U.S. Curling News, Fall 2011

T H E I C E S P O R T O F F I T N E S S A N D F I N E S S E

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

BANTAM BLITZ: Youthprogram grows, P3.USCA BOARD: Threenew directors. P4FRESH APPROACH:

New season may meannew team, P4.TOP COACH: SandraMcMakin honored, P5.COLLEGE CHANGE:

Tournament makesupdates, P6.ALL-AMERICANS: 2011winners named, P10.BALANCED ATTACK:

Is your delivery shaky?Get tips, P12.PLAYING DOWN?:Event calendar, P13

INSIDE:

Curling NewsCurling NewsU N I T E D S T A T E S

Fall 2011 • Volume 67 Number 1 Established 1945 • www.usacurl.org • $2.50

veryone knowscurling has grownover the lastdecade, but did

you know how much? As apart of a growth planningproject, the USCA ArenaCurling Committee took alook at club membershippayment data since 2000and found some remarkabletrends: Arena curling isbooming. Over the last 12

years, the total number ofUSCA members has grown37 percent, from about11,700 to about 16,100.Sixty-two percent of thatgrowth was in arenas. In2000, arena curlers madeup less than 10 percent ofthe membership. Todaynearly 25 percent of USCAmembers curl in skatingrinks. Arena club growthhas been even moreremarkable. In 2000, 10percent of U.S. clubs werearenas. Today, they’re a

whopping 40 percent.Nearly half of all U.S. curl-ing facilities are arenas.

No region has changedmore than the GNCC,which almost perfectlyreflects this trend. In 2000,5 percent of GNCC curlersplayed in arenas. Today, 15percent do. In 2000, about20 percent of GNCC clubswere arenas; today a full 50percent are. There are now17 arena clubs in theGNCC – that’s four morethan there are in MoPac.

Here are a few more funbits of trivia about U.S.curling today:

• Wisconsin is the largestregion with approximately4,100 curlers. The GNCC issecond with 3,800 andMinnesota is third with3,400.

• The GNCC includes 25percent of the country’stotal number of arena anddedicated clubs.

Arena growth spurs membership jump

In July,

PyeongChang,

South Korea,

was selected

as the host

city for the

2018 Winter

Olympic Games

By Chris Sjue, USCA

President and Chairman of

the Governance Task Force

& Dave Carlson, USCA

Vice President, Member of

Governance Task Force

n September 2010, theUSCA Board ofDirectors unanimous-ly passed the follow-

ing resolution: “The USCAwill take this opportunity toreview its governancestructure and to implement

governance best practices,with regard to a strongoperational role for theCOO and a clear policy set-ting role for the board andits committees. We call onthe president to promptlyestablish a governance taskforce to make proposals tothe board for implementingthis policy.”

In the ensuing year, theGovernance Task Force metnumerous times, in personand by phone, and also held

several open Town Hallmeetings across the nation.Town Hall meetings werealso staged by teleconfer-ence and webinar for thosemembers interested inlearning more who were notable to attend the in-personsessions.

On Sept. 10, at the fall2011 USCA Board ofDirectors meeting, a newset of by-laws wasapproved for the organiza-tion by an almost three-

fourths vote in favor. Basedupon the organizationalstructure currently in exis-tence, those by-law changesmust now be voted on bythe USCA members. Thecurrent members of theUSCA are the 10State/Regional CurlingAssociations and the at-large curling clubs.

See By-laws, Page 5

See Arena Growth, Page 4

By-laws brain freeze? Separating myth from fact

Camp-tastic

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

by Gabrielle Coleman, USCA

Director, MoPac Region

I

E

Kettle Moraine,Wauwatosa clubsset to host seniormen’s bonspiel

he 2012 SeniorMen’s NationalBonspiel, spon-sored by the U.S.

Senior Men’s CurlingAssociation (USSMCA),will be co-hosted by KettleMoraine Curling Club andthe Wauwatosa CurlingClub from Feb. 16-19. Bothclubs have hosted this eventin the past along withnumerous other successfulbonspiels.

The 2012 event will belimited to 64 teams in threeevents: 32 in the 36thSenior Men’s CurlingChampionship; 16 in the19th Super Senior Men’sCurling Championship; and16 in the 12th MastersMen’s Curling Champion-ship. Any additional teamswill be placed on a waitinglist. Participating teams willbe guaranteed four games.

by Bob Hipke & Herb

Rasmussen, Co-Chairs,

2012 Senior Men’s Bonspiel

T

See Senior Bonspiel, P12

VOLUME 67, No. 1 FALL 2011

Curling NewsCurling NewsU N I T E D S T A T E SU N I T E D S T A T E S

2 FALL 2011 USA Curling... Dare to curl

Official publication of theUnited States Curling Association

Editor — Terry KolesarAssociate Editor—Rick Patzke Emeritus Editor—David Garber

Design: Terry Kolesar

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. TheUSCA and Curling News office is located at 5525 Clem’s Way,Stevens Point, WI 54482. Telephone 715-344-1199. Subscriptionprice for non-USCA members: $16 per year (North America), $26per year (overseas), payable in US currency. Single copy price:$2.50. Advertising rates on request. Established 1945. Periodicalspostage paid at Waupaca, Wisconsin, and additional offices asrequested. Postmaster sends address changes to US Curling News,5525 Clem’s Way, Stevens Point, WI 54482.

United States Curling Association

Officers

President Chris SjueVice Presidents Kent Beadle

Dave CarlsonJerome LarsonJames Pleasants

Treasurer Sean SilverSecretary 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

Off-site staff:

Director of Sport Education

Scott Higgins913-449-2933 • [email protected]

Director of High Performance

Derek [email protected]

US: +1 715-254-5024 • UK: +44 7793 099668

National Wheelchair Development Coach

Steve Brown, [email protected]

National Wheelchair Curling Outreach Development Director

Marc DePerno, [email protected]

Head Ice Technician

Dave Staveteig701-772-0705 • [email protected]

USA Curling National Office

5525 Clem’s WayStevens Point, WI 54482

Office: 715-344-1199 • Fax: 715-344-2279E-mail: [email protected] • Web site: www.usacurl.org

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER:

Rick Patzke, [email protected] OF COMMUNICATIONS:

Terry Kolesar, [email protected]:

Sandy Robinson, [email protected] SERVICES MANAGER:

Dawn Leurquin, [email protected] ASSISTANT:

Christy Hering, [email protected] & DEVELOPMENT MANAGER:

Kim Nawyn, [email protected]

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 60062847-272-7224

UNITED STATES WOMEN’S CURLING ASSOCIATION

OFFICERS

PRESIDENT Maureen GuayFIRST VICE PRESIDENT Bridget MatzkeSECOND VICE PRESIDENT Shelley DropkinSECRETARY Mary Ann HulmeTREASURER Carolyn MacLeodUSCA LIAISON Janet FarrPROMOTIONS & Nancy WilhelmPUBLIC RELATIONS

Raffles, runs and rejuvenation ring in fall

his month I say asomber goodbye tosummer but withthe fall always

comes rejuvenated energyfor upcoming projects.

But let’s go back to sum-mer for a minute. In July,PyeongChang, SouthKorea, was named the hostcity for the 2018 OlympicWinter Games. The curlingvenue will be familiar forsome of us who traveled tonearby Gangneung for the2009 Women’s WorldChampionship. I’m toldthat will be the site for thecurling competition come2018.

In August, I got to puton the Director of Fun hatand orchestrate our month-long contest spree (I keeptrying to convince Rick tolet me change that to mypermanent title but he usu-ally just laughs or frowns,but I digress...). We ranthree fun contests on ourwebsite and while it maylook like the East Coastcurlers were greasing ourpalms, I can assure you thatit is purely coincidental thatall three winners are fromthe east. That being said,congratulations to our“Month of Contest” win-ners:

• Michael Stefanik,Schenectady Curling Club,winner of the registrationspot in the Glenn Howardinstruction camp.(Unfortunately for all thecampers, there were cus-toms issues at the borderand Team Howard did notmake it to New York andthe camp was canceled!)

• Bob Semaniuk,Schenectady Curling Club,winner of the three-nightHilton Hotel stay.

• Richard Collins,

Midlothian, Va., formermember of the Potomac andTriangle clubs, winner ofthe all-expenses paid trip toLas Vegas to curl in theSinSitySpiel on Halloweenweekend.

Look for future conteststhis season posted online atwww.usacurl.org.

As we moved intoSeptember, Team CurlersKicking Cancer representedUSA Curling at theAmerican Cancer Society5K in Stevens Point. It iswith much pride and appre-ciation that I report thattogether we raised $2,000to help fund cancer researchprograms in honor ofGarland Legacie (USCA icetechnician) and ChrisMoore (USCA past presi-dent). A heartfelt thank youto our loyal donors. Itmeans a lot to us as a staffto participate in this andhelp carry on the memoriesof two people who weresuch a big part of our day-

to-day jobs for the manyyears we were blessed toknow them. Thanks tostaffer Dawn Leurquin fordesigning us some kick-buttlime green team shirts. Oneother fun note, at the USCAFall Board Meeting earlierin the month we honoredSandy Robinson, USCAcontroller, who has nowworked at the USCA for 25years!! Next time you callthe office, please expressyour congratulations to her.

As September comes to aclose and the weather inWisconsin reminds me ofthe snow that is yet to fly, Iturn my focus now to the2011-12 season. The newMedia Guide & Directory isonline and likely on a tableat your club.

A new instructionalvideo was developed thisspring and finalized thissummer. The video, whichwas produced by NickKitinski of the HollywoodCurling Club, comes in twovariations – a quick, 6-minute introduction to thesport, which is ideal forshowing at the start of openhouses, and a longer ver-sion that goes more in-depth into sweeping anddelivery.

The long version is avail-able for purchase for$19.95 in the online down-loadable version (keep it onyour laptop or burn it toyour own DVD for use) orfor $24.95 you can pur-chase a DVD copy. Theshorter version is free butonly available via down-load. Club presidents willreceive a copy of the shortversion via email in earlyOctober. We’ll also postthese items on our websitefor downloading.

To make it easier to pur-chase instructional materi-als (brochures, posters, etc.)Christy Hering has createda merchant account andshopping cart to ease thesales process.

Please also look in the

coming weeks on our web-site for the debut of ournew online store featuringUSA Curling clothing andmerchandise. We’re prettyexcited to begin a new con-tract and have items for saleonce again.

Kim Nawyn, a curlerfrom the Ardsley CurlingClub in New York, is mak-ing the journey toWisconsin in October tojoin the national office staffas Growth and Develop-ment Manager. Check outthe next issue of theCurling News for a com-plete story on the new facehere at the USCA. The bosscontinues to be outnum-bered 5:1 by women.

This season, we hope toprovide better webstream-ing of our events. We havea great group of eager vol-unteers waiting to help usbroadcast more curling viathe Internet. In addition, wehope to streamline the USACurling website and makethe content easier to locateand less cluttered overall.Michael Campbell of thePhiladelphia Curling Clubhas already been a greatasset to assisting with thisproject over the summer aswe start to strategize on thesite map.

For all the social mediamavens out there, please besure to connect with USACurling on our Facebookand Twitter pages. Many ofour competitive teams haveteam Facebook and Twitteraccounts as well. You canfollow their journeysthroughout the season,which is kinda fun. We alsonow have a FourSquareaccount and would love tosee the clubs build oneonline too, making it a funplace to “check in” whilebonspieling and visitingother clubs. New toFourSquare? I am too. Youcan learn more atwww.foursquare.com.

Have a great season, andI hope to see you on the iceor along the ice.

Ideas? Complaints? Send

your thoughts to Curling

News Editor Terry Kolesar

[email protected]

715-344-1199, Ext. 202

From the

Editor’s Desk

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FALL 2011 3USA Curling... Dare to curl


Certifications

Several USCA member clubs will hostinstructional clinics this fall. As more clin-ics are planned they will be added to theUSCA website located in the “Inside theUSCA” section, www.usacurl.org/good-curling. Here is a look at a few clinics:

GNCC region

• Albany, N.Y., Level I instructor, Oct. 22Cost: $50 per person. To register, contact Lenore Collins, 578-867-6561, [email protected] or visitwww.gncc.org/training.htm• Albany, N.Y., Level II instructor, Oct. 23Cost: $50 per personInstructor: Sandra McMakin, Level IIIinstructorTo register, contact McMakin at 240-293-6311, [email protected], or visitwww.gncc.org/training.htm• Chesapeake, Level I instructor, Oct. 3Cost: $50 per personTo register, contact Pam Parks, 410-228-4082, [email protected], or visitwww.gncc.org/training.htm• Plainfield, Level I instructor, Oct. 9Cost: $50 per personTo register, contact Ed Klug, [email protected] or visit www.gncc.org/training.htm

Wisconsin region

• Kettle Moraine, Level I instructor, Oct. 23 Instructors: Teresa Thomas and LarryLaux, USCA Level II instructorsCost: $35 per personPlease e-mail your name and phone num-ber to [email protected], if you’d liketo attend. • Tri-City Curling Club, Level 1 Instructor,Oct. 15. Cost: $20 Instructor: Bev SchroederRegistration fees should be made payableto Tri-City Curling Club and sent to MikeSwanson, 2821 Shady Lane, WisconsinRapids, WI 54494. Swanson can bereached by phone at 715-423-4407 or e-mail at [email protected]. More informa-tion can be found on the club websitewww.tri-citycurlingclub.com.

