Grand National Club INSIDE 2 Meechai-Gebauer Champs 2 Free Curling Software 3 Message from the President 4 GNCC Club Updates The Official Newsletter of the GNCC January 2014 | Vol. 25, No. 2 News 6 Spirit of Curling Awardees 7 Junior Championships 2014 Playdowns Are in Full Swing 8 GNCC Athletes to Paralympics by Maryann Vermeulen 9 Shuster Rink is Going to Sochi! Playdowns are who also finished 10 uSWCA Senior Nationals underway, and your 6-2 but placed third 11 uSCA Hires GNCC Member fellow curlers are by virtue of their 12 Sullivan Scores 8-Ender! winning their way head-to-head loss to USCA National to team Bialek. competition. If you Congratulations to have never been to a Team Bialek, who GNCC Curlers regional playdown, will represent the Qualified for Nationals as a competitor, GNCC at the US volunteer, or spectator, you are missing Men’s Club National Championships in Congratulations to all of the GNCC out on lots of exciting and high-level Two Harbors, MN, February 15-22. Curlers that have qualified for Nationals! We wish the best of luck curling. Congratulations also go out to Potomac’s to this amazing group of curlers: The 2014 GNCC Men’s & Women’s Club team Drummie (Ann Drummie, Catherine , , Championships were held December Coslick, Stacy Slette, Paige Roberts). As , Alex Leichter, 12-15 at the Potomac Curling Club in the only GNCC team to enter the Women’s Brandon Corbett, Derek Corbett, Laurel, MD. Nine Men’s teams entered the Club Championships, they are the 2014 Jeff Pulli, , event, resulting in a full round robin with GNCC Women’s Club Champions, and will Caitlin Maroldo, Rebecca Andrew, three 10-end draws per day. All games represent the GNCC at the US Women’s Abigal Morrison, Emily Walker, were well played and most were very Club National Championships in Two , Courtney Slata, close, with several going into extra ends. Harbors, MN in February. , Emily Anderson Congratulations are in order for Potomac’s This event marked the first season for Team Faircloth (Christopher Faircloth, GNCC Event Chair Michael Stefanik, who George Shirk, Calvin Weber, Michael took over responsibility for the Men’s Fry), who finished with a hard-won Club Championships when Derek Surka It’s an Exciting Time record of 8-0! As the GNCC Men’s Club stepped down in 2013. The transition has Championship winners, Team Faircloth been flawless! Michael has graciously to Be a Curler! earned advancement to the 2014 USCA offered to also serve as Event Chair for Four junior teams are going to Junior Nationals. Sadly, the team had to decline the GNCC Women’s Club Championships, their spot due to scheduling issues. This Nationals, sixteen GNCC curlers and to coordinate both Men’s & Women’s qualified for Nationals, and four became a happy turn of events for the Clubs as a single event going forward. Broomstones team of Peter Bialek, Adam GNCC women won the USWCA Senior Jacobson, Dan Naylor, & Daniel Cho, Sincere thanks and appreciation must be National Bonspiel! The Games in the Men’s Club Championship runners extended to the host clubs of our GNCC Sochi are right around the corner with up after finishing the event with a 6-2 playdowns. They are not big money- Nationals following closely behind in record. Missing this spot by a hair was the makers, yet these events require rink early March. Schenectady team of Michael Stefanik, time, ice maintenance, organization, and Brian Damon, Dion Warr, & Charles Brown, staffing. GNCC could not send so many continued on page 5 Free Curling Software Meechai-Gebauer Rink USA Curling Mixed Doubles Champs submitted by Howard Griffin submitted by Sally MacKenzie

