs plan to initiate a Bantam tour similar to North Dakota’s Bantam Program. Hopefully, the success of these club Bantam Programs will foster continued interest in Bantams among other clubs and
Clinics planned this fall Several USCA member clubs will host instructional clinics this fall. As more clinics are planned they will be added to the USCA website located in the “Inside the USCA” section, www.usacurl.org/goodcurling. Here is a look at a few clinics: GNCC region • Albany, N.Y., Level I instructor, Oct. 22 Cost: $50 per person. To register, contact Lenore Collins, 578867-6561, lcollins10@nycap.rr.com or visit www.gncc.org/training.htm • Albany, N.Y., Level II instructor, Oct. 23 Cost: $50 per person Instructor: Sandra McMakin, Level III instructor To register, contact McMakin at 240-2936311, s.mcmakin@comcast.net, or visit www.gncc.org/training.htm • Chesapeake, Level I instructor, Oct. 3 Cost: $50 per person To register, contact Pam Parks, 410-2284082, pamparks212@comcast.net, or visit www.gncc.org/training.htm • Plainfield, Level I instructor, Oct. 9 Cost: $50 per person To register, contact Ed Klug, ed.klug@verizon.net or visit www.gncc.org/training.htm
Wisconsin region • Kettle Moraine, Level I instructor, Oct. 23 Instructors: Teresa Thomas and Larry Laux, USCA Level II instructors Cost: $35 per person Please e-mail your name and phone number to tthomas81@wi.rr.com, if you’d like to attend. • Tri-City Curling Club, Level 1 Instructor, Oct. 15. Cost: $20 Instructor: Bev Schroeder Registration fees should be made payable to Tri-City Curling Club and sent to Mike Swanson, 2821 Shady Lane, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494. Swanson can be reached by phone at 715-423-4407 or email at wiswani@wctc.net. More information can be found on the club website www.tri-citycurlingclub.com. Training coordinators needed The USA Curling Training and Instruction Committee is seeking regional training coordinators for the Minnesota and Illinois regions for the upcoming season. Level II instructors preferred. If interested, contact Sandra McMakin at s.mcmakin@comcast.net.
regions. U-18 Optimist International Now is the time to start thinking about a U-18 team for the Optimists International Bonspiel next spring. This event is a wonderful opportunity for young teams to participate in an international event that includes teams from the Canadian provinces, Japan and Europe. The Optimists want to emphasize that this event is designed to give young, inexperienced, developing teams a chance to improve their skills in a friendly competition. Teams are responsible for travel costs to Canada and some meals. Hotel costs are paid by the Optimist International Club for four players and a coach. If the team elects to
bring a fifth player, their expenses must be paid in full by the team. The application process will begin in early November Junior Camp The No Boundaries Junior Camp in Bismarck, N.D., is next up on the junior camp schedule. The dates are Oct. 21-23. The focus will be playing on championship ice. Dick Nordgren, a USCA ice maker, will be on hand to replicate ice that curlers experience at national championships. Campers will be able to learn the ins and outs of playing on this kind of ice. Registration forms can be downloaded from the USCA website or check out the No Boundaries Curling Camp Facebook page for camp registration and information.
Certifications Level I Instructor James Auld Thoralf Brecht Brian Dudt Marlene Friedman Robin Gulde Jonathan Havercroft Dana Kleveland John Lambert Ethan Meyers Renee Meyers Jim Milner Kimberlee Nawyn Mary Parker
Joe Rockenbach Teresa Thomas Steve Walton Level II Instructor Brian Dudt Gabrielle Coleman Evgenia Lurie Mary Parker Level I Official Robert Craig Chris Doremus Brian Dudt
Nominate someone for Volunteer of the Year Award The U.S. Curling Association is proud to roll out its Volunteer of the Year Award. Nominations will be accepted through June 1, 2012, with the inaugural winner being announced next summer. The Volunteer of the Year Award honors one great volunteer that
stands out for his/her work to help promote the sport of curling. Please help spread the word about this great award to thank the backbone of our organization – our volunteers! Criteria and a nomination form can be found online at www.usacurl.org/usacurl.
Want your bonspiel registration online for free? by Dawn Leurquin, USCA Event Services Coordinator
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SA Curling’s new online event registration system through League USA, called SportsSignup, opened in August for the 2011-12 season. You may now register for all 2012 playdown events using SportsSignup (SSU). As an added incentive to USA Curling member clubs wanting to use online registration to manage their leagues and bonspiels, it will be free to use for the rest of 2011. Although the
SportsSignup offering free event services through Dec. 31 credit card usage feature isn’t free, the SSU processing fees have been waived for member clubs. Typically, processing fees are included within the event registration fee so this allows member clubs to retain a little more of the event fee for other use. Event registrations close at 11:59 p.m. on their respective deadline dates. Don’t wait until the last minute and be in the process of registering when
the clock strikes 12. You may not turn into a pumpkin, but the system will not allow you to complete your entry either. The system is easy to navigate and since USA Curling has its own merchant account now, even the payment process functions like a well-oiled machine. Since the system opened for registrations, no negative responses or experiences caused by the software have been reported to date.
Because USA Curling’s registration procedures require individual consent forms, registrations will continue on an individual basis, but with the new dimension of team rostering made possible by the SSU system. Once an applicant has completed all their registration requirements, the next administrative step is to roster individuals to teams. After rostering is done, individuals who have completed their registration
requirements will be able to see a list of other team members who have also completed their registration tasks. This eliminates guesswork and makes it easy for team members to know who needs to get busy and get registered, simply by logging into their own accounts and clicking on the “Team Skip” link provided. Feel free to send comments on your registration experience via email to entries@usacurl.org. After all, it was comments from users that prompted the search for a better system.
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FALL 2011
Curling News UNITED STATES
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
2012 season may bring new team, new leadership
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t is a new season and with it the challenges of forming a team, sorting out roles, getting team processes and systems on track and then playing well all come into focus. The picture gets clearer nearer to competition as teams narrow their focus on what they need to do to play well. Reflecting on the challenges of establishing a new team with new leadership, here are seven insights that will help you lead a team or follow a leader. Goals: Does the leader use goals? Does your team leader tell you what the team goals are or do they involve you in the team goal setting? A leader without goals is like a navigator without a compass. If your leader turns up without goals, any performance is good enough. Knowing the goal directs energy and effort, check your team leader’s goals. Vision: Does the team’s leader (it does not have to be the skip, but traditionally this is the case) communi-
Seven insights into leading team performance cate the expectations for the team’s performance on and off the ice or is it up to every player to figure it out and hope it works? Effective leaders envision the future they want for the team and themselves and they communicate clear expectations for themselves and others. They lead their team to reaching goals. Does your team leader do that? Values: Does your team leader act with the values like trust, loyalty, friendship, integrity, and honesty in what they do? Leaders build trust when teammates feel that they do what they say they are going to do and when they provide direction and guidance when necessary that enhances performance. Does your team’s leader do that? Consistency: Does your team leader act consistently? Leaders that are consistent and reliable in how
they go about their play and their life are easier to trust and rely on especially when the things they are supposed to do are done well. Leaders accept that they will be accountable and perceived as inconsistent if they do not walk their own vision. How consistent is your team leader? Communication: Curling is a social activity. Leaders need to be somewhat social with their team mates and be able to communicate effectively. Being known, liked and reliable is more likely to lead to their messages being received and influencing people. Do you really know your leader, are they likeable and do your trust them? Tough attitude: People follow leaders who have a strong belief in what they are doing and how they do it, and have shown themselves to be consistent and successful in the past. A new team means that lead-
ers have to work to prove themselves again. A leader looks complacent when they talk about their past without performing well in the present and not preparing and working to improve. Leaders with strong beliefs work through tough situations and build belief in themselves and belief from others in their ability. Do you have a tough-minded leader? Resilience: Top teams led by strong leaders win more or less 60-70 percent of their games. That means that team leaders lead from a loss quite frequently. Knowing how a leader treats victory and defeat is important because resilient leaders bounce back quickly to compete strongly, whereas leaders that dwell on defeat and look too hard for reasons to explain results struggle to refocus on how to lead the team back to a good performance. Does your leader
By John Coumbe-Lilley, USA Curling sports psychology consultant
bounce back quickly to lead the next game? Depending on your answers to these questions, you will have to figure out what your response is going to be. You can let things go, address things with team leadership, or wait and see and act when you have to. As a team member it is your choice how you lead or follow. But for sure, leading a curling team or following a team leader is never dull and is full of challenges that will test the seven insights outlined above.
Three new directors join USCA Board by Terry Kolesar, Editor
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Arena curler membership has grown significantly since 2000. Arena clubs now account for 40 percent of the USCA’s total membership compared to just 10 percent in 2000. Graph courtesy of Gabrielle Coleman
ARENA GROWTH Continued from Page 1 • There are twice as many clubs in the GNCC than there are in Minnesota. • More than one third of the clubs in the GLCA are arena clubs (5 of 13). • Nearly a quarter of the clubs in Minnesota are arena clubs (4 of 17). • The region with the most arena curlers is MoPac (1,034 curlers, 13 clubs). • There are as many arena curlers in the GNCC as there are total curlers in Washington (about 550.) • The country’s 10 biggest clubs make up about 28 percent of the
total U.S. curling population. • The country’s largest club, the St. Paul Curling Club, makes up approximately 6.5 percent of the country’s total curling population. • The country’s largest club, the St. Paul Curling Club, has the same number of curlers as each of MoPac and North Dakota (approximately 1,035), and just slightly less than the GLCA (approximately 1,100). Curling data lovers may have noticed that some of the counts in this analysis are slightly different than the ones the USCA uses, particularly in terms of club numbers. For the purposes of this analysis, we counted
only one rink per club and one club per rink. This means that clubs who curl at multiple skating rinks, like the San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club, were counted as only one club, and dedicated rinks that are home to more than one club, like Broomstones, were also counted as only one club. Also, since this data came from the number of dues-paying members who paid before the deadline, it is not a perfect count of the actual number of people curling. For more detailed data and region graphs, please check out our article on the USCA website, www.usacurl.org.
hen the fall board meeting commenced Sept. 10-11 in St. Paul, Minn., three new directors joined the United States Curling Association Board of Directors. Gabrielle Coleman (Mountain View, Calif./San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club) joined the board as the Mountain Pacific Curling Association’s second regional board member. Rich Lepping (Madison, Wis./Madison Curling Club) earned a one-year board-elected term and 2010 Olympian Allison Pottinger (Eden Prairie, Minn./St. Paul Curling Club) came on board as the newest Athletes’ Advisory Council-appointed director. In addition, Ann Swisshelm (Chicago/Exmoor Curling Club) has been elected chairwoman of the AAC, with Dean Gemmell (Short Hills, N.J./Plainfield Curling Club) serving as vice chairman. Chris Sjue (Fargo, N.D./Fargo-Moorhead
Curling Club) continues in his role as president of the USCA as do the four vice presidents – Kent Beadle (Hudson, Wis./St. Paul Curling Club), vice president of Competitive Programs; Dave Carlson (Portage, Wis./Poynette Curling Club), vice president of Marketing and Operations; Jerome Larson (Rio Vista, Calif./Wine Country Curling Club), vice president of Member Services; and Jim Pleasants (Seattle/Granite Curling Club), vice president of Championships. Sean Silver (Chicago/ Exmoor Curling Club) is the new treasurer while Bob Pelletier (Columbia, Md./Potomac Curling Club) serves as secretary. Those five serve on the Executive Committee along with Leland Rich (Fairbanks, Alaska/Fairbanks Curling Club), Beau Welling (Asheville, N.C./Palmetto Curling Club), Janet Farr (McKinney, Texas/DallasFort Worth Curling Club), and AAC members Swisshelm, Gemmell and Richard Maskel (Green Bay, Wis./Green Bay Curling Club).
