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This is a story of Bill and I and curling. It’s the story of how two people, who were dealing with Alzheimers disease found love through the love of curling. In 2011, both of our spouses, Ron and Marilyn were both diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. We did not know each other, although we lived in neighbouring communities of Tsawwassen and Ladner. It was a devastating time in our lives. I had curled briefly as a teenager, as both of my parents were avid curlers at the North Shore Winter Club. As a teenager, I found it boring, much to my parents disappointment and went on to play hockey for the rest of my life (60+ years). I dabbled in bonspiels through work, and boy were they fun! Bill however, began curling in high school and curled all his life. He eventually made it to Senior Nationals and continued to curl avidly along with his wife Marilyn, whom, he also met through a bonspiel many, many years earlier. Life changed dramatically for both of us in 2011 and we became caregivers to our spouses. I eventually gave up hockey, as it was important that I not be injured and usually involved being away from Ron for too long at a time. One of the most important decisions I made was to join a caregiver support group in my community. I learned how better to deal with Alzheimers disease and how better to help Ron and I navigate what was ahead of us, through the stories and experience of others in the same journey. Being social was necessary to survive the daily stresses. Because I had left hockey, I decided I would try out curling at our local rink, Tunnel Town Curling Club. I joined the Monday night and Wednesday day Ladies groups. I was welcomed by a wonderful group of women who taught me how to play and provided companionship and support yet again.
One of my skips was Perk Thurston, who had played with Bill’s wife Marilyn and was aware of their struggle with Alzheimers. Marilyn was losing her ability to curl safely and Bill was still trying to juggle playing and care for Marilyn whose needs were increasing. I had told Perk about our support group and she introduced me to Bill and Marilyn at the club one afternoon. I told Bill about our support group and suggested he join us for our weekly meetings. Bill attended a few of our meetings, and we occasionally crossed paths at Kin Village, where Ron and Marilyn were both attending an Adult Day Program for a few hours each week. It provided them with some different social interaction and it gave us a brief respite from care. Eventually Marilyn went into full care and subsequently Ron ended up in a longterm medical facility. I was now curling on a mixed team on Friday nights and Bill was on another mixed team. As fate would have it, a member of Bill’s Friday night team had to leave due to long-term illness and I became a member of that team.
Although Alzheimers disease brought us together, curling became our “glue” . Bill is an accomplished curler and a wonderful teacher, patient and calm, which is why he was such a good caregiver. We now curl on Men’s and Women’s nights well as Open League on Wednesdays and Mixed League on Fridays and enter any fun bonspiels and club spiels we can. We share a house, a dog and have wonderful supporting families that also curl with us. Although Ron and Marilyn have both passed away, we know they would be happy to know where we have both ended up. Curling is such a great social sport, very important part of our lives. We are both so grateful.

For more than 80 years multi-generations of my family and friends have come together on the curling ice. We have shared many exceptional experiences! I have chosen to tell the story about “THE PICKELL SILVER BRUSH”. In order that the reader can understand the story, it is necessary that I mention that my maiden name is Pickell.

My husband and I are farmers on the Canadian prairies. Five generations of our family have lived on our farm, and it has been the location where special occasions were celebrated in the spring, summer and autumn. Our house was small, so we were not able to have large gatherings in our home in the winter. Therefore we rented the curling rink in our local town every Boxing Day for many years so we could gather family, neighbours and friends together. We would enjoy being together both on and off the ice, catching up on what was happening in each others lives, eating food and meeting new friends that would come along with family, friends and neighbours, if they were visiting for the Christmas season.

Those people that wanted to take part in the curling would arrive by 10 am so that we could make up the rinks, make the draw and prepare for the influx of all the young and old spectators. Very soon the waiting room was full and the days activities began. One year the ice plant had quit and the ice had melted, but we still had the gathering, and those that had crokinole games brought them along so we could have a tournament.

In 1981 my father had painted milk cans for us to use as planters in our yard. He never cleaned the brush! That Boxing Day my brother brought the used paint brush to our Boxing Day gathering and presented his version of a “silver broom” to the winners. My sister-in-law’s father was the skip on the team that won the bonspiel that year. His hobby was woodworking. The next Boxing Day gathering he brought a trophy he had made. Please see the picture below. The original trophy had one layer for a base and the names of the winners were written with a felt pen on the wooden plaque attached to the base. Over the years more layers were added to the base and some teams had their names engraved on metal and then attached to the plaque.

Needless to say, our Boxing Day gathering received a name: THE PICKELL SILVER BRUSH.

For many years I had made ceramic ornaments, or friends had brought prizes that could be given to the winners. However, the trophy in the picture became the most sought after prize. Most often a team was made up of members from 4 different families, so each player could only have the trophy for 3 months in their home (to show off) and then brought it back for the next year’s bonspiel.