Training coordinators needed

The USA Curling Training andInstruction Committee is seeking regionaltraining coordinators for the Minnesota andIllinois regions for the upcoming season.Level II instructors preferred. If interested,contact Sandra McMakin [email protected].

Bantam curling gaining steam across the U.S.his past spring theUSCA YouthCommitteelaunched an initia-

tive to foster bantam-agecurling in our states andregions

The Bantam Programconsists of two age levels –13 and under, and 17 andunder. Both age groups areas of Dec. 31 of the currentcurling season. The 13-and-under group plays six-endgames in an open format,while the older group mem-bers play eight ends andhave a separate boys andgirls format.

The goals of the BantamProgram are to:

(1) Encourage youngerkids to try competitive curl-ing where they would behesitant to play at the juniorlevel.

(2) Give kids a chance towin at a younger age and,

hopefully, to carry an opti-mistic curling spirit ontothe junior level.

(3) Ensure a pipeline ofexperienced curlers feedingthe junior age group.

North Dakota has heldBantam age bonspiels and a

State Bantam Champion-ship for the last five years.The result has been a grow-ing number of playdownteams competing in U-18and junior events at a timewhen overall membershipamong most clubs hasdeclined.

The idea is catching on.To date, discussions havebeen held with the IronRange clubs of northernMinnesota, along with theBemidji Club and theGNCC region, all of whichhave made plans for or arelooking for ways to hostBantam age bonspiels. Thenorthern Minnesota clubsplan to initiate a Bantamtour similar to NorthDakota’s Bantam Program.Hopefully, the success ofthese club BantamPrograms will foster contin-ued interest in Bantamsamong other clubs and

regions.U-18 Optimist

International

Now is the time to startthinking about a U-18 teamfor the Optimists Inter-national Bonspiel nextspring.

This event is a wonderfulopportunity for youngteams to participate in aninternational event thatincludes teams from theCanadian provinces, Japanand Europe. The Optimistswant to emphasize that thisevent is designed to giveyoung, inexperienced,developing teams a chanceto improve their skills in afriendly competition.

Teams are responsiblefor travel costs to Canadaand some meals. Hotelcosts are paid by theOptimist International Clubfor four players and acoach. If the team elects to

bring a fifth player, theirexpenses must be paid infull by the team. The appli-cation process will begin inearly November

Junior Camp

The No BoundariesJunior Camp in Bismarck,N.D., is next up on the jun-ior camp schedule. Thedates are Oct. 21-23. Thefocus will be playing onchampionship ice. DickNordgren, a USCA icemaker, will be on hand toreplicate ice that curlersexperience at nationalchampionships. Camperswill be able to learn the insand outs of playing on thiskind of ice. Registrationforms can be downloadedfrom the USCA website orcheck out the NoBoundaries Curling CampFacebook page for campregistration and informa-tion.

Youth Corner

By Dave Jensen,

Chairman, USCA

Youth Committee

T

Level I Instructor

James AuldThoralf BrechtBrian DudtMarlene FriedmanRobin GuldeJonathan HavercroftDana KlevelandJohn LambertEthan MeyersRenee MeyersJim MilnerKimberlee NawynMary Parker

Joe RockenbachTeresa ThomasSteve Walton

Level II Instructor

Brian DudtGabrielle ColemanEvgenia LurieMary Parker

Level I Official

Robert CraigChris DoremusBrian Dudt

Clinics planned this fall

Want your bonspiel registration online for free?

SA Curling’s newonline event regis-tration systemthrough League

USA, called SportsSignup,opened in August for the2011-12 season. You maynow register for all 2012playdown events usingSportsSignup (SSU).

As an added incentive toUSA Curling member clubswanting to use online regis-tration to manage theirleagues and bonspiels, itwill be free to use for therest of 2011. Although the

credit card usage featureisn’t free, the SSU process-ing fees have been waivedfor member clubs.Typically, processing feesare included within theevent registration fee so thisallows member clubs toretain a little more of theevent fee for other use.

Event registrations closeat 11:59 p.m. on theirrespective deadline dates.Don’t wait until the lastminute and be in theprocess of registering when

the clock strikes 12. Youmay not turn into a pump-kin, but the system will notallow you to complete yourentry either. The system iseasy to navigate and sinceUSA Curling has its ownmerchant account now,even the payment processfunctions like a well-oiledmachine. Since the systemopened for registrations, nonegative responses or expe-riences caused by the soft-ware have been reported todate.

Because USA Curling’sregistration proceduresrequire individual consentforms, registrations willcontinue on an individualbasis, but with the newdimension of team rosteringmade possible by the SSUsystem. Once an applicanthas completed all their reg-istration requirements, thenext administrative step isto roster individuals toteams. After rostering isdone, individuals who havecompleted their registration

requirements will be able tosee a list of other teammembers who have alsocompleted their registrationtasks. This eliminatesguesswork and makes iteasy for team members toknow who needs to getbusy and get registered,simply by logging into theirown accounts and clickingon the “Team Skip” linkprovided.

Feel free to send com-ments on your registrationexperience via email [email protected]. Afterall, it was comments fromusers that prompted thesearch for a better system.

SportsSignup offering free event services through Dec. 31by Dawn Leurquin, USCA

Event Services Coordinator

U

Nominate someone for Volunteer of the Year Award

The U.S. CurlingAssociation is proud to rollout its Volunteer of the YearAward. Nominations will beaccepted through June 1,2012, with the inauguralwinner being announcednext summer. The Volunteerof the Year Award honorsone great volunteer that

stands out for his/her workto help promote the sport ofcurling. Please help spreadthe word about this greataward to thank the back-bone of our organization –our volunteers!

Criteria and a nominationform can be found online atwww.usacurl.org/usacurl.

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 sec-

ond 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 presi-

dent of Competitive

Programs; Dave Carlson

(Portage, Wis./Poynette

Curling Club), vice presi-

dent 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/Dallas-

Fort Worth Curling Club),

and AAC members

Swisshelm, Gemmell and

Richard Maskel (Green

Bay, Wis./Green Bay

Curling Club).



2012 season may bring new team, new leadershipt is a new season and

with it the challenges

of forming a team,

sorting out roles, get-

ting team processes and

systems on track and then

playing well all come into

focus. The picture gets

clearer nearer to competi-

tion as teams narrow their

focus on what they need to

do to play well. Reflecting

on the challenges of estab-

lishing 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 with-

out 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-

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, friend-

ship, 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 consistent-

ly? Leaders that are consis-

tent 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 sup-

posed 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 some-

what social with their team

mates and be able to com-

municate 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 them-

selves 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 prepar-

ing 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 quick-

ly 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 perform-

ance. Does your leader

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.

By John Coumbe-Lilley,

USA Curling sports

psychology consultant

I Seven insights into leading team performance

An article in the May 2011 edition titled “Happy Hourat Curl San Diego” was attributed to the wrong author.The correct author was Mark J. Dossett of Curl SanDiego. We regret the error.

Three new directorsjoin USCA Board

by Terry Kolesar,

Editor

W

• There are twice asmany clubs in the GNCCthan there are in Minnesota.

• More than one third ofthe clubs in the GLCA arearena clubs (5 of 13).

• Nearly a quarter of theclubs in Minnesota arearena clubs (4 of 17).

• The region with themost arena curlers isMoPac (1,034 curlers, 13clubs).

• There are as manyarena curlers in the GNCCas there are total curlers inWashington (about 550.)

• The country’s 10biggest clubs make upabout 28 percent of the

total U.S. curling popula-tion.

• The country’s largestclub, the St. Paul CurlingClub, makes up approxi-mately 6.5 percent of thecountry’s total curling pop-ulation.

• The country’s largestclub, the St. Paul CurlingClub, has the same numberof curlers as each of MoPacand North Dakota (approxi-mately 1,035), and justslightly less than the GLCA(approximately 1,100).

Curling data lovers mayhave noticed that some ofthe counts in this analysisare slightly different thanthe ones the USCA uses,particularly in terms of clubnumbers. For the purposesof this analysis, we counted

only one rink per club andone club per rink. Thismeans that clubs who curlat multiple skating rinks,like the San Francisco BayArea Curling Club, werecounted as only one club,and dedicated rinks that arehome to more than oneclub, like Broomstones,were also counted as onlyone club.

Also, since this datacame from the number ofdues-paying members whopaid before the deadline, itis not a perfect count of theactual number of peoplecurling.

For more detailed dataand region graphs, pleasecheck out our article on theUSCA website,www.usacurl.org.

Correction

ARENA GROWTH

Continued from Page 1

Arena curler membership has grown significantly since 2000. Arena clubs now account for 40 per-

cent of the USCA’s total membership compared to just 10 percent in 2000.

Graph courtesy of Gabrielle Coleman

andra McMakin(Potomac, Md.)has been named2011 USA Curling

Developmental Coach ofthe Year.

McMakin was nominatedfor her work with theStephen Dropkin juniorteam, which finished sec-ond at the 2011 USACurling Junior NationalChampionships, as well asBrandon Corbett’s men’steam, which competed inthe men’s national qualifier.The award also honorsMcMakin’s ongoing dedi-cation to coaching andtraining curlers.

“It’s been a wonderfulexperience and a privilegeto work as a member of thecoaching support for both

Team Dropkin and TeamCorbett,” said McMakin,who curled for 25 years inAlberta, Canada, beforemoving from Calgary toPittsburgh in 2000. She hasbeen actively involved withUSA Curling in manycapacities since that timeincludingcoach-ing,arenacurling,training,instruc-tion, andyouthcurling.

Amemberof the Potomac CurlingClub in Washington, D.C.,McMakin has beeninvolved in numerouscamps and clinics acrossthe United States. She is a

USA Curling Level IIIinstructor, Level III coachand Level I official. Shehas served as programdirector of the East RegionJunior Camp since 2008;coordinator of GNCCInstruction and CoachingCommittee since 2007; andis currently USA Curling’schairwoman of theInstruction and TrainingCommittee. She previouslychaired the association’sArena Curling Committeeand also served as a curlinginstructor in Canada.

“I love the depth of thesport of curling, and I’mconstantly learning withevery event I attend,whether as a player,coach, course conductor orother type of event volun-teer,” McMakin said.

A Developmental Coachof the Year nominee is

coach of a youth club, highschool or junior-levelcoach, or a coach directlyresponsible for coachingathletes to the junior and/orelite level. TheDevelopment Coach of theYear award is determinedby the USA CurlingCoaching Committee.Winners of these awardsare nominated for theUnited States OlympicCommittee annual coach-ing awards as well.

“Curling is the ultimateteam sport with all fourplayers involved in everyshot. When curling teamswork hard and play thegame with trust andrespect, magic happens onthe ice – and it’s a greatfeeling to be a part of that,”McMakin said. “I had somuch fun this past seasonwith all the curlers, coach-

es and instructors I workedwith and I’m honored to berecognized for that by theUSCA.”



The Annual MembersMeeting is held in the spring.In an effort to help theUSCA association membersand individual curlers betterunderstand what the pro-posed by-law changes mean,the U.S. Curling News willrun a “Frequently AskedQuestions” section through-out the coming season. Hereis the first installment.

If you have questions youwould like to see answeredin future issues of theCurling News, or that youwould like answered imme-diately by members of theGovernance Task Force,please submit them to [email protected]. Be sureto include your contact infor-mation, including a phonenumber.

Will the organizational

change reduce the voting

power of the curling commu-

nity for the Board of

Director positions? –Currently, states/regions arelimited to a vote to select upto three directors onto thenational board. With anationwide election of posi-tions on the board and thethree standing committees,members will vote on sevenBoard of Director positionsand five standing committeepositions. Also, floor nomi-nations to the Board are cur-rently limited to those madeby Directors at the boardmeeting.

With a national election atthe Members Assembly,floor nominations for mem-ber-elected directors andstanding committee positionsmay come directly from themembers.


change increase USCA mem-

ber dues? – With a Board ofDirectors elected on anational basis, and responsi-

ble to set policies and goalsand manage and evaluate theCEO’s performance,Directors are freed to focusmore effectively and consis-tently on fundraising.

A Board of Directorsposition will also be moreattractive to persons outsidethe “politics” of curling whomay be of influence andwealth. With the opportunityto strengthen the Board’sfocus on fundraising, thiswill lessen the dependenceover time on individualcurler dues which are cur-rently the second highestpercent funding source (22percent), as well as upon theU.S. Olympic Committee(USOC), which has the high-est percent of funding to theUSCA (50 percent).

Individual curler dues areactually more likely to facepressure to increase if USOCsupport goes away or isgreatly diminished. This ismore likely than not to hap-pen if these organizationalchanges do not occur.(USOC funding supportsmany USCA programsbeyond those limited to highperformance programs, andthose expenses would stilloccur even if high perform-ance programs were cut.)

Will USCA members lose

the privilege of initiating or

amending the organization’s

by-laws? – Members wouldretain the right to veto futureby-law changes adopted bythe Board of Directors. Thepower to initiate future by-law changes would be limit-ed to electing different per-sons as Directors. Electionswould occur every year.With a two-thirds vote of theBoard required to change by-laws, a swing of up to threeor four Director positions inone year is significant on a15-member Board.