Correction An article in the May 2011 edition titled “Happy Hour at Curl San Diego” was attributed to the wrong author. The correct author was Mark J. Dossett of Curl San Diego. We regret the error.
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
Curling News
FALL 2011
UNITED STATES
5
McMakin named Developmental Coach of the Year by Terry Kolesar, Editor
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andra McMakin (Potomac, Md.) has been named 2011 USA Curling Developmental Coach of the Year. McMakin was nominated for her work with the Stephen Dropkin junior team, which finished second at the 2011 USA Curling Junior National Championships, as well as Brandon Corbett’s men’s team, which competed in the men’s national qualifier. The award also honors McMakin’s ongoing dedication to coaching and training curlers. “It’s been a wonderful experience and a privilege to work as a member of the coaching support for both
BY-LAWS Continued from Page 1 The Annual Members Meeting is held in the spring. In an effort to help the USCA association members and individual curlers better understand what the proposed by-law changes mean, the U.S. Curling News will run a “Frequently Asked Questions” section throughout the coming season. Here is the first installment. If you have questions you would like to see answered in future issues of the Curling News, or that you would like answered immediately by members of the Governance Task Force, please submit them to comment@usacurl.org. Be sure to include your contact information, including a phone number. Will the organizational change reduce the voting power of the curling community for the Board of Director positions? – Currently, states/regions are limited to a vote to select up to three directors onto the national board. With a nationwide election of positions on the board and the three standing committees, members will vote on seven Board of Director positions and five standing committee positions. Also, floor nominations to the Board are currently limited to those made by Directors at the board meeting. With a national election at the Members Assembly, floor nominations for member-elected directors and standing committee positions may come directly from the members. Will the organizational change increase USCA member dues? – With a Board of Directors elected on a national basis, and responsi-
Team Dropkin and Team Corbett,” said McMakin, who curled for 25 years in Alberta, Canada, before moving from Calgary to Pittsburgh in 2000. She has been actively involved with USA Curling in many capacities since that time including coaching, arena curling, training, instruction, and youth curling. A McMakin member of the Potomac Curling Club in Washington, D.C., McMakin has been involved in numerous camps and clinics across the United States. She is a
USA Curling Level III instructor, Level III coach and Level I official. She has served as program director of the East Region Junior Camp since 2008; coordinator of GNCC Instruction and Coaching Committee since 2007; and is currently USA Curling’s chairwoman of the Instruction and Training Committee. She previously chaired the association’s Arena Curling Committee and also served as a curling instructor in Canada. “I love the depth of the sport of curling, and I’m constantly learning with every event I attend, whether as a player, coach, course conductor or other type of event volunteer,” McMakin said. A Developmental Coach of the Year nominee is
coach of a youth club, high school or junior-level coach, or a coach directly responsible for coaching athletes to the junior and/or elite level. The Development Coach of the Year award is determined by the USA Curling Coaching Committee. Winners of these awards are nominated for the United States Olympic Committee annual coaching awards as well. “Curling is the ultimate team sport with all four players involved in every shot. When curling teams work hard and play the game with trust and respect, magic happens on the ice – and it’s a great feeling to be a part of that,” McMakin said. “I had so much fun this past season with all the curlers, coach-
ble to set policies and goals and manage and evaluate the CEO’s performance, Directors are freed to focus more effectively and consistently on fundraising. A Board of Directors position will also be more attractive to persons outside the “politics” of curling who may be of influence and wealth. With the opportunity to strengthen the Board’s focus on fundraising, this will lessen the dependence over time on individual curler dues which are currently the second highest percent funding source (22 percent), as well as upon the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), which has the highest percent of funding to the USCA (50 percent). Individual curler dues are actually more likely to face pressure to increase if USOC support goes away or is greatly diminished. This is more likely than not to happen if these organizational changes do not occur. (USOC funding supports many USCA programs beyond those limited to high performance programs, and those expenses would still occur even if high performance programs were cut.) Will USCA members lose the privilege of initiating or amending the organization’s by-laws? – Members would retain the right to veto future by-law changes adopted by the Board of Directors. The power to initiate future bylaw changes would be limited to electing different persons as Directors. Elections would occur every year. With a two-thirds vote of the Board required to change bylaws, a swing of up to three or four Director positions in one year is significant on a 15-member Board. Will USCA states and regions become insignificant? – Although the states/regions would no
longer be the recognized Members of the USCA (the individual clubs would be), states/regions would retain the vote for all clubs in their state/region, unless individual clubs opt out and choose to vote on their own. Will the organizational change create a Board of Directors that is “incestuous?” – Directors will serve two-year terms with eightyear term limits. There will be a nationwide election for seven member-elected Directors. The five-person Nominating/ Governance Committee (no members of which will be Board Directors, and two of whom are elected by the members), will develop a slate of candidates, soliciting nominations from all members nationwide, and will be charged per the by-laws to seek diversity and representation of the various constituencies of curling. Nominations of member-elected Directors and standing committee positions, including the Nominating Committee, may also come directly from the Members via “floor nominations.” Will the five “independent” positions on the Board of Directors mean the organization will have five decision makers who know nothing about curling? – To clarify, the definition of an “independent” director does not preclude someone from within curling to qualify. To be considered “independent,” a candidate cannot have held a governance position within the USCA in the preceding 12 months, which includes serving on a Standing Committee or Board position with the USCA; having been a board member of any State/Region; a board member or boardelected member of a committee of either the USOC or World Curling Federation, or
a member of the USCA Athletes Advisory Committee (AAC). Being a president or board member of a curling club or serving on a members’ assembly committee does not disqualify an individual from being a candidate as an “independent” Director. The “independent” Directors may come from outside of curling, but the slate of candidates will be presented by the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee consists of two member-elected persons, two board-elected persons, and one person elected by the AAC.
es and instructors I worked with and I’m honored to be recognized for that by the USCA.”
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STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION (Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685) 1. Publication Title: UNITED STATES CURLING NEWS 2. Publication No.: 1064-3001 3. Filing Date: 09-19-2011 4. Issue Frequency: Bi-monthly (five issues in season) 5. No. of Issues Published Annually: 5 6. Annual Subscription Price: $16.00 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 5525 Clem’s Way, Stevens Point, WI 54482. 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: 15525 Clem’s Way, Stevens Point, WI 54482. 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor: Publisher: United States Curling Association (same address as #8, above). Editor: Terry Kolesar, same address. Managing Editor: Terry Kolesar, same address. 10. Owner: United States Curling Association, Inc. Complete Address: same address as #8 above. 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: none. 12. For completion by nonprofit organizations authorized to mail at special rates. The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization and the exempt status for federal income tax purposes: [X] Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months 13. Publication Name: United States Curling News 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: September 2011; 09-19-11 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation
Average No. Copies Each Issue Preceding 12 Months
a. Total No. Copies b. Paid and.or Requested Circulation 1. Paid/Requested Outside-County Mail Subscriptions Stated on Form 3541 2. Paid In-County Subscriptions 3. Sales through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales, and Other Non-USPS Paid Distribution 4. Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS c. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation d. Free Distribution by Mail 1. Outside-County as Stated on Form 3541 2. In-County as Stated on From 3541 3. Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS e. Free Distribution Outside the Mail f. Total Free Distribution g. Total Distribution h. Copies Not Distributed i. TOTAL Percent Paid and/or Rquested Circulation
Actual No. Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date
12,424
13,110
12,136
12,935
85 0 0
85 0 0
0 12,221
0 13,020
0 0 0 109 109 12,330 94 12,424 99.10%
0 0 0 90 90 13,110 0 13,110 99.31%
16. This Statement of Ownership will be printed in the October/November 2011 issue of this publication. 17. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner: Terry Kolesar, Editor. Date: 09-19-11 I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including multiple damages and civil penalties).
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Curling News UNITED STATES
FALL 2011
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
College Curling New schedule and format for College Tournament by Rich Larko, College Curling Coordinator
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fter 20 years the annual colllege curling tournament is changing to an exciting new regional
format. The new format will make it much easier for more teams from more schools to participate in competitive curling events. Travel costs will be much lower for all teams, both far and near. Teams that fly will see lower airfares. Teams that drive will save on fuel costs. Here is a look at the regional
events on tap this season: Kettle Moraine, Wis. Starting this coming season the annual college championship tournament is cancelled. Instead regional championship events will be held at the Kettle Moraine Curling Club in Hartland, Wis., to cover teams from Wisconsin, Minnesota, the Dakotas, Nebraska, Iowa, etc. The Kettle Moraine event will be a two-day event on March 10-11 with two games played on Friday, and a third game on Sunday morning, followed by finals after the Sunday morning game. As usual, food and soft drinks will be free
and pins will be awarded to all finalists. Directions will be supplied to all teams. The club is about 30 minutes east of Milwaukee on Interstate 94. The deadline to sign up is March 1. The total cost is $150 per team and must be turned in to the contact person by 5 p.m. on March 1. For the Kettle Moraine regional event, the contact is Michael Schuder, mschuder@carrollu.edu. Schuder chaired the special regional college event at Kettle last year. Bowling Green, Ohio The Bowling Green Curling Club will host a regional event March 17-19. Bowling Green State
University has hosted college events in the past and will use its usual format.The deadline to sign up is Feb. 1. The total cost is $150 per team and must be turned in to the contact person by 5 p.m. on Feb. 1. The event contact is Nick Derksen, nderse@@bgsu.edu. A third regional will take place in the East. For entry information on any of these events or college curling in general, visit www.collegecurling.org. Please check the College Curling website for updates. Please note that after individual deadlines, a waiting list begins with no guarantees. Teams may enter any or all events.
