Plainfield Curling Club

By now most of you have seen the email that Bill Nickle sent after the last meeting of the PCC Board of Directors. We have some new Board members, outstanding returning Board members and some changes in the Executive Officer lineup. 

Somehow, I wound up with one of those Executive Officer positions — turns out that when you take a quick men’s room break you wind up being the President of the club.  Bill Nickle has agreed to be the Vice President,  Karl Lohner takes over Bill’s Secretary duties and Neil Sullivan continues as Treasurer. Eric Blassneck, Robin Kerr, Paul Graebener and Bob Fox remain on the Board. Dean Roth joins as a new Board member. It’s a terrific group. 

Now that I have this new role, I want to make sure that I continue something that outgoing president MaryAnn Vermeulen did so well — keep the lines of communication open. I hope that everyone at PCC — from the most avid players to once-a-week curlers — will not hesitate to share their thoughts and opinions about the club with myself and other Board members. I won’t promise that we’ll always agree but listening is something you can continue to expect. 

If there’s something that you really want to discuss, don’t be afraid to bring it to our attention during the off-season. This might be the best time of year to consider new ideas. Feel free to contact me anytime — 973.921.3153 or 862.216.6096 are the digits and dgemmell@thecurlingshow.com is the email.  

The next Board meeting is at the club on June 9th. Enjoy the Memorial Day weekend.

If you can’t get to Vancouver to watch the curling at the Winter Olympics next February, you may want to consider traveling to Mississauga (Toronto’s largest suburb) and attending the Capital One Masters of Curling. The field will feature all the men’s teams that have qualified for the Olympics or, in the case of Canada, have pre-qualified for the Tim Horton’s Roar of the Rings, the event that will determine Canada’s representative. 

The Canadian teams will be Martin, Howard, Ferbey, Koe and Gushue. World champion David Murdoch’s team will play, along with John Shuster’s U.S. rink, Thomas Ullsrud of Norway and Feng-Chun Wang of China. When the field fills out, it will actually be stronger than the collection of teams that will compete in Vancouver — all of the championship rinks from around the world and four of the very best teams from Canada. 

It’s a Capital One Grand Slam event so there’s a decent cash purse at stake. And the teams that are competing are going to want to build on their confidence as they head into the Roar of the Rings and the Winter Games. The event runs from October 21-25, 2009 at the Hershey Center. If you want to make a trip somewhere next season to watch some great curling in person, this is as good an event as you’ll find. And if you’ve never been to Toronto, it’s a good time of year to check out that terrific city — stay downtown and travel out to Mississauga for the curling. If you’re big on convenience,  Toronto’s airport is in Mississauga so you could fly in and be right by the arena. The drive is about eight hours. 

Just something to keep in mind as we look forward to a big season for curling next year.

As fanatical as I am about curling, I’m sure I’m not alone in enjoying some time away from the game since the season ended at PCC. While other sports seem to push themselves further and further into year-round endeavors, ours remains largely seasonal. While there are summer spiels and the ice is installed at Edmonton’s Saville Center in late July, I appreciate the fact that curling, by and large, takes a break during the warmer months. 

That said, our club doesn’t go dormant when frozen, pebbled water is the last thing on our minds. And, quite frankly, it can’t. Spring and summer brings building projects that are necessary to maintain and improve the quality of our curling experience the following winter. Bob Howell is usually spearheading these efforts and is always seeking volunteers to help out. If you can, even if it’s only for a few hours one afternoon, it really makes a difference. Like a good barn-raising, it’s amazing how much more quickly some of these jobs move when a small army shows up to tackle them. Don’t worry about your carpentry skills — the fact that I’ve been able to contribute means that they’re hardly necessary. Bob knows to avoid giving me — and a few others, I should add — work that does not involve deft use of power tools or the ability to measure and cut precisely. Fact is, showing up is 95% of it. 

