in Curling Day in Canada Story Contest

A Paris resident and member of the Paris Curling Club could really use your help – actually, your vote!

Cassandra Easton entered a nationwide Curling Day in Canada story contest where 230 entrants were competing for the chance to win a championship weekend getaway at the 2024 Tim Horton’s Brier. Easton’s story has made it through to the top 20 stories and now voting is open to determine who truly has the best story! Voting is limited to one vote per email and will remain open until February 25th . The story with the most votes at the closing of the contest, in accordance with the contest rules and regulations, will be selected as the grand prize winner.

Manager of Club Development for Curling Canada reached out to Easton yesterday evening with the news. Easton’s story really centres around the heart of the local curling club and the community within the club that truly makes it the Friendliest House in Town Read her submission below, pop by the curling club tomorrow (open house story on page 17) to see what it’s all about and go home and vote!

“The Club is my Community”

I moved to my husband’s hometown of Paris, Ontario in 2013. When we toured the house we were buying, I could see the curling club from the back deck so suggested we join. It had been seven years since I had curled, having started when I was 10 but not having been on the ice since high school. My husband approached it as a good middle ground of “his town” and “my sport”, but it had been years so I willingly signed up for the Learn to Curl Program The activity came back to me pretty quickly so I had three glorious weeks of instruction where I was better than him, but he surpassed me shortly after that, getting really into the strategy of the game, and timing rocks, sweeping strategy, etc. For me though, what I loved was the sportsmanship of the game.

Where else can you play a game of curling and have a drink with an electrical engineer, a plant manager, an agricultural salesman, and a former drag car racer? At the Paris Curling Club of course!

I love during a game how people will compliment each other’s shots, how at a Friday Night Mixed game, you may not even put up the score, it is really just for fun. After the game, win or lose, you’re up in the lounge sitting around the table with the 3 people you just played with the four you played against When we joined the club, we didn’t know anyone, but if I ever felt out of place at the Paris Curling Club, I don’t remember that time. Continued on page 17

Instead I have so many memories of meeting the most interesting people that I would not have otherwise. To take a step back and see the group in the lounge is always fascinating with so many stories, and jobs and experiences. Being a small town club, we lack some diversity, but are trying to work on that! For now I still enjoy being able to sit at a table with a farmer, an electrical engineer, a university administrator, a factory worker, a salesperson or funeral home director. This meeting of new people and hearing about their lives has always been something I have enjoyed about curling because I feel that I wouldn’t have met these people otherwise.

Last fall one of our members was killed by a driver while out riding his bike. Tom was a quiet man who liked to drink room temperature water after a game. Everyone called him “T-Line Tom” for his skill at a deadly draw in a game, which always made Tom bashful. Tom was a fascinating guy, he flew small planes and owned antique cars, he liked riding his bike and used to drag race cars. He was the kind of guy with great stories, but you only heard them if you asked, and where else could you get that chance than around the table in the lounge after a game? During my 10 years at the Paris Curling Club, I have known other members that have passed away, some like Tom, earlier than they should have, but there was something with Tom that stuck with me and how appreciative I should be for the opportunity to get to know him and others at the Paris Curling Club. I lead our Learn to Curl Program now, so when I started off this session this winter, I welcomed them to our club, and I asked all 50+ of them what they did for a living, remarking on the commonalities and differences in the room. And I told them about Tom. I told them that over the next 7 weeks we would teach them to curl, but also hopefully bring them into our community at the Paris Curling Club, we’d be lucky to have them, but that they should see the club as their community and a place to get to know new people. https://www.curlingdayincanada.ca/the-club-is-mycommunity/

The Paris Curling Club is my community. They are the people I laugh with and lean on, and the people I am lucky to get to know.

The picture I have included is from a charity bonspiel hosted at our club in 2017 where Tom, on the far right played with my husband Shawn to his left, Jeff V and Jeff C An electrical engineer, a plant manager, an agricultural salesman, and a former drag car racer.

Cast your vote here!

Random Act of Kindness Alert!

Nova Vita Brant was overwhelmed with the incredible random act of kindness they received on Random Act of Kindness Day- February 17th. The Seniorosity Group at Seasons Retirement Brantford gifted Nova Vita with school-safe snacks to keep their school-aged resident's lunch bags filled. With the rising cost of groceries, this will go a long way in keeping pantries filled, says the local shelter. Thank-you for making a difference for your community!

Nova Vita Brant Photo

You’re invited to the Friendliest House in Town!

If you’ve ever wondered what curling is all about, now is the time to find out!

Did you know it’s Curling Day in Canada tomorrow? If you’ve ever wondered what curling is all about, now is your chance to learn! The Paris Curling Club is hosting another open house tomorrow at the Oak Avenue Club house from 1pm to 4pm.

The open house is in conjunction with Curling Day in Canada and is supported by the County of Brant’s Winter Active initiative for the month of February This drop in style event will introduce you to the sport and if you fall in love with it – you’ll be able to follow the 2023 Tim Horton’s Brier with ease! (Yes, that’s the Canadian men’s and women’s championships, taking place in London, Ontario this year).

Aside from being able to talk the talk and walk the walk while watching the Brier, PCC Secretary Cassandra Easton provides three excellent reasons you should consider curling in the winter:

#1 - It's a great way to stay active during the cold, winter months.

#2 - You can start at any age! Curlers start as young as 4 and some curl into their 90's!

#3 - it's a great way to meet new people! Curling is a very social game with it being part of the game to sit up in the lounge together after your time on the ice.

The Paris Curling Club held two open houses last October to help attract new members to its already thriving club, which offers a variety of leagues for men, women, and youth of all ages. In 2018 the Paris Curling Club celebrated its 175th anniversary. The history of the club dates to 1843 when its original members gathered to play on Watts Pond or the Nith River before a covered rink was built in 1877 on Elm Street. In 1961 the Paris Curling Club, in conjunction with The Paris Agricultural Society, built the present club house, affectionately known today as The Friendliest House in Town. **Please remember to bring a clean pair of shoes and dress appropriately (it’s not easy curling in jeans!)**

Pictured at an October 2022 open house is Angie Crichton, Alix Consorti, Naomi Melo and Bryan Maude.

Visit the club tomorrow, February 19th for an open house from 1pm to 4pm to learn more about the sport and one of Paris’ longest operating clubs!

Peddlar Doubles Draw

(BELOW) The winner of the Peddlar Doubles draw at the Paris Curling Club was the team of Eleanor Dutkewich and Jackie Delong The team was helped by spares Joan Sims and Marion MacGregor From left to right in the photo are Joan Sims, Marion MacGregor and Eleanor Dutkewich Jackie Delong was not available for the photo. Thanks to the Peddlar for sponsoring this draw.

Paris Pub Draw

(ABOVE) The winners of the Paris Curling Club Paris Pub draw, from left to right, Patti Fergus, second; Eleanor Dutkewich, vice, and Sue Cunningham, skip. Missing from the photo is lead, Judi Gale. Thanks to the Paris Pub for sponsoring this draw.