The mystery of Arnold Schwarzenegger by Richard Maskel, For the U.S. Curling News
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ver the years, there has been a persistent rumor bordering on urban legend that Arnold Schwarzenegger was a former junior curling champion during his formative years back in his native Austria. To be sure, there is plenty of “smoke” surrounding this puzzling story. The question remains, however, as to whether there exists any actual “fire” to back it up. There has been some intriguing evidence to support this claim dating all the way back to 1976, an era in which hardly anyone in the United States outside of the sport had heard of curling. That year saw the release of the motion picture “Stay Hungry,” directed by Bob Rafelson, in which Schwarzenegger played a professional bodybuilder named Joe Santo, a character loosely based on the actor himself. Early in the film, Santo’s “grease man” Franklin Coates (portrayed by Robert Englund, later to gain fame as “Freddy Krueger” in “The Nightmare on Elm Street” series) plays pool in a tavern with local entrepreneur Craig Blake (Jeff Bridges). During the game, Blake asks Coates, “What else does this Santo guy do besides lift weights?” Coates responds, boasting that, “There ain’t nothin’ Joe don’t do. Man bowls 200, was near about an Olympic swimmer, and before he come here from Austria, he was world champion of curling. You, uh, you know what that is?” The conversation ends at that point, but soon after Blake gets into a bar fight
and then retreats to the men’s restroom in order to tend to his wounds. When Santo (Schwarzenegger) comes to his aid, Blake asks him, “Hey, uh, were you really a curling champion? That thing with the ice and the brooms?” Santo grunts “Yep” in acknowledgement, but no further mention of the sport is made. All things considered, this was a rather curious inclusion for a film in which the Santo character seemed to be heavily modeled after the real life exploits of the actor who portrayed him. The current Wikipedia entry on “Stay Hungry” seems to back up the assumptions concerning Schwarzenegger’s curling roots. It details the differences between the original Charles Gaines novel and the eventual film adaptation. “The film omits all of this backstory and changes the character of Santo to an Austrian – to better fit with the real life personality of Arnold Schwarzenegger. In ‘Stay Hungry,’ Santo is instead described as having been a competitive swimmer and a curling champion – both of which Schwarzenegger actually was.” Unfortunately, like so many of the entries on Wikipedia, this statement is not attributed to any published source. In 1990, Schwarzenegger was appointed as chairman of “The President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports” by George H.W. Bush and served in that capacity until 1993. During that tenure, the Hibbing Curling Club was host to the 1991 U.S. Curling Olympic Team Trials leading up to the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville, France. Carole Pustovar, long time Hibbing curler
and wife of five-time U.S. Men’s National Champion Paul Pustovar, relates a story she heard at that time from a member of the local organizing committee. Supposedly, the Hibbing club had received an official letter of inquiry from Chairman Schwarzenegger requesting information about the sport of curling in conjunction with the upcoming Trials. If this alleged petition proved to be genuine, it would have added another very interesting twist to the deepening mystery. However, it does not appear that the club followed up and later attempts to locate the purported document were unsuccessful. As Arnold Schwarzenegger’s film career took off, so did pubic interest in his background. Eventually, a number of unauthorized biographies hit the market, including one in 1993 by Craig A. Doherty and Katherine M. Doherty. In Schwarzenegger: Larger than Life, the Dohertys reported that, “In 1964 he (Schwarzenegger) became the city and national curling champion while at the same time Gustav became the senior champion. Curling is a sport that combines aspects of bowling and shuffleboard. It is played on ice within a 14-foot-by138-foot area. A 48-pound circular stone with a handle is slid the length of the lane.” Schwarzenegger’s autobiography, Arnold: The Education of a Bodybuilder, published that same year, seemed to corroborate this assertion. He writes, "I had always been involved in sports through my father, a tall, sturdy man who was himself a champion at ice curling." However, all of this evidence fell just short of con-
clusive proof. Inquiries made to both the Dohertys (through their publisher) and the actor (through his publicist) for further verification elicited no response. So in 1996, a query was sent to the late Gunther Hummelt, then-President of the World Curling Federation, international governing body of the sport. As a native of Austria and veteran curler dating back to 1958, he was in an ideal position to weigh in on the matter. His administrative assistant, Saskia Muller-Castell, responded by saying that, “With regard to Mr. Schwarz-enegger, Mr. Hummelt has never heard that he had played curling, but probably instead of curling he played a sport called ‘Eisstockschiessen.’ This sport is very popular in Austria and initially seems to be very similar to curling, but actually is a completely different sport.” This new testimony put an entirely different spin on the story. A subsequent article published in the Los Angeles Times (Aug. 14, 2003) by Tracy Wilkinson and Matt Lait added further credence to this revisionist history. “Himself an athlete, Gustav Schwarzenegger did not approve of his son’s pursuit of weightlifting and bodybuilding,” longtime friend Alfred Gerstl recalled. He wanted his sons to follow in his footsteps as a champion in a traditional Austrian ice sport similar to curling.” Although this additional evidence appears to be quite telling, a final and definitive answer seems just out of reach. There is certainly no doubt that Arnold Schwarzenegger has had a truly remarkable and widely diverse career—
professional bodybuilder, world famous actor, and governor of the state of California. However, the essential question still remains— does his background also include a stint as a curler, possibly even including a junior championship title back in Austria? Or was he instead a former participant in the very different sport of “ice stock,” as eisstockschiessen is sometimes known? Or are all these tantalizing threads just part of some sort of misguided and totally unfounded urban folklore? Perhaps only a direct response from the former governor himself can settle this argument once and for all. Absent that, the mystery will probably endure. There does remain one tantalizing and very speculative possibility. Many have conjectured about Schwarzenegger’s future now that he has left the California governor’s office. Considering that this truly “renaissance man” has continually sought to redefine himself in new spheres of influence, would it not be perfectly fitting for him to now finally adopt and embrace the sport that he has so long been tenuously identified with? Just take a moment and cast your mind forward to the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Russia. Imagine the man known as “The Terminator” stepping up to deliver the “terminal” last rock for Team USA in the 10th end of the men’s gold medal game at the Sochi Curling Centre. After carefully eyeing up the amount of weight he intends to throw for his final shot, Arnold Schwarzenegger turns to his sweepers and calmly, in a thick Austrian accent, proclaims, “I’ll be hack.”
Curling News
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
FALL 2011
UNITED STATES
7
Flashback to the world of curling circa 1970s
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his writer had the pleasure of curling at Broomstones in the 1975-76 season. The multi-level, foursheet facility was just a few years old, a combination of Weston and Wellesley Country Club curlers (later adding Brae Burn curlers when their facility closed). I drove three times a week through Boston suburbs, from Boxboro, near Acton and Concord, about a halfhour drive in good traffic, to a site in Wayland nestled in the woods. A highlight was my parents’ visit—we played together in the Wellesley Mixed ‘spiel. Another highlight was the Monday evening Metropolitan League, in which teams from Broomstones, The Country Club, Brae Burn and Winchester played at one another’s facilities. Last I heard, the forest remains and the land around the club is largely undeveloped, so Broomstones is not out of the woods! Club president Bob Chandler updates the Curling News: “Broomstones is indeed surrounded by trees and has a beautiful surrounding still. We are in great shape physically and financially, having been operating under a strategic plan for a number of years and are well along our capital improvements and we continue to have community outreach and related curling
Tales From Sheet Nine
David Garber, dj.garber@charter.net
opportunities from outside the club. “We have no public open houses scheduled right now as we have a waiting list and are managing our natural attrition with people who come through our Learn to Curl programs and our active rental activities. We host U.S. and regional events regularly. Our youth program is very active and the kids travel and in many cases compete at higher levels across North America. “We look forward to hosting the U.S. Mixed Doubles championships this December and the U.S. Junior National Championships in 2013.” Hackers We wonder: in curling, “hacks” are a good thing. Why, then, are shooters not referred to as “hackers?”
The Funny Side
Speaking of hacks, back in 1980, Olson Curling Supplies of Edmonton competed for U.S. clubs’ business in ice equipment and other curling supplies— Olson advertised “two hacks on a board” for $14.95. Sounds like a sandwich order at a longshoreman’s deli. Points game as pre-curser to mixed doubles? In the 1970s and 1980s, the American Curling Foundation was the principle source for promotional brochures for club use. Many clubs created their own brochures. Some companies with an interest in curling also created promotional materials, including The Falk Corporation of Milwaukee, which sold shaft couplings used in refrigerating ice. Their Falk Sport Facts brochure series included “Curling—The Genteel Sport of Brooms and Rocks on Ice.” This brochure was widely distributed in the curling community (at least in the Midwest) in the 1970s. The brochure illustrated the “Points Game,” in which two curlers vied against one another by shooting at or around pre-arranged rocks, which in addition to a good two-person competition was also a terrific way to practice many shots, from simple draws and hits to ports, in- and out-wicks, chap and lies, and so on (note the curling terms now seldom used, to which we can add “dead end,” which
has become “blank”). One wonders, was the idea of modern mixed doubles, with its pre-placed rocks, sparked by memories of the Points Game? Curling instruction in 1970s Illinois In September 1977, Betty Duguid announced an Instructors’ Curling Seminar, sponsored by the Wilmette Park District on Curtis Curling Center’s six sheets of ice. The Curtis has long been out of the curling business, but Dar Curtis’ legacy lives at The Chicago Community Trust, source of many grants to support Illinois curling and USCA member services programs. Real curling hot-shots Item for curling history buffs who like military history: The 1992 U.S. Men’s Scotland Tour Team had two notable combat pilots, Jack McCann of St. Paul (WWII, Korea, Vietnam) and LaVerne Griffin of Portage (Korea and Vietnam). In January 2012, the USCA will once again send 20 men (at their own expense) to represent the USA in Scotland, the nation that developed our great game. This venerable tradition has, since 1952, been a career-capping experience for long-time curlers, men and, under the aegis of the USWCA, women. At alternate five-year intervals, the Scots’ Royal Caledonian Curling Club teams tour the USA. USWCA history item
According to the USWCA News, January, 1967 issue: New members include the (Seattle) Granite Ladies, 30 curlers, and the Philadelphia Belles, 42 curlers. The USWCA National Bonspiel sites 1967-69 were to be Saddle and Cycle (Chicago), Duluth, and Milwaukee. In 1965-66, 48 clubs and 1,808 curlers participated in the first All-American Event. A forecast It is hereby rumored that the Editor, U.S. Curling News, will leave her post to take over from Tina Brown the editorship of Newsweek. She will be replaced by the writer of the popular Curling News feature, Rocket Exhaust, who will proceed to fill the paper with cute Top 10 lists to reduce his pre-written backlog of 3,000 lists. Flush with success, The Rocket will leave within months to write Top 10 Lists at the David Letterman show. Ace columnist Ben Tucker will then become editor and will add a regular feature called “Curling and Crop Rotation.” Tuck will also start to pay top dollar for this writer’s column (“top dollar” is defined as anything more than zero—we are not greedy). Editor’s note: While Curling News Editor Emeritus Garber was galavanting at Broomstones in the 1975-76 season, the current editor was being brought into this world. :)
The USWCA Circuit Event Compete in Women’s Bonspiels and Earn Points for Area and National Cash Awards! Learn about The Circuit: • How you can compete in The Circuit in Women’s Bonspiels in all Areas of the USWCA! • How your club's Women's Bonspiel can become part of The Circuit! Register your Club’s Bonspiel for Increased Participation! Register yourself as a Circuit Participant!
www.uswca.org Click on “USWCA Circuit Event” on the Home Page
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FALL 2011
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
Thank you to our generous & loyal donors Krailo, Gwen Krzeminski, Sue Lambert, Leo Lefebvre, Andre Lydell, Dave Miller, Tim Nesbitt, Allan O’Leary, Arthur Padley, Dave Pawlowski, Tom Tulley, Jack Ward, Mike Williamson, Chris Philadelphia Harris, Stephen Hatch, Peggy McMahon, Maggie Philadelphia Curling Club Plainfield Gemmel, Dean Potomac Anonymous Leonard, Robert Pelletier, Bob Triangle McCartney, Dick GREAT LAKES Copper Country Maclean, Gordon Detroit Badgero, Paul Mayfield Bellamy, Bob Borland, Robert & Jean Chisholm, Henry Drake, Cheryl Eppich, Kevin Hicks, Mark Hogg, Richard Horn, Debra Kosmin, Mindy Kunkel, Robert Lavertu, Pierre Lowry, Ashley Maisonville, Mary Jane Montgomery, Delores
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Crawford, Craig Davis, Ed Duerwachter, David Dunbeck, Joe Eringis, Andy Fields, Mary Geake, David Grube, Larry Hastings, Matt Hsiung, Will Huber, Erv Johnson, Larry Kuhn, Bob Laurence, Dan Love, Mike Madden, John Martin, Stephanie Mawicke, Hank McGohan, James Miller, James Murray, Deb Nicola, Terry Porter, Morgan Reid, John and Liz Rittgers, Colin Roob, Ed Slabas, Stan Sullivan, John Thompson, Phil Tray, Stu Urevig, Dick Wink, Don North Shore Anderson, Therese Barnes, Scott Bernhard, Mark Boyle, Robert Burns, Walter Cooke, Ken Farnsworth, Don Fess, Art Gianaras, Alex Gorand, Jim Hesterberg, Brett Kendall, Tom Lange, Paul Lindsey, Tom Nimrod, Pat Phillips, F.J. Rustman, Bob Stribien, Mark Stryker, Daniel Wilen, Debbie Wilen, John Winand, John MINNESOTA St. Paul Anderson, Amy Lou Augustin, Sally Jo Beadle, Kent Bronson, Jim Brunt, Dan & Jenny Clark, Maureen Dexter, Jim Doherty, Tim Eustice, John Kenney, Shelly Smith, Stephen Willmar Proehl, Matthew MOPAC Coyotes Baird, Jeff DePippo, David & Courtney Fleming, Paul Gallagher, Greg Hasslacher, Chuck Heuerman, Dave & Jamie Heuerman, Tracy Horsman, Darryl Huntress, Carroll Kloth, Ron Kraft, KaaTje Leshinski, Catherine Marshall, Bucky & Tracy
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McGrady, Hal $25 Naso, Carl $25 Naso, Carol Ann $25 Nelson, Carl $100 Nowlan, Beki $25 Perry, David $25 Purkey, Hal & Donna $100 Shaw, Mike $100 Shaw, Theresa $25 Tait, Karen $25 Tarwood, Dennis $25 Zimmerman, Shari $25 Orange County Gail Harder $25 San Francisco Bay Area Makishima-Wolf, Loreen $50 Wine Country Larson, Jerome $100 NORTH DAKOTA Fargo-Moorhead Dimmer, Terry $25 Lauf, Doris $25 Omdahl, Robert & Tonya $250 Sjue, Chris $250 Grafton Tucker, Bennet $500 Lake Region Legacie, Jan $500 WASHINGTON Granite Brattin, James $25 Cloutier, Clare $50 Frosch, Leslie $200 Good, Em $50 LeBeau, Elizabeth $25 Lundeen, Steven $100 Mabbatt, Kenneth $50 Picard, Karl $25 Pleasants, James $50 Tomlinson, Catherine $100 Vukich, John (Jake) $25 Vukich, Sharon $25 WISCONSIN Green Bay Maskell, Richard $250 Kettle Moraine Arndt, Ray $25 Brzinski, Cary $25 Burke, Karen $50 Down, Gary & Ellen $25 Flakas, Esther $25 Geason, John & Stella $25 Gusinda, Mark $25 Jeiger, Dan $25 Kawecki, Dave $25 Kohl, Bob $25 Langer, Tim $25 Lloyd, Daryl $25 Maier, Judy $50 Sparks, Dave $25 Nelson, Carey $25 Stephens, Jim $100 Stevenson, Carol $100 Thomas, Theresa $25 Lodi Bierke, Melissa $25 Lawless, Brian $25 Markgraf, Rueben $25 Ness, Jim $25 Madison Berling, Richard $50 Lepping, Rich $500 Maiers, David $50 Smith, Allen $25 Swandby, Mark $650 Wiza, Dan $25 Portage Brunt, Dan and Jenny $25 Dubberstein, Steve $25 Poynette Carlson, David & Jan $600 Kretzmann, Mark & $100 Sumiko, Maeda Stevens Point Garber, David $25
C
O M IN G
SO O N !
