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In 2004, at the school where I was teaching, there happened to be five grade 6 students who curled at the same club where I curled. I was fortunate to be able to take them to the TimBits Elementary School Curling tournament which was happening about an hour from here. It was so exciting! Despite being all in grade 6 and playing against older students in grades 7 and 8, we made it to the playoffs. We finished 8th in the field of 40 teams and we were so proud of ourselves. I had tears in my eyes when we were piped out onto the ice for the final presentations. Imagine my surprise and pleasure 20 years later to see our grade 6 skip, Kurtis Byrd, playing on the Northern Ontario team that went to the Brier in 2024!

I grew up watching my Dad curl and the second I was old enough to join our local Club’s Little Rock program I did. It may not have been a sport that the rest of my friends were interested in or was popular by any means but it was something I got to share with my Dad. I loved it and managed to recruit school friends to be able to compete in the annual Timbit’s Elementary School Curling Championships. Unfortunately the Junior program at our Club began to dwindle in High School and the coolness factor began to weigh heavier in my teenage mind and I stepped away from the sport. After a few years away, completing High School and University and realizing that I was really missing the satisfaction of throwing granite across a sheet of ice I decided it was time to give curling a chance again. I returned to the Club where I started and my Dad was still curling at and was welcomed back with open arms. It started with one night a week, house league play but needless to say this love blossomed and it’s a weird week if I am not at the Club in some capacity most days of the week. I have worked at the bar, I volunteer as often as I can and have now worked my way up to the President of our Board of Directors. I now have the pleasure of sharing my home away from home with my daughter which is such a cool and full circle life moment to get to experience. I owe a lot of joy and learning in my life to this sport and I am so glad that my Dad shared his passions with me so many years ago. York Curling Club in Newmarket, Ontario thank you for fostering such a friendly and fun environment for every member and guest that walk through the doors. Here’s to many more years of curling enjoyment!

We really enjoyed every minute of the 2017 brier in St. John’s, NL. I celebrated my 59th birthday there with family and friends. I would love to celebrate my 68th birthday at the Montana’s Brier in 2026. Go Gushue Go!!!

I grew up watching Curling on TV and participated in a few leagues once I became an adult but was never “really” good at it but “oh, so loved the game!” I remember watching Sandra Schmirler, Glen Howard, Kevin Martin, etc. Then came along Brad Gushue! My, he made NL proud! I was able to attend my 1st “Grand Slam of Curling” in NL Nov 24 and when Brad and his team was playing the arena was electric! Everything about that time in St.John’s was magical! From the electricity in the arena, to the kitchen party, the appearances at the Conference Centre and the overall crowd enthusiasm. It was a time. I tried to explain my experiences to some of my friends but you really had to be there, to experience it all 1st hand! NL really knows how to welcome a crowd and I hope to revisit it all again for the Brier 2026!

Brad Gushue’s curling team is widely considered one of the best to ever play the game, and Newfoundlanders and Labradoreans are incredibly proud of their accomplishments. Watching them compete, whether on TV or live, is a true thrill. For any curler, the opportunity to meet them or even step onto the ice with them is a dream come true.

A few years ago, our recreational curling team got to experience this dream firsthand. We participated in a funspiel at the St. John’s Curling Club, where Brad’s team was invited as special guests. Their role was to offer advice to other curlers, and they were allowed to take one shot per game. We were lucky enough to have both Brad and Mark Nichols help our team during a game against a more seasoned St. John’s squad. To our surprise, we managed to keep the score close, heading into the final end with the other team’s rocks perfectly placed.

To win, I needed to make a crucial shot — either outdraw their rocks or perform a take-out to remove them. Now, I’ve built a bit of a reputation for being a take-out player. It’s what I prefer, and I tend to throw a lot of weight with it, even when it might not always be the best choice. However, I assessed the situation. There were two possible options: a well-lined-up double take-out or a makeable draw. We turned to Mark Nichols for advice. Yes, that Mark Nichols — widely regarded as the best take-out player in the world. He immediately said, “The double take-out is there.”

