GNCC Jrs. headed to YOG playdowns From Nov. 18- 21, 11 GNCC Junior Curlers participating on four teams will be heading to the Youth Olympic Games Playdowns being held in Grafton, N.D. The winner of these playdowns will represent the U.S. at the Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria, in January. This is a Mixed Junior curling playdown with the following requirements for eligibility: U.S. citizen ages 16-18 (born between Jan. 1, 1994 and Dec. 31, 1995) and they must be a member of The L.A. Kings hockey team used Potomac Curling Club as venue for a great team-building exercise in the USCA. October. Pictured (above, counter-clockwise from left) Ethan Moreau, Davis Drewskie, Simon Gagne and GNCC Players Dustin Penner work a stone into the house. (Top right) NHL superstar Anze Kopitar prepares for delivery. (Bottom right) The Kings signed some team gear for future auctions to benefit the curling club. and Coaches (and club) represented include: Potomac CC hosts NHL’s Kings Team Dropkin: When a West coast NHL Even the L.A. Kings’ color fist pumps, everyone was Korey Dropkin team looked at its schedule commentator, Jim Fox, was shaking hands and even (Broomstones), and saw games in Europe out there in his blazer. broomstacking with some Sarah Anderson followed by two games on At first glance it may Dr. Pepper. (Philadelphia), the East coast, they decided have been like any other A collection of Potomac Thomas Howell (Plainfield), Taylor to settle into Annapolis, rental – signing waivers, shirts and hats as well as Anderson (Philadelphia). Coached Md., for a few days instead confirming that ice is two Kings shirts were by Keith Dropkin (Broomstones) and of going home. They also slippery, and giving an autographed by the team Wayne Anderson (Philadelphia). realized that such an overview of the history and and key players. These Team Burchesky: Sean Burchesky extended road trip could etiquette of the game but items will be up for auction (Broomstones), Libby Brundage use some lighter moments then as half the bench is through the season to raise (Nutmeg), Miles Hogarth (Nutmeg), to let the players have some from Canada, they either money for the Potomac Emily Winter (Nutmeg). Coached by fun. knew the basics already or Curling Club concrete floor Derek Surka (Nutmeg) and The L.A. Kings made figured it was in their bones. project. Charrissa Lin (Nutmeg) plans to practice at the The other half of the bench It was a great afternoon Team Dudt: Daniel Dudt Gardens Ice House in was a quick study and the with a unified, down-to- (Philadelphia), Cameron Vike Laurel, Md., and realized games started almost earth team of very (Philadelphia), Coached by Brian Potomac Curling Club was instantly. appreciative young men. Dudt (Philadelphia) right next door. So, on Oct. After two hours of They are welcome at Team Lank: Mackenzie Lank 11, after a few hours on the creative deliveries, eager Potomac Curling any time (Rochester). hockey ice and some pasta sweeping, great debates of in the future. for lunch, the full team, what would have Submitted by Mark Mooney, Submitted by Ann Drummie, Plainfield (N.J.) Curling Club coaching staff and trainers happened had a rock not Potomac (Md.) Curling Club all took to the curling ice. been kicked and plenty of GNCC President’s Letter Proposed USCA by-law changes require your input, anticipation builds for new curling season It is 2011 and curling is thriving in the working to serve the needs of clubs that I, as President of the GNCC, will be GNCC region. I have the distinct wanting to add more rocks. It is critical called on to vote the GNCC’s position pleasure of serving as President of this to the success of the GNCC for new on the by-law change at the Spring 4,000 member, 50 club strong region for clubs to get off to a strong start, and with USCA meeting in April. So, for the next the next two years. the Grassroots Curling Committee there several months I would ask that you I hope to work with a very strong is help, support and assistance available look at the proposed by-law changes board of directors and committee for the new arena clubs. (available at the GNCC Web site) and volunteer groups to continue the grand The older clubs with dedicated ice are read the discussion in the Curling News traditions, keen competition and sincere the strength of the Grand National. With and give input to myself and to other cooperation from all clubs in the Grand a full schedule of national playdowns GNCC Officers and Directors so it can National. and GNCC championships, it takes the be channeled to the USCA governance As we start the new curling season we efforts and cooperation of all clubs to task force. Since the issue is important have two new clubs to welcome: Mount