BeachSpiel Saturday, Jan. 31st

The Beach Spiel includes instruction for first or second timers, followed by a game and a pig roast. Members should plan to attend and curl with the new people. Last year we got new members at this event. The theme is definitely "a hot summer day at the beach", so wear shorts, inflatable life rings, bathing suits, Hawaiian shirts, sun hats, sunglasses, masks and snorkels and whatever else you would wear to the beach. Don't forget your beach towels!

Please sign up early on the sheet. The deadline is Sunday 1/25. We must give the "pig roaster" the count a week in advance and don't want to disappoint anyone who misses the deadline. Last year it was delicious!

Nancy, John, Liz, Victor, Dion and Andrea

Congratulations to the Dancing Nancies

The Chicago Curling Club women's group, known as the Gloamin" Gaels, hosts a popular two day bonspiel in early January each year. The Spiel is limited to sixteen teams that come from mid-west clubs. One Team, called the Dancing Nancies, consisted of Nancy Clancy (Ardsley), Elaine de Ryk (Otterburn), Nancy Wurth (Schenectady) and Nanci Pacheco (Chicago). They always have lots of fun and this year they added to their fun by winning the first event. How Awesome! Congrats!

2004 GNCC Women's Championship Results

This past weekend was the GNCC Championship Competition, held at the Broomstones Curling Club, for Nationals in Grand Forks, ND. GNCC received two spots this year. The two teams representing our region are:

Massachusetts: Shelley Dropkin, Nina Reiniger, Phelicia Howland, Dawn Graham-Gutro

New York: Caitlin Maroldo (Rochester), Erlene Puleo (Utica), Chrissy Fink (Schenectady), Maureen Fodera (Schenectady), Liz Williams (Utica) and Dave Fink (Coach)

USWCA

The United States Women's Curling Association is an affiliation of 52 clubs across the country with nearly 3000 members. For administrative purposes it is divided into five areas. Schenectady is in the East Area. Each club has a designated person representing it for and at the national level. (East 19 clubs, 780 members.)

The organization establishes standards for curling in conjunction with the WCF (World Curling Federation). It also works on club and program development through materials, workshops, clinics, and national meetings. Leadership roles are moved from one area of the country to another by design. Florence Springstead of the Albany CC is the current First Vice President. She will become President in 2005.

There is a USWCA column in "Curling News" which is received by second year curlers and up. Periodically there is a WREP SHEET highlighting interesting items. Look for it in the ladies locker room.

The Senior Friendship Tour with the Canadian organization was staged in the East this year between our region and the Ontario Curling Association. Schenectady hosted matches on November 12th and entertained at the club that evening. Several members hosted the guests on the 12th and 13th. It was wonderful. Information about and applications to national spiels are directed to your representative for posting at the club. Entry applications are due well in advance of any event. Coming events are:

The USWCA sponsors the All American Event in all of the clubs that wish to hold it. Schenectady will participate in the second half of our curling season.

The Glengarries developed the "Chick" pin that you've seen as their fund raising item for the USWCA Future Fund. It entertains grant requests. We were notified of possibilities for junior programs. That information was given to the appropriate club board member.

Marie Pletenik, Representative