The 2010-11 Donation Program had modest success to help fund USCA programs. Donation levels for the program were: $25, $50, $100, $250 and $500. Premiums were awarded to those making donations of $50 and above. The following individuals donated to the program: AT-LARGE: Dallas-Fort Worth Farr, Janet $25 Henry, Lisa $25 Oklahoma Havercroft, Jonathan $50 St. Louis Curtis, Robert & Kathryn $25 COLORADO: Broadmoor Rosenberry, Dena $50 GRAND NATIONAL: Broomstones Anonymous $50 Berube, Joanna $25 Buscaglia, John $100 Donaldson, Doug $25 Kelly, Marty $50 Leichter, Frederick & Jennifer $300 Macheod, Carolyn $25 McAlpin, Sian $50 Mitchell, Lisa $25 Richards, Christine $50 Nashua Country Club Anonymous Donors $75 Annand, David $25 Barclay, Warren $25 Bedinger, Paul $25 Caridi, Mark $25 Clark, Ed $25 Collins, Jack $25 Denner, Bruce $50 Dinsdale, Nancy $25 Du Pre, Jack $25 Fabian, Marty $25 Fasulo, Dr. Jeff $25 Frank, Eric $25 Kanakis, Mark $25
www.united.com/usoc – Use promo code: 903AW
FALL 2011
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
9
Guay takes the reins of the USWCA by Nancy Wilhelm, USWCA Public Relations Chairwoman
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t the Annual Meeting of the United States Women’s Curling Association held in February 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio, Maureen Guay of the St. Paul Curling Club was elected President of the USWCA. She succeeds Nancy Seitz of the Cleveland Skating Club. Maureen presided at the September 2011 Fall Meeting of the USWCA held in Bloomington, Minn. “I am proud to be president of the USWCA. Our organization is evolving to meet the needs of today’s women while preserving 64 years of tradition,” Guay said. “This is an exciting time for our organization. The
strategic plan that we began last year is being transformed into workable goals and objectives. The Women’s Circuit, after a very successful first year, has added another major sponsor and more participating bonspiels for what promises to be a stellar sophomore year. The growth of curling in the United States, especially arena curling, is being reflected in our membership. Since last year we have added three new clubs: Fort Wayne, Ind., Midland, Mich., and Anthracite in Scranton, Pa., and are currently working with the Orange County Curling Club in California.” “The USWCA focuses on grass roots curling, and not just for women. Men compete in our 5-year-andunder open events and in the All-American event in some clubs. We have long supported youth curling through regional junior bonspiels and equipment donations. The four-day
USWCA apparel and jewelry now available by Jennifer Stannard, USWCA Promotions Chairwoman
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he USWCA has launched a custom line of curling vests, jackets and hats for the 2011-2012 curling season. The merchandise debuted at the fall meeting and so far is a great success. Photos and ordering information is available through the USWCA website, www.uswca.org. The custom design, created by My Ol’ Blues for the USWCA incorporates a stars-and-stripes design denoting U.S. curling. The clothing is available in a micro-bonded fleece and micro-fleece providing onice style and comfort. Microbonded fleece items are available for men and women. My Ol’ Blues has provided curling vests for the USWCA tours in the past which were very popular. I enjoyed working with them to come up with a unique design for U.S. curlers
and I’m sure that they will prove a popular curling item in the U.S. Funds raised by the USWCA through their merchandise goes to support women’s and grassroots curling endeavors such as the nationwide All American, USWCA Circuit, Junior, Senior Women’s and Women’s National Bonspiels and the Canadian Friendship and Scottish reciprocal Tours. The USWCA also has shirts, jewelry and other items available.
USWCA National Women’s Bonspiel each February and the National Senior Women’s Bonspiel in late fall continue to be popular events.” “Our organization is entirely dependent on volunteerism,” Guay said. “This was demonstrated last weekend when 50 women gave up their weekend to attend the USWCA fall meeting in Bloomington, Minn. There were many new ideas and fresh faces, 11 new club representatives and four
new committee chairs. The key to our success is continuing the work of the meeting, moving past the restrictions of schedule and geography. Equally important is communication with all of our membership, and we are pleased that our equally beneficial relationship with the USCA allows us to use the Curling News as one method of doing this.” Born in Espanola, Ontario, Canada, Guay moved to Savage, Minn., in 1985. She is a pharmacist, and has worked with Healthpartners, a nonprofit health care organization, since 1986. Guay grew up in a curling family; both her parents curled and two of her brothers are still quite involved in our local club. Her husband, David, is a professor of pharmacy at the University of Minnesota and son, Matthew, is a chemical engineer. Neither is a curler, but by necessity
have developed an interest in the sport. When not curling, the Guays spend most weekends at their cabin in northwest Wisconsin. “Besides curling, my other passion is genealogy,” Guay said. A member of the St. Paul Curling Club, Guay curls with both the Arden Hills Cairn Lassies and the St. Paul Bonnie Spielers. “I have served as president of the Cairn Lassies and on the St. Paul Board of Directors. In the USWCA I have been a club representative, area liaison and served on many different committees as well as first- and second-VP,” she said. “I look forward to connecting to all curlers and clubs across the United State to help spread the word about the curling experience and to sustain the Mission of the USWCA: To develop, nurture and promote the sport of curling among all women and today’s youth.”
10
Curling News UNITED STATES
FALL 2011
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
Wanted: Curlers for Five-Year & Under events by Karen Ronk, Chairwoman, USWCA 5-Year & Under Bonspiel
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ive-year and Under Challenge Events are a terrific opportunity for newer curlers to experience a bonspiel along with other clubs’ participants with similar skill levels. A beautiful traveling plaque is
provided by the USWCA for the winning rink in each bonspiel, and special pins are presented to winners and runners-up in all four events. To be eligible, participants must have five years or less of curling experience. The goal of these events is to give newer curlers a chance to participate in bonspiels, meet other new curlers and play
HOT SHOTS Curling new USWCA Circuit sponsor by Jennifer Stannard, USWCA Circuit Committee
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he USWCA Circuit announces new sponsors for the 2011-12 season. HOT SHOTS Curling, the world leader in adult curling instruction, is the premier sponsor for the tour. HOT SHOTS will provide funding, a national trophy and camperships to the HOT SHOTS Curling Camps with accommodations for each regional winner. “We are pleased to be involved with the USWCA as we expand the HOT SHOTS Curling Camp program into the United States,” said David Gravelle, HOT SHOTS Curling Camp founder. “We tend to have more female participants at our camps, so partnering with an organization that wants to foster the development of women’s curling is a natural fit for us. We hope this will be a successful partnership as the sport of curling grows and grows in the USA.” Brooms Up Curling Supplies returns as a sponsor with regional awards and RockIt Gurl will provide
merchandise to each club hosting a Circuit event in support of the bonspiel. A rousing success in its inaugural year, the Circuit began last season with the goals of providing enhanced competition for women and supporting women’s bonspiels across the country. Over $5,000 was awarded in prize money in the Circuit’s inaugural year and bonspiel registration was up in participating ’spiels nationwide! USWCA member clubs can enroll women’s bonspiels in the Circuit through the USWCA website, USWCA female members can register through the USWCA or on-site at the participating bonspiel. The national champion and regional winners are determined based on a point system considering size of the event in addition to final event standing. The Circuit has increased participating bonspiels nationwide (14 so far), including two cashspiels, and participants are already registering for this season’s events. USWCA member clubs can still add their women’s bonspiels to the Circuit. Go to www.uswca.org now to get information.
positions they normally wouldn’t play. All curlers with five or less years of experience are eligible to participate. Membership in the USWCA is not necessary, but in order to host one of the events the host club must be a member. The Women’s Challenge is made up of women’s teams but the new open event may have teams made up of any combi-
nation. Composite teams are acceptable. For more information and guidelines, please contact Karen Ronk, Five-Year & Under chairwoman, at 5yrandUnder@USCWA.org. You will be amazed at how much fun you will have! Any club interested in hosting one of these events should let their USWCA representative know or contact Ronk.