I think it will be of interest to some of the readers of my story to know that my husband and I were both born in the same small town on the prairies, Our fathers were friends and curled together. Sometimes my father was late for the game or had to leave a game early because he was the local veterinarian, and if there were a sick farm animal in the area, he had to interrupt his game to attend to his patient. Sometimes a team member would be late or not able to attend the game because of an incident at their farm. Nonetheless the game would go on! Both our families have members who became great curlers and participated in many competitions across Canada over the years, at the school level, juniors level, men’s and women’s level and seniors level!!! Also, some of the curlers that have their names on the trophy have been and some still are curling coaches for Special Olympics, Community Club, Elementary School, High School, to name a few.

This is not a story about a great curling tournament, win or shot. It is the story of four people who became fast friends and battled winter depression–all because of curling. The story begins with two people (Sue and Carol) who worked together and who realized they shared a love of watching curling on tv. We enlisted our husbands–who didn’t even know each other at the time, to curl with us in the Friday night league in Timmins, ON. What began with curling became getting together for cards before the game, signing up for golf tournaments, and getting together for bbqs and fun in the summer months. Sue and Al, Carol and Norm grew a beautiful friendship–all because we signed up for Friday night mixed curling. In the long winter months in Timmins, it was crucial that we had something social to get us out the door on a blustery Friday night and our winters became better because of curling. Al and Sue have now moved away from Timmins, but we are still friends and the memories of curling will remain with us forever. Our picture is one of those memories of a bonspiel in Northern Ontario. Simply put, curling is a game where forever friends are made.

Bought this this beauty on the weekend to support Team Winters from Northen Ontario. North Bay!! They are 16 competing in U20. Amazing young men!!

As best man for my friend’s wedding, I included a story of curling ( fictional) because I had curled with him for many years. It went like this: “We were curling in the Northerns. His lad shot for the win was a draw that came up a little short. He asked how close he was. I told him his member was longer than the distance he was close. I felt bad because he thought he was really close”

Several years ago, I introduced my son-in-law to curling – a sport that I’ve enjoyed for over fifty years. As I was introduced to the ‘roaring game’ at a young age, I fondly recall post-Christmas junior bonspiels, inter-club competitions, all-nighter cash spiels, and of course, the Manitoba Curling Association (MCA) spiel. Although I’ve lived in Ottawa for thirty years, it has become a family tradition for us to venture to Winnipeg to partake in the world’s largest bonspiel. I always have a certain glee going back to my birthplace and ‘rekindling serious hit-weight’. As the MCA involves drinks, family, and curling – it’s a trifecta that’s pretty hard to beat. We particularly enjoy seeing the many different clubs, as well as playing a range of teams from ‘newbies’ to those few seeking a provincial berth. Many teams we’ve faced were National champions, including the American Men’s team, as well as the Canadian Women’s Deaf team. On the other hand, a few games were simply ‘Friendly Manitobans’ who enjoyed curling. By way of example, one team we played was aptly named “Pepito Bismali”, who immediately lined up 8 shots of a pink liquid (closely resembling Pepto Bismal) for pre-game ‘shooters’. Half the fun is that you never know who you’re going to face. The point being that regardless of the skill or age of the opponents you face, generally, everyone has a great time just being out on the ice. As such, you can only imagine my joy of having my grandson active in a ‘little rocks’ league. A dream of mine involves the day that he can join his Dad and I in the MCA bonspiel – just imagine, three generations on the same team! What I love about curling is that it’s the only sport I know where competitors shake hands both before and after their match. Although shared values of honesty, integrity and ‘fair play’ have always existed in curling, due to pronouncements south of the border, they have recently re-entered the National dialogue about treasured Canadian traits. I ‘tongue-firmly-in-cheek’ posit that you don’t have to be Canadian to be a ‘good person’ … maybe just maybe, you have to be a curler! Although come the end of the day, curling is ‘just a game’ – the life lessons it teaches is priceless. Perhaps the world simply needs more curlers.

I started curling at 15 and spent the next 50 years enjoying a sport that has brought me so many good times. I embrace the positive changes in the game and cherish the memories of the past. It is truly a sport built on passion , dedication and hard work. Most importantly to remember is the comradery, friendships and network of supporters that was and still is a critical part of the game. I have included some of my favourite memories. The Blue Nose pin is a precious treasure I traded with a fellow curling fan for a Saskatchewan pin. We had so much fun and met lots of people across Canada through the pin exchange that was part of every event. The key chain was won by playing in a friendly funspiel( but competitive) competition in Holdfast Saskatchewan . It was girls against the boys and we won!! a definite milestone!! Playing on natural ice challenged us at every level but it was part of the game that we loved. Being a finalist in one of the last natural ice competitions brings back so many memories.The old rinks had the best food counter. The community brought out their best baking. There was often a piano in the building and we would gather around as one of the curlers played and we all sung our hearts out. Luckily for us there wasn’t any recordings. LOL One last memory to share that leads into this amazing new era of the Curling. I was the first person to bring a push broom into my local rink. I remember it like it was yesterday. There were gasps from the “peanut gallery” and it was actually forbidden from the building but it wasn’t long after that everyone had one!!! I watch all the events on TV and travel to as many as is possible. Thank you to all the people I have met, the curlers I have played with and against, the ice keepers, the volunteers and so many more that have given me memories to cherish.