Building projects aren’t, however, our only need when it comes to maintaining a healthy club. Recently, Rod Black sent an email about club business cards and the need to solicit new members during the off-season. While our membership numbers have remained healthy despite the economic downturn, we can never turn off the tap when it comes to finding new participants. While curling may not fill your idle conversations during the spring and summer, don’t be afraid to talk to friends, neighbors and co-workers about the upcoming season. Make sure they know they can try the game early next October at an Open House and sign up for Learn-to-Curl. Follow up with those who express interest with an email or a phone call next September. Remember, as natural as curling seems for all of us who enjoy it, it’s not something that a lot of people think about trying. In other words, it’s not usually a quick sell. 

Over the years, I’ve probably bored more than a few people at cocktail parties and summer barbecues with my unrelenting need to convince them that curling is the greatest sport ever invented. But I’ve also learned that it’s important to consider what the person you’re talking to will find appealing about the game.

If it’s someone who is looking for a sport with social outlet, I make sure I tell  them about the camaraderie, sportsmanship and shared adult beverages that are essential to the DNA of curling. I also let these people know that while it is as difficult to become a great curler as it is to become, say, a low-handicap golfer, it’s far easier to become a moderately accomplished player than it is in other sports. If they have children, I talk about both junior curling and the fact that curling is one of those great sports that parents and children can enjoy together. (One of my favorite things is that I can still enter a spiel and compete on a team with my own parents.) I tell them that the sport is naturally handicapped for new players since they’ll be playing lead or second against another relatively new player at the same position on the other team. In other words, make sure they know the path in to the sport is a simple one and that curling has a social tradition unlike any other. Taking up a new sport is daunting for many people — curling is among the most welcoming and we need to make sure that fact is understood. 

On the other hand, if it’s someone who has played a lot of other sports and has a competitive nature, I make sure they know that curling is a very difficult game to master. In fact, I say that like golf, nobody every really does. I make sure they know that I train in the off-season specifically for curling. I tell them that there are hard-fought championships for new curlers, elite players and everyone in between. Remember — this type of person may not want to hear that curling is easy or not physically demanding. They’re looking for sports that offer a challenge.

In other words, think like a good salesperson this spring and summer. Know your audience and pitch accordingly. Make sure they know that we offer what amounts to a free trial at our first Open House. Follow up with a gentle reminder. 

You can also tell them that you’re going down to the club on a warm afternoon to hammer a few nails or tear up some carpet because you love the sport so much. (Wait. That depends on the audience, too. You might want to let them know about that fact next summer — after they’re hooked.)

While curling season may be over, you can still enjoy the atmosphere of the PCC. This Saturday’s Annual Meeting offers you a free drink from outgoing president Maryann Vermeulen, a chance to hear plans for the off-season and the election of Directors to the Board of the club. Even if you’re mainly interested in that free drink, attending is time well-spent. Hope to see you there.

The Bonsqueal, the season-ending extravaganza at Plainfield Curling Club (located, of course, in South Plainfield, New Jersey), gets underway tonight. As it always does, this highlight of social curling on the East Coast will provide myriad culinary delights, boisterous conversations, quality libation and curious late-season ice conditions.

This year, the organizational torch was passed to new conveners Anne Buckelew and Kacy Hayner. They have put in countless hours to make sure the spiel continues its rich tradition of, well, excess. A tent in the parking lot, a pig on a spit, a pile of fish on Friday night, special drinks from resident mixologists — there’s nothing about this spiel that is restrained. Small wonder it is the preferred way to finish the season for 32 teams of curlers. Even if you’re not in the Bonsqueal, don’t be afraid to stop by over the weekend for the festivities. 

Speaking of great food, Sarah McCulloh, Grace Roth and others from PCC are planning a curlers’ cookbook. A healthy tome, in fact,  filled with recipes that won’t leave one struggling to settle into the hack following lunch. They’re looking for ideas from curlers and hoping to make it a collaborative effort involving players and clubs with the proceeds going to support a cause — yet to be determined — that is important to our sport. If you want to contribute, send your recipe to Grace Roth or talk to either Sarah or Grace during the Bonsqueal.

The ice goes out after the Squeal. Sad, of course, but also a reminder of the refreshing seasonal rhythm of the world’s greatest sport.

Want to give curling a try? Well, here’s your chance to get an introduction to the sport of curling!

