OCC Newsletter – December 2018

TIPS TO PLAYING GAMES WITHIN THE ALLOTED TIME

An 8-end curling game should be completed within 2 hours (approximately 15 minutes per end). All
curlers are encouraged to keep the pace of the game up to complete the game within the time allotted
and allow time for the Ice staff to prepare the ice for the next game.
Tips for speeding up the pace of the game:
1) Clean your rock and be ready to throw before your skip has called your shot. If you have a routine prior to
your delivery, don’t wait for the skip to call your shot.
2) Get into the hack as soon as the opponent has released their rock. You can see how your opponent’s
rock is doing from the hack.
3) Leads: If your team is scheduled to throw first in the next end, let the other players clear off the rocks at
the conclusion of the end; get your rock and get into the hack, ready to start the next end. There is no
need to have them set up 1-2, 3-4, etc. There is time to organize them after the first rock is thrown. Skips
can do their part by organizing them during the playing of the end as rocks are removed from play.
4) Skips: Anticipate what shot you are going to call before the other teams rock has come to rest. After an
end has concluded, don’t stand around chatting with your team, or the opposing skip. Get down the ice
and be ready to start the next end. If you want to chat with the opposing skip, or commiserate how the last
end went, do so while calling the next shot.
5) Leads and seconds can help by setting up the skip’s rocks. This ensures skips will throw the right colour.
They can also clean around the area where the rock will be delivered.
6) Sweepers should always try to observe what shot is being called. When the skip comes down to make
their shots, the sweepers can ask for clarification if necessary. Skips should not explain the entire shot but
keep their strategy descriptions brief but also mention the primary and secondary options.
7) If several members of both teams use crutches/stabilizers or delivery sticks try to have enough at either
end, so you don’t have to keep shifting from end to end.
8) When measuring rocks, clear out the rocks that do not matter, have a good look and if there is any
question, measure. The vices can find the measuring devices at both ends of the ice on the middle sheet.
9) Curling is built on friendship and courtesy but putting your opponent’s next rock near the hack before you
throw yours is no longer considered a courtesy - not only does it use up time, it may not be the rock your
opponent wants to throw.

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 OCC Newsletter – December 2018

ORILLIA LADIES INVITATIONAL BONSPIEL

Saturday, February 2, 2019
THINGS THAT ARE BLACK AND WHITE!
2 8-end games, lunch, snacks and $$ prizes!
$160 per team
RSVP to Ann Wicks by January 4, 2019
705-689-4351 annwicks7042@gmail.com

CONVENOR NEEDED!
We are looking for someone to organize the Family Bonspiel on Saturday, February 23rd. Please
contact Joe Fecht if you are able to help out. 705-325-8508 jfecht@rogers.com

TIP FOR FINDING A SPARE

Curling members might find it helpful to write one email and send
it to all of the spares for the league you are in. This could save a lot
of time rather than calling and/or emailing individuals. First person
to reply positively gets the nod!

Several times during the year, curlers arrive at

the club to find that the dividers have been
changed to reflect a new season or bonspiel
theme. Many thanks to Gail Brown, Trish Vollick
and Lorraine Bergeron for using their decorating
skills to improve our “curling home”!

YOUTH CURLING
Youth curling is off to a great start! There are 22 children
registered with many new faces. With the help of our
coaches, Margie Hewitt,Trevor Hewitt, Lenore Creighton,
Jeremy Emons and Lisa Emons, the kids are having lots of
fun learning to curl on Sunday mornings.

Karen Szijarto

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 OCC Newsletter – December 2018

OCC BOARD UPDATE
The Orillia Curling Club Annual General Meeting was held on
November 3, 2018 with a total of 12 people attending and 14
proxies.

The President, Joe Fecht, thanked the Board members for their
dedication and he also acknowledged and thanked the retiring
Directors, Kathy Hildebrandt, Cheryl Heitzner and Mary Hutton for their time and experience
over their numerous years of service. Joe commented on the current financial state of the
Club with the biggest challenge being the escalating ice rental costs, insurance and the
Ontario Curling Association fees. On a positive note, the work done by the Membership
Committee chaired by Charlene Ley was acknowledged. Increasing membership in these
times is the only way to keep the Club viable.

Draw Master Report – Alan Smale acknowledged the excellent work done by the convenors.

Registrar Report – (updated since the AGM) – Registration is currently at 355 members,
which is 13 less than last year. This includes Youth and Special Olympic curlers, but excludes
members curling in the second half of the season. We have an increase of 79 new members
this year compared to 33 and 23 in the previous two years. This reflects the hard work done
by the Membership Committee.

Treasurer Report – The small membership increase in 2017/2018 helped to decrease the
Club’s deficit to $2752. This is an improvement over the previous season, which saw a deficit
of $6607.

Directors – Joe Fecht – President
Paul Raymond – Past President
Alan Smale – Draw Master
Paul Mather – Website
The following director positions were approved:
Liz Ross – Treasurer
Steve Barrett – Secretary
Cheryl Gronfors – Registrar
Charlene Ley – Membership
The following director positions are vacant:
Vice President – currently covered by Joe Fecht
Ice and House – currently covered by Joe Fecht
Bonspiel Coordinator – filling this position would possibly help with the Club’s
Financial position

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 OCC Board Report (continued)

Board tasks are not onerous, so if anyone has an interest in learning more about these
volunteer opportunities, reach out to Joe.

Youth Curling – Karen Szijarto has 22 new Youth members, which is more than last year and
would like to implement the Curl Ontario Little Rocks program at the cost of $11 per curler.
Paul Raymond from “Hog and Penny” will sponsor this initiative. Thank you Paul!

Club Property – Gail Brown inquired as to who is responsible for making sure Club property is
secure. With no one designated, Gail has graciously agreed to take on this task. Gail, along
with Trish Vollick and Lorraine Bergeron, will continue to decorate the Club, which helps to
improve the ambiance.

Joe has received a donation offer of a large (3 ft. wide by 7 ft. tall) display cabinet. After
discussion, it was decided that the Club would accept this donation and Joe will explore
options for its location with the city.

Paul Raymond advised the group that the city has been looking at installing screens that
would allow the restaurant to be sectioned off from the curling tables area. The city has not
yet responded to this request and Joe will follow up to determine if this is possible.

Steve Barrett and Charlene Ley

UPCOMING EVENTS

NEWBIE BONSPIEL Saturday, December 8th

SENIOR MEN’S FALL INVITATIONAL Wednesday, December 12th

DAY LADIES CHRISTMAS BONSPIEL Thursday, December 20th

FRIDAY NIGHT MIXED FUN NIGHT Friday, December 21st

NUTS AND BOLTS BONSPIEL Saturday, January 12th

SENIOR MEN’S IN-HOUSE BONSPIEL Wednesday, January 16th

ORILLIA LADIES INVITATIONAL BONSPIEL Saturday, February 2nd

Please forward articles and photos for future monthly newsletters to the editors:

Anne Collins (annecollins5050@gmail.com) or Charlene Ley (charlene.v.ley@gmail.com)