I suggested that the draw was a viable option too, and Mark agreed, but still insisted the double take-out was the better choice. So, I made my way down the ice, but before I got to the hack, Brad asked what my decision was. I told him I was going with the draw. He looked a bit confused but said, “Okay.” At the other end, Mark asked our third, “Is he going with the draw?” and my third replied, “I think so!” So, there I was: the guy who loves take-outs, about to throw a draw, with Mark Nichols — the ultimate take-out artist — watching from the other end and Brad Gushue standing behind me. Can you believe it? My one chance to impress Team Gushue with a take-out, and I’m playing it safe with a draw. Mark Nichols couldn’t believe it, and neither could my teammates.

As it turned out, my shot came up short. We lost the game. To this day, I can’t live down the moment I chose to go for a draw when I should have trusted my instincts and taken Mark’s advice. The moral of the story? When the top curlers in the world offer you advice, take it!

Love on the ice
It was 2009 and I had spared for friends of mine in the Sunday night mixed double league at the Remax Curling Rink in St John’s. I enjoyed it so I gave my name to the president in case a team might be looking for a female team member. I had been widowed at 40years old, six years before, and was just looking to get out of the house and get some exercise. In the fall, I got a call from a skip asking if I was interested in joining them as a lead since they were joining the Sunday league and had lost one female player. I told them that I had been introduced to curling Bonspiels when I was in the military so I just played at a beginner level, for fun. He said they played for fun too and I should come out and meet the team.
They had been playing together for a few years, in the Friday night teachers’ league, but wanted their Friday nights back. Their lead couldn’t make Sundays so that’s when they called me. I had never met any of them before.
The first Sunday of the season, I quickly met Mike, the skip, Laurie, the third, and Sam, the second, at the rink and we played the league scheduled game. I don’t remember what team we played but we had fun although we probably lost. After the game, we sat together over a beer and got acquainted further. We were hitting it off and I agreed to join the league as their lead.
Both Mike and Laurie had to get home to their respective families. It turns out that Sam, the second, was a really nice guy in his 50s and we chatted a bit longer. He was in a casual relationship and I initially wasn’t looking to meet anyone. As you know, the lead and second spend a fair amount of time together on the ice. We always had fun on the ice and enjoyed playing every week even though we didn’t win very often. As a matter of fact, the only time we won anything was the first year when we got the C Division trophy at the end of the curling season (see photo: L-R me, Sam, Laurie, Mike). Over the next three years, I became very fond of Sam. In fall of 2012, when he casually mentioned that his relationship had ended, I could not wipe the silly grin from my face. At 49 years old, and after three years as the lead for the team, I found myself realizing that I had a big crush on my second.
By then, I had just moved and asked Mike and Sam if they could help me with some furniture which they agreed to do. They came to the house and had a beer after helping to move a big couch up the stairs. I mentioned I was looking for someone to look after my cat while I was going away for a week. When Sam offered to cat-sit, I took him up on it. After I got back, I had him over for supper to thank him for looking after the cat. Since we both enjoyed wine, we decided to attend an upcoming wine show together and before long, we were inseparable. We made a pact that if things didn’t work out between us, we would still curl together because we could not break up the team. The team came first! It was over 6 months later that we told our skip and third that we were dating. They were both happy for us.
The pandemic eventually put an end to our league and team, but Sam and I are still together to this day. It has been 16 years since we met and 13 years this month since our first date. And we owe it all to curling! (Second photo is Sam and I now at a show last August)

One day when I was 16, I heard that my school was going to start a curling club. I had never curled before, but I decided to sign up to try out. A few days later, I convinced one of my friends to come with me to try out curling for the first time. We had so much fun, and joined the junior program at our local curling club. A few weeks later, I discovered that there were only 4 people that signed up for the mixed curling team try outs, and I was automatically put on the team. Since we were one of two teams in our region, we already had a place at the NS high school provincials. We even got put on the front of the sports section in the local paper. Over the next 2 months, I worked hard to improve my curling skills and prepare for provincials. My hard work paid off, we ended up winning bronze, and got our school their first ever curling medal! I’ve been curling ever since then, and it’s still my favourite activity:)

It all began on a late January day in 2022 with a simple question: “Road trip anyone?” The responses were quick and enthusiastically positive.