Will USCA states and

regions become insignifi-

cant? – Although thestates/regions would no

longer be the recognizedMembers of the USCA (theindividual clubs would be),states/regions would retainthe vote for all clubs in theirstate/region, unless individ-ual clubs opt out and chooseto vote on their own.


change create a Board of

Directors that is “incestu-

ous?” – Directors will servetwo-year terms with eight-year term limits. There willbe a nationwide election forseven member-electedDirectors. The five-personNominating/ GovernanceCommittee (no members ofwhich will be BoardDirectors, and two of whomare elected by the members),will develop a slate of candi-dates, soliciting nominationsfrom all members nation-wide, and will be chargedper the by-laws to seekdiversity and representationof the various constituenciesof curling. Nominations ofmember-elected Directorsand standing committeepositions, including theNominating Committee, mayalso come directly from theMembers via “floor nomina-tions.”

Will the five “indepen-

dent” positions on the Board

of Directors mean the organ-

ization will have five deci-

sion makers who know noth-

ing about curling? – To clar-ify, the definition of an“independent” director doesnot preclude someone fromwithin curling to qualify. Tobe considered “indepen-dent,” a candidate cannothave held a governance posi-tion within the USCA in thepreceding 12 months, whichincludes serving on aStanding Committee orBoard position with theUSCA; having been a boardmember of any State/Region;a board member or board-elected member of a com-mittee of either the USOC orWorld Curling Federation, or

a member of the USCAAthletes AdvisoryCommittee (AAC).

Being a president or boardmember of a curling club orserving on a members’assembly committee doesnot disqualify an individualfrom being a candidate as an“independent” Director.

The “independent”Directors may come fromoutside of curling, but theslate of candidates will bepresented by the NominatingCommittee. The NominatingCommittee consists of twomember-elected persons, twoboard-elected persons, andone person elected by theAAC.

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McMakin named Developmental Coach of the Yearby Terry Kolesar,

Editor

S

BY-LAWS


STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION

(Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685)1. Publication Title: UNITED STATES CURLING NEWS 2. Publication No.: 1064-30013. 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: $16.007. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 5525 Clem’s Way, Stevens Point, WI54482. 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher: 15525 Clem’sWay, 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 Moreof 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] HasNot Changed During Preceding 12 Months13. Publication Name: United States Curling News14. 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

Actual No. Copies of

Single Issue Published

Nearest to Filing Date

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

12,424

12,136

85

0

0

0

12,221

0

0

0

109

109

12,330

94

12,424

99.10%

13,110

12,935

85

0

0

0

13,020

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: 09-19-11I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that any-

one who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or infor-

mation requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and impris-

onment) and/or civil sanctions (including multiple damages and civil penalties).

McMakin

ver the years,there has been apersistent rumorbordering on

urban legend that ArnoldSchwarzenegger was a for-mer junior curling champi-on during his formativeyears back in his nativeAustria. To be sure, thereis plenty of “smoke” sur-rounding this puzzlingstory. The questionremains, however, as towhether there exists anyactual “fire” to back it up.

There has been someintriguing evidence to sup-port this claim dating all theway back to 1976, an era inwhich hardly anyone in theUnited States outside of thesport had heard of curling.That year saw the release ofthe motion picture “StayHungry,” directed by BobRafelson, in whichSchwarzenegger played aprofessional bodybuildernamed Joe Santo, a charac-ter loosely based on theactor himself.

Early in the film, Santo’s“grease man” FranklinCoates (portrayed byRobert Englund, later togain fame as “FreddyKrueger” in “TheNightmare on Elm Street”series) plays pool in a tav-ern with local entrepreneurCraig Blake (Jeff Bridges).

During the game, Blakeasks Coates, “What elsedoes this Santo guy dobesides lift weights?”Coates responds, boastingthat, “There ain’t nothin’Joe don’t do. Man bowls200, was near about anOlympic swimmer, andbefore he come here fromAustria, he was worldchampion of curling. You,uh, you know what that is?”

The conversation ends atthat point, but soon afterBlake gets into a bar fight

and then retreats to themen’s restroom in order totend to his wounds. WhenSanto (Schwarzenegger)comes to his aid, Blakeasks him, “Hey, uh, wereyou really a curling cham-pion? That thing with theice and the brooms?” Santogrunts “Yep” in acknowl-edgement, but no furthermention of the sport ismade. All things consid-ered, this was a rather curi-ous inclusion for a film inwhich the Santo characterseemed to be heavily mod-eled after the real lifeexploits of the actor whoportrayed him.

The current Wikipediaentry on “Stay Hungry”seems to back up theassumptions concerningSchwarzenegger’s curlingroots. It details the differ-ences between the originalCharles Gaines novel andthe eventual film adapta-tion. “The film omits all ofthis backstory and changesthe character of Santo to anAustrian – to better fit withthe real life personality ofArnold Schwarzenegger. In‘Stay Hungry,’ Santo isinstead described as havingbeen a competitive swim-mer and a curling champion– both of which Schwarz-enegger actually was.”Unfortunately, like so manyof the entries on Wikipedia,this statement is not attrib-uted to any publishedsource.

In 1990, Schwarzeneggerwas appointed as chairmanof “The President’s Councilon Physical Fitness andSports” by George H.W.Bush and served in thatcapacity until 1993. Duringthat tenure, the HibbingCurling Club was host tothe 1991 U.S. CurlingOlympic Team Trials lead-ing up to the 1992 WinterGames in Albertville,France. Carole Pustovar,long time Hibbing curler

and wife of five-time U.S.Men’s National ChampionPaul Pustovar, relates astory she heard at that timefrom a member of the localorganizing committee.

Supposedly, the Hibbingclub had received an offi-cial letter of inquiry fromChairman Schwarzeneggerrequesting informationabout the sport of curling inconjunction with theupcoming Trials. If thisalleged petition proved tobe genuine, it would haveadded another very interest-ing twist to the deepeningmystery. However, it doesnot appear that the club fol-lowed up and later attemptsto locate the purported doc-ument were unsuccessful.

As Arnold Schwarz-enegger’s film career tookoff, so did pubic interest inhis background. Eventually,a number of unauthorizedbiographies hit the market,including one in 1993 byCraig A. Doherty andKatherine M. Doherty. InSchwarzenegger: Larger

than Life, the Dohertysreported that, “In 1964 he(Schwarzenegger) becamethe city and national curlingchampion while at the sametime Gustav became thesenior champion. Curling isa sport that combinesaspects of bowling andshuffleboard. It is played onice within a 14-foot-by-138-foot area. A 48-poundcircular stone with a handleis slid the length of thelane.”

Schwarzenegger’s auto-biography, Arnold: The

Education of a Body-

builder, published thatsame year, seemed to cor-roborate this assertion. Hewrites, "I had always beeninvolved in sports throughmy father, a tall, sturdyman who was himself achampion at ice curling."

However, all of this evi-dence fell just short of con-

clusive proof. Inquiriesmade to both the Dohertys(through their publisher)and the actor (through hispublicist) for further verifi-cation elicited no response.

So in 1996, a query wassent to the late GuntherHummelt, then-President ofthe World CurlingFederation, internationalgoverning body of thesport. As a native of Austriaand veteran curler datingback to 1958, he was in anideal position to weigh inon the matter.

His administrative assis-tant, Saskia Muller-Castell,responded by saying that,“With regard to Mr.Schwarz-enegger, Mr.Hummelt has never heardthat he had played curling,but probably instead ofcurling he played a sportcalled ‘Eisstockschiessen.’This sport is very popularin Austria and initiallyseems to be very similar tocurling, but actually is acompletely different sport.”

This new testimony putan entirely different spin onthe story. A subsequent arti-cle published in the LosAngeles Times (Aug. 14,2003) by Tracy Wilkinsonand Matt Lait added furthercredence to this revisionisthistory.

“Himself an athlete,Gustav Schwarzenegger didnot approve of his son’spursuit of weightlifting andbodybuilding,” longtimefriend Alfred Gerstlrecalled. He wanted hissons to follow in his foot-steps as a champion in atraditional Austrian icesport similar to curling.”

Although this additionalevidence appears to bequite telling, a final anddefinitive answer seemsjust out of reach. There iscertainly no doubt thatArnold Schwarzenegger hashad a truly remarkable andwidely diverse career—

professional bodybuilder,world famous actor, andgovernor of the state ofCalifornia. However, theessential question stillremains— does his back-ground also include a stintas a curler, possibly evenincluding a junior champi-onship title back in Austria?Or was he instead a formerparticipant in the very dif-ferent sport of “ice stock,”as eisstockschiessen issometimes known? Or areall these tantalizing threadsjust part of some sort ofmisguided and totallyunfounded urban folklore?Perhaps only a directresponse from the formergovernor himself can settlethis argument once and forall. Absent that, the mysterywill probably endure.

There does remain onetantalizing and very specu-lative possibility. Manyhave conjectured aboutSchwarzenegger’s futurenow that he has left theCalifornia governor’soffice. Considering that thistruly “renaissance man” hascontinually sought to rede-fine himself in new spheresof influence, would it notbe perfectly fitting for himto now finally adopt andembrace the sport that hehas so long been tenuouslyidentified with?

Just take a moment andcast your mind forward tothe 2014 Olympic WinterGames in Russia. Imaginethe man known as “TheTerminator” stepping up todeliver the “terminal” lastrock for Team USA in the10th end of the men’s goldmedal game at the SochiCurling Centre. After care-fully eyeing up the amountof weight he intends tothrow for his final shot,Arnold Schwarzeneggerturns to his sweepers andcalmly, in a thick Austrianaccent, proclaims, “I’ll behack.”

College Curling



New schedule and format for College Tournament

fter 20 years the annualcolllege curling tourna-ment is changing to anexciting new regional

format.The new format will make it

much easier for more teams frommore schools to participate in com-petitive curling events.

Travel costs will be much lowerfor all teams, both far and near.Teams that fly will see lower air-fares. Teams that drive will save onfuel costs.

Here is a look at the regional

events on tap this season: Kettle Moraine, Wis.

Starting this coming season theannual college championship tour-nament is cancelled. Insteadregional championship events willbe held at the Kettle MoraineCurling Club in Hartland, Wis., tocover teams from Wisconsin,Minnesota, the Dakotas, Nebraska,Iowa, etc.

The Kettle Moraine event will bea two-day event on March 10-11with two games played on Friday,and a third game on Sunday morn-ing, followed by finals after theSunday morning game. As usual,food and soft drinks will be free

and pins will be awarded to allfinalists. Directions will be sup-plied to all teams. The club is about30 minutes east of Milwaukee onInterstate 94.

The deadline to sign up is March1. The total cost is $150 per teamand must be turned in to the contactperson by 5 p.m. on March 1. Forthe Kettle Moraine regional event,the contact is Michael Schuder,[email protected]. Schuderchaired the special regional collegeevent at Kettle last year.

Bowling Green, Ohio

The Bowling Green CurlingClub will host a regional eventMarch 17-19. Bowling Green State

University has hosted collegeevents in the past and will use itsusual format.The deadline to signup is Feb. 1. The total cost is $150per team and must be turned in tothe contact person by 5 p.m. onFeb. 1. The event contact is NickDerksen, nderse@@bgsu.edu.

A third regional will take placein the East. For entry informationon any of these events or collegecurling in general, visit www.col-legecurling.org. Please check theCollege Curling website forupdates. Please note that after indi-vidual deadlines, a waiting listbegins with no guarantees. Teamsmay enter any or all events.

by Rich Larko,

College Curling Coordinator

The mystery of Arnold Schwarzeneggerby Richard Maskel,

For the U.S. Curling News

O

A



his writer had thepleasure of curlingat Broomstones inthe 1975-76 sea-

son. The multi-level, four-sheet facility was just a fewyears old, a combination ofWeston and WellesleyCountry Club curlers (lateradding Brae Burn curlerswhen their facility closed).I drove three times a weekthrough Boston suburbs,from Boxboro, near Actonand Concord, about a half-hour drive in good traffic,to a site in Wayland nestledin the woods.

A highlight was my par-ents’ visit—we playedtogether in the WellesleyMixed ‘spiel. Another high-light was the Mondayevening MetropolitanLeague, in which teamsfrom Broomstones, TheCountry Club, Brae Burnand Winchester played atone another’s facilities.Last I heard, the forestremains and the landaround the club is largelyundeveloped, soBroomstones is not out ofthe woods!

Club president BobChandler updates theCurling News:“Broomstones is indeedsurrounded by trees and hasa beautiful surroundingstill. We are in greatshape physically and finan-cially, having been operat-ing under a strategic planfor a number of years andare well along our capitalimprovements and we con-tinue to have communityoutreach and related curling

opportunities from outsidethe club.

“We have no public openhouses scheduled right nowas we have a waiting listand are managing our natu-ral attrition with peoplewho come through ourLearn to Curl programs andour active rental activities.We host U.S. and regionalevents regularly. Our youthprogram is very active andthe kids travel and in manycases compete at higherlevels across NorthAmerica.

“We look forward tohosting the U.S. MixedDoubles championships thisDecember and the U.S.Junior NationalChampionships in 2013.”

Hackers

We wonder: in curling,“hacks” are a good thing.Why, then, are shooters notreferred to as “hackers?”

Speaking of hacks, back in1980, Olson CurlingSupplies of Edmonton com-peted for U.S. clubs’ busi-ness in ice equipment andother curling supplies—Olson advertised “twohacks on a board” for$14.95. Sounds like a sand-wich order at a longshore-man’s deli.Points game as pre-curser

to mixed doubles?

