December 9, 2009

Merk's rant

Greetings from Edmonton Hope you are enjoying the action from the 'Road to the Roar'. There is a game every draw televised on TSN and also on CurlTV. The curling has been great and it will be very exciting to see who comes out Top Dog and represents Canada at the 2010 Olympic Games in February.


We invite all club members to come out and lend a hand hosting what I know will be the best run Mens Provincial event (because Vernon always does the best!). We need volunteers to assist with door, 50/50, hospitality, driving, officiating & set-up & take-down. Volunteers will gain entrance to the venue on their day of duty to take in the action either before or after their shift. i.e. work an evening draw, come watch the noon draw, or work the noon draw and watch the evening draw. There will be two draws a day (noon & 7pm) Monday through Thursday with an adjusted schedule on Friday and Saturday to accomodate possible tie breakers and playoffs. Finals go Sunday at 10am. In addition, volunteers will be offered an embroidered 'event' article of clothing at cost. For those not able to volunteer, full-event passes can be purchased for $50 and day-passes will be available for $10 Monday through Thursday, with a weekend pass (Fri, Sat & Sun) available for a cost of $35.

The raffle tickets are selling like hot cakes! Have you got yours yet? Tickets cost $5 each or 3 for $10 and are available at the bar or office. Early bird prize of an event pass for the Mens Provincials will be drawn during Merk's drop-in on December 18th. The Grand Prize of a cruise on a Twin Anchors Cruisecraft IV Houseboat (view here http://www.twinanchors.com/vacation/houseboat-rentals/cc4.php) will be drawn on the weekend of the Mens Bonspiel (Jan 7-10). The Houseboat is available from April 1 - early July or end of August - October 31st (mid & low season, excluding long weekends.) Spring time days are warm with crisp evenings, and fishing is excellent. Late summer promises the warmth of the lake and quiet beaches. The houseboat comes equipped with hot tub & fireplaces to keep you cozy. Your choice of 3 nights on a weekend, or 4 nights mid-week. This boat sleeps 14 and features two full bathrooms and a full home theatre. Get together with your team or a group of friends and buy a book, and you could be cruisin' the Shuswap next summer! Proceeds from the raffle will go towards hosting the Men’s Provincials. It’s our chance to shine, and we want to put on the best show possible.

Have you heard about the 2 on 2 bonspiel? Get a partner and sign up! December 27, 28 & 29th. Rules & details are posted at our website (www.vernoncurlingclub.com). Cost $100. It's a great way to keep your game-on and stay tuned-up for the New Year.

And, last but not least, I sure hope your planning to attend the Club Christmas party, affectionately known as Merk's Christmas Drop-in, on Friday December 18th. Come join me in a celebrating the festive season with a glass of 'nog and while you're here, enjoy a little Maritime Christmas flair with Mercer and Pete! Party starts at 8pm.

November 12, 2009

News from the front lines

The Pre-trials are going great! You can follow the action online with a CurlTV subscription (you can buy one in the office at a discounted rate).


Starting today TSN will broadcast the men’s and ladies A, B & C finals:

TSN Coverage
Nov. 12, 2009 12:30 pm Women's A Final
Nov. 12, 2009 6:30 pm Men's A Final
Nov. 13, 2009 1:00 pm Women's B Final
Nov. 13, 2009 6:30 pm Men's B Final
Nov. 14, 2009 10:00 am Men's and Women's C Semi
Nov. 14, 2009 5:00 pm Men's and Women's C Semi

**NEWS FLASH** Thomas Dufour and his French teammates, who will be participating in the Olympics, will be coming to VCC and calling it home for the month of January. We look forward to showing them our great hospitality and hopefully can arrange a few games for them to keep tuned.

If you’d like to volunteer with the Men’s Provincials February 1-7th, please sign-up in the office or in the ‘yellow Bonspiel binder’ that is up at the bar. Help needed with door and 50/50, hospitality, officiating & setup/take down. We’re also taking entries for the Men’s (Jan 7-10) & Mixed (Feb 12-14) spiels.

Remember to bring out your friends & family Saturday nights for the $5 drop-in starting at 6:30pm. Carol Martel & Dean Banks are looking forward to an evening of fun & frivolity. Maybe you’re just looking for another game night, or want to introduce the game of curling to a few friends. Either way, its sure to be great. Let’s try to fill all 8-sheets!

Did you know we had over 600 students participate in our school program last season? Do you have some free time on Mondays during the day? It’s a great introduction to the game for these kids. We need help with instruction. You don’t have to be certified, you just need a love for the game. Call Heather at the office for more info.

Please refer to the front page of our website www.vernoncurlingclub.com for available practice ice times.

On a final note, please, if you are going to cancel a game, not only should you call your opposition, but please let the club know so that your sheet of ice does not get prepared unnecessarily.

See you when I return next week!

November 2, 2009

Liven' up Saturday nights

I’m headed out of town to do the ice for the pre trials in Prince George. Check out the website and follow the teams, including Jim Cotter. I will be back on November 15th. In the meantime, if you see something that needs to be done, lend a hand. My staff are geared up to do their best, please help them out. If you need assistance phone Heather or Lorraine at the office or leave a message.