We’re holding a free open house on Saturday, March 21, from 1pm to 5pm. You’ll get to view our facility, get information about curling and our club, and even throw some stones with the help of current club members.

Bring warm, loose fitting clothing (such as sweats), and bring along a separate clean pair of sneakers to wear on the ice. If you’re under 18, you’ll need to bring a parent or guardian to sign a waiver.

Confirmation is requested. To confirm or to ask any questions, please send a message using our membership contact page.

An area where I think the GNCC has done a great job is in the creation of events that are limited to curlers who are relatively new to the sport. For players with five years of curling experience or less, they offer a terrific way to discover the excitement and challenges of a competitive event against teams that are also learning and developing. Last weekend, a team from the Plainfield CC competed at the Women’s Challenge in Ardsley. Here’s Sarah McCulloh’s report:

I skipped, Linda Carubia played vice, Grace Roth played 2nd and Shara Dellatore played lead. We had a fantastic “flower power” weekend!!! 

In the first game, we stole four in the 8th to win the game by 1. That was pretty exciting, although we didn’t feel like we “won” the game, we felt like they “lost” the game. Their skip flashed a take out to end the game but they were pretty consistent throughout. (Ed. Note: Yes, I’m fairly certain that skip felt like she “lost” the game. Been there, done that.) All in all, we really enjoyed the friendships we made with the ladies from Broomstones (II) and closed down the bar like good Plainfielders do.

Our second game was against Schenectady I, and we lost a tight game by one point and dropped down to the Third Event. It was a friendly and competitive match. 

In the third game against Ardsley (our first game on Saturday), our team was solid. We made our shots, I called decent ice and we even took a four. (Or was it five, I can’t remember.) They shook in the 7th and the game was a welcome confidence booster for us. 

But we knew our next game would be against last year’s First Event champs and I really began to get nervous. I was even shaking a little through the first end or so. As a fairly new skip, I was trying to remember all the strategy I had been reading about. I also knew my team was tired and injured. Grace was having shoulder pain and Shara was having knee problems. (Ed. Note: Part of the learning and developing, I guess. When you’re competing in an event with multiple games over the course of a weekend, you realize how demanding curling can be. Even more so when you close the bar. Just once, I’d like to see marathoners run a race after closing the bar the previous evening. Curlers are the true athletes.) Unfortunately, we had a hard time keeping it together and it led to our demise. Potomac/Broomstones took an early lead and never looked back. At least we can say we were eliminated from the spiel by the eventual Third Event winners. 

The spirit of curling was well and alive at Ardsley during the Women’s Challenge this year! The 5-and-Under women have really developed some nice friendships over the last few years, and it was quite enjoyable to spend time with such wonderful women! 

I look forward to bringing a team to the WC for the remainder of my eligibility (two years) and I really hope that another PCC team — or two or three — will join us next year. The 2010 Women’s Challenge will be held at the Utica Curling Club  from March 18-21, 2010. The theme? Camp Wannacurl, Childs Challenge 2010.

I’m going to hang a sign up at the club later this week.

I tend to think that this time of year is bittersweet for curlers. Only the truly insane don’t start to look forward to some warmer weather. Perhaps the golf clubs start to beckon. A few of us think it wouldn’t be so bad for the knees to get a break. And the ice crew starts to imagine lives of leisure, freed from midnight scrapes and compressor alarms. 

But there’s also some great curling on television at this time of year, including Canada’s Tim Horton’s Brier and the World Championships in early April. Watching the level of play in those events makes curlers want to either practice more or simply get comfortable with our own mediocrity. If you’re in the vicinity of the club tonight around 8 PM, I would suggest stopping in for the Page 1-2 Game that will be a rematch of last evening — Martin vs. Howard. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a rivalry this good — two teams at their absolute peak, making every shot available while playing slightly different styles. When they face off, I am further convinced that our sport —  not soccer or, if you prefer, football — is The Beautiful Game. Seriously. I look forward to seeing one of these two teams — although a Gushue, Stoughton or Menard win is still quite possible — battling Scotland’s David Murdoch and the U.S.A.’s John Shuster at the Worlds in Moncton. 