In the 1970s and 1980s,the American CurlingFoundation was the princi-ple source for promotionalbrochures for club use.Many clubs created theirown brochures. Some com-panies with an interest incurling also created promo-tional materials, includingThe Falk Corporation ofMilwaukee, which soldshaft couplings used inrefrigerating ice. Their FalkSport Facts brochure seriesincluded “Curling—TheGenteel Sport of Broomsand Rocks on Ice.” Thisbrochure was widely dis-tributed in the curling com-munity (at least in theMidwest) in the 1970s. Thebrochure illustrated the“Points Game,” in whichtwo curlers vied against oneanother by shooting at oraround pre-arranged rocks,which in addition to a goodtwo-person competitionwas also a terrific way topractice many shots, fromsimple draws and hits toports, in- and out-wicks,chap and lies, and so on(note the curling terms nowseldom used, to which wecan add “dead end,” which

has become “blank”). Onewonders, was the idea ofmodern mixed doubles,with its pre-placed rocks,sparked by memories of thePoints Game?

Curling instruction in

1970s Illinois

In September 1977,Betty Duguid announced anInstructors’ CurlingSeminar, sponsored by theWilmette Park District onCurtis Curling Center’s sixsheets of ice. The Curtishas long been out of thecurling business, but DarCurtis’ legacy lives at TheChicago Community Trust,source of many grants tosupport Illinois curling andUSCA member servicesprograms.

Real curling hot-shots

Item for curling historybuffs who like military his-tory: The 1992 U.S. Men’sScotland Tour Team hadtwo notable combat pilots,Jack McCann of St. Paul(WWII, Korea, Vietnam)and LaVerne Griffin ofPortage (Korea andVietnam). In January 2012,the USCA will once againsend 20 men (at their ownexpense) to represent theUSA in Scotland, the nationthat developed our greatgame. This venerable tradi-tion has, since 1952, been acareer-capping experiencefor long-time curlers, menand, under the aegis of theUSWCA, women. At alter-nate five-year intervals, theScots’ Royal CaledonianCurling Club teams tour theUSA.

USWCA history item

According to theUSWCA News, January,1967 issue: New membersinclude the (Seattle)Granite Ladies, 30 curlers,and the Philadelphia Belles,42 curlers. The USWCANational Bonspiel sites1967-69 were to be Saddleand Cycle (Chicago),Duluth, and Milwaukee. In1965-66, 48 clubs and1,808 curlers participated inthe first All-AmericanEvent.

A forecast

It is hereby rumored thatthe Editor, U.S. Curling

News, will leave her post totake over from Tina Brownthe editorship of Newsweek.

She will be replaced by thewriter of the popularCurling News feature,Rocket Exhaust, who willproceed to fill the paperwith cute Top 10 lists toreduce his pre-written back-log of 3,000 lists. Flushwith success, The Rocketwill leave within months towrite Top 10 Lists at theDavid Letterman show. Acecolumnist Ben Tucker willthen become editor and willadd a regular feature called“Curling and CropRotation.” Tuck will alsostart to pay top dollar forthis writer’s column (“topdollar” is defined as any-thing more than zero—weare not greedy).

Editor’s note: While

Curling News Editor

Emeritus Garber was gala-

vanting at Broomstones in

the 1975-76 season, the

current editor was being

brought into this world. :)

David Garber,[email protected]

Tales From

Sheet Nine

Flashback to the world of curling circa 1970s

T

Compete in Women’s Bonspiels andEarn Points for Area and NationalCash 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

The USWCA CircuitEvent

The Funny Side

The 2010-11 Donation Program hadmodest success to help fund USCA pro-grams. Donation levels for the programwere: $25, $50, $100, $250 and $500.Premiums were awarded to those mak-ing donations of $50 and above. Thefollowing individuals donated to theprogram:

AT-LARGE:

Dallas-Fort Worth

Farr, Janet $25Henry, Lisa $25

Oklahoma

Havercroft, Jonathan $50St. Louis

Curtis, Robert & Kathryn $25COLORADO:

Broadmoor

Rosenberry, Dena $50GRAND NATIONAL:

Broomstones

Anonymous $50Berube, Joanna $25Buscaglia, John $100Donaldson, Doug $25Kelly, Marty $50Leichter, Frederick & Jennifer $300Macheod, Carolyn $25McAlpin, Sian $50Mitchell, Lisa $25Richards, Christine $50

Nashua Country Club

Anonymous Donors $75Annand, David $25Barclay, Warren $25Bedinger, Paul $25Caridi, Mark $25Clark, Ed $25Collins, Jack $25Denner, Bruce $50Dinsdale, Nancy $25Du Pre, Jack $25Fabian, Marty $25Fasulo, Dr. Jeff $25Frank, Eric $25Kanakis, Mark $25

Krailo, Gwen $250Krzeminski, Sue $25Lambert, Leo $25Lefebvre, Andre $25Lydell, Dave $25Miller, Tim $25Nesbitt, Allan $25O’Leary, Arthur $25Padley, Dave $25Pawlowski, Tom $25Tulley, Jack $50Ward, Mike $25Williamson, Chris $25

Philadelphia

Harris, Stephen $50Hatch, Peggy $500McMahon, Maggie $25Philadelphia Curling Club $25

Plainfield

Gemmel, Dean $100Potomac

Anonymous $50Leonard, Robert $500Pelletier, Bob $475

TriangleMcCartney, Dick $25

GREAT LAKES

Copper Country

Maclean, Gordon $100Detroit

Badgero, Paul $25Mayfield

Bellamy, Bob $50Borland, Robert & Jean $50Chisholm, Henry $50Drake, Cheryl $25Eppich, Kevin $25Hicks, Mark $25Hogg, Richard $25Horn, Debra $100Kosmin, Mindy $50Kunkel, Robert $100Lavertu, Pierre $50Lowry, Ashley $25Maisonville, Mary Jane $25Montgomery, Delores $25

Moore, Tracie $100Musson, Timmothy $25Peckinpaugh, Roger $100Peterson, Hilary $50Roenigk, Kristen $50Sah, Isabel $25Sah, Oliver $25Schmidt, Courtney $50Sobeck, Jeff $25Spacek, Lee-Ann $50Tortorelli, Gerry $25Vanic, Anne $25Wesler, Jordan $25Young, Kent & Eloise $100

Midland

Anonymous $250Brecht, Thoralf $25Gatzke, Arnold $25Graves, Michael $25Hawrelak, Janice $100Heye, Kevin $25LaFreniere, Bryant $100Leng, Doug $250Lombardi, Rick $25Murchison, Craig $50Olson, Kurt $25Strautman, Fred $50Waters, Pete $25Zimmerman, John & Pat $100

ILLINOIS

Chicago

Anderson, Andy $250Anderson, Andy $50(In Memory of Jane Anderson)Arnold, Paul $25Arntz, Willa $50Bernauer, Jack $125Bloss, Bob $50Bowman, Pete $25Boyd, Doug $100Breen, Tom $50Buchanan, Ron $25Burnett, Mal $25Burtch, Bob $25Cahill, Dan $100Carlson, Steve $50

Crawford, Craig $25Davis, Ed $100Duerwachter, David $25Dunbeck, Joe $25Eringis, Andy $25Fields, Mary $50Geake, David $100Grube, Larry $25Hastings, Matt $50Hsiung, Will $25Huber, Erv $25Johnson, Larry $25Kuhn, Bob $50Laurence, Dan $50Love, Mike $25Madden, John $25Martin, Stephanie $25Mawicke, Hank $50McGohan, James $25Miller, James $25Murray, Deb $25Nicola, Terry $50Porter, Morgan $25Reid, John and Liz $100Rittgers, Colin $250Roob, Ed $50Slabas, Stan $25Sullivan, John $25Thompson, Phil $50Tray, Stu $50Urevig, Dick $50Wink, Don $25

North Shore

Anderson, Therese $50Barnes, Scott $50Bernhard, Mark $50Boyle, Robert $50Burns, Walter $50Cooke, Ken $50Farnsworth, Don $50Fess, Art $50Gianaras, Alex $50Gorand, Jim $50Hesterberg, Brett $50Kendall, Tom $50Lange, Paul $100Lindsey, Tom $50Nimrod, Pat $50Phillips, F.J. $50Rustman, Bob $100Stribien, Mark $50Stryker, Daniel $50Wilen, Debbie $25Wilen, John $25Winand, John $25

MINNESOTA

St. Paul

Anderson, Amy Lou $25Augustin, Sally Jo $25Beadle, Kent $50Bronson, Jim $25Brunt, Dan & Jenny $25Clark, Maureen $25Dexter, Jim $25Doherty, Tim $25Eustice, John $25Kenney, Shelly $25Smith, Stephen $25

Willmar

Proehl, Matthew $50MOPAC

Coyotes

Baird, Jeff $25DePippo, David & Courtney $50Fleming, Paul $100Gallagher, Greg $100Hasslacher, Chuck $125Heuerman, Dave & Jamie $25Heuerman, Tracy $50Horsman, Darryl $25Huntress, Carroll $25Kloth, Ron $100Kraft, KaaTje $25Leshinski, Catherine $25Marshall, Bucky & Tracy $100

McGrady, Hal $25Naso, Carl $25Naso, Carol Ann $25Nelson, Carl $100Nowlan, Beki $25Perry, David $25Purkey, Hal & Donna $100Shaw, Mike $100Shaw, Theresa $25Tait, Karen $25Tarwood, Dennis $25Zimmerman, Shari $25

Orange County

Gail Harder $25San Francisco Bay Area

Makishima-Wolf, Loreen $50Wine Country

Larson, Jerome $100NORTH DAKOTA

Fargo-Moorhead

Dimmer, Terry $25Lauf, Doris $25Omdahl, Robert & Tonya $250Sjue, Chris $250

Grafton

Tucker, Bennet $500Lake Region

Legacie, Jan $500WASHINGTON

Granite

Brattin, James $25Cloutier, Clare $50Frosch, Leslie $200Good, Em $50LeBeau, Elizabeth $25Lundeen, Steven $100Mabbatt, Kenneth $50Picard, Karl $25Pleasants, James $50Tomlinson, Catherine $100Vukich, John (Jake) $25Vukich, Sharon $25

WISCONSIN

Green Bay

Maskell, Richard $250Kettle Moraine

Arndt, Ray $25Brzinski, Cary $25Burke, Karen $50Down, Gary & Ellen $25Flakas, Esther $25Geason, John & Stella $25Gusinda, Mark $25Jeiger, Dan $25Kawecki, Dave $25Kohl, Bob $25Langer, Tim $25Lloyd, Daryl $25Maier, Judy $50Sparks, Dave $25Nelson, Carey $25Stephens, Jim $100Stevenson, Carol $100Thomas, Theresa $25

Lodi

Bierke, Melissa $25Lawless, Brian $25Markgraf, Rueben $25Ness, Jim $25

Madison

Berling, Richard $50Lepping, Rich $500Maiers, David $50Smith, Allen $25Swandby, Mark $650Wiza, Dan $25

Portage

Brunt, Dan and Jenny $25Dubberstein, Steve $25

Poynette

Carlson, David & Jan $600Kretzmann, Mark & $100Sumiko, Maeda

Stevens Point

Garber, David $25


www.united.com/usoc – Use promo code: 903AW

Thank you to our generous & loyal donors

CO

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N!


t the AnnualMeeting of theUnited StatesWomen’s Curling

Association held inFebruary 2010 inCleveland, Ohio, MaureenGuay of the St. PaulCurling Club was electedPresident of the USWCA.She succeeds Nancy Seitzof the Cleveland SkatingClub.

Maureen presided at theSeptember 2011 FallMeeting of the USWCAheld in Bloomington, Minn.

“I am proud to be presi-dent of the USWCA. Ourorganization is evolving tomeet the needs of today’swomen while preserving 64years of tradition,” Guaysaid.

“This is an exciting timefor our organization. The

strategic plan that we beganlast year is being trans-formed into workable goalsand objectives. TheWomen’s Circuit, after avery successful first year,has added another majorsponsor and more partici-pating bonspiels for whatpromises to be a stellarsophomore year. Thegrowth of curling in theUnited States, especiallyarena curling, is beingreflected in our member-ship. Since last year wehave added three newclubs: Fort Wayne, Ind.,Midland, Mich., andAnthracite in Scranton, Pa.,and are currently workingwith the Orange CountyCurling Club in California.”

“The USWCA focuseson grass roots curling, andnot just for women. Mencompete in our 5-year-and-under open events and inthe All-American event insome clubs. We have longsupported youth curlingthrough regional juniorbonspiels and equipmentdonations. The four-day

USWCA National Women’sBonspiel each February andthe National SeniorWomen’s Bonspiel in latefall continue to be popularevents.”

“Our organization isentirely dependent on vol-unteerism,” Guay said.“This was demonstratedlast weekend when 50women gave up their week-end to attend the USWCAfall meeting inBloomington, Minn. Therewere many new ideas andfresh faces, 11 new clubrepresentatives and four

new committee chairs. Thekey to our success is con-tinuing the work of themeeting, moving past therestrictions of schedule andgeography. Equally impor-tant is communication withall of our membership, andwe are pleased that ourequally beneficial relation-ship with the USCA allowsus to use the Curling News

as one method of doingthis.”

Born in Espanola,Ontario, Canada, Guaymoved to Savage, Minn., in1985.