We will be starting to sell raffle tickets for a Twin Anchors luxury houseboat cruise. Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10. Proceeds will go towards the cost of hosting the Men’s Provincial Curling Championships from February 1-7. We are also starting to take names for volunteers for the event. We need officials, 50/50 and door help and hospitality. Also we will need help setting up the ice area and the bleachers.

Saturday nights at the club are generally very quiet evenings. We’ve been trying to figure out a way of getting new members into the club. We are going to have drop-in adult curling on Saturdays starting November 14th at 6:30pm. Cost is $5 per person per session. This is open to members and anyone that wants to try the game. So if you have some friends, bring them down. Half hour of instruction followed by a 6-end game. We provide the brooms & sliders, all they need to do is carry a clean pair of running shoes with them. Carol Martel and Dean Banks are heading up this new adventure, but will require help with instruction. So if you have experience, and are bringing out new people, please offer your assistance to others. Attached is an information sheet. Share it. Print a copy and post it on your work bulletin board, or at the gym. Email it to your friends and family. With any luck we can create some more interest in curling.

See y’all soon. Wish me luck.

September 27, 2009

Merk's rant

Hello everyone,


For those that don’t know Glenn Howard, Kerry Burtnyk, Kevin Koe and Mike McEwen are all coming to the Twin Anchors Houseboats Cashspiel and local favourite Bob Ursel with our very own Jim Cotter. Our hometown boy TJ Perepolkin will be playing Glenn Howard 6pm Thursday. On the ladies side we have Denmark, Russia, Switzerland and Japan who will be participating in the Olympics along with Canadians Kelly Scott, Shannon Kleibrink and Cheryl Bernard who will be in the hunt to represent Canada at the Olympics. It should be a fantastic show, we need your support. We depend on our members and friends to come down and cheer on these curlers. The action starts this Thursday at 3pm with three draws (2pm, 6pm & 9pm) continuing through Friday, Saturday with playoffs on Sunday (Finals 3pm). Passes are $35 for all 4 days, day pass $12 available at the door. Check the website for draws and details.

We have a good core of volunteers that are going to help us with the Cashspiel, we need a little help with vehicles and/or drivers. If you have a van, and are available Wednesday, Thursday and/or Sunday to make trips to & from the airport please let us know. We pay for gas and maybe a timmies or two. It’s a great way to chat with these curlers one on one. I could really use your help. Call or email the club if you can help.

Clinics for Intermediate and Beginner curlers start Monday evening. The intermediate clinic runs for 3 nights, 6:30-8:30 Mon, Tue & Wed, including a strategy session with Linda Moore on Wednesday night. Cost is $35 for all three nights. If you just want to join the strategy clinic on Wednesday night, cost is $12. Beginner clinic runs Mon & Tues night at the same time, cost is $25. A great introduction to the game of curling.

Leagues start the week of October 5th, with the exception of SuperLeague which plays their first game September 30th.

Ice is now in, looks great. We have a new look compliments of Canadian Direct Insurance. Come on down and take a look. The best time to practice is Monday or Tuesday until 5pm, or anytime Wednesday. There is no available practice ice from 5pm to 8:30pm Mon or Tuesday (due to clinics) or from Thursday through to Monday. It’s not necessary to book ice. Come as you wish, but be willing to share your sheet with others.

The Ladies Silver Star Bonspiel goes Oct 23-25th. Put a ladies team together for this great season opener.

Looking forward to seeing everyone here soon.

March 13, 2009

08-09 season coming to a close

The 08-09 season is drawing to a close, but not without some special events:


Friday March 20th, the Friday mixed leagues are inviting the entire membership to an evening of dancing. The band, Tantalys, will start at 9pm are sure to be a crowd pleaser. Finish off your season with a groovin’ night!

March 23-26th (Monday – Thursday) the club is holding Mens, Ladies & Mixed Club Championships. All draws go at 7pm. Come out and cheer on your club teams.

Finals Thursday March 26th at 7pm.

Also on Thursday March 26th – come celebrate the accomplishments of club members Ina Forrest & Sonja Gaudet, our 2009 World Wheelchair GOLD medalists. Reception starts at 6:15pm, followed by Club Championship Finals at 7pm

Did you know we are hosting the 2010 CDI Mens Provincial Championships. The winner will represent BC in the 2010 Tim Hortons Brier. WE are in need of sponsors, volunteers and specatators. Please check with the office if you can help in any way. Let’s show the province once again that the Vernon Curling Club does things right!

Do you have time to spare over the summer? We are always looking for a little help here & there. Let us know if you can lend a hand to improve YOUR club.

Our 09-10 season starts September 26th with Beginner & Intermediate Clinics, followed by the Twin Anchors Invitational Cash Spiel October 1-4th. League play will begin the week of October 5th. Watch your mailbox in August for our Summer Newsletter. Mass registration Monday September 14th. AGM is scheduled for Friday September 18th.