Having just received news that the 2023 Brier would be held in London, Ontario, I threw out the question on the Elmvale Curling Club women’s Facebook page. The thought of a convoy of ECC women curlers heading west on the 401 for this premier event was too exciting to ignore.

By the time advance tickets were available to purchase, 16 current and retired ECC curlers, spanning two generations, were ready to be part of the adventure. Championship package tickets were purchased and hotel reservations were arranged, and now we had more than a year long wait for our Brier experience to begin!

Elmvale is a small Ontario town nestled between Barrie and Midland. Its curling club has a rich 155 year history, and is known for its two sheets of ice, and dedicated, friendly curling community for all ages. One of the things that make it special is the continued involvement of retired curlers as volunteers, mentors and cheerleaders for the club, and those still playing the sport they love. They are respected and valued for the experience, and knowledge of the game they share. That’s why it was no surprise that our Brier group included some amazing women for whom age had ended their playing days, but not their enthusiasm for adventure, and watching some great curling with friends.

After much anticipation, March 2023 rolled around, and our convoy set off down the 401 West to London, and the championship weekend of the Brier.

We had custom made bright yellow scarves to wear to the games. These were great souvenirs that made us very identifiable while in the arena stands. Armed with our cowbells, and a ton of enthusiasm we watched our curling favourites compete for the chance to become Team Canada.

Daily during the games, the texts came in from friends and family saying “we saw you on the TV, your scarves can be seen a mile away”. People in the arena approached us and asked about the scarves and where we got them, making us “ambassadors” for Elmvale, and our curling club. We all danced, and waved when our images appeared on the big screen, and were rewarded with Tim Hortons gift cards for being such an engaged group of spectators. I like to think that some of the players saw us in the Home End corner, smiled, and wondered about the scarves. Yes, that was me cheering for you Brendan and Brad!

It was so exciting to see Team Canada receive the Brier Trophy right in front of us. What an amazing national sporting tradition to witness. Then, all too soon, it was time to return home, loaded with wonderful Brier memories.

When we got back, we all signed one of the yellow scarves, had it framed, and hung in a place of honour at the club. A reminder that 16 women, of two generations, had shared a road trip to see the best play a sport they love.

Someday I know that I’ll have to put away my broom, and join the retirees. I also know that I’ll be an enthusiastic volunteer, mentor and cheerleader for the next generation of players. Maybe one of them will plan an adventure somewhere to see the best play, and they’ll invite me along for the ride. “Road trip anyone”?

My curling story is about the aspect of the game that I cherish the most: the social aspect of the sport.

I began curling at the age of 13. Throughout the years, I have formed many wonderful friendships and competed against individuals of all skill levels and ages, both men and women. Most importantly, I met my best friend and partner.

When I was in my early 40s and had been divorced for a year, I had been away from curling for nearly a decade. I was searching for an activity to help me escape the house during the winter months. On my first night back at my local club, I spoke with the club manager, who mentioned that she knew a member who “would be perfect for me.” I was skeptical and replied that I was quite content with my current situation. Moments later, the most beautiful woman entered the club. As she walked by, the club manager pointed her out and said, “That’s her.” I laughed and responded, “There’s no chance; she’s way out of my league.”

During league play, we would chat during our games against each other. As the season progressed, we participated together in a bonspiel, and our team won the event. This led to our first date. A year and a half after I returned to curling, we got married.

Ten years later, we still curl together twice a week and participate in bonspiels regularly. We have now won that same bonspiel five times. As a couple, we enjoy our local club, volunteer frequently, and are active on the Board of Directors. We continue to meet incredible people and have developed wonderful friendships.

Curling has allowed me to meet my best friend and life partner.

Bought this beauty on the weekend at a fundraiser dinner here in North Bay in support of the U18 Northern Ontario boys heading to Provincials in Thunder Bay!! Go team Winters!! Such kind, grateful & friendly young men!!