She is a pharmacist, andhas worked with Health-partners, a nonprofit healthcare organization, since1986.

Guay grew up in a curl-ing family; both her parentscurled and two of her broth-ers are still quite involvedin our local club. Her hus-band, David, is a professorof pharmacy at theUniversity of Minnesotaand son, Matthew, is achemical engineer. Neitheris a curler, but by necessity

have developed an interestin the sport.

When not curling, theGuays spend most week-ends at their cabin in north-west Wisconsin. “Besidescurling, my other passion isgenealogy,” Guay said.

A member of the St. PaulCurling Club, Guay curlswith both the Arden HillsCairn Lassies and the St.Paul Bonnie Spielers.

“I have served as presi-dent of the Cairn Lassiesand on the St. Paul Boardof Directors. In theUSWCA I have been a clubrepresentative, area liaisonand served on many differ-ent committees as well asfirst- and second-VP,” shesaid.

“I look forward to con-necting to all curlers andclubs across the UnitedState to help spread theword about the curlingexperience and to sustainthe Mission of theUSWCA: To develop, nur-ture and promote the sportof curling among allwomen and today’s youth.”

A

by Nancy Wilhelm, USWCA

Public Relations Chairwoman

Guay takes the reins of the USWCA

USWCA appareland jewelry

now available

he USWCA haslaunched a customline of curlingvests, jackets and

hats for the 2011-2012 curl-ing season. The merchan-dise debuted at the fallmeeting and so far is agreat success. Photos andordering informationis available through theUSWCA website,www.uswca.org.

The custom design, cre-ated by My Ol’ Blues forthe USWCA incorporates astars-and-stripes designdenoting U.S. curling. Theclothing is available in amicro-bonded fleece andmicro-fleece providing on-ice style and comfort.Microbonded fleece itemsare available for men andwomen.

My Ol’ Blues has provid-ed curling vests for theUSWCA tours in the pastwhich were very popular. Ienjoyed working with themto come up with a uniquedesign for U.S. curlers

and I’m sure that they willprove a popular curlingitem in the U.S.

Funds raised by theUSWCA through their mer-chandise goes to supportwomen’s and grassrootscurling endeavors such asthe nationwide AllAmerican, USWCA Circuit,Junior, Senior Women’s andWomen’s NationalBonspiels and the CanadianFriendship and Scottishreciprocal Tours. TheUSWCA also has shirts,jewelry and other itemsavailable.

by Jennifer Stannard, USWCA

Promotions Chairwoman

T



Wanted: Curlers for Five-Year & Under events

ive-year and UnderChallenge Events are a ter-rific opportunity for newercurlers to experience a

bonspiel along with other clubs’participants with similar skill lev-els. A beautiful traveling plaque is

provided by the USWCA for thewinning rink in each bonspiel, andspecial pins are presented to win-ners and runners-up in all fourevents.

To be eligible, participants musthave five years or less of curlingexperience. The goal of theseevents is to give newer curlers achance to participate in bonspiels,meet other new curlers and play

positions they normally wouldn’tplay.

All curlers with five or less yearsof experience are eligible to partici-pate. Membership in the USWCAis not necessary, but in order tohost one of the events the host clubmust be a member. The Women’sChallenge is made up of women’steams but the new open event mayhave teams made up of any combi-

nation. Composite teams areacceptable.

For more information and guide-lines, please contact Karen Ronk,Five-Year & Under chairwoman, [email protected]. Youwill be amazed at how much funyou will have! Any club interestedin hosting one of these eventsshould let their USWCA represen-tative know or contact Ronk.

he USWCACircuitannounces newsponsors for

the 2011-12 season.HOT SHOTS Curling,the world leader in adultcurling instruction, isthe premier sponsor forthe tour. HOT SHOTSwill provide funding,a national trophy andcamperships to the HOTSHOTS Curling Campswith accommoda-tions for each regionalwinner.

“We are pleased to beinvolved with theUSWCA as we expandthe HOT SHOTSCurling Camp programinto the United States,”said DavidGravelle,HOT SHOTSCurlingCampfounder.“We tend tohave more female partic-ipants at our camps, sopartnering with anorganization that wantsto foster the develop-ment of women’s curlingis a natural fit for us. Wehope this will be a suc-cessful partnership asthe sport of curlinggrows and grows in theUSA.”

Brooms Up CurlingSupplies returns as asponsor withregional awards andRockIt Gurl will provide

merchandise to eachclub hosting aCircuit event in supportof the bonspiel.

A rousing success inits inaugural year, theCircuit began last seasonwith the goals of provid-ing enhanced competi-tion for women and sup-porting women’s bon-spiels across the country.Over $5,000 was award-ed in prize money in theCircuit’s inaugural yearand bonspiel registrationwas up in participating’spiels nationwide!

USWCA memberclubs can enrollwomen’s bonspiels inthe Circuit through theUSWCA website,USWCA female mem-bers can register throughthe USWCA or on-siteat the participating bon-

spiel. Thenationalchampionand regionalwinners aredetermined

based on a point systemconsidering size of theevent in addition to finalevent standing.

The Circuit hasincreased participatingbonspiels nationwide (14so far), including twocashspiels, and partici-pants are already regis-tering for this season’sevents. USWCA mem-ber clubs can still addtheir women’s bonspielsto the Circuit. Go towww.uswca.org now toget information.

HOT SHOTSCurling new

USWCA Circuitsponsor

by Karen Ronk, Chairwoman,

USWCA 5-Year & Under Bonspiel

F

by Jennifer Stannard,

USWCA Circuit Committee

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2010-11 All-American winners announced

s the new curlingseason approachesit is time to putyour All-

American Event on yourclub calendar if it isn’talready in place. This eventaffords experienced as wellas new curlers a chance toget a taste of being part of anational bonspiel on theirown ice.

Clubs report theirwomen, as well as somemale curlers, as having awonderful time sharing anevent that is celebratedacross the United States.Each club has the flexibilityto work this event into theirclub schedules where it isconvenient for their mem-bers to participate. If youare a member club of theUSWCA, have the time toplay, and meet the regula-tion requirements to takepart in this event, it is wellworth sharing this opportu-nity with your members.

The USWCA sponsorsthe award pins and is proudto announce the winnersfrom last season. The fol-lowing clubs participated inthe USWCA 2010-2011All-American Event:

East

Albany: Marilyn Goldstein,Patricia Loudis, YvonneBilodeau, Emily ArthurArdsley: Kim Nawyn,Mieko Takiguchi, MelissaDominguez, BarabaraGabhart, Sarah MermerBroomstones: CarolynMacLeod, Nancy Jennett,Erin Lamb, HopeMcChesneyCape Cod: Barbara Enos,Cathy Offinger, LaurelPerkins, Brandy ArmstrongChesapeake: JeanneHenkel, Marie Gomoljak,Amy Gallagher, KathyNolanNashua: Cathi Picket,Marianne Carridi/Pat Cobb,Joan Ford, CarmelPawlowskiNutmeg: Maura Cockey,

Terri Allen, Mary Reilly,Jeanine MartinPhiladelphia: Leslie Dudt,Pam Stephani, CarissaBrittain, Kristen DischePlainfield: Louisa Bartok,Suzanne Lindsay, AdrienneAdams, Charlotte ClarkPotomac: Melissa Fox,Becky Vanarsdall, MoniqueNeaves, Elizabeth MatoryRochester: Vicki Odegard,Rebecca Hahn, CarolDellavilla, Marsha ReedSchenectady: EileenKelliher, Sue Adair, AprilKatz, Jackie DoneganThe Country Club: LissaEngland, Emmie Newell,Sally Hinkle, CarolineWhitneyUtica: Marena Taverne,Danica Dombrowski,Pamela Jones, CindyWydysh, Julie Chanatry

Central

Bowling Green: SharonGargasz, PJ Wolf, ScottHelle, Nadine MusserChicago (a.m.): JenniferGeake, Katherine Stewart,Karrie Gottschild, MonicaBurmeisterChicago (p.m.): KarenBegley, Janine Andrasco,Karrie Gottschild, KarenBlattiDetroit: Louise Danekaert,Laura Call, PamBuchkowski, ElaineRoseboroughExmoor: Beth Shaw,Anneliese Crawford,Rosemary Ryan, EileenKugmanMayfield (a.m.): LouiniaMae Whittlesey, SusanTortorelli, Jil Sah, CourtneyLindsayMayfield (p.m.): LaurelCox, Julia Dibaggio,Angela Fox, Karissa Piper

Wisconsin

Clintonville: Mari Hintz,Pat Mahnke, Mikke Sasse,Robin RindtGreen Bay: Doris Yelk-Wilberg, Kim Gilson,Phyllis Schippers, AnnetteMooreKettle Moraine (a.m.):

Clara Seidemann, Pat VanTill, Esther Flakas,Margaret Sohm

Kettle Moraine (p.m.):

Michele Heinze, Sue Hoff,Mary Lynn Sharkus, AliBedboroughMadison: Cindy Godar,Carla Lynch, LindaFonger/Randi Schlamp,Maureen KindMedford: Andrea Metz,Missy Zuleger, Jeri Koester,Misty Hartmann, Jodi DrostMilwaukee: Lynn Packard,Alison Cook, Claire Walsh,Mary NeickPoynette (a.m.): JaneCaldwell, Mary MacLeish,Sandy Holl, Jeanette LohanPoynette (p.m.): BrittanyFalk, Jane Caldwell, JulieKarman, Shannon ShefferRacine: Lisa Johnson, KariKittermaster, Kristen Feick,Mandi KaisWauwatosa: JenniferWakefield, Kara Sacia, JillGaertner, Jill DeGrave

West I

Arden Hills: Molly Jensen,Shirl Chartrand, KathleenOrme/Marcia Seebart,Suzanne PiotrowskiDuluth: Mary Broman, JJKrause, Renee Meyers,Renee PassalHeather-Mapleton: LindaAnnis, Julie Johnson, PanHuck, Becky Sellers,Mindy AnnisItasca: Keely Carlson, TaraStejskal, Rebekah Luedtke,Mary HansonSt. Paul: Kim Wapola,Judy Taylor, MarciaVandesteeg, Fran Howard

West II

Coyotes: TraceyHeuermann, Mindy South,Catherine Leshinshi, JoshauLewisGrafton: ChristineBjornbey, Monica Kouba,Jayce Shumacher, HeideGiengerGrand Forks: EmilyBrekke, Breanna Billman,Tammy Lindgen, LoriBecker**Note a correction for the2009-10 curling season.The winning skip fromDuluth and her team: JudyMcLeod, Sarah McLeod,Shawn Peterka, SarahChandler

by Gloria Martino, USWCA

All-American Chairwoman

A



The USWCA strives to promote thesport of curling throughout the UnitedStates and to enhance communicationbetween our nations’s curling clubs.One of the avenues the organizationuses to provide direct communicationis through member club representa-tives.

Each USWCA club has an electedrepresentative, and within each regionone representative serves as a regionalliaison. This helps to ensure directcommunication and feedback, andaides in identifying areas where the

USWCA can help and support itsmember clubs.

If you want additional informationabout becoming a USWCA representa-tive or would like to connect with aregional liaison, here is the informationfor your area:East: Elaine Ritchie or Lee [email protected]: Cathy [email protected]: Mary Beth [email protected] I: Diane [email protected] II: Kelly [email protected]

re you a womanage 50 or olderwho enjoys curl-ing, making new

friends and learning aboutyour Canadian neighbors?If you are a member of theUSWCA, then you shouldapply for the 2012 USWCASenior Women’s FriendshipTour to Canada.

The fourth group of 16U.S. senior women will beselected for the FriendshipTour that will visit Canadafor about two weeks in

November 2012.Applications for the tourwere sent out in Septemberand must be completed byDec. 16, 2011.

This exchange began in1990 and is a collaborationbetween the USWCA andthe Canadian CurlingAssociation. The tour start-ed with Canadian womentouring curling clubs inNorth Dakota andMinnesota. The first U.S.teams toured the MaritimeProvinces in 1994. In 1997,the Canadians playedmatches in Wisconsin andthe Chicago area. Southern

Ontario was the destinationof the second group of U..Scurlers in 2000. In 2003,the Canadians enjoyed thehospitality of Eastern U.S.curling clubs.

The tour is anotherUSWCA event planned toprovide friendly, competi-tive, international curlingexperience for all its mem-bers.

Participants will curlonly one game per day, aschedule that allows ampletime for socializing andsightseeing. However, therewill be a full schedule ofevents, and it is important

that all curlers should be ingood physical condition sothey can represent theUSWCA in both curlingand social activities.

Tour members areresponsible for their owntravel, uniform and tourexpenses. They will alsodevelop an entertainmentprogram, which will be per-formed at each club. TheCanadian clubs will providemost meals and curlers usu-ally stay in private homes.

Promoting internationalfriendship is one of the con-stitutional purposes of theUSWCA. This exchange

program was developed in1988 by former USWCAPresident WinnieBloomquist as a way topromote friendshipsbetween women curlers ofCanada and the USA.

The tours are designedon a rotating regional basis,which is unique for interna-tional tours. It allows visit-ing teams to concentrate ononly one geographic area ofa large country, each show-casing its uniqueness.

For more information, goto www.uswca.org or con-tact your club’s USWCArepresentative.