Over the past several years, the A brand new champion was crowned overtime to secure the 7-6 victory. This Potomac Curling Club has developed today as Joyance Meechai (New York is the first national championship title custom written software to help City) and teammate Steve Gebauer for the pair. They will be nominated manage our volunteer opportunities, (Minneapolis) defeated the defending to represent the U.S. at the 2014 open house crowds (huge crowds champions to win the World Mixed Doubles are expected in February 2014), and 2014 USA Curling Championship, which will other smaller event reservations. In Mixed Doubles National take place April 22-29 in 2012 the Chesapeake Curling Club Championship in Dumfries, Scotland. asked if I knew of a timer to help keep Medford, Wisconsin. The Stolts stole two points friendly games and bonspiels moving “It really was a thrilling in the third end to grab forward in a timely manner. I didn’t event,” Meechai said. “We the game’s momentum know of one so a simple game timer had great competition and a momentary 3-1 application was developed to keep throughout the week, lead. It was short-lived friendly games and bonspiels moving and we hope we kept our however, as leads can be along. A “virtual” strategy board audiences entertained! in mixed doubles with suitable for video projections for larger Our goal for the all the rocks normally crowds was also developed. tournament was just to in play. Meechai and All of the software developed by keep learning and improving from one Gebauer struck for three points in the the PCC is available to any club game to the next. It truly is an honor to fourth end and added a single steal in or organization, absolutely free win the championship and become Team the fourth to advance their lead to two of charge. Point your favorite web USA. The event coordinators, organizers, points. The couple tied the browser to howardgriffin.org, try ice crew and support staff were all game with a deuce in the sixth and had the applications out online, and then amazing. The Medford crew were a well- the game where they wanted it in the download any that you wish to use. run machine and extremely gracious eighth end with last rock. However, the hosts at the same time.” 2013 champs could only score the single It took an extra end to dethrone the point and Meechai and Gebauer got one champions – Pete and Maureen Stolt more chance with the final stone in the Master Webmaster(s) of Plymouth, Minn. – as Meechai and ninth end to win the tournament. Needed for the GNCC Gebauer scored a single point in the Website

We are currently seeking someone with experience in Content Management System software (such as Joomla) who wants to work on a feature-rich website Rink Equip. Ltd. (trust me, there’s far more behind the Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada scenes than the average user sees). Toll Free Phone 1-888-832-3728 A lot of work is involved regarding mailing lists, membership data, and Celebrating 44 years of service to the curling world event calendars. Contact Rob LeVine, Manufacturer of curling stones & curling rink equipment [email protected] if you are interested or know someone who is. Originator of the Rent/Purchase curling stone agreement Check all the videos on our website at www.thompsonrinkequip.com Message from the President Grand National Curling Club submitted by Sally MacKenzie Officers and Directors

This has been an flyer to all of your clubs to assist with President Sally MacKenzie exciting four months coordinating your Olympic committees, 1st Vice President Chris Banino for the GNCC! Four open houses, and learn-to-curl 2nd Vice President Dan Boerger of our junior teams programs. We also created a GNCC t-shirt Secretary Joel Leneker qualified for Junior advertising all of the GNCC clubs to sell Treasurer Gwen Krailo-Lyons Nationals, and two to your membership and prospective teams qualified for Club Nationals. Olympic curlers. We hope that all of Immediate Past President Joyance Meechai from Ardsley, with your clubs see a large attendance for Dick Macartney her partner Steve Gebauer out of your open houses and future learn-to- At Large Directors George Shirk, Minneapolis, won the USA Curling curl programs. Maryann Vermeulen, Marj Moore Mixed Doubles Championship and In the next newsletter, we will have GNCC News qualified for the Mixed Doubles Worlds enrollment information for our Annual is published by the Championships to be held in April. Meeting being held in Norwalk, CT, Grand National Curling Club of Sixteen GNCC curlers qualified for during May 16-18, 2014. We encourage America, Inc. The newsletter is Nationals, and four GNCC women won all clubs to send members on Saturday, distributed free to members of the the USWCA Senior National Bonspiel! May 17th, to listen to our guest speaker Grand National Curling Club. The Norfolk held a very successful first Danny Lamoureux, Director of Curling annual subscription rate for non- bonspiel in their new home. Additionally, Club Development & Championship members is $10.00 (US). Advertising an instructors’ course and an officiating Services for the Canadian Curling rates are available upon request. course have been held to train more Association. Danny will be covering GNCC curlers. the hot topics of volunteers, board All correspondence should be sent to: GNCC Curling News We are also very proud to announce governance, development programs for adult curling, and customer service! 46 Ledgewood Drive that the GNCC will have a booth at the Norwalk CT 06850 National Curling Championships in Make sure to watch curling on NBC Aston, PA. We will be there supporting during the Olympics and cheer for Team Editor & Art Director Jacki Temple, the curlers, selling merchandise, Brown and Team Shuster!! [email protected] advertising all of the GNCC clubs, and Be safe, enjoy life, and good curling!! cheering at all the exciting games. Contributors Sally MacKenzie, The Olympics are only weeks away, Howard Griffin, Maryann Vermeulen, and we recently sent out an Olympic Ashley Lawreck, Diane Pouliot, Terry Kolesar, Carol Arakelian, Gwen Krailo