2010-11 All-American winners announced by Gloria Martino, USWCA All-American Chairwoman
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s the new curling season approaches it is time to put your AllAmerican Event on your club calendar if it isn’t already in place. This event affords experienced as well as new curlers a chance to get a taste of being part of a national bonspiel on their own ice. Clubs report their women, as well as some male curlers, as having a wonderful time sharing an event that is celebrated across the United States. Each club has the flexibility to work this event into their club schedules where it is convenient for their members to participate. If you are a member club of the USWCA, have the time to play, and meet the regulation requirements to take part in this event, it is well worth sharing this opportunity with your members. The USWCA sponsors the award pins and is proud to announce the winners from last season. The following clubs participated in the USWCA 2010-2011 All-American Event: East Albany: Marilyn Goldstein, Patricia Loudis, Yvonne Bilodeau, Emily Arthur Ardsley: Kim Nawyn, Mieko Takiguchi, Melissa Dominguez, Barabara Gabhart, Sarah Mermer Broomstones: Carolyn MacLeod, Nancy Jennett, Erin Lamb, Hope McChesney Cape Cod: Barbara Enos, Cathy Offinger, Laurel Perkins, Brandy Armstrong Chesapeake: Jeanne Henkel, Marie Gomoljak, Amy Gallagher, Kathy Nolan Nashua: Cathi Picket, Marianne Carridi/Pat Cobb, Joan Ford, Carmel Pawlowski Nutmeg: Maura Cockey,
Terri Allen, Mary Reilly, Jeanine Martin Philadelphia: Leslie Dudt, Pam Stephani, Carissa Brittain, Kristen Dische Plainfield: Louisa Bartok, Suzanne Lindsay, Adrienne Adams, Charlotte Clark Potomac: Melissa Fox, Becky Vanarsdall, Monique Neaves, Elizabeth Matory Rochester: Vicki Odegard, Rebecca Hahn, Carol Dellavilla, Marsha Reed Schenectady: Eileen Kelliher, Sue Adair, April Katz, Jackie Donegan The Country Club: Lissa England, Emmie Newell, Sally Hinkle, Caroline Whitney Utica: Marena Taverne, Danica Dombrowski, Pamela Jones, Cindy Wydysh, Julie Chanatry Central Bowling Green: Sharon Gargasz, PJ Wolf, Scott Helle, Nadine Musser Chicago (a.m.): Jennifer Geake, Katherine Stewart, Karrie Gottschild, Monica Burmeister Chicago (p.m.): Karen Begley, Janine Andrasco, Karrie Gottschild, Karen Blatti Detroit: Louise Danekaert, Laura Call, Pam Buchkowski, Elaine Roseborough Exmoor: Beth Shaw, Anneliese Crawford, Rosemary Ryan, Eileen Kugman Mayfield (a.m.): Louinia Mae Whittlesey, Susan Tortorelli, Jil Sah, Courtney Lindsay Mayfield (p.m.): Laurel Cox, Julia Dibaggio, Angela Fox, Karissa Piper Wisconsin Clintonville: Mari Hintz, Pat Mahnke, Mikke Sasse, Robin Rindt Green Bay: Doris YelkWilberg, Kim Gilson, Phyllis Schippers, Annette Moore Kettle Moraine (a.m.): Clara Seidemann, Pat Van Till, Esther Flakas, Margaret Sohm
Kettle Moraine (p.m.): Michele Heinze, Sue Hoff, Mary Lynn Sharkus, Ali Bedborough Madison: Cindy Godar, Carla Lynch, Linda Fonger/Randi Schlamp, Maureen Kind Medford: Andrea Metz, Missy Zuleger, Jeri Koester, Misty Hartmann, Jodi Drost Milwaukee: Lynn Packard, Alison Cook, Claire Walsh, Mary Neick Poynette (a.m.): Jane Caldwell, Mary MacLeish, Sandy Holl, Jeanette Lohan Poynette (p.m.): Brittany Falk, Jane Caldwell, Julie Karman, Shannon Sheffer Racine: Lisa Johnson, Kari Kittermaster, Kristen Feick, Mandi Kais Wauwatosa: Jennifer Wakefield, Kara Sacia, Jill Gaertner, Jill DeGrave West I Arden Hills: Molly Jensen, Shirl Chartrand, Kathleen Orme/Marcia Seebart, Suzanne Piotrowski Duluth: Mary Broman, JJ Krause, Renee Meyers, Renee Passal Heather-Mapleton: Linda Annis, Julie Johnson, Pan Huck, Becky Sellers, Mindy Annis Itasca: Keely Carlson, Tara Stejskal, Rebekah Luedtke, Mary Hanson St. Paul: Kim Wapola, Judy Taylor, Marcia Vandesteeg, Fran Howard West II Coyotes: Tracey Heuermann, Mindy South, Catherine Leshinshi, Joshau Lewis Grafton: Christine Bjornbey, Monica Kouba, Jayce Shumacher, Heide Gienger Grand Forks: Emily Brekke, Breanna Billman, Tammy Lindgen, Lori Becker **Note a correction for the 2009-10 curling season. The winning skip from Duluth and her team: Judy McLeod, Sarah McLeod, Shawn Peterka, Sarah Chandler
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
Curling News
FALL 2011
UNITED STATES
11
Apply now for 2012 Friendship Tour by Charlene Fitzgerald, Senior Friendship Tour
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re you a woman age 50 or older who enjoys curling, making new friends and learning about your Canadian neighbors? If you are a member of the USWCA, then you should apply for the 2012 USWCA Senior Women’s Friendship Tour to Canada. The fourth group of 16 U.S. senior women will be selected for the Friendship Tour that will visit Canada for about two weeks in
November 2012. Applications for the tour were sent out in September and must be completed by Dec. 16, 2011. This exchange began in 1990 and is a collaboration between the USWCA and the Canadian Curling Association. The tour started with Canadian women touring curling clubs in North Dakota and Minnesota. The first U.S. teams toured the Maritime Provinces in 1994. In 1997, the Canadians played matches in Wisconsin and the Chicago area. Southern
Eight Enders St. Paul Curling Club On May 11, 2011, an eight-ender was laid by the Mike Floerchinger team during the Wednesday Evening Spring Open League at the St. Paul Curling Club, St. Paul, Minn. Floerchinger’s teammates included Kim Wapola, Mary Larson and Nancee Melby. *** On May 5, 2011, an eight-ender was laid by the Meghan Urbanski rink during the Open League at the St. Paul Curling Club, St. Paul, Minn. Urbanski’s teammates included Dan Rick, Brett Charpentier and Euan Kerr. Houston Curling Club On July 18, 2011, an eight-ender was laid by the Tyler Drummond rink during the CCOH Summer League at the Space City Ice Station, Houston, Texas. Drummond’s teammates include Don Higgins, Daniel Stoller, and Craig Powers.
Ontario was the destination of the second group of U..S curlers in 2000. In 2003, the Canadians enjoyed the hospitality of Eastern U.S. curling clubs. The tour is another USWCA event planned to provide friendly, competitive, international curling experience for all its members. Participants will curl only one game per day, a schedule that allows ample time for socializing and sightseeing. However, there will be a full schedule of events, and it is important
that all curlers should be in good physical condition so they can represent the USWCA in both curling and social activities. Tour members are responsible for their own travel, uniform and tour expenses. They will also develop an entertainment program, which will be performed at each club. The Canadian clubs will provide most meals and curlers usually stay in private homes. Promoting international friendship is one of the constitutional purposes of the USWCA. This exchange
program was developed in 1988 by former USWCA President Winnie Bloomquist as a way to promote friendships between women curlers of Canada and the USA. The tours are designed on a rotating regional basis, which is unique for international tours. It allows visiting teams to concentrate on only one geographic area of a large country, each showcasing its uniqueness. For more information, go to www.uswca.org or contact your club’s USWCA representative.
USWCA welcomes three new member clubs by Carol Wood, USWCA Membership Committee Chairwoman
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he USWCA is happy to welcome three new members to the Association: Fort Wayne Curling Club in Indiana, Midland Curling Club in Michigan and Anthracite Curling Club in Pennsylvania. In addition, Orange County in California has begun the process to join. The USWCA welcomes the newest curling clubs across the land with women members from all walks of life who want to enjoy the sport in different ways. Some are women who have recently taken up the sport in established curling clubs that are already members of the USWCA with a growing number of new members in newlyorganized clubs. In addition, the USWCA welcomes men who wish to support our organization and achieve extra “ice time” with our intra-club events.
The USWCA is proud to have a representative from every member club as a voting member of the Board of Directors. This participation provides an exchange of ideas and support for clubs across the United States. Just to name a few of the other benefits of USWCA membership: • National and the Senior National Bonspiels • USWCA Regional Five-Year and Under and Junior Curling events • Junior program equipment assistance • Women’s Curling Development Fund for support of Women and Youth Curling • Incoming and outgoing Scot and Friendship Tours • The Circuit - the newest USWCA sponsored program Our history is impressive and we are proud of it. After 60 years, membership in the United States Women’s Curling Association is still the “best deal on ice”!
Regional liaisons named by Bridget Matzke, USWCA First Vice President The USWCA strives to promote the sport of curling throughout the United States and to enhance communication between our nations’s curling clubs. One of the avenues the organization uses to provide direct communication is through member club representatives. Each USWCA club has an elected representative, and within each region one representative serves as a regional liaison. This helps to ensure direct communication and feedback, and aides in identifying areas where the
USWCA can help and support its member clubs. If you want additional information about becoming a USWCA representative or would like to connect with a regional liaison, here is the information for your area: East: Elaine Ritchie or Lee Ladd EastLiaison@uswca.org Central: Cathy Westphal CtrlLiaison@uswca.org Wisconsin: Mary Beth Goelzer WisLiaison@uswca.org West I: Diane Davis WestILiaison@uswca.org West II: Kelly Stevens WestIILiaison@uswca.org
12
FALL 2011
Curling News UNITED STATES
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
Balance is key component to proper delivery Editor’s note: This is the second part of a two-part series on balance. The first part appearend in the May 2011 issue.
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ell, winter is right around the corner and it’s time to get back on the ice. It’s a perfect time to work on the ABCs of good delivery – alignment, balance, and curl (grip, turn and release). We talked about alignment and a little bit about balance in last spring’s issues of the Curling News (available online). So, now you’re ready to do it on the ice. Start by placing a plastic cup at the near hogline, somewhere within 18 inches of the centerline (the cup is a substitute for the skip’s broom and the outer edge of these locations is equal to shooting to the outside edges of the house at the other end of the sheet). Next, step into the hack, with the ball of your hack foot about halfway up the incline of the hack. Stand with a stone in front of you, your feet about shoulderwidth apart, and the slider foot flat on the ice with the heel about even with the toe of your hack foot. Point your hack toe at the cup and square your shoulders and hips with the invisible line that runs from your hack foot to the cup. Next, squat down and relax. Your non-shooting arm should be on top of the broom with the handle running under your armpit. The broom’s pad or bristles should be pointed up (not laying on the ice). Grip the broom about 18 inches
SENIOR BONSPIEL Continued from Page 1 All participants must have reached their 55th birthday before Feb. 16, 2012. They must be regular, full, dues-paying members of a USCA member club for the full curling year. At least two members of any team must be members of the same eligible club. The other members must be members of an eligible club from the same USCA region. To be eligible for the Masters Event, all team members must be at least 68 years old. The 16 teams with the highest average age will constitute the Masters Event. To be eligible for the Super Senior Event, all team members must be at least 63 years of age. The next 16 teams that have requested to be in the Super
from the head and point it at about the 10 o’clock position – not straight to the side and not straight ahead. Maintain positive pressure on the broom – better on the broom than on the stone. Now, here is a little cadence to help you with what comes next: rock, foot, rock, foot, slide. From the kneeling position (or you can start with your hips slightly elevated) and with the rock centered on the invisible line that runs from your hack foot to the cup on the hog line, lean slightly forward to enable the rock to move slightly toward the cup. This motion simply breaks the inertia between the stone and the ice. Don’t use your arm to move the rock – use your upper body. If the ice isn’t sticky, you can even eliminate this “forward press” motion. Next, pull your hips up and back behind the hack. At the extreme end of this motion, you should be able to imagine that you are sitting in an invisible chair. This motion will also pull the rock back. Make sure you pull the rock back with your body and not with your arm. The rock should move straight back to your hack foot, right along the invisible line that runs from your hack foot to the cup. Your slider foot moves back, too, to a position where the toe is about even with the heel of your hack foot. Your weight transfers from being about 50-50 on both feet to being largely on your hack foot. Now you’re ready to start moving forward. It is very important to start
Senior Event or the Masters Event (if that is oversubscribed), will make up the Super Senior Event. All other teams will be placed in the Senior Event, regardless of the teams’ average ages. The only exception is if a team, which meets the age requirements for the Masters Event or the Super Senior Event, specifically requests placement in the Senior Event. The Executive Committee of the USSMCA reserves the right to balance the teams in each event. Entries will be accepted in the order received, with complete information and full payment. Receipt of an entry form does not ensure acceptance into the championships. Entries withdrawn after the closing date will be refunded at the sole discretion of the Championship Committee. Contact Bob Hipke (262-
Training Tips From Jon
Jon Mielke, jon.mielke@ndsu.edu
moving the rock, your upper body, and your slider foot forward before you start driving out of the hack with your hack foot. As your slider foot moves forward, it also moves inward so it can get centered under your chest and directly behind the stone. As it moves into position, drive out of the hack with your hack foot (slide). Remember, all the stone’s momentum comes from the drive out of the hack – not with a push from your shooting arm. Your shooting arm should stay fairly straight, with only a relaxed flex, throughout the entire delivery. Also remember to keep the rock moving along the invisible line and keep your shoulders and hips square to the cup. Repeat this practice slide until you get comfortable and things start to feel rhythmic and automatic. Move the cup back and forth along the hog line and adjust your set-up in the hack accordingly – always squaring to the cup/skip’s
784-4186, ussmca2012@ gmail.com) for further information, including entry form. We’re looking forward to showing you a positive curling experience and lots of fun. See you in February.
