Curling event comes down to final shot

STEINBACH, Man.—There was only one rock to be delivered.

The almost annual EMC national office staff curling event (IN SYNC, for short) was held on March 9, 2010, at the Steinbach club.

Though numbers were depleted (one had just returned from Nicaragua, another was out with a health concern), six staff and an imported “ringer” added their perspectives and skills.

On average they made good shots; those that were too short were balanced by those that were too long.

Skip Ward Parkinson brought limited curling knowledge from Morris, Man., and once helpfully stood behind a person “holding the broom” to point in a different direction.

Skip Gerald Reimer socialized and quipped throughout, including when Ruth Anne Peters was in the hack, which made her laugh; her resultant delivery form was a joy to behold for the opposition (which Gerald was). For the record, Gerald owes Ruth Anne a coffee for suggesting the wrong weight for another shot.

Rebecca Roman, besides placing two in the house, showed skill and speed in being able to deliver a rock, run up to it, and sweep. She only lacked the capacity to “hold the broom” in the house as she threw a rock, but she’s working on it. She delighted to keep score.

Ruth Anne Peters organized the event, collected money from curlers to pay for it, and displayed good humour. She was a dedicated curler who worked at her roles with typical efficiency and grace under pressure.

Tim Dyck treaded carefully on the ice, spouted witticisms, and filled in a “general” (secretary) way where needed in the line up and in the house.

Terry Smith made sweeping statements, avoided sweeping, and got to know the ice quite well.

Team members traded throwing rotations, swept the opposition’s rocks, and mostly encouraged all present.

Team Parkinson took leads of 3-0 and then 5-0. But Team Reimer battled back, making it 5-3 and 5-5 before taking a 7-5 lead. Team Parkinson came back 7-7, then Team Reimer went ahead 9-7.

In the eighth end there were several rocks out front and each team had one in the house near the button. Team Parkinson’s final stone needed to hit the hole and stop as second shot. Throwing fourth stones was an import, a “ringer” whose Graduation 2010 previous curling experience consisted of the seven previous Spring Concert ends of play, a few rocks thrown in practice, and coping with April 23 at 7:30 pm C.P. Loewen Chapel • SBC Campus 40 C heat in Burkina Faso, Africa. featured: New Creation & Free Ser

Being a true EMCer, Paul Thiessen, the national office’s vant performing “It Could Be You”. honourable missionary-in-residence, was singularly qualified Alumni coffee time to follow. for the predicament: being unfamiliar with the fine points, or Graduation almost any points, of the game, he was still game! April 25 at 3:00 pm Steinbach EMC • 422 Main Street

Paul’s final rock had good line and speed, hit the hole, and speaker: Tim Houck with sweeping cut out Team Reimer’s stone as second shot. Truth Matters Ministries Team Parkinson had scored two to tie the game. Alumni Barbeque

The tie was considered by many as a fitting result to a game June 19 from 2-6pm with much camaraderie (as usual) by EMC staff persons, even SBC Campus All alumni are invited to come if some might have secretly desired to win. reconnect with old friends from

Earlier Paul had been asked how he was doing. He replied college. See www.SBCollege.ca for more details. he could see himself curling again. Then came the historic 50 PTH 12 N • Steinbach, MB • R5G 1T4 shot. www.sbcollege.ca

Thiessen is now experienced under pressure, ready for another challenge, and prepared to join another team.

Kevin Martin, are you listening? Terry Smith

SBC invites you to these special graduation events… Spring Concert

April 23 at 7:30 pm C.P. Loewen Chapel • SBC Campus featured: New Creation & Free Servant performing the drama, “It Could Be You”. Alumni coffee time to follow.

Graduation

April 27 at 3:00 pm • Steinbach EMC • 422 Main Street speaker: Tim Houck, Truth Matters Ministries

Alumni Barbeque

June 19 from 2-6pm • SBC Campus All alumni are invited to come reconnect with old friends from college. See www.SBCollege.ca for more details.