Apply now for 2012 Friendship Tourby Charlene Fitzgerald,

Senior Friendship Tour

A

Regional liaisons named

USWCA welcomes threenew member clubs

he USWCA is happy to wel-come three new members tothe Association: Fort WayneCurling Club in Indiana,

Midland Curling Club in Michigan andAnthracite Curling Club inPennsylvania. In addition, OrangeCounty in California has begun theprocess to join.

The USWCA welcomes the newestcurling clubs across the land withwomen members from all walks of lifewho want to enjoy the sport in differentways. Some are women who haverecently taken up the sport in estab-lished curling clubs that are alreadymembers of the USWCA with a grow-ing number of new members in newly-organized clubs. In addition, theUSWCA welcomes men who wish tosupport our organization and achieveextra “ice time” with our intra-clubevents.

The USWCA is proud to have a rep-resentative from every member club asa voting member of the Board ofDirectors. This participation providesan exchange of ideas and support forclubs across the United States.

Just to name a few of the other bene-fits of USWCA membership:

• National and the Senior NationalBonspiels

• USWCA Regional Five-Year andUnder and Junior Curling events

• Junior program equipment assis-tance

• Women’s Curling DevelopmentFund for support of Women and YouthCurling

• Incoming and outgoing Scot andFriendship Tours

• The Circuit - the newest USWCAsponsored program

Our history is impressive and we areproud of it. After 60 years, membershipin the United States Women’s CurlingAssociation is still the “best deal onice”!

by Carol Wood, USWCA Membership

Committee Chairwoman

T

by Bridget Matzke,

USWCA First Vice President

Eight Enders

St. Paul Curling Club

On May 11, 2011, an eight-ender was laid by the MikeFloerchinger team during the Wednesday Evening SpringOpen League at the St. Paul Curling Club, St. Paul, Minn.Floerchinger’s teammates included Kim Wapola, MaryLarson 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 teammatesincluded Dan Rick, Brett Charpentier and Euan Kerr.

Houston Curling Club

On July 18, 2011, an eight-ender was laid by the TylerDrummond rink during the CCOH Summer League at theSpace City Ice Station, Houston, Texas. Drummond’steammates include Don Higgins, Daniel Stoller, and CraigPowers.



Balance is key component to proper deliveryEditor’s note: This is the

second part of a two-part

series on balance. The first

part appearend in the May

2011 issue.

ell, winter isright around thecorner and it’stime to get back

on the ice. It’s a perfecttime to work on the ABCsof good delivery – align-ment, balance, and curl(grip, turn and release). Wetalked about alignment anda little bit about balance inlast spring’s issues of theCurling News (availableonline). So, now you’reready to do it on the ice.

Start by placing a plasticcup at the near hogline,somewhere within 18 inch-es of the centerline (the cupis a substitute for the skip’sbroom and the outer edgeof these locations is equalto shooting to the outsideedges of the house at theother end of the sheet).Next, step into the hack,with the ball of your hackfoot about halfway up theincline of the hack. Standwith a stone in front of you,your feet about shoulder-width apart, and the sliderfoot flat on the ice with theheel about even with the toeof your hack foot.

Point your hack toe atthe cup and square yourshoulders and hips with theinvisible line that runs fromyour hack foot to the cup.Next, squat down and relax.Your non-shooting armshould be on top of thebroom with the handle run-ning under your armpit.The broom’s pad or bristlesshould be pointed up (notlaying on the ice). Grip thebroom about 18 inches

from the head and point itat about the 10 o’clockposition – not straight to theside and not straight ahead.Maintain positive pressureon the broom – better onthe broom than on thestone. Now, here is a littlecadence to help you withwhat comes next: rock,foot, rock, foot, slide.

From the kneeling posi-tion (or you can start withyour hips slightly elevated)and with the rock centeredon the invisible line thatruns from your hack foot tothe cup on the hog line,lean slightly forward toenable the rock to moveslightly toward the cup.This motion simply breaksthe inertia between thestone and the ice. Don’t useyour arm to move the rock– use your upper body. Ifthe ice isn’t sticky, you caneven eliminate this “for-ward press” motion.

Next, pull your hips upand back behind the hack.At the extreme end of thismotion, you should be ableto imagine that you are sit-ting in an invisible chair.This motion will also pullthe rock back. Make sureyou pull the rock back withyour body and not withyour arm. The rock shouldmove straight back to yourhack foot, right along theinvisible line that runs fromyour hack foot to the cup.Your slider foot movesback, too, to a positionwhere the toe is about evenwith the heel of your hackfoot. Your weight transfersfrom being about 50-50 onboth feet to being largelyon your hack foot.

Now you’re ready tostart moving forward. It isvery important to start

moving the rock, yourupper body, and your sliderfoot forward before youstart driving out of the hackwith your hack foot. Asyour slider foot moves for-ward, it also moves inwardso it can get centered underyour chest and directlybehind the stone. As itmoves into position, driveout of the hack with yourhack foot (slide).Remember, all the stone’smomentum comes from thedrive out of the hack – notwith a push from yourshooting arm. Your shoot-ing arm should stay fairlystraight, with only a relaxedflex, throughout the entiredelivery. Also remember tokeep the rock moving alongthe invisible line and keepyour shoulders and hipssquare to the cup.

Repeat this practice slideuntil you get comfortableand things start to feelrhythmic and automatic.Move the cup back andforth along the hog line andadjust your set-up in thehack accordingly – alwayssquaring to the cup/skip’s

broom. Be sure to reposi-tion the stone so it isalways centered on theinvisible line from yourhack foot to the cup. Also,watch to see where yourslides are ending up. Arethey directly on top of theinvisible line and straight tothe cup? If not, try thingslike adjusting your body inthe hack, repositioning thestone during your set-up,and eliminating any unnec-essary side-to-side motionsin your delivery. Staystraight – you and the stoneshould always movestraight to the cup, regard-less of its location. If youcan’t hit a cup that’s 33 feetfrom the hack, how can youexpect to hit the skip’sbroom that is 125 feetaway?

Now take several moreslides without the stone.Everything else is the samebut concentrate on slidingwith your shooting hand onan invisible stone – notresting on the ice for bal-ance. Learn to balancewithout a stone so youdon’t lean on the stone dur-ing your delivery.

Once you start feelingcomfortable with yourslide, you will be able topush harder out of the hack.This is important becausethe stone’s momentumcomes from your drive outof the hack and not from apush at the point of release.Remember, draw shots onkeen ice need a light kickout of the hack; heavy icerequires a stronger kick.For takeouts, bring yourhips farther back and applymore leg drive.

Keep working at it. Youwill find yourself makingmore shots, your skip willlove you, and you’ll winmore games. Good strategyonly makes a difference ifyou’re shooting over 50percent. Do your part andhave more fun in theprocess.

Until next time – goodcurling!

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.

Jon Mielke,[email protected]

Training Tips

From Jon

George Dyer

The Norfolk CurlingClub in Norfolk, Conn.,lost a longtime memberand three-time president,when George BarnesDyer passed away onAug. 30, 2011. Dyerstarted curling in histeens and dedicated morethan 50 years of his lifeto the sport. During thattime, he accumulatednumerous first placeawards in the men’s andmixed leagues as well asthe club’s men’s bon-spiel, “The Calder.”

At the encouragementof Ted Childs, a found-ing member of theNorfolk Curling Club,Dyer was invited tocompete in the RossTarlton InternationalBonspiel. “I’d like youto come and I’d like youto keep going with this,”Childs told the avidcurler. Dyer did exactlythat, attending the eventfor 29 consecutive yearsfrom 1979 to 2007 andalmost made it to 30(one of his goals), buthad to cancel due tohealth issues. Dyer alsocompeted in the U.S.Nationals six times,placing third inMilwaukee in the 1980s.

Besides the numerousawards Dyer earned, healso gave much back tothe sport. For several

years, starting in the late1980s, he coached juniorgirls for the GNCC.Many new curlers at theNorfolk Club benefitedfrom Dyer’s years ofexperience as many ofthem ended up on histeam. Dyer’s widow, Pat,says that George lovedthe sport so much, “healways wanted to getpeople interested andwould urge them tocome to the club.”

Years of curling tookits toll on Dyer’s knees,but undaunted, he turnedto the stick later in hiscareer and remained aformidable opponent.Lethal is the term repeat-edly applied to Dyer’saccuracy with the device.

In his honor, theNorfolk Curling Clubwill rename the secndevent of The Calder theGeorge B. DyerPresident’s Trophy.

W

All participants musthave reached their 55thbirthday before Feb. 16,2012. They must be regular,full, dues-paying membersof a USCA member clubfor the full curling year. Atleast two members of anyteam must be members ofthe same eligible club. Theother members must bemembers of an eligible clubfrom the same USCAregion.

To be eligible for theMasters Event, all teammembers must be at least68 years old. The 16 teamswith the highest averageage will constitute theMasters Event.

To be eligible for theSuper Senior Event, allteam members must be atleast 63 years of age. Thenext 16 teams that haverequested to be in the Super

Senior Event or the MastersEvent (if that is oversub-scribed), will make up theSuper Senior Event. Allother teams will be placedin the Senior Event, regard-less of the teams’ averageages. The only exception isif a team, which meets theage requirements for theMasters Event or the SuperSenior Event, specificallyrequests placement in theSenior Event. TheExecutive Committee of theUSSMCA reserves the rightto balance the teams in eachevent.

Entries will be acceptedin the order received, withcomplete information andfull payment. Receipt of anentry form does not ensureacceptance into the champi-onships. Entries withdrawnafter the closing date willbe refunded at the sole dis-cretion of the Champion-ship Committee.

Contact Bob Hipke (262-

784-4186, [email protected]) for furtherinformation, including entryform. We’re looking for-ward to showing you a pos-itive curling experience andlots of fun. See you inFebruary.

SENIOR BONSPIEL


ACF&Mdonations

acceptedDonations to the

American CurlingFoundation and Museum, located in the ChicagoCurling Club, can be sentto 555 Dundee Road,Northbrook, IL 60062.The curator is JamesMiller Jr., 847-272-7224.

Check us out online

www.usacurl.org

Key: O–Open; X–Mixed; XD–Mixeddoubles; M–Men’s; W–Women’s;S–Senior; Wc–WheelchairC–Cashspiel; J–Junior; St–Stick

Events are listed Friday throughSunday but some may begin earlier.Check the club’s website for moreinformation.

SEPT. 30–OCT. 2

McCall, ID–Rocktoberspiel ONorth Shore, IL–NS Open OPoynette, WI–Equinox ORochester, NY–Senior Games MWX

OCT. 7–9

Kettle Moraine, WI–The Stan MNutmeg, CT–Blazing Leaves O

OCT. 13–16

Anchorage, AK–Rookie OPhiladelphia, PA–5 & Under XPotomac, MD–Inaugural OVikingland, MN–Runestone O

OCT. 21–23

Anchorage, AK–Cashspiel OCape Cod, MA–Bog OCapital, ND–No Boundaries JChicago, IL–Windy City Open OGranite, WA MMidland, MI–Invitational OPoynette, WI–Deerhead OUtica, NY–Skins O

OCT 28–30

Anchorage, AK–Petro Club OBroomstones, MA XDCapital, ND–Early Bird OGrand Forks, ND OKettle Moraine, WI–Fall Fling OLas Vegas, NV–SinSitySpiel OMadison, WI–Halloween ORochester, NY–Big Pumpkin OUtica, NY–GNCC Sr. Women’s SW

NOV. 3–5

Blackhawk, WI WDenver, CO OGranite, WA–Autumn ONashua, NH–Simply Curling OPlainfield, NJ–Founders OPortage, WI–Two Rivers OPotomac, MD–Jr. Friendly JRacine, WI MSchenectady, NY–Carosella WSt. Paul, MN St

NOV. 11–13

Belfast, ME–Maine-iac OExmoor, IL XFairbanks, AK–Yukon Title COMayfield, OH MMedford, WI–Silver Dollar CONutmeg, CT–USWCA Sr. SWPardeeville, WI–Screwball ORice Lake, WI–Curl for Cure WSuperior, WI–Cystic Fibrosis OUtica, NY–Wheelchair Int. WcWausau, WI OWauwatosa, WI–Stick St

NOV. 17–20

Evergreen, OR–Interclub OItasca, MN WMankato, MN–Harvest OSchenectady, NY–Achilles MPhiladelphia, PA–Harvest OWaupaca, WI–BOB WWauwatosa, WI–Funspiel O

NOV. 25–27

Duluth, MN–Cashspiel MWCGranite, WA–Cashspiel OCPotomac, MD–Capital Cash OCSt. Paul, MN–Fireball O

DEC. 2–4

Alpine, WI MAnchorage, AK–Christmas OAppleton, WI–Holly XCenterville, WI JChicago, IL MColumbus, OH OGranite, WA–Holiday OItasca, MN–Mixed 5 & Under XMadison, WI–Cashspiel OCMankato, MN JNashua, NH XNorfolk, CT–Calder MRice Lake, WI–College ORochester, NY–Highland OWausau, WI–Stick ’Spiel St

DEC. 8–10

Detroit, MI–Sr. One Day SMDuluth, MN–International MWExmoor, IL–Continental MItasca, MN–2 on 2 MdMadison, WI JPardeeville, WI StSchenectady, NY–10 & Under MSt. Paul, MN–Jack McCann MWaupaca, WI–Senior Men’s SM