The official Equipment Supplier of the GNCC GNCC Club Updates

Equinox Curling Club submitted by Diane Pouliot, President

The 2013-2014 season here in Manchester, VT, is off to a great start! Our focus this Olympic year is education about our sport and the involvement of our local youth groups. The ECC partnered with Burr and Burton High School’s Life Activities Classes to teach the history, rules, techniques, ethics, and sportsmanship of the game through use of in-class instruction as well as two sessions on the ice practicing and playing the game. We had over 20 students, including 4 physical education instructors, and 3 special needs students who had a blast playing with the club during school hours. Their Jamaican students are now boasting that bobsledding is not the only Olympic sport they love! Throughout this Olympic year, we are offering a learn-to-curl session every time the club meets. This November, we joined up with the Manchester and the Mountains Regional Chamber of Commerce and were part of the annual ‘Manchester Merriment’ program featuring an Open House-Intro to Curling 101. We had a wonderful response and we have already taught curling to over 25 adults, all before the start of the New Year! We are also proud to say that we taught 36 Cub Scouts from Pack 333 Manchester (siblings and parents included) as well as hosted a Thank You learn- to-curl for our stone donors. It was a true thrill this year to curl with our own two sets of stones, thanks to the generosity of local area businesses and our members. We are also very proud to have been featured in the Starwood’s Equinox Hotel Magazine as a “unique Olympic sport right here in Manchester, VT,” and have had several articles written about the sport in our local newspaper. Congratulations go out to two of our members, Jacki Lappen and Karl Ebert, as they are now certified Level I instructors. We are planning to keep them very busy this year as we anticipate a renewal of interest as February approaches. Last but not least, we extend a special thank you to Riley Rink at Hunter Park, our home ice, and to ALL the members and supporters of the ECC. With your support and belief in this great sport, we are helping to grow the sport of curling in southern Vermont. We hope to see folks at a bonspiel or two this year! Schenectady Curling Club submitted by Sally MacKenzie

Schenectady Curling Club is very excited for Andrea Warr, Shannon Magee, Stephanie Magee, and Cheyenne Bratton as they were selected to be part of an Olympic themed commercial for the Jimmy Fallon show! Curling clubs from all around the NYC area were contacted looking for women curlers. Shannon applied for the spot and was picked to submit a team. She recruited Andrea Warr, Cheyenne Bratton, and her sister Stephanie. They were asked to submit photos of them curling as well as bios. Once this was all submitted, they were asked to travel to Staten Island to film. The shoot took place on Monday, December 16th, at Staten Island Ice Skating Rink, and they were asked to bring some of the SCC rocks for the commercial, as well. After visiting the hair and make-up stations, the women received matching USA outfits from wardrobe. They were also given Jimmy Fallon’s green room to wait and relax before call time. Jimmy Fallon had filmed his portion of the commercial the day before, but left some great treats in his dressing room for the women to munch on. Jeff Muha and Keagan Shaw also went down to assist with ice preparation and became part of the production crew. They are now honorary members of the NBC staff. Look for the commercial to begin airing during the Olympics, as it also promotes Jimmy Fallon’s new position as the host of The Tonight Show, starting February 17th.

Playdowns continued from page 1 talented curlers to compete at National and agreed to host the Women’s event, events without the ongoing & generous with only a few days to prepare before support of our dedicated ice facilities. the first scheduled game. We can’t thank The Country Club in Brookline, MA, both clubs enough for hosting two very served as excellent hosts to the GNCC successful events! Junior Men’s Championship, held The final playdown of the season is the December 26-30. TCC was expecting 2014 GNCC Mixed Championship, to and was fully prepared to host the event be hosted this year by the Chesapeake in combination with the GNCC Junior Curling Club in Easton MD, February Women’s Championship. When this 6-9. With already limited ice time, CCC’s became impossible due to the number offer to take on this extra event truly of teams and the complexity of the draw, demonstrates the spirit of curling and the Broomstones Curling Club stepped up community. Spirit of Curling Award: Honor, Respect, and Friendship submitted by Ashley Lawreck

