By Douglas Witty
Curling in 100 Mile house has been a success over the years largely due to the hard work and dedication of a group of curlers that are either approaching or are already octogenarians.
We have tried to narrow down this elite group of curlers and want to thank them all for their years of curling and of course their continued interest in support for the sport.
Wednesday mornings at the 100 Mile Curling Club is a busy time as it offers a drop in league that anyone can participate in. I was down there recently and spent some time talking with some curlers that have been at the game since before I was in diapers! I am 54, so that is saying something.
Some of these notable curlers include guys like Bob Shearer. Bob is now 90 and has been curling since he was 16. Bob helped make the ice for many years at our club and has been a long time faithful volunteer. Ken Moore has also been around the club for many years and is our #1-lifetime volunteer and is our only lifetime member. Ken still likes to teach new curlers, and you can bet he is a wealth of knowledge. Graham Hodson was bonspieling up until recently and only stopped the weekend binge curling when he was 83, but he still does drop in curling once a week! Metro Boyson is part of the younger set in this crowd and still enjoying curling at 79. Wilf Wageler throws his rocks from the hack at 83 and has been curling for over 60 years.
We really owe so much to these dedicated curlers who have been promoting, volunteering and playing our great sport for generations. One of the great things about curling is that it is a great family sport, you just have to look at the family of Dick and Nancy Minato and know that curling is something for the whole family. Dick and Nancy are still curling, their son Richard is the ice maker now, and a competitive curler in multiple leagues.
Remember that it is never too late in life to start curling, Garth Maclean is 80 and only started curling when he retired at 62!
All of this is thanks to countless hours of volunteer effort and we must take a moment to remember and thank Stan and Anne Halcro. They started curling and supporting sport in the 50’s in 100 Mile House and you will see the mural on the wall on the way into the Curling Club as a reminder. Their daughter Millie still curls in the Wednesday drop in league in the afternoon.
With the recent influx of new people to the 100 Mile area the 100 Mile Club has had some growth this year, but we have to remember that it is these good folks that have kept the club humming all these years. If I have missed anybody in this group, I apologise and know that you are included.