DEC. 16–18

Curl Mesabi, MN –Cashspiel MWCDEC. 31

Charlotte, NC–Pajama Curl O2012

JAN. 6–8

Appleton, WI MChicago, IL–Gloamin’ Gael WDetroit, MI–International MDuluth, MN–Bruce Bennett MEau Claire, WI OItasca, MN MLodi, WI M

Milwaukee, WI–Kiltie XPhiladelphia, PA–Cracked Bell ORochester, NY–Death by Choc. WWausau, WI–Highlanders WWillmar, MN O

JAN. 13–15

Broomstones, MA MChesapeake, MD–Funspiel OChicago, IL MClintonville, WI MDetroit, MI–5 & Under WHeather, MN XItasca, MN JMarshfield, WI WRice Lake, WI–Steinspiel XWausau, WI–Tietge HS J

JAN. 16–21

Heather, MN–Burns MHeather, MN–All American W

JAN. 17–18

Itasca, MN SMJAN. 20–22

Anchorage, AK–Town Square OBlackhawk, WI XCapital, ND–Outdoor OCenterville, WI–Senior Mixed SXDuluth, MN–Bert Payne JGranite, WA–25 & Under OMayfield, OH WNorfolk, CT–Senior Mixed SXPlainfield, NJ–Thrifty OPortage, WI JSuperior, WI XTwo Harbors, MN MUtica, NY J

JAN. 27–29

Albany, NY–Governor’s Bowl OArlington, WI MCape Cod, MA JCleveland, OH XGranite, WA WKettle Moraine, WI–Badger WSt. Paul, MN–Winter Carnival OTwo Harbors, MN OWaukesha, WI–Outdoor OWaupaca, WI M

FEB. 3–5

Alpine, WI XAnchorage, AK OCenterville, WI WDetroit, MI–Ladies One Day WKettle Moraine, WI XMankato, MN MMilwaukee, WI MPardeeville, WI–Watermelon ORice Lake, WI MSchenectady, NY O

FEB. 10–12

Centerville, WI XItasca, MN–Sweethearts XLakes, MN–Vern Turner OMadison, WI XMarshfield, WI MNorfolk, CT–Valentine OPardeeville, WI–Am. Legion ORacine, WI XWausau, WI MWauwatosa, WI O

FEB. 17–19

Detroit, MI XDuluth, MN–USWCA WGrand Forks, ND WGreen Bay, WI MHeather, MN MKettle Moraine, WI SMMarshfield, WI–Youth/Adult OPlainfield, NJ JSt. Paul, MN–USWCA WUtica, NY–Cobb XWaltham, IL MWauwatosa, WI SM

FEB. 21–22

Chicago, IL–Heather WFEB. 24–26

Albany, NY WAnchorage, AK OCenterville, WI MClintonville, WI–Couples XGrand Forks, ND–CanAm JHeather, MN WKettle Moraine, WI XLewiston, MI OMadison, WI–Curl v. Cancer OMankato, MN WMayfield, OH–Evergreen XPardeeville, WI–Red Baron MUtica, NY –College O

MARCH 2–4

Appleton, WI StCurl Mesabi, MN XDetroit, MI–5 & Under OGranite, WA–5 & Under OKettle Moraine, WI JLa Crosse, WI–Mississippi OMarshfield, WI–Lobstein XMedford, WI–Alumni ONashua, NH–Granite State MPardeeville, WI–Spring Fling OPlainfield, NJ–Stone MSchenectady, NY JSuperior, WI–Northwest MTri-City, WI MTwo Harbors, MN–5 & Under OWaltham, IL X

MARCH 9–11

Centerville, WI–Funspiel OColumbus, OH X

Granite, WA–USWCA WGreen Bay, WI–Shamrock WPardeeville, WI–Alumni OPortage, WI–Alumni OStevens Point, WI MWauwatosa, WI MWillmar, MN M

MARCH 13–14

Itasca, MN–Senior Mixed SXMARCH 16–18

Centerville, WI SMCurl Mesabi, MN–Springspiel MDuluth, MN–Dunlop XGrand Forks, ND MGranite, WA JGreen Bay, WI JHeather, MN JKettle Moraine, WI MLodi, WI XSuperior, WI J

MARCH 23–25

Blackhawk, WI ODuluth, MN–House of Hearts OHeather, MN OPotomac, MD–Cherry Blossom O

MARCH 29–APRIL 1

Arlington, WI SMGranite, WA OGreen Bay, WI XMankato, MN XPetersham, MA–Spring Fling OStevens Point, WI XTwo Harbors, MN X

APRIL 1–6

Potomac, MD–Rotary MAPRIL 13–15

Anchorage, AK–Spring ‘Spiel OPlainfield, NJ–Bonsqueal ORochester, NY O

APRIL 20–22

Coyotes, AZ–Desert Ice OMAY 4–6

Lone Star, TX–Texas Open OMAY 25–27

San Francisco, CA OJUNE 8–10

Granite, WA–Summerspiel OJUNE 29–JULY 1

Hollywood, CA–Blockbuster OJULY 5–8

Pittsburgh, PA–Tropicurl OJULY 12–15

Cape Cod, MA XGreen Bay, WI–Tailgate O

JULY 15–18

Cape Cod, MA WJULY 19–22

Cape Cod, MA MCapital, ND O

JULY 23–26

Cape Cod, MA WcAUG. 3–5

Triangle, NC–Carolina Classic OGreen Bay, WI SM

AUG. 10–12

Charlotte, NC–Grits ‘n Granite OAUG. 31–SEPT. 2

Vacaville, CA–The Crush O

Don’t see your event listed or it’s list-

ed incorrectly? Send bonspiel dates

and corrections to Terry Kolesar,

[email protected]. The next

deadline for submitting bonspiel

results is Nov. 18.



2011-12 Championship & Playdown ScheduleOctober:

U.S. Wheelchair Team Selection November:

Winter Youth Olympic Games Playdown*USWCA Senior Bonspiel2012 Senior Men’s Nationals*2012 Senior Women’s Nationals*December:

2012 Mixed Doubles National Championship*January:

2012 Men’s Nationals Qualifying Round

2012 Continental Cup2012 Winter Youth Olympic Games2012 Nationals Challenge Round – Men2012 Nationals Challenge Round –Women2012 Junior National ChampionshipsFebruary:

2012 National ChampionshipsUSWCA National BonspielUSSMCA Bonspiel2012 World Wheelchair ChampionshipMarch:2012 Club National Championships2012 World Junior Championships2012 Mixed National Championship2012 Ford World Women’s ChampionshipApril:

2012 Capital One World Men’s Championship2012 World Senior Championships2012 World Mixed Doubles Championship

*accordion in nature

Dates:

Oct. 21-23

Nov. 18-21Nov. 29-Dec. 2Nov. 30-Dec. 2Dec. 2-4

Dec. 7-11

Jan. 4-8

Jan. 12-15Jan. 13-22Jan. 19-22Jan. 19-22Jan. 28-Feb. 4

Feb. 11-18Feb. 15-19Feb. 16-19Feb. 18-25

March 3-10March 3-11March 17-24March 17-25

March 31-April 8April 14-21April 23-29

Registration deadline:

Deadline has passed

Oct. 19

Nov. 2Nov. 2

Nov. 8

Nov. 14

Nov. 14Dec. 7

Nov. 14

Nov. 30

Jan. 25

Site:

Madison, Wis.

Grafton, N.D.Mayfield CC, South Euclid, OhioBismarck, N.D.Grafton, N.D.

Broomstones CC, Wayland, Mass.

Green Bay, Seattle, Potomac &Grand ForksLangley, British ColumbiaInnsbruck, AustriaSite to be announcedMarshfield, Wis.Madison, Wis.

Philadelphia, Penn.St. Paul, Minn.Wauwatosa & Kettle Moraine, Wis.Chuncheon City, South Korea

Mankato, Minn.Ostersund, SwedenPortage, Wis.Lethbridge, Alberta

Basel, SwitzerlandTaarnby, DenmarkErzurum, Turkey

The U.S. Curling Association isproud to recognize the followingsponsors who support our sport

and organization:

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 signfi-

cant 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.

Cape Cod

Men’sThe 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 Ogren1ERU—Nashua I: Ed Clark, MarkKanakis, David Annand, Ben Clark2EW—Boston: Sam Williams, PeteRossetti, Scott Olson, Andy McKellips2ERU—Amherst: Dave Carr, AlexTschumakow, Nate Clark, KennyThomson3EW—Broomstones I: Stuart Graves,Brad Glaser, Adam Jacobson, JohnWilson3ERU—Green Mountain: JonKuniholm, Daniel Lagueux, GlennAmaral, Russell Frank4EW—New York Caledonian: GeorgeAustin, Peter Austin, Adam Chebetar,Jim Parsons4ERU—New Pond I: Doug Burchesky,Terry Longo, Kyle Burchesky, SeanBurchesky

Cape Cod

MixedThe Cape Cod Mixed Summerspiel

took place July 7-10 in Falmouth, Mass.Here are the results: 1EW—Detroit: Paul Badgero, MarinnaMartini, Randy Boback, BrookeSchneider1ERU—Kettle Moraine II: Bob Dixon,Bonnie Dixon, Bob Flemming, FlipFlemming2EW—Chinguacousy: Michael Renton,Wendy Bodhaine, joe Bodhaine, JandAnderson Renton 2ERU—Port Carling: Gord Clemens,Edie Blain, Bill Legg, Cheryl Legg3EW—Coyotes: Greg Gallagher, ShariZimmerman, Carl Naso, Carol AnnNaso3ERU—St. Paul: Eric Schultz, JulieSmith, Frank Balas, Brenda Paul4EW—Mississaugua: Charles Stuart,Judith Stuart, Bryan Stuart, AlisonAnnard4ERU—Nutmeg I: Jim Meinhold,Jennifer Stannard, Joel Lenecker, PamSmith5EW—Merrimack Valley: Ed Clark,Candice Clark, Sam Chandler, MonicaWalker5ERU—Broomstones I: Dayton Neill,Jamie Hutchinson, David Annand,Alison Annand6EW—Cape Cod I: Matina Heisler,Tony Colacchio, Mary Colacchio, LeviGorrell6ERU—Cape Cod II: John McCarthy,Linda McCarthy, Bill Langley, NanciPacheco

Cape Cod

WheelchairThe International Wheelchair

Summerspiel took place July 17-20 atthe Cape Cod Curling Club in CapeCod, Mass. Here are the results:1EW—Russia: Andrey Smirnov, MaratRomanov, Alexander Shevchenko,Svetlana Pakhomova, Oxana Slesarenko1ERU—British Columbia: GaryCormack, Frank LaBounty, VinceMiele, Alison Duddy2EW—Quebec: Benoit Lessard, CarlMarquis, Sebastien Boisvert, JohanneDaly2ERU—Scotland: Aileen Neilson,Angela Malone, Gregor Ewan, JimGault, Tom Killin3EW—USA: Patrick McDonald, DavidPalmer, Tim Kelly, Erica Davis3ERU—USA: Bob Prenoveau, MichaelAlberg, Shauna Petrie, Matt Berwick

Cape Cod

Women’sThe 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 Bernstein1ERU—Chesapeake: Laura Heuer,Lorrie Needles, Marie Gomoljak, GailBeattie2EW—Cape Cod: Mary Colacchio,Cathy Offinger, Krista Longnecker,Virginia Bristol2ERU—Nutmeg: Diane Muldowney,

Maura Cockey, Heide Follin, SabrinaKeillor3EW—Oshawa: Andi Kelcey, LindaGreen, Susan Jantz, Gloria Ryan3ERU—Aruba: Wendy Berger, MarthaNaber, Emma Foster, Pat Frey4EW—Thistle: Carol Wood, DawnBreininger, Carol Stevenson, MaureenGuay4ERU—Summer Sisters: Elaine deRyk,Nancy Dinsdale, Michele Gower,Loraine Waybourn

Fort Wayne

OpenThe Fort Wayne Summerspiel took

place Aug. 19-21 in Fort Wayne, Ind.Here are the results:1EW—Kingsville, Ontario: Rick Law,Graeme Robson, Charlene Haluk-McMahon, Jeremy Caron1ERU—Welland, Ontario: Tom Dillon,Brenda Vittie, Melanie Bouroue, SergePaille

2EW—Potomac: Sean Murray,Charrissa Lin, David Baxter, JuliaDiBaggio2ERU—Evergreen: Doug Schaak,Frank Mayer, Andy Turner, PaulSchaak, John Besch

Fort Wayne

Open/5 & UnderThe Fort Wayne 5 & Under Open

Summerspiel took place Aug. 19-21 inFort Wayne, Ind. Here are the results:1EW—Mayfield: Jeremy Sobeck,Lindsey Sobeck, Andrew Kuzmicki,Ashley Lowry1ERU—Columbus: Chris Muenzer, EricJohnson, Evan Western, Jim Reinaker

Fort Wayne

CashspielThe Fort Wayne Cashspiel took

place Aug. 19-21 at the Fort WayneCurling Club in Fort Wayne, Ind. Here

are the results:1EW—Broomstones: Stephen Dropkin,Korey Dropkin, Thomas Howell, DerekCorbett1ERU—Madison: Craig Brown, MattHamilton, Kroy Nernberger, DerrickCasper

Rice Lake

OpenThe 10th Annual Lazy Days of

Summer Bonspiel took place Aug. 26-28 in Rice Lake, Wis. Here are theresults:1EW—Duluth: Seppo Sormunen, RogerHendrickson, Doug Cameron, Chris

Cameron1ERU—St. Paul: Aaron Nunberg, ZacOwens, Adam Brodd, Scott Willard2EW—Duluth: Joseph Bonfoey, MattSchmidt, Kenney White, Pat Kelleher2ERU—Duluth: Phil DeVore, PeteWestberg, Lucy DeVore, Mary Westberg3EW—St. Paul: Randy Cumming, MarkFalesek, Vince Bernet, John Eustice3ERU—Hibbing: Paul Pustovar, AndyJukich, Mike Schneeberger, DuaneRutan4EW—Duluth: Courtney George, TylerGeorge, Amanda Mclean, Jeff Puleo4ERU—Madison: Tim Funk, Craig Lee,Paul Ryan, Jeff Robinson



Winners of the Cape Cod Men’s Summerspiel were Rick Purdy,

Eric Ogren, Dan Dacey and Paul Sofoulis (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 Cape Cod Women’s Summerspiel were (l-r)

Sandy Bernstein, Wendy Scholes, Marinna Martini and Matina

Heisler (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 Fort Wayne Cashspiel were (l-r) Korey Dropkin,

Thomas Howell, Derek Corbett and Stephen Dropkin (skip).