The first GNCC Spirit of Curling awards were presented to Team Schoder (L-R: Sere Politano, Kate Shickel, Susan Dudt, Ellen Schoder-) and Team Kelly (L-R: Brice Sinnett, Ty Mancuso, Steve Kelly (skip), Henry Rice) at the 2013-2014 GNCC Junior Playdown and Championship on December 30, 2013 for exemplifying the true spirit of curling. These teams were selected by their peers for playing honorably, and being a team of fierce competitors on ice, but most importantly, always friendly and respectful off the ice. This award was developed and is presented in honor of Eydie Savett, a long-time official at Junior Championship events. The GNCC Junior Championship and Playdown held a special place in her heart, and she worked to ensure a positive experience for all who participated. Eydie is remembered fondly by past junior GNCC curlers as “perfect for officiating” with her “direct and disciplined, yet genuine and caring” demeanor. She was “completely selfless and truly passionate” in dedicating herself to a competition that she believed hugely important. Her commitment to sportsmanship and fairness helped many junior curlers grow and develop into the adults they are today. Eydie had a special way of making each junior curler feel worthy and capable. She was the essence of the spirit of curling. The pin presented with this award was designed by Phyllis and Hannah Ely (Rochester Curling Club). Phyllis provided a wonderful explanation of the design: “The design represents Eydie’s bright spirit, love of the sport, and especially her love for junior curlers. The three flames symbolize qualities that were important to and demonstrated by Eydie herself: sportsmanship, friendship, and citizenship.” Congratulations to Team Schoder and Team Kelly, for preserving the spirit and love of this game that Eydie held so dear. GNCC Junior Championships and Playdowns submitted by Sally MacKenzie

The 2014 GNCC Junior Men’s Championship and Playdown was held December 26-30, 2013 at The Country Club in Brookline, MA. During this event, 9 teams from across the GNCC competed in a complete round robin, with the top 2 teams advancing to the 2014 US Junior Curling Nationals. Team Dudt (Daniel Dudt, Cody Clouser, Phillip Mack, and Andrew Dudt) and Team Dunnam (Scott Dunnam, Andrew Stopera, Steven Szemple, and Andrew Dunnam) both finished the round robin with a record of 7 wins, 1 loss. Through a tiebreaker, Team Dudt was named GNCC Champion and will represent the GNCC at Junior Nationals. Team Dunnam will also advance to represent Pennsylvania. The 2014 GNCC Junior Women’s Championship and Playdown was held December 27-29 at Broomstones Curling Club in Wayland, MA. During this event, 4 teams from across the GNCC competed in a double round robin, with the top 2 teams advancing to the 2014 US Junior Curling Nationals. Team Anderson (Sarah Anderson, Kathleen Dubberstein, Taylor Anderson, and Leilani Dubberstein) finished the double round robin undefeated to become the GNCC Champion. They will represent the GNCC at Junior Nationals. Team McMakin (Christine McMakin, Jenna Burchesky, Allison Howell, and Lily Wadsworth) finished the round robin with a record of 4 wins, 2 losses and will also advance to represent Maryland. The 2014 US Curling Junior Nationals will be held at Granite Curling Club in Seattle, WA from January 25 through February 1, 2014. The winning teams will represent the U.S. at the 2014 World Junior Championships Feb. 26 to March 5 in Flims, Switzerland. Five US Athletes Headed to 2014 Paralympic Winter Games by Terry Kolesar