accommodate the need for these and we want to represent the views of Washington Valley Curling Club, of competitions, and you will see a nice our membership we are considering Conway, N. H., and Curling Club of schedule for all events this year and moving the date of the GNCC annual Virginia in Richmond, Va. As has been beyond. meeting so our regional vote will the recent trend, both of these clubs will Besides just running our region, the represent the “will” of the GNCC be using arena ice, making a total of 20 GNCC is now involved with deciding membership. clubs in the Grand National designated how the United States Curling However, as the cooler Autumn as Arena curling clubs. Association should be governed. This temperatures arrive, the desire to get on Since our last newsletter, the 2nd summer, a special governance task force the ice and curl is our strongest feeling GNCC Arena Club Championship was proposed a major change for the by-laws and I urge all of us to really get involved held at Triangle CC in June and several for the USCA as the national governing with our local leagues and clubs to really arena clubs have been curling over the body. These changes were endorsed by create great opportunities to enjoy the summer. I have personal knowledge of the present USCA board of directors by game and to teach its GRAND one of these, Coastal Carolina Curling a slim margin. Two of the three TRADITIONS to all of our new members. Club of Wilmington, N.C. Coastal members elected by GNCC membership Think back to your first joys of curling, Carolina has been curling since early voted in favor of the changes. However, and make sure you pass on that feeling August because of the GNCC Rock Lease to change the by-laws it takes a two- to those you meet on the ice. Program. thirds’ majority of the membership. The Rock Lease Program, a key Presently, the membership is the Good Curling, development tool for new clubs, now Regional and State curling associations, has 20 sets of GNCC stones leased to but the proposed change would make Dick Macartney, President clubs and the committee continues individual clubs the members. It is likely Grand National Curling Club GNCC Curling News is published by the Grand National Grand National Curling Club Curling Club of America, Inc. The newsletter is distributed Officers and Directors free to members of the Grand National Curling Club. The annual subscription rate for non-members is $10.00 (US). President Dick Macartney 1st Vice President Sally MacKenzie Advertising rates are available upon request. 2nd Vice President Chris Banino Secretary Mary Colacchio All correspondence should be sent to: Treasurer Howard “Bunkie” Harmon GNCC Curling News Immediate Past Carl Thomas 6 Mary Street President Pottsville, Pa. 17901 At Large Directors Rob LeVine Maryann Vermeulen Editor: Joshua Sophy, [email protected] George Shirk Published at Accurate Printing, [email protected] Electronic accounting Instructor clinic scheduled has arrived for Dec. 3 at Chesapeake Grand National Curling Club is offering the Electronic Accounting for the GNCC is here! A major following instructor clinic this upcoming season. upgrade to the GNCC accounting practices has been underway There is just one more session scheduled for this for a couple years, and with the help of Bunkie Harmon, Gwen year: Krailo, Ted Pitt, Carl Thomas, Dick Macartney, Sally Dec. 3 – Level I Chesapeake MacKenzie, Chris Banino and a few professional accountants, the Peachtree Accounting system is up and running. Instructor clinics may be scheduled for any time The accounting has been revised to keep much better track throughout the season at the request of a curling of where funds come from and where they’re spent. In club. Arrangements can be made through GNCC’s addition, running all deposits and checks through the Coordinator of Instruction and Coaching, Sandra electronic accounting make audits easier and cheaper than McMakin, via email at [email protected]. using manual books. This is all required to assure the GNCC is run in accordance with 501(c)3 laws and we maintain transparency to GNCC members. Officiating courses For all invoices and payment requests, send the documentation to: offered in November We currently have two officiating courses scheduled for Gwen Krailo early this season and we are in the process of setting up a 4 Tomolonis Dr. third session. There is one confirmed upcoming session: Nashua, NH 03062 Nov. 13 at Potomac Curling Club: Laurel, Md. This To assure all transactions from you and your club get is a Level I and Level II course. For more information properly credited, please send payments to the following on this officiating course, please contact Melissa Fox people: via email at [email protected].