Winners of the Fort Wayne Open Summerspiel were (l-r) Rick Law,

Jeremy Caron, Graeme Robson and Charlene Haluk-McMahon.

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 Rice Lake Lazy Days of Summer event were (l-r)

Seppo Sormunen, Roger Hendrickson, Doug Cameron and Chris

Cameron.

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.”

A funny thing happenedto me last season. At least Ithink it was funny. I hopeyou see the humor in it aswell. I found the wholething hilarious.

Fargo hosted Men’s andWomen’s Nationals inFebruary. Since that’s closeto my backyard, the USCAasked me if I would helpwith the audio webcast. Itsounded like it might befun, so I readily agreed.Thus began the slipperyslide of simple farmer intoworlds that he had no busi-ness visiting.

Shortly before Nationalsbegan, I learned that therewas a professional broad-casting crew coming in toproduce a broadcast of thefinals. I had some questionsabout the audiocast, so Icalled the USCA. At theend of the call, I asked whowas doing the call on thefinals. After a couple sec-onds of silence, the answercame back, “Um, wethought you would do it.”Remember, I’m just a farmboy. I laughed out loud.

The audiocasts went fair-ly well. There were somehardware issues at thebeginning. I’m not muchhelp with technical difficul-ties. Still, I enjoyed doingit. I had a microphone inmy hand for over 80 hoursand never ran out of thingsto say ... a point that USCAPresident Chris Sjue kindlymentioned in his closingcomments at the end of thecompetition.

Having just audio forcurling isn’t the easiestthing to do since the adventof the Free Guard Zone.Describing a cluttered houseover and over gets old forthe listener and the teamwith the mikes. This isespecially true if KevinKakela or Craig Disher is inon a sheet. Those lads neversaw a draw that they didn’tlike and their junked uphouses often had 15 rocksin play. So we concentratedon updating the scores andstandings. We tried todescribe important shots asthey slid down the wonder-ful ice in the fabulousarena.

I enjoyed doing theaudio. I was helped by vari-ous people that were aroundto watch the games. I reallyliked working some of thedraws with Mark Cheatley,an old friend and an insight-ful curler. For one draw, thearena staff had their friendslistening and sending ques-tions to press row throughtheir Facebook page. Noneof them knew much aboutcurling, but the questionswere good and we had ablast. This endeared me tothe staff so much that I gotto wear a Security jacket forthe closing party.

The relaxed fun of the

audiocasts ended with thesemifinals. The profession-als from Echo Entertain-ment were setting up for thefinals. It was time for me toget nervous. Fortunately formy nerves, the USCA hadJohn Benton and BillMorehouse on the team.Willy (Morehouse) and‘Nilla (Benton) are curlersthat I really respect and alsofriends. The nerves werealso aided by the USCA(Rick and Terry) as theytreated me like a primadonna and not a dirt’afarmer’a.

Echo showed up onFriday to set up camerasand string wires and theUSCA introduced us to theproducer. His name is D.C.Robbins and he’s a soft spo-ken guy. D.C. then broughtin his crew and introducedthem to the USCA people.Instead of introducingMorehouse, Benton and me,he pointed to us and calledus The Talent.

I laughed out loud again.The Talent? I’ve been calledmany things, but never TheTalent. Surrounded by sup-portive friends and pros, Istarted to worry about get-ting egotistical. It was agroundless fear. I sooncame to learn that the term“The Talent” isn’t necessar-ily a compliment. In fact, itis nowhere near a compli-ment. They use it in sen-tences like, “Don’t worryabout him, he’s just TheTalent” or “Hey, keep awayfrom the doughnuts. Theyare for the crew, not TheTalent.”

The morning of thefinals, I woke up extremelynervous after a fitful nightof sleep. I was so nervousthat I threw up. Exactly likewhen I used to curl, thenerves settled down whenthe first rock was thrown.After that first rock, I wasjust watching a game withmy buddy ‘Nilla.

I had insisted to the pro-duction crew that they did-n’t need to waste a cameraon me. They agreed. Theyalso lied. The first thing Isaw when I got behind thedesk was a camera about 2

feet from my face andblocking my view of the farhouse. Benton looked supersharp in a suit and More-house was cool in a blazer.My wife packs for me so,luckily, I was in a nicesweater. Thank God that Imarried well or I’d havebeen wearing a flannelfarming shirt.

I think the broadcastwent pretty well. I thinkthat Benton was fantastic.He disagrees with me andthinks I was fantastic.Benton is an idiot. If yousee him, tell him I said so.I’m not fishing for compli-ments. I just wanted to letyou see how a farmer endedup with a camera in hisface. Like much of life, itwas more the road I was onrather than where I chose todrive.For The Good of the Game:

I had briefly mentionedthat the MCA is coming upon the 125th anniversary oftheir huge bonspiel. It isstill a year away, but it’snever too soon to start plan-ning. I’ll write more infor-mation on this special eventvery soon.

The competitive season isoff to a pretty good start forthe United States. The WesJohnson, Sean Beighton andCristin Clark rinks all didpretty good up in BritishColumbia. Erika Brown andPatti Lank played tough atthe Schmirler Classic, PeteFenson and his squad didpretty well in the presti-gious Shorty Jenkins ’spiel.The big news is that theTyler George rink made itto the semifinals at theShorty. Even bigger news isthat a very young StephenDropkin rink won the FortWayne Cash and theOntario Junior Curling Tourevent in Peterborough so farthis season. I always getexcited when our youngteams do well. It bodes wellfor the future.

The bad news is that ateam from Russia didextremely well out inBritish Columbia and aChinese rink won the GreenBay Cash. The internationalscene is rapidly changingand I fear that will forcechanges for the U.S. andour curling. Change can bea scary thing, and my hopeis that our decision-makershave the ability to see whatis happening as well aswhat the changes mightmean for the distant future.The task they have in frontof them is far from easy.

Tucker is a member of

the Grafton Curling Club

and makes his living farm-

ing in North Dakota. Send

questions or comments to

Tuck at [email protected].

Send complaints to his dic-

tatorial editor (terry.kole-

[email protected]).



Life behind the mike

By Ben [email protected]

Tucked in the

Back Page

Pittsburgh

OpenThe Tropicurl Bonspiel took place

June 30-July 3 at the Pittsburgh CurlingClub. Here are the results:1EW—Potomac: Sean Murray, NickDatlowe, Jeremy Vanderhouten, MelissaFox 1ERU—Richmond Hill/Pittsburgh:Andrew Rydholm, Fiona Shearer, PaulHannan, Amy Hannan 2EW—Richmond Hill: Dennis Moretto,Mike Nelson, Graham Carr, StevenBaldo2ERU—Arthur Area: Scott Lennox,Darren Jones, Kevin Bryan, BenTupling 3EW—Madison: Bill Buckingham, JonCrumm, Mark Tyler, Bill Buckingham,Sr. 3ERU—Potomac: David Baxter,Benjamin Yeung, Bob Pursell, MoniqueNeaves 4EW—Deer Trail: Wayne McLeod,Don Miller, Nicole Miller, DanielleMcLeod4ERU—Hamilton Victoria: John Scott,Judy Scott, Jim Neales, ChristinaNeales5EW—Philadelphia: Mark Wheeler, JayTheroff, Kevin Stayer, Jane Stayer 5ERU—Cape Cod: Kenny Thomson,Cathy Offinger, Rachel Henderson,Barbie Thomson6EW—Ardsley: John Noble, JoyanceMeechai, David Wagenheim, AndyEaton 6ERU—Philadelphia: Garnet Howells,

Eric Ruth, Ian Alexander, Dickey Scott 7EW—Pittsburgh/Rochester: NicholasVisnich, Hannan Ely, Rebecca Andrew,Alex Visnich 7ERU—Detroit/Triangle: Ben Lev, SueMitchell, Sue Gleason, Jenny Zukowski

Orange County

OpenThe Frost in July Bonspiel took

place in July at the Orange CountyCurling Club in Westminster, Calif.Here are the results: 1EW—Orange County: Ryan Harty,Vinita Harty, Nick Wiley, ColinLindberg1ERU—Curl San Diego: StefanieSmith, Adam Endicott, OwenMcLachian, Ryan Malthus2EW—Orange County: Evan Harder,Eric Harder, Gail Harder, GordonHarder2ERU—Orange County: Misha Houser,Brian Sanders, Brenna Duncan, LynnTaylor3EW—Orange County: Ken Millar, BillWaddington, Bob Waddington, BillWaddington, Sr.3ERU—Orange County/Curl SanDiego: Stephen Wolff, Olivia Wolff,Mark Roberts, Mark Dossett4EW—Orange County: Bob Krause,David Krause, Mike Calder, MarkPiskura4ERU—Orange County: DonalO'Sullivan, Brian Walsh, Renee Chin,Janice Landsfeld

Winners of the Orange County Curling Club’s inaugural bon-

spiel, Frost in July, were (l-r) Vinita Harty, Nick Wiley, Ryan

Harty and Colin Lindberg.

17th Annual Top 10 Shakespearian Quotations on theRoarin’ Game

10] The most you sought was her promotion. [Romeoand Juliet, Act 4, sc. 5, l. 71]

9] Run back and bite, because he was withheld. [2Henry VI, Act v, sc. 1, l. 152]

8] Sir, I most humbly pray you to deliver this. [HenryVIII, Act iv, sc. 2, l. 129]

7] When holy and religious men are at their beads, 'tishard 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 dwellin 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. [Measurefor Measure, Act ii, sc. 4, l. 117

1] ‘Tis the right ring, by heaven: I told ye all, when yefirst put this dangerous stone a-rolling. [Henry VIII,Act v, sc. 3, l. 103]

– Richard Maskel


Go to www.usacurl.organd start saving today!

he 2012 USANational Champ-ionship will beheld on the east

coast for the first time sincethe 2007 Nationals in Utica,NY., and for the first timeever in the Philadelphiaarea. IceWorks SkatingComplex located in Aston,Pa., 15 minutes outside thecity of Philadelphia, will bethe official host site. Thiswill be the first time thatIceWorks will hold a curl-ing event at their four-sur-face facility, which is thehome to 180 hockey teams,

and over 200 figure skaters. The 2012 National

Championship will beginon Saturday, Feb. 11 andrun throughout the week,with the championshipmatches being held onSaturday, Feb. 18.

Members of the localorganizing committee inPhiladelphia have alreadymade some big announce-ments concerning thisupcoming year’s NationalChampionship. They havenamed The Holiday InnExpress and Suites inConcordville the officialhost hotel for athletes andofficials during their stay inthe Philadelphia Region.

The Philadelphia SportsCongress will be hosting awelcome reception for allathletes and officials onFeb. 10 in the historicalarea of Philadelphia. Inaddition, surrounding hotels

have offered discountedrates to spectators who willbe staying in the area.Also, in leading up to thisyear’s National Champion-ship, the official site for theevent, IceWorks, will behosting auditions for thesinging of the nationalanthem at opening and clos-ing ceremonies. There havealso been several sponsorsnamed for the event so farincluding, Brooms UpCurling Supplies, Coca-Cola, Neumann University,Unique Limousine, HerrsFoods Inc, Mendenhall Inn& Concordville InnRestaurants, and Brandy-wine Convention and

Visitors Bureau. Thesesponsors and many morewill help to make the 2012Nationals one of the mostexciting for both athletesand fans.

Information for the eventcan be found by going tothe official website of the2012 USA Curling NationalChampionship, www.2012usacurlingnationals.com.Tickets are now on sale atthe website. Volunteers areneeded for this event forseveral different positionseach day of play. Informa-tion and applications forvolunteering can be also befound on the official web-site.

Philadelphia region ready to rockby Anthony Lorusso,

Co-Chairman, 2012 Nationals

T

What: 2012 U.S. JuniorNational Championshipsfeaturing 20 teams; winnersadvance to 2012 WorldJunior Championships inSweden in March

When: Jan. 28-Feb. 4

Where: Madison CurlingClub, McFarland, Wis.

Website: www.madison-curlingclub.com

Register online now forregional junior playdowns!

Head toMadisonfor JuniorNationals

Documents

U.S. Curling News, Fall 2011