ACF&M donations accepted Donations to the American Curling Foundation and Museum, located in the Chicago Curling Club, can be sent to 555 Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062. The curator is James Miller Jr., 847-272-7224.
Check us out online www.usacurl.org
broom. Be sure to reposition the stone so it is always centered on the invisible line from your hack foot to the cup. Also, watch to see where your slides are ending up. Are they directly on top of the invisible line and straight to the cup? If not, try things like adjusting your body in the hack, repositioning the stone during your set-up, and eliminating any unnecessary side-to-side motions in your delivery. Stay straight – you and the stone should always move straight to the cup, regardless of its location. If you can’t hit a cup that’s 33 feet from the hack, how can you expect to hit the skip’s broom that is 125 feet away? Now take several more slides without the stone. Everything else is the same but concentrate on sliding with your shooting hand on an invisible stone – not resting on the ice for balance. Learn to balance without a stone so you don’t lean on the stone during your delivery.
George Dyer The Norfolk Curling Club in Norfolk, Conn., lost a longtime member and three-time president, when George Barnes Dyer passed away on Aug. 30, 2011. Dyer started curling in his teens and dedicated more than 50 years of his life to the sport. During that time, he accumulated numerous first place awards in the men’s and mixed leagues as well as the club’s men’s bonspiel, “The Calder.” At the encouragement of Ted Childs, a founding member of the Norfolk Curling Club, Dyer was invited to compete in the Ross Tarlton International Bonspiel. “I’d like you to come and I’d like you to keep going with this,” Childs told the avid curler. Dyer did exactly that, attending the event for 29 consecutive years from 1979 to 2007 and almost made it to 30 (one of his goals), but had to cancel due to health issues. Dyer also competed in the U.S. Nationals six times, placing third in Milwaukee in the 1980s. Besides the numerous awards Dyer earned, he also gave much back to the sport. For several
Once you start feeling comfortable with your slide, you will be able to push harder out of the hack. This is important because the stone’s momentum comes from your drive out of the hack and not from a push at the point of release. Remember, draw shots on keen ice need a light kick out of the hack; heavy ice requires a stronger kick. For takeouts, bring your hips farther back and apply more leg drive. Keep working at it. You will find yourself making more shots, your skip will love you, and you’ll win more games. Good strategy only makes a difference if you’re shooting over 50 percent. Do your part and have more fun in the process. Until next time – good curling! Mielke is a Level III instructor, a Level III coach, and a member of the USCA’s Training & Instruction Committee and Bismarck’s Capital Curling Club.
years, starting in the late 1980s, he coached junior girls for the GNCC. Many new curlers at the Norfolk Club benefited from Dyer’s years of experience as many of them ended up on his team. Dyer’s widow, Pat, says that George loved the sport so much, “he always wanted to get people interested and would urge them to come to the club.” Years of curling took its toll on Dyer’s knees, but undaunted, he turned to the stick later in his career and remained a formidable opponent. Lethal is the term repeatedly applied to Dyer’s accuracy with the device. In his honor, the Norfolk Curling Club will rename the secnd event of The Calder the George B. Dyer President’s Trophy.
Curling News
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
Key: O–Open; X–Mixed; XD–Mixed doubles; M–Men’s; W–Women’s; S–Senior; Wc–Wheelchair C–Cashspiel; J–Junior; St–Stick Events are listed Friday through Sunday but some may begin earlier. Check the club’s website for more information. SEPT. 30–OCT. 2 McCall, ID–Rocktoberspiel North Shore, IL–NS Open Poynette, WI–Equinox Rochester, NY–Senior Games OCT. 7–9 Kettle Moraine, WI–The Stan Nutmeg, CT–Blazing Leaves OCT. 13–16 Anchorage, AK–Rookie Philadelphia, PA–5 & Under Potomac, MD–Inaugural Vikingland, MN–Runestone OCT. 21–23 Anchorage, AK–Cashspiel Cape Cod, MA–Bog Capital, ND–No Boundaries Chicago, IL–Windy City Open Granite, WA Midland, MI–Invitational Poynette, WI–Deerhead Utica, NY–Skins OCT 28–30 Anchorage, AK–Petro Club Broomstones, MA Capital, ND–Early Bird Grand Forks, ND Kettle Moraine, WI–Fall Fling Las Vegas, NV–SinSitySpiel Madison, WI–Halloween Rochester, NY–Big Pumpkin Utica, NY–GNCC Sr. Women’s NOV. 3–5 Blackhawk, WI Denver, CO Granite, WA–Autumn Nashua, NH–Simply Curling Plainfield, NJ–Founders Portage, WI–Two Rivers Potomac, MD–Jr. Friendly Racine, WI Schenectady, NY–Carosella St. Paul, MN NOV. 11–13 Belfast, ME–Maine-iac Exmoor, IL Fairbanks, AK–Yukon Title Mayfield, OH Medford, WI–Silver Dollar Nutmeg, CT–USWCA Sr. Pardeeville, WI–Screwball Rice Lake, WI–Curl for Cure Superior, WI–Cystic Fibrosis Utica, NY–Wheelchair Int. Wausau, WI Wauwatosa, WI–Stick NOV. 17–20 Evergreen, OR–Interclub Itasca, MN Mankato, MN–Harvest Schenectady, NY–Achilles Philadelphia, PA–Harvest Waupaca, WI–BOB Wauwatosa, WI–Funspiel NOV. 25–27 Duluth, MN–Cashspiel Granite, WA–Cashspiel Potomac, MD–Capital Cash St. Paul, MN–Fireball DEC. 2–4 Alpine, WI Anchorage, AK–Christmas Appleton, WI–Holly Centerville, WI Chicago, IL Columbus, OH Granite, WA–Holiday Itasca, MN–Mixed 5 & Under Madison, WI–Cashspiel Mankato, MN Nashua, NH Norfolk, CT–Calder Rice Lake, WI–College Rochester, NY–Highland Wausau, WI–Stick ’Spiel DEC. 8–10 Detroit, MI–Sr. One Day Duluth, MN–International Exmoor, IL–Continental Itasca, MN–2 on 2 Madison, WI Pardeeville, WI Schenectady, NY–10 & Under St. Paul, MN–Jack McCann Waupaca, WI–Senior Men’s DEC. 16–18 Curl Mesabi, MN–Cashspiel DEC. 31 Charlotte, NC–Pajama Curl 2012 JAN. 6–8 Appleton, WI Chicago, IL–Gloamin’ Gael Detroit, MI–International Duluth, MN–Bruce Bennett Eau Claire, WI Itasca, MN Lodi, WI
O O O MWX M O O X O O O O J O M O O O O XD O O O O O O SW W O O O O O J M W St O X CO M CO SW O W O Wc O St O W O M O W O MWC OC OC O M O X J M O O X OC J X M O O St SM MW M Md J St M M SM MWC O
M W M M O M M
FALL 2011
UNITED STATES
Milwaukee, WI–Kiltie X Philadelphia, PA–Cracked Bell O Rochester, NY–Death by Choc. W Wausau, WI–Highlanders W Willmar, MN O JAN. 13–15 Broomstones, MA M Chesapeake, MD–Funspiel O Chicago, IL M Clintonville, WI M Detroit, MI–5 & Under W Heather, MN X Itasca, MN J Marshfield, WI W Rice Lake, WI–Steinspiel X Wausau, WI–Tietge HS J JAN. 16–21 Heather, MN–Burns M Heather, MN–All American W JAN. 17–18 Itasca, MN SM JAN. 20–22 Anchorage, AK–Town Square O Blackhawk, WI X Capital, ND–Outdoor O Centerville, WI–Senior Mixed SX Duluth, MN–Bert Payne J Granite, WA–25 & Under O Mayfield, OH W Norfolk, CT–Senior Mixed SX Plainfield, NJ–Thrifty O Portage, WI J Superior, WI X Two Harbors, MN M Utica, NY J JAN. 27–29 Albany, NY–Governor’s Bowl O Arlington, WI M Cape Cod, MA J Cleveland, OH X Granite, WA W Kettle Moraine, WI–Badger W St. Paul, MN–Winter Carnival O Two Harbors, MN O Waukesha, WI–Outdoor O Waupaca, WI M FEB. 3–5 Alpine, WI X Anchorage, AK O Centerville, WI W Detroit, MI–Ladies One Day W Kettle Moraine, WI X Mankato, MN M Milwaukee, WI M Pardeeville, WI–Watermelon O Rice Lake, WI M Schenectady, NY O FEB. 10–12 Centerville, WI X Itasca, MN–Sweethearts X Lakes, MN–Vern Turner O Madison, WI X Marshfield, WI M Norfolk, CT–Valentine O Pardeeville, WI–Am. Legion O Racine, WI X Wausau, WI M Wauwatosa, WI O FEB. 17–19 Detroit, MI X Duluth, MN–USWCA W Grand Forks, ND W Green Bay, WI M Heather, MN M Kettle Moraine, WI SM Marshfield, WI–Youth/Adult O Plainfield, NJ J St. Paul, MN–USWCA W Utica, NY–Cobb X Waltham, IL M Wauwatosa, WI SM FEB. 21–22 Chicago, IL–Heather W FEB. 24–26 Albany, NY W Anchorage, AK O Centerville, WI M Clintonville, WI–Couples X Grand Forks, ND–CanAm J Heather, MN W Kettle Moraine, WI X Lewiston, MI O Madison, WI–Curl v. Cancer O Mankato, MN W Mayfield, OH–Evergreen X Pardeeville, WI–Red Baron M Utica, NY–College O MARCH 2–4 Appleton, WI St Curl Mesabi, MN X Detroit, MI–5 & Under O Granite, WA–5 & Under O Kettle Moraine, WI J La Crosse, WI–Mississippi O Marshfield, WI–Lobstein X Medford, WI–Alumni O Nashua, NH–Granite State M Pardeeville, WI–Spring Fling O Plainfield, NJ–Stone M Schenectady, NY J Superior, WI–Northwest M Tri-City, WI M Two Harbors, MN–5 & Under O Waltham, IL X MARCH 9–11 Centerville, WI–Funspiel O Columbus, OH X
Granite, WA–USWCA W Green Bay, WI–Shamrock W Pardeeville, WI–Alumni O Portage, WI–Alumni O Stevens Point, WI M Wauwatosa, WI M Willmar, MN M MARCH 13–14 Itasca, MN–Senior Mixed SX MARCH 16–18 Centerville, WI SM Curl Mesabi, MN–Springspiel M Duluth, MN–Dunlop X Grand Forks, ND M Granite, WA J Green Bay, WI J Heather, MN J Kettle Moraine, WI M Lodi, WI X Superior, WI J MARCH 23–25 Blackhawk, WI O Duluth, MN–House of Hearts O Heather, MN O Potomac, MD–Cherry Blossom O MARCH 29–APRIL 1 Arlington, WI SM Granite, WA O Green Bay, WI X Mankato, MN X Petersham, MA–Spring Fling O Stevens Point, WI X Two Harbors, MN X APRIL 1–6 Potomac, MD–Rotary M APRIL 13–15 Anchorage, AK–Spring ‘Spiel O Plainfield, NJ–Bonsqueal O Rochester, NY O APRIL 20–22 Coyotes, AZ–Desert Ice O MAY 4–6 Lone Star, TX–Texas Open O MAY 25–27 San Francisco, CA O JUNE 8–10 Granite, WA–Summerspiel O JUNE 29–JULY 1 Hollywood, CA–Blockbuster O JULY 5–8 Pittsburgh, PA–Tropicurl O JULY 12–15 Cape Cod, MA X Green Bay, WI–Tailgate O JULY 15–18 Cape Cod, MA W JULY 19–22 Cape Cod, MA M Capital, ND O JULY 23–26 Cape Cod, MA Wc AUG. 3–5 Triangle, NC–Carolina Classic O Green Bay, WI SM AUG. 10–12 Charlotte, NC–Grits ‘n Granite O AUG. 31–SEPT. 2 Vacaville, CA–The Crush O
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A damaging summer storm swept across northern Michigan, causing major damage to the Copper Country Curling Club in Calumet. The debris has since been cleaned up. According to Gordon Maclean, club president, repairs are scheduled to be completed by mid-November, which bodes well for the curling season. This wasn’t the only club that took a hit from Mother Nature recently. The Minot (N.D.) Curling Club suffered signficant flood damage from the historic swelling of the Souris River in late June. That club’s season is still up in the air as the city continues to recover.