Led by 2010 Paralympian Patrick McDonald (Madison, Wis.), USA’s athletes have been nominated to the 2014 U.S. Paralympic Team to compete in Sochi, Russia, March 7-16. McDonald and his team of David Palmer (Mashpee, Mass.), Jimmy Joseph (New Hartford, N.Y.), Penny Greely (Green Bay, Wis.), and Meghan Lino (East Falmouth, Mass.) are seeking USA’s first-ever Paralympic medal in wheelchair curling. The team is coached by (Madison, Wis.) and Rusty Schieber (Portage, Wis.) and is assisted by Marc Deperno (New Hartford, N.Y.), team leader. “The USA Curling wheelchair team program has come a long way since the inception of the international championships in 2002, guided by the expertise of National Coach Steve Brown,” said Rick Patzke, USA Curling chief operating officer. “The athletes have put their hearts and souls into training and competition, and had a medal within their grasp at the 2010 Paralympics. Having come so close before has surely increased their hunger for success in Sochi, and we and all of America will be firmly behind them as they chase their dreams in 2014.” Team USA finished fourth at last year’s world wheelchair event in Sochi, Russia, and is currently ranked sixth in the world. Wheelchair curling was added as a Paralympic medal sport in 2006. This will be the third straight Paralympic Games appearance for Joseph, 51, and second for McDonald, 46. Greely, 42, was a member of the bronze- medal winning sitting volleyball team at the 2004 Paralympic Summer Games in Athens, Greece. This will be the first Paralympic Games for both Palmer, 53, and Lino, 29. “Congratulations to these five outstanding athletes for their nomination to the 2014 U.S. Paralympic Team,” said U.S. Chef de Mission Julie O’Neill, team leader for Paralympic sport performance at the United States Olympic Committee. “I have no doubt that when Patrick, David, Jimmy, Penny and Meghan compete in the red, white and blue on the world’s biggest stage this March, in Sochi, Russia, they will make all of us proud. I look forward to supporting them as they compete for our country’s first Paralympic medal in wheelchair curling.” Canada has won gold at the past two Paralympic Games. The U.S. begins round robin play on March 8 with Canada, China, Finland, Great Britain, Korea, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, and Sweden. The top four teams after the conclusion of the round robin will move on to the semifinals. NBC and NBC Sports Network will combine to air 50 hours of television coverage for March’s Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, starting on March 7 with the Opening Ceremony. It will be followed by daily coverage of all five Paralympic sports in the Sochi program, before the Games’ Closing Ceremony is broadcast on March 16. In addition to the unprecedented U.S. television coverage, the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) will provide live online coverage at TeamUSA.org. Shuster Rink Qualifies for Olympic Winter Games in Sochi submitted by Sally MacKenzie

Team USA will be represented by two teams for the upcoming 2014 Olympic Winter Games as the American men clinched the final available berth by defeating the Czech Republic today at the Olympic Qualification Event at the BLZ Arena. A big scoring end late in the game gave (Duluth, Minn.) and teammates Jeff Isaacson (Gilbert, Minn.), Jared Zezel (Hibbing, Minn.), and (Duluth, Minn.) a comfortable cushion and that led to an eventual 8-5 victory over Jiri Snitil’s Czech rink. Facing elimination and the threat of not having a berth for Sochi multiple times this week, Team USA persevered to win its final five games. “We always seem to pick it up and bring it up the next step and find a way to play better in a game,” Landsteiner said. “The butterflies of winning for an opportunity like this, they never get old. That’s why we play this game,” said Shuster, 31, who won Olympic bronze in 2006 in the lead position. “These guys work their tails off and they’re some of the best in the business. I’m extremely proud of how well our team has played the entire season and especially here when we had our backs against the wall.” The game was tight against the Czech Republic until the game-changing eighth end when the Americans scored five points to break open the game. After the teams tested the waters and blanked the first end, the U.S. kept the Czechs on their toes by placing two stones in the four foot behind a guard just off the center line. Snitil was heavy on his first draw and USA removed his stone, forcing the skip to attempt a double takeout. The Czechs removed one and the U.S. stole a point to be the first side on the scoreboard. A tight back-and-forth game ensued before the tide turned fully in the favor of the Americans in the eighth end, with Shuster having a draw for five to take a 7-3 lead. The Czechs scored two more in the ninth end, but the U.S. had a two-point lead and the last-rock advantage - the ideal situation for the Americans. They kept the rings relatively tidy and Shuster clinched the win with a takeout. “I’ve been dreaming about this for a long time - that’s why you curl - with the main goal of getting to the Olympics,” said Zezel, 22, who will play in his first Olympic Games. “I’ve been working really hard ever since juniors and when John [Shuster] picked me up, I thought it would probably be a pretty good chance to get to Sochi. He taught us a whole bunch of stuff, and we just kept getting better and better. Everything is finally happening!” “This is way better than winning Fargo. It actually might sink in this time as opposed to before. The way it ended was different too,” said Landsteiner, 23, reflecting on winning the Olympic Team Trials last month and then having to compete in the Olympic qualifier. “Playing at the Olympics? There won’t be anything like it.” GNCC Women Win 2013 USWCA Senior Women’s Bonspiel submitted by Gwen Krailo

