USA Curling ... Dare to curl
Curling News UNITED STATES
mAY 2012
17
Colorado curlers play big role in veterans clinics by Matt Briston, Department of Veterans Affairs, Public Affairs Specialist
A
motley crew assembled inside the Aspen Ice Rink March 26 to learn the art of curling – men and women, black and white, young and old – all veterans of the United States Armed Forces. They came from across the country to Aspen, Colo., to take part in the National Disabled Veterans Winter Sports Clinic. The clinic provides disabled veterans with expert instruction in adaptive winter sports, including curling. On this day all eyes were on John West from the Broadmoor Curling Club near Colorado Springs as he traces the history of the sport. West has been curling for more than five decades, and his passion is evident, as he talks about adaptive curling. Some in the audience seem a little Broadmoor Curling Club member John West apprehensive. Steve Sanner, a Marine assists Pete Ricotta at the National Disabled Corps veteran who served in Vietnam, Veterans Winter Sports Clinic in Aspen, Colo. is trying to figure out how to hit the Photos by Robin Risemas, Department of Veterans Affairs Photographer button when he can’t even see it. “I lost my eyesight three years ago,” said Sanner, who lives near Salt Lake City, Utah. But he’s willing to give it a try, and that’s enough to motivate West and align your chair with the target and get his team of instructors. you in a better position,” he said, help“The best part is when they realize ing Ricotta adjust. they don’t have a disability when it Adaptive curling may be a small comes to curling. They’re just as effecniche in the sport, but teaching it to tive on the ice as I am,” said Jean Otto, military veterans is clearly a labor of an instructor for the day from the love for West and his team. “A lot of Broadmoor Curling Club. Instructor times, they come out here and they’re Jorgette Krsulic agreed. “Curling lends like ‘Curling, what’s that?’” Otto said. itself to adaptability – the ice is the “But by the time they leave they are so great equalizer,” she said. pumped and can’t wait to come back.” West heard about the Winter Sports That is exactly what the Winter Clinic while hosting a Learn to Curl Sports Clinic organizers hope to event in Aspen in 2006. He thought achieve – to inspire veterans as they ‘Why not open the sport to disabled rehabilitate from injury, illness or disveterans?’ and contacted the clinic ease. Adaptive sports can be powerful organizers and pitched the idea. The medicine, according to Clinic Director following year, curling was officially Teresa Parks, a certified recreation therintroduced. Since then, West calculates apist at the Grand Junction, Colo., that his team has taught 247 veterans Veterans Affairs Medical Center. “Our how to curl. goal is to help veterans redefine their As Sanner made his way to the ice, potential and give them a reason for he was greeted by his coach – Rusty hope,” she said. “Even small accomSchieber, assistant coach for the United plishments, like learning a new sport, States Paralympic Curling team. can help veterans heal both physically Schieber explains that the button is and emotionally.” about 120 feet away and guides Sanner Celebrating its 26th year, the through the motion of delivering the National Disabled Veterans Winter stone. Sanner bears down on his handle Sports Clinic has been a leader in helpand lets it rip. In his first curling throw, ing veterans with disabilities rehabiliSanner landed 20 feet short of the buttate by introducing them to adaptive ton. “I didn’t shove it too hard so I winter sports on the majestic Colorado think I can get there next time,” he said Rockies. with a look of determination. All of the participants were veterans Nearby, West is coaching Pete with traumatic brain injuries, spinal Ricotta, an Air Force veteran who cord injuries, orthopedic amputations, served in the Gulf War. Ricotta, who visual impairments, certain neurological lives in Buffalo, N.Y., tried curling once conditions and other disabilities. This before at the Albany Curling Club and includes veterans who are enrolled for is eager to give it another go. He health care through the Department of wheels up to the line, sets his sights on Veterans Affairs (VA) and active duty the button and drives his handle formilitary servicemen and women. ward. His stone glides down the sheet, The Clinic, held March 25-30, 2012, stopping short of his mark. “I took a lit- is co-sponsored by VA and the Disabled tle bit off that one,” he said, clearly dis- American Veterans and made possible satisfied. “I’m not doing very well.” by a number of sponsors who make West is quick to seize a coaching monetary and in-kind donations. For moment and assured Ricotta that he has additional information, visit www.wina trick that will help. “We just need to tersportsclinic.va.gov.