The U.S. Curling Association is proud to recognize the following sponsors who support our sport and organization:
Don’t see your event listed or it’s listed incorrectly? Send bonspiel dates and corrections to Terry Kolesar, terry.kolesar@usacurl.org. The next deadline for submitting bonspiel results is Nov. 18.
2011-12 Championship & Playdown Schedule October: U.S. Wheelchair Team Selection November: Winter Youth Olympic Games Playdown* USWCA Senior Bonspiel 2012 Senior Men’s Nationals* 2012 Senior Women’s Nationals* December: 2012 Mixed Doubles National Championship* January: 2012 Men’s Nationals Qualifying Round 2012 Continental Cup 2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games 2012 Nationals Challenge Round – Men 2012 Nationals Challenge Round –Women 2012 Junior National Championships February: 2012 National Championships USWCA National Bonspiel USSMCA Bonspiel 2012 World Wheelchair Championship March: 2012 Club National Championships 2012 World Junior Championships 2012 Mixed National Championship 2012 Ford World Women’s Championship April: 2012 Capital One World Men’s Championship 2012 World Senior Championships 2012 World Mixed Doubles Championship *accordion in nature
Dates: Oct. 21-23
Registration deadline: Site: Deadline has passed Madison, Wis.
Nov. 18-21 Nov. 29-Dec. 2 Nov. 30-Dec. 2 Dec. 2-4
Oct. 19 Nov. 2 Nov. 2
Grafton, N.D. Mayfield CC, South Euclid, Ohio Bismarck, N.D. Grafton, N.D.
Dec. 7-11
Nov. 8
Broomstones CC, Wayland, Mass.
Jan. 4-8
Nov. 14
Jan. 12-15 Jan. 13-22 Jan. 19-22 Jan. 19-22 Jan. 28-Feb. 4
Nov. 14 Dec. 7
Green Bay, Seattle, Potomac & Grand Forks Langley, British Columbia Innsbruck, Austria Site to be announced Marshfield, Wis. Madison, Wis.
Feb. 11-18 Feb. 15-19 Feb. 16-19 Feb. 18-25
Nov. 14
Philadelphia, Penn. St. Paul, Minn. Wauwatosa & Kettle Moraine, Wis. Chuncheon City, South Korea
March 3-10 March 3-11 March 17-24 March 17-25
Nov. 30
Mankato, Minn. Ostersund, Sweden Portage, Wis. Lethbridge, Alberta
March 31-April 8 April 14-21 April 23-29
Jan. 25
Basel, Switzerland Taarnby, Denmark Erzurum, Turkey
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Curling News UNITED STATES
FALL 2011
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
Cape Cod Men’s The Cape Cod Men’s Summerspiel took place July 14-17 in Falmouth, Mass. Here are the results: 1EW—Canadian Club of Boston II: Dan Dacey, Paul Sofuolis, Rick Purdy, Eric Ogren 1ERU—Nashua I: Ed Clark, Mark Kanakis, David Annand, Ben Clark 2EW—Boston: Sam Williams, Pete Rossetti, Scott Olson, Andy McKellips 2ERU—Amherst: Dave Carr, Alex Tschumakow, Nate Clark, Kenny Thomson 3EW—Broomstones I: Stuart Graves, Brad Glaser, Adam Jacobson, John Wilson 3ERU—Green Mountain: Jon Kuniholm, Daniel Lagueux, Glenn Amaral, Russell Frank 4EW—New York Caledonian: George Austin, Peter Austin, Adam Chebetar, Jim Parsons 4ERU—New Pond I: Doug Burchesky, Terry Longo, Kyle Burchesky, Sean Burchesky
Winners of the Cape Cod Men’s Summerspiel were Rick Purdy, Eric Ogren, Dan Dacey and Paul Sofoulis (skip).
Winners of the Fort Wayne Cashspiel were (l-r) Korey Dropkin, Thomas Howell, Derek Corbett and Stephen Dropkin (skip).
Winners of the 42nd annual Cape Cod Mixed Summerspiel were (l-r) Paul Badgero, Marinna Martini, Randy Boback and Brooke Schneider (not pictured).
Winners of the Fort Wayne Open Summerspiel were (l-r) Rick Law, Jeremy Caron, Graeme Robson and Charlene Haluk-McMahon.
Winners of the Cape Cod Women’s Summerspiel were (l-r) Sandy Bernstein, Wendy Scholes, Marinna Martini and Matina Heisler (skip).
Winners of the Fort Wayne 5 & Under Open Summerspiel were (l-r) Ashley Lowry, Andrew Kuzmicki, Lindsey Sobeck and Jeremy Sobeck (skip).
Winners of the Cape Cod Wheelspiel were (l-r) Russia’s Marat Romanov, Oxana Slesarenko, Svletlana Pakomova, Alexander Shevchenko and Andrey Smirnov.
Winners of the Rice Lake Lazy Days of Summer event were (l-r) Seppo Sormunen, Roger Hendrickson, Doug Cameron and Chris Cameron.
Cape Cod Mixed The Cape Cod Mixed Summerspiel took place July 7-10 in Falmouth, Mass. Here are the results: 1EW—Detroit: Paul Badgero, Marinna Martini, Randy Boback, Brooke Schneider 1ERU—Kettle Moraine II: Bob Dixon, Bonnie Dixon, Bob Flemming, Flip Flemming 2EW—Chinguacousy: Michael Renton, Wendy Bodhaine, joe Bodhaine, Jand Anderson Renton 2ERU—Port Carling: Gord Clemens, Edie Blain, Bill Legg, Cheryl Legg 3EW—Coyotes: Greg Gallagher, Shari Zimmerman, Carl Naso, Carol Ann Naso 3ERU—St. Paul: Eric Schultz, Julie Smith, Frank Balas, Brenda Paul 4EW—Mississaugua: Charles Stuart, Judith Stuart, Bryan Stuart, Alison Annard 4ERU—Nutmeg I: Jim Meinhold, Jennifer Stannard, Joel Lenecker, Pam Smith 5EW—Merrimack Valley: Ed Clark, Candice Clark, Sam Chandler, Monica Walker 5ERU—Broomstones I: Dayton Neill, Jamie Hutchinson, David Annand, Alison Annand 6EW—Cape Cod I: Matina Heisler, Tony Colacchio, Mary Colacchio, Levi Gorrell 6ERU—Cape Cod II: John McCarthy, Linda McCarthy, Bill Langley, Nanci Pacheco
Cape Cod Wheelchair The International Wheelchair Summerspiel took place July 17-20 at the Cape Cod Curling Club in Cape Cod, Mass. Here are the results: 1EW—Russia: Andrey Smirnov, Marat Romanov, Alexander Shevchenko, Svetlana Pakhomova, Oxana Slesarenko 1ERU—British Columbia: Gary Cormack, Frank LaBounty, Vince Miele, Alison Duddy 2EW—Quebec: Benoit Lessard, Carl Marquis, Sebastien Boisvert, Johanne Daly 2ERU—Scotland: Aileen Neilson, Angela Malone, Gregor Ewan, Jim Gault, Tom Killin 3EW—USA: Patrick McDonald, David Palmer, Tim Kelly, Erica Davis 3ERU—USA: Bob Prenoveau, Michael Alberg, Shauna Petrie, Matt Berwick
Cape Cod Women’s The Cape Cod Women’s Bonspiel took place July 10-13 in Falmouth, Mass. Here are the results: 1EW—Cape Cod: Matina Heisler, Marinna Martini, Wendy Scholes, Sandy Bernstein 1ERU—Chesapeake: Laura Heuer, Lorrie Needles, Marie Gomoljak, Gail Beattie 2EW—Cape Cod: Mary Colacchio, Cathy Offinger, Krista Longnecker, Virginia Bristol 2ERU—Nutmeg: Diane Muldowney,
Maura Cockey, Heide Follin, Sabrina Keillor 3EW—Oshawa: Andi Kelcey, Linda Green, Susan Jantz, Gloria Ryan 3ERU—Aruba: Wendy Berger, Martha Naber, Emma Foster, Pat Frey 4EW—Thistle: Carol Wood, Dawn Breininger, Carol Stevenson, Maureen Guay 4ERU—Summer Sisters: Elaine deRyk, Nancy Dinsdale, Michele Gower, Loraine Waybourn
Fort Wayne Open The Fort Wayne Summerspiel took place Aug. 19-21 in Fort Wayne, Ind. Here are the results: 1EW—Kingsville, Ontario: Rick Law, Graeme Robson, Charlene HalukMcMahon, Jeremy Caron 1ERU—Welland, Ontario: Tom Dillon, Brenda Vittie, Melanie Bouroue, Serge Paille
2EW—Potomac: Sean Murray, Charrissa Lin, David Baxter, Julia DiBaggio 2ERU—Evergreen: Doug Schaak, Frank Mayer, Andy Turner, Paul Schaak, John Besch
Fort Wayne Open/5 & Under The Fort Wayne 5 & Under Open Summerspiel took place Aug. 19-21 in Fort Wayne, Ind. Here are the results: 1EW—Mayfield: Jeremy Sobeck, Lindsey Sobeck, Andrew Kuzmicki, Ashley Lowry 1ERU—Columbus: Chris Muenzer, Eric Johnson, Evan Western, Jim Reinaker
Fort Wayne Cashspiel The Fort Wayne Cashspiel took place Aug. 19-21 at the Fort Wayne Curling Club in Fort Wayne, Ind. Here
are the results: 1EW—Broomstones: Stephen Dropkin, Korey Dropkin, Thomas Howell, Derek Corbett 1ERU—Madison: Craig Brown, Matt Hamilton, Kroy Nernberger, Derrick Casper
Rice Lake Open The 10th Annual Lazy Days of Summer Bonspiel took place Aug. 2628 in Rice Lake, Wis. Here are the results: 1EW—Duluth: Seppo Sormunen, Roger Hendrickson, Doug Cameron, Chris
Cameron 1ERU—St. Paul: Aaron Nunberg, Zac Owens, Adam Brodd, Scott Willard 2EW—Duluth: Joseph Bonfoey, Matt Schmidt, Kenney White, Pat Kelleher 2ERU—Duluth: Phil DeVore, Pete Westberg, Lucy DeVore, Mary Westberg 3EW—St. Paul: Randy Cumming, Mark Falesek, Vince Bernet, John Eustice 3ERU—Hibbing: Paul Pustovar, Andy Jukich, Mike Schneeberger, Duane Rutan 4EW—Duluth: Courtney George, Tyler George, Amanda Mclean, Jeff Puleo 4ERU—Madison: Tim Funk, Craig Lee, Paul Ryan, Jeff Robinson
Advertising disclaimer “None of the advertisers in this publication are agents of the U.S. Curling Association, which hereby disclaims any liability for acts of any of the advertisers.”