Congratulations to skip Jamie Hutchinson, vice Carolyn MacLeod, second Gwen Krailo-Lyons, and lead Nancy Jennett for winning the 32nd annual Senior Women’s Bonspiel. The team from Broomstones Curling Club, located in Wayland, Massachusetts, emerged victorious over the 24 team field. The event was held in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, at the Itasca Curling Club. Great ice, great food, and great people made this an event to remember. Five GNCC teams made the finals. Diane Mudowney’s Ardsley team defeated Roberta Crain’s Albany team in the Fourth Event. Mary Colacchio’s Cape Cod team was Runner-up in the Third Event. Jamie Hutchinson’s Broomstones team defeated Rosemary Morgan’s Philadelphia team in the First Event. It might be hard to believe that these ladies are seniors.

GNCC Senior Women’s Championship Bonspiel submitted by Carol Arakelian

The Belfast Curling Club hosted the 2013-2014 season GNCC Senior Women’s Championship, December 6-8, 2013. The bonspiel was chaired by Belfast members, Donna Fancy and Ann Kirkpatrick. They provided wonderful food and atmosphere. Everyone had lots of fun. Ten teams participated in the bonspiel. The first event runners-up were skip Mary Colaccio, vice Cathy Offinger, second Linda Pistill, and lead Carol Arakelian of Cape Cod Curling Club. Congratulations go to the winners of the event: skip Bell Stone, vice Abigail Reed, second Anita King, and lead Terri Kangas of Belfast Curling club.

Proud Partners of the GNCC USA Curling Hires GNCC Member as Fundraising Manager by Terry Kolesar

The United States Curling Association has hired Michelle Schleibaum of Weehawken, N.J., as the association’s first fundraising manager. Propelled by continued growth of the sport nationwide, Schleibaum’s hiring is designed to help fill a need the association has to increase alternative revenue sources,. “For curling to continue to advance in the United States, it is vitally important to increase revenue to keep nurturing member support and competitive development. The addition of a professional fundraiser to the USA Curling staff is a strategic investment fully supported by the Board of Directors,” chief operating officer Rick Patzke said. As fundraising manager, Schleibaum is responsible for effectively communicating USA Curling’s mission through various efforts such as developing a strong individual donor base, leading and executing fundraising events, and planning and coordinating fundraising efforts with the USA Curling Board of Directors and staff. “When I joined a curling club, I had no idea I was joining such a unique and diverse group of people,” said Schleibaum, who has been a member at the Ardsley Curling Club in New York. “I enjoyed getting to know the members of my club. I look forward to becoming involved again with a sport I enjoyed so much. And I am especially excited to be able to work with the team to build financial support for the program, ensuring a bright future for curling in the United States.” This position will serve as a member of USA Curling’s management team, responsible for implementing and maintaining a comprehensive fundraising plan that includes strategies to sustain and expand a diverse funding base, and guiding and managing the execution of an annual plan to meet established revenue goals. “Many candidates were considered in our search for the right person with the desired mix of professional skills and charisma, and we are confident that Michelle is that person,” Patzke said. “We are excited to have her ready to hit the ground running as the curling community seeks to make the most of the tremendous opportunities for growth and development that rise with each Olympics.” The U.S. Curling Association office is headquartered in Stevens Point, Wis. The association has eight full-time staff members with an additional eight part-time employees in its national high performance programs supporting able-bodied and wheelchair curling. The association has more than 160 member clubs in 42 U.S. states, with approximately 16,000 members. Sullivan Rink Scores 8-Ender Submitted by Maryann Vermeulen

Neil Sullivan, Barbara Gentile, Donna Jo (DJ) Landes, and Sue Sullivan scored what is believed to be only the second 8-ender in the history of the ! The team was playing a four-end game during the in-house Pursuit of Happiness Bonspiel on December 18th. Down 7–1 after three ends, they assumed the game would be over when they ran out of rocks in the final end. Clearly, neither the end nor the game turned out as expected. Congratulations to all the players for being part of such an historic & special event!