Winners of the Dutch Shoe Bonspiel were (l-r) Jennifer Stannard, Joy Campisano, Maura Cockey and Jayne Beattie.
Albany Women’s The Dutch Shoe Bonspiel took place Feb. 23-26 at the Albany Curling Club in Albany, N.Y. Here are the results: 1EW—Nutmeg: Jennifer Stannard, Joy Campisano, Maura Cockey, Jayne Beattie 1ERU—Plainfield: Linda Carubia, Gail Knight, Cindy Vallier, Mary Lou Mitchell 2EW—Chesapeake: Julie Tsamoutales, Ruth Horton, Carol McKee, Pam Parks
2ERU—Albany: Ethel Cooper, Flo Sprinstead Jeanette Davidson, Chris Hall-Finney 3EW—Schenectady: Bette Sovik, Alice Rubin, Maureen Rice, Lisa Filkins 3ERU—Broomstones: Maria Spitzak, Amy Hawrylchak , Sian McAplin, Sarah Burns 4EW—Cape Cod: Martha Kenney, Carol Arakelian, Linda Pistilli, Martha Balas 4ERU—Petersham: Karen Simpson, Loree Haney, Sherri Dungan, Amy Gerstle
Winners of the 43rd Annual Evergreen Bonspiel at Mayfield Curling Club were (l-r) Dave Kaun, Ashley Falconer, Amanda Zufich and Jason Beierling.
mayfield Open The 43rd Annual Evergreen Bonspiel took place Feb. 23-26 at the Mayfield Curling Club in South Euclid, Ohio. Here are the results: 1EW—KW Granite: Dave Kaun, Amanda Zufich, Jason Beierling, Ashley Falconer 1ERU—Hamilton Victoria: John Scott, Judy Scott, Ken Phillips, Nancy Phillips 2EW—Mayfield: Robb Borland, Jeannie Borland, Dan Maisonville,
Mary Jane Maisonville 2ERU—Mayfield: Bill Forsythe IV, Beth Forsythe, Doug Dedolph, Rita Dedolph 3EW—Bayview Golf & Leaside: Neil Collinge, Keely Abbott, Karen Abbott, Ross Abbott 3ERU—Detroit: Linda Duby, Gerry Tortorelli, Susan Tortorelli, Jim McCutcheon 4EW—Mayfield: Rick Nosan, Cheryl Drake, Rick Drake, June Nosan 4ERU—Columbus: Bob Baroni, Barb Baroni, Karen Hamilton, Jerry Baugh
Winners of the Dar Curtis Bonspiel at Exmoor were (l-r) Dave Murawski, Sandy Stevenson, Phil Calcutt and John Brennan.
Exmoor Open The 67th Dar Curtis Bonspiel took place Feb. 25-26 at Exmoor Curling Club in Highland Park, Ill. Here are the results: 1EW—Exmoor: Sandy Stevenson, Phil Calcutt, John Brennan, Dave Murawski 1ERU—Chicago: Terry Nicola, Cheryl Dudeck, Andrius Eringis, Nicole Eringis 2EW—Chicago: Robert Corn, Pat Gellatly, Will Hsiung, Dan Laurence
2ERU—Chicago: David Meyer, Jim Klann, David Brieta, Karen Brieta, Cokey Evans 3EW—Chicago: Tri Banh, Sunil Joseph, Ray Laurin, Anthony Giannini 3ERU—Chicago: David Style, Denise Erazmus, Peter Erazmus, Tate Tobkin 4EW—Chicago: Mike Barry, Matt Sherry, Wes Strange, Pete Kahout 4ERU—Chicago: Ralph Bendler, Aidan O’Dowd-Ryan, Kevan Young, Luke Nienhaus