I grew up watching curling with my Dad. It’s no wonder that I still love to watch it! Being from Newfoundland and Labrador, we never had a team go so far as what Team Gushue did. I still remember them winning gold at the Olympics back in 2006 and that was it, Gushue has been my team since! My love for curling got my husband hooked on watching it. He grew to love it as well! Whenever curling events came to and near Ottawa, we would attend. The Brier in Ottawa in 2016, the Brier in Kingston 2020, Olympic Trails, the Men’s Worlds, even went to Cornwall for the Shirty Jenkins and got to meet Team Gushe and g9t my jersey autographed! That was a bucket list item crossed off my list for sure! I o wanted to go to St John’s in 2017 for the Brier, but was due with our 2nd daughter and was unable to travel. I wish I could have been there. But a story we tell everyone and even Brad Gushue himself, is that Gushue was my husband’s last handshake in March 2020 before the world “ended”. We bought tickets to the final in Kingston and just kept praying that Gushue would make it. We left for the drive on Sunday afternoon during the game that would decide if they would go to the finals or not. I had my family text updates on the way. We arrived in Kingston as the game ended and I just knew that Gushue was going to the finals! We checked into our hotel, put on our gear and headed to the patch before the final game. The crowd and atmosphere was nothing like I had ever experienced, it was electrifying! The game was amazing and Gushue won! It was so unreal, I just couldn’t believe that I just witnessed them winning! We stayed and hung around while they talked to fans and Brad made it over to us. Andrew, my husband, shook his hand and congratulated him on winning and asked “Where was the party at?”. Gushue responded that he didn’t know but was headed out to celebrate. We tried to find them after the game with no luck, but that didn’t damper our moods. A week later, the world completely shut down due to Covid and things have never been the same. Andrew still talks about that game and we even told Brad about it when we met him in Cornwall, The Last Hand Shake. We were in Florida when they announced the Brier in 2026 in St John’s and we’ve already decided that we are going and are planning on buying the opening weekend package to see some great curling.

My daughter’s high school team was entered in the junior provincials, so we were off to small town Saskatchewan for a bitterly cold weekend of curling. When we booked in to our small motel rooms, we noticed ice buildup at the bottom of the doors, so we were forced to place every available piece of clothing at the bottom of the doors to block out the cold. This likely also kept the mice warm as we quickly noticed mouse traps under each bed! We slept each night with the covers tucked in at our chins!
The weekend of curling did not go as anticipated as the first day one player was crippled with a leg cramp and had to opt out of the game. The next two days were filled with a flu bug that affected 2 other players on different days. All but one game was played with only 3 players. Needless to say, hearts were broken and tears were spilled at the end results.
This less than positive experience did not dampen the love of curling though, as all players are still in the game nearly 20 years later. Mom, dads and grandparents still cheer them on to this day. The love of curling never dies, it just rocks!

Myself and my two sisters grew up watching curling because of our mom; She loved the game; even though never had tried curling; was intriqued by the sport and could name any player on any team at any given time; that love of the sport was passed down to me and my two older sisters; Even though none of us had never tried calling; Fast forward to college and we were much older; myself, my siblings and my mom decided to rent out the ice at the St. John’s Curling Club to try it out; Let’s just say; it was a one and done type of deal! From trying to lift the rock to clean it with only one hand-Bad Idea (never realizing how heavy that thing was, to thinking we could slide like the pro’s and barely moving out of the hack! to throwing the first rock and almost putting it through the wall on the other end of the ice! It was sure Fun; but we’ll stick to being fans, not players!
The best experience we have had was not once, but twice watching team Guhsue win the Olympic trials! The first time in Halifax back in 2005 when Russ Howard held the broom and went on to win the Olympics; I remember going to the stores in Halifax looking for Orange shirts and we finally found someone to make us the brightest boldest orange shirts with GIVER GUSHUE GIVER on them; it was the best experience of my life as they were the underdogs but seem to really get the momemtum going for this one! Years went by and we continue to go to the trials every chance we got; we attended the Olympic Trials in Ottawa in 2017 where Gushue lost to McEwen in the semi’s (we always joked that we should have took out Mike in the parking lot of our hotel as we almost backed into him with our rental.

We also had front row seats to Team Gushue’s First Brier win in 2017 right here in St. John’s, To say there was excitement would be an understatement; I’ve never been more proud to be a longtime Gushue fan! and getting to experience it with my Sisters and mom was the cherry on top!

And the last experience that we’ll never forget is Team Gushue winning the Olympic trials in Saskatoon in 2021-my mom was unable to attend but myself and my two sisters and our best friend did; So many funny moments happened that week in Saskatoon, from being asked numerous times if we were the Gushue Wifes to our hiliarous championship Day outfits and hunting shirts;

Were looking forward to the trials in Halifax in November and hoping Team Gushue can once again get to wear the Maple Leaf as we will sure be there supporting them all the way!! GIVER GUSHUE GIVER

So many memorable moments to put into this short story; but Where ever they go and no matter the outcome; we will always be Team Gushue’s biggest fans!!