This time of year also brings the kind of fun bonspiels that remind us why we enjoy curling so much. These events offer a chance to curl with different people and play the game for flat-out fun. They’re called toaster spiels in Canada — the winners wind up perusing a prize table full of slow-to-move inventory from local merchants. We may not have the toasters but we do have some great events. The Bonsqueal, of course, wraps up the season at our club and, as proof of its enduring popularity, is full again this year. There’s nothing like a long, loud weekend to wrap up the winter. Even if you’re not in the spiel, I’d recommend stopping by at some point. 

Our men’s  spiel, the PCC Stone, was held last weekend. Thanks again to Link Heffner for acting as organizer and affable host. Throughout the weekend, I don’t think I was ever at the club without seeing him and Patty. (I did notice that Patty always seemed to be working and Link always seemed to be talking. But both activities are essential to the success of the spiel.) As usual, the club really came together to make this a good  event. I loved the buzz behind the glass during many of the games, much of it owing to our Baggett Rule and the tidy sums available from the Calcutta. Great stuff. 

Final results from the Stone will be recorded this  way:

1st Event Winner: Dean Gemmell, Bill Peskoff, Steve Langanke, Michael O’Neill (PCC and The Canadian Club of Boston)

1st Event Runner-Up: Peter Austin, George Austin, Dan Tufaro, Bill Pekowitz (Ardsley)

2nd Event Winner: John Wilman, Bob Howell, Dean Roth, Ed Klug (PCC)

2nd Event Runner-Up: Bill Vallier, Karl Lohner, Dixon Fung, Ron Janes (PCC)

3rd Event Winner: Aaron Dubberley, Erik Conrad, Mike Matts Dave Capers (PCC)

3rd Event Runner-Up: Walter Baggett, Tim Klein, Jeff Klein, Dave Asano

4th Event Winner: Tony Steiert, Art Wilson, Rich Hess, Craig Sykes (Philadelphia CC)

4th Event Runner-Up: Benjamin Yeung, Barry Nichols, Richard Chin, Bob Bridgeman

Congratulations to all the teams that captured events and the cash that went with it. There are also a couple of additional statistics I should note. Bill Peskoff wound up capturing what he described as a, “…cheesy Triple Crown.” What’s this, you ask? Well, Bill was a member of the winning rink for all three of our club spiels so far this season — the Founders, the Thrifty and the Stone. Perhaps Foxy has a suitable trophy for this achievement — I’m thinking something along the lines of the rear end of a horse. Finally, Aaron Dubberley had to face the aforementioned Walter Baggett in two pressure-cookers in the same spiel. Aaron emerged victorious both times, allowing him to avoid the roll in whatever patch of ice chips the ice crew can find. Jason Valetutto was not so fortunate but accepted his result with honor and at least as much dignity as one can muster under the circumstances. Honestly,  I think we all lose when the Baggett Rule is invoked. 

In other results over these last few weeks, we saw John Wilman’s team (Sarah McCulloh, Dean Roth, Grace Roth) capture the 2nd Event at the Kayser in Rochester. A great showing for this rink in this 5-and-Under Mixed event. 

Our juniors have also been busy, with a full crew traveling to Schenectady for a bonspiel that took place the same weekend as the Stone. Our curlers played on a number of different teams — all had a terrific time. It’s great to see our young players traveling to events and discovering that curling is a sport that builds friendships for a lifetime. Thanks to Don Arsenault for driving a group to Schenectady, dropping them off, turning around and heading back to Plainfield for his game in the Stone at 9:30 that Friday night. (Okay, 10:25 that night. His game — and mine — followed the epic Baggett-Austin-Valetutto tilt.) 

That’s all for now. Enjoy the last few weeks of the season.

Again the Bonsqueal proves its popularity! We’re reached our capacity and entries are no longer being accepted. See you April 1!

Named for Peter C. Christopherson, father of a founding member, the P.C.C. Stone, our four-event annual Men’s bonspiel starts tonight, March 5, 2009.

Eighteen teams, including teams from Triangle, Ardsley, Philadelphia, Norfolk, Potomac, Nutmeg, and of course Plainfield will compete through Sunday.

Let the games begin!