Curling News Life behind the mike
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
Winners of the Orange County Curling Club’s inaugural bonspiel, Frost in July, were (l-r) Vinita Harty, Nick Wiley, Ryan Harty and Colin Lindberg.
Pittsburgh Open The Tropicurl Bonspiel took place June 30-July 3 at the Pittsburgh Curling Club. Here are the results: 1EW—Potomac: Sean Murray, Nick Datlowe, Jeremy Vanderhouten, Melissa Fox 1ERU—Richmond Hill/Pittsburgh: Andrew Rydholm, Fiona Shearer, Paul Hannan, Amy Hannan 2EW—Richmond Hill: Dennis Moretto, Mike Nelson, Graham Carr, Steven Baldo 2ERU—Arthur Area: Scott Lennox, Darren Jones, Kevin Bryan, Ben Tupling 3EW—Madison: Bill Buckingham, Jon Crumm, Mark Tyler, Bill Buckingham, Sr. 3ERU—Potomac: David Baxter, Benjamin Yeung, Bob Pursell, Monique Neaves 4EW—Deer Trail: Wayne McLeod, Don Miller, Nicole Miller, Danielle McLeod 4ERU—Hamilton Victoria: John Scott, Judy Scott, Jim Neales, Christina Neales 5EW—Philadelphia: Mark Wheeler, Jay Theroff, Kevin Stayer, Jane Stayer 5ERU—Cape Cod: Kenny Thomson, Cathy Offinger, Rachel Henderson, Barbie Thomson 6EW—Ardsley: John Noble, Joyance Meechai, David Wagenheim, Andy Eaton 6ERU—Philadelphia: Garnet Howells,
FALL 2011
UNITED STATES
Eric Ruth, Ian Alexander, Dickey Scott 7EW—Pittsburgh/Rochester: Nicholas Visnich, Hannan Ely, Rebecca Andrew, Alex Visnich 7ERU—Detroit/Triangle: Ben Lev, Sue Mitchell, Sue Gleason, Jenny Zukowski
Orange County Open The Frost in July Bonspiel took place in July at the Orange County Curling Club in Westminster, Calif. Here are the results: 1EW—Orange County: Ryan Harty, Vinita Harty, Nick Wiley, Colin Lindberg 1ERU—Curl San Diego: Stefanie Smith, Adam Endicott, Owen McLachian, Ryan Malthus 2EW—Orange County: Evan Harder, Eric Harder, Gail Harder, Gordon Harder 2ERU—Orange County: Misha Houser, Brian Sanders, Brenna Duncan, Lynn Taylor 3EW—Orange County: Ken Millar, Bill Waddington, Bob Waddington, Bill Waddington, Sr. 3ERU—Orange County/Curl San Diego: Stephen Wolff, Olivia Wolff, Mark Roberts, Mark Dossett 4EW—Orange County: Bob Krause, David Krause, Mike Calder, Mark Piskura 4ERU—Orange County: Donal O'Sullivan, Brian Walsh, Renee Chin, Janice Landsfeld
17th Annual Top 10 Shakespearian Quotations on the Roarin’ Game 10] The most you sought was her promotion. [Romeo and Juliet, Act 4, sc. 5, l. 71] 9] Run back and bite, because he was withheld. [2 Henry VI, Act v, sc. 1, l. 152] 8] Sir, I most humbly pray you to deliver this. [Henry VIII, Act iv, sc. 2, l. 129] 7] When holy and religious men are at their beads, 'tis hard to draw. [Richard III, Act iii, sc. 7, l. 92] 6] A blank, my lord. [Twelfth Night, Act 2, sc. 4, l. 110] 5] And be henceforth a burying-place to all that dwell in this house. [2 Henry VI, Act iv, sc. 10, l. 62] 4] Thus have we swept. [3 Henry VI, Act v, sc. 7, l. 13] 3] How will you do to content this substitute. [Measure for Measure, Act iii, sc. 1, l. 192] 2] O, pardon me, my lord; it oft falls out. [Measure for Measure, Act ii, sc. 4, l. 117 1] ‘Tis the right ring, by heaven: I told ye all, when ye first put this dangerous stone a-rolling. [Henry VIII, Act v, sc. 3, l. 103] – Richard Maskel
A funny thing happened to me last season. At least I think it was funny. I hope you see the humor in it as well. I found the whole thing hilarious. Fargo hosted Men’s and Women’s Nationals in February. Since that’s close to my backyard, the USCA asked me if I would help with the audio webcast. It sounded like it might be fun, so I readily agreed. Thus began the slippery slide of simple farmer into worlds that he had no business visiting. Shortly before Nationals began, I learned that there was a professional broadcasting crew coming in to produce a broadcast of the finals. I had some questions about the audiocast, so I called the USCA. At the end of the call, I asked who was doing the call on the finals. After a couple seconds of silence, the answer came back, “Um, we thought you would do it.” Remember, I’m just a farm boy. I laughed out loud. The audiocasts went fairly well. There were some hardware issues at the beginning. I’m not much help with technical difficulties. Still, I enjoyed doing it. I had a microphone in my hand for over 80 hours and never ran out of things to say ... a point that USCA President Chris Sjue kindly mentioned in his closing comments at the end of the competition. Having just audio for curling isn’t the easiest thing to do since the advent of the Free Guard Zone. Describing a cluttered house over and over gets old for the listener and the team with the mikes. This is especially true if Kevin Kakela or Craig Disher is in on a sheet. Those lads never saw a draw that they didn’t like and their junked up houses often had 15 rocks in play. So we concentrated on updating the scores and standings. We tried to describe important shots as they slid down the wonderful ice in the fabulous arena. I enjoyed doing the audio. I was helped by various people that were around to watch the games. I really liked working some of the draws with Mark Cheatley, an old friend and an insightful curler. For one draw, the arena staff had their friends listening and sending questions to press row through their Facebook page. None of them knew much about curling, but the questions were good and we had a blast. This endeared me to the staff so much that I got to wear a Security jacket for the closing party. The relaxed fun of the
Tucked in the Back Page
By Ben Tucker tuck@usacurl.org audiocasts ended with the semifinals. The professionals from Echo Entertainment were setting up for the finals. It was time for me to get nervous. Fortunately for my nerves, the USCA had John Benton and Bill Morehouse on the team. Willy (Morehouse) and ‘Nilla (Benton) are curlers that I really respect and also friends. The nerves were also aided by the USCA (Rick and Terry) as they treated me like a prima donna and not a dirt’a farmer’a. Echo showed up on Friday to set up cameras and string wires and the USCA introduced us to the producer. His name is D.C. Robbins and he’s a soft spoken guy. D.C. then brought in his crew and introduced them to the USCA people. Instead of introducing Morehouse, Benton and me, he pointed to us and called us The Talent. I laughed out loud again. The Talent? I’ve been called many things, but never The Talent. Surrounded by supportive friends and pros, I started to worry about getting egotistical. It was a groundless fear. I soon came to learn that the term “The Talent” isn’t necessarily a compliment. In fact, it is nowhere near a compliment. They use it in sentences like, “Don’t worry about him, he’s just The Talent” or “Hey, keep away from the doughnuts. They are for the crew, not The Talent.” The morning of the finals, I woke up extremely nervous after a fitful night of sleep. I was so nervous that I threw up. Exactly like when I used to curl, the nerves settled down when the first rock was thrown. After that first rock, I was just watching a game with my buddy ‘Nilla. I had insisted to the production crew that they didn’t need to waste a camera on me. They agreed. They also lied. The first thing I saw when I got behind the desk was a camera about 2
15
feet from my face and blocking my view of the far house. Benton looked super sharp in a suit and Morehouse was cool in a blazer. My wife packs for me so, luckily, I was in a nice sweater. Thank God that I married well or I’d have been wearing a flannel farming shirt. I think the broadcast went pretty well. I think that Benton was fantastic. He disagrees with me and thinks I was fantastic. Benton is an idiot. If you see him, tell him I said so. I’m not fishing for compliments. I just wanted to let you see how a farmer ended up with a camera in his face. Like much of life, it was more the road I was on rather than where I chose to drive. For The Good of the Game: I had briefly mentioned that the MCA is coming up on the 125th anniversary of their huge bonspiel. It is still a year away, but it’s never too soon to start planning. I’ll write more information on this special event very soon. The competitive season is off to a pretty good start for the United States. The Wes Johnson, Sean Beighton and Cristin Clark rinks all did pretty good up in British Columbia. Erika Brown and Patti Lank played tough at the Schmirler Classic, Pete Fenson and his squad did pretty well in the prestigious Shorty Jenkins ’spiel. The big news is that the Tyler George rink made it to the semifinals at the Shorty. Even bigger news is that a very young Stephen Dropkin rink won the Fort Wayne Cash and the Ontario Junior Curling Tour event in Peterborough so far this season. I always get excited when our young teams do well. It bodes well for the future. The bad news is that a team from Russia did extremely well out in British Columbia and a Chinese rink won the Green Bay Cash. The international scene is rapidly changing and I fear that will force changes for the U.S. and our curling. Change can be a scary thing, and my hope is that our decision-makers have the ability to see what is happening as well as what the changes might mean for the distant future. The task they have in front of them is far from easy. Tucker is a member of the Grafton Curling Club and makes his living farming in North Dakota. Send questions or comments to Tuck at tuck@usacurl.org. Send complaints to his dictatorial editor (terry.kolesar@usacurl.org).
16
FALL 2011
USA Curling ... Dare to curl
Philadelphia region ready to rock by Anthony Lorusso, Co-Chairman, 2012 Nationals
T
he 2012 USA National Championship will be held on the east coast for the first time since the 2007 Nationals in Utica, NY., and for the first time ever in the Philadelphia area. IceWorks Skating Complex located in Aston, Pa., 15 minutes outside the city of Philadelphia, will be the official host site. This will be the first time that IceWorks will hold a curling event at their four-surface facility, which is the home to 180 hockey teams,
Head to Madison for Junior Nationals What: 2012 U.S. Junior National Championships featuring 20 teams; winners advance to 2012 World Junior Championships in Sweden in March When: Jan. 28-Feb. 4 Where: Madison Curling Club, McFarland, Wis. Website: www.madisoncurlingclub.com Register online now for regional junior playdowns!
Go to www.usacurl.org and start saving today!
and over 200 figure skaters. The 2012 National Championship will begin on Saturday, Feb. 11 and run throughout the week, with the championship matches being held on Saturday, Feb. 18. Members of the local organizing committee in Philadelphia have already made some big announcements concerning this upcoming year’s National Championship. They have named The Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Concordville the official host hotel for athletes and officials during their stay in the Philadelphia Region.
The Philadelphia Sports Congress will be hosting a welcome reception for all athletes and officials on Feb. 10 in the historical area of Philadelphia. In addition, surrounding hotels
have offered discounted rates to spectators who will be staying in the area. Also, in leading up to this year’s National Championship, the official site for the event, IceWorks, will be hosting auditions for the singing of the national anthem at opening and closing ceremonies. There have also been several sponsors named for the event so far including, Brooms Up Curling Supplies, CocaCola, Neumann University, Unique Limousine, Herrs Foods Inc, Mendenhall Inn & Concordville Inn Restaurants, and Brandywine Convention and
Visitors Bureau. These sponsors and many more will help to make the 2012 Nationals one of the most exciting for both athletes and fans. Information for the event can be found by going to the official website of the 2012 USA Curling National Championship, www.2012 usacurlingnationals.com. Tickets are now on sale at the website. Volunteers are needed for this event for several different positions each day of play. Information and applications for volunteering can be also be found on the official website.