FIFTY YEARS AGO!

In 1954 a lady by the name of Mrs. John Fitzgerald (mother-in-law of Charlene Fitzgerald) of Utica contacted the chairmen of the Schenectady Women Curlers and Westchester Wicks to inquire if their clubs would be interested in considering a combined bonspiel to rotate among these three New York State Clubs. She felt this would interest enough outside teams to have one well-attended successful bonspiel a year. The name Empire State was suggested for the competition by Dr. Robert Hurd of Utica.

The winners were to receive the Empire State Medals (designed by Renee Clark of St. Andrews with part of the New York State Seal on a background of blue enamel for St. Andrews, green for Utica and red for Schenectady) and the trophy of the host club. Each of the three clubs was to be represented by two teams each year. This Plan was agreed upon by the clubs and the rest, as they say, is history.

Over the years some minor changes have taken place but the spirit and intent of the Empire State is alive and well. In January 2004 a celebration of the 50th year of the Empire State was held at the Ardsley Curling Club, Ardsley-on-Hudson, NY. There were 24 rinks on hand to compete for the Empire State Medal, including three teams from Schenectady: Lisa Nieradka, Lisa Miller, Andrea War, Becky Manore; Bette Sovik, Dotty Sheehan, Carol Munro, Maxine Getty; Eleanor Lisuzzo, Sally Ward, Diana Connolly, Charleen Fitzgerald.

Broomstones won the Empire State medal, the Schenectady Stone was won by Rochester, Utica 3 won the Hurd Brothers' event and Utica 4 won the Ardsley Duck. Lisa Nieradka's team made it to the fourth event (the Ardsley Duck) but alas. It was not to be.

The Ardsley Club did their best to see that the celebration of 50 years was one to remember. They designed a 50th year commemoration pin that all participants were given (ask to see one). We were taken into China town for a wonderful Chinese dinner and after, for those who did not have the early draw, we were taken on a bus tour of the city. From ground zero, to a beautiful view of the Statue of Liberty, through the Battery, into the theater district where we heard about the ghost that haunts the district and on to places one seldom sees. A great event and a great time for those of us who had the pleasure of attending.

Next curling season Schenectady will be hosting the Empire State. We will need lots of volunteers and help so be sure to stay tuned.

To the Spirit of Curling, Maxine Getty

HOLMBLAD RINK RUNNER-UP IN GNCC SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

Skip, Jim Holmblad, with Bill Ralston, Bill Dever and Ed Kennelly won their first three games at the GNCC Championship at Ardsley to put them in contention for 1st place. They met NY Caledonia in the finals and lost by one stone in the last end.

Pete Sheehan had Dave Spencer, Jim Colton and Dean Robbins. They won one and lost two for an early out.

Bob Travis, Jim Sinkins, Howard Knudsen and Jack Fitzgerald lost their first game and won the next two which put them into the finals of the 2nd event. The game was won by Nashua, also by one stone.

Good Curling, Dottie Sheehan, GNCC Rep.

SHEEHAN WINS COLTON

Congratulations Schenectady Women Curlers!!! Out of the 44 regular members 35 participated in the COLTON which is the only women's intra-club bonspiel.

Dottie Sheehan's rink, consisting of Max Getty, Shirley Burgess and first year curler, Ann Ruhman defeated Eileen Kelliher for the COLTON medal. Kelliher had Nancy Wurth, Liz Lancing and Ann Hartranft. Sheehan had previously defeated Pletenik and Sovik.

The KERR was taken by Dorothy Szymaszek. Charlotte Colton was at 3rd, Harriet Severenko 2nd and Dot Dever at lead. They beat Marie Pletenilk in the finals.

Bette Sovik had MJ Miller, Ursula Hilborn and new curler Dee Rowan. They won the HILBORN by beating Eleanor Lisuzzo.

Judy McCullough grasped victory from the jaws of defeat in the final end of the SZYMASZEK. With Char Fitzgerald, Diana Connolly and first year curler, Faye Navatril they were 4 down coming home and scored a stunning 5 end to win against the Munro rink.

Karen Hess ran a great spiel. Her "Music, Music, Music" theme was a huge success!! Jane Caruvana crafted center piece music boxes, musical theme napkins and placemats and other clever decorations of note.

As usual the skits were fantastic. We had Marie and Jane winning the Sour Note Award with their rendition of If You're Good To Mama. The Munro team displayed a vivid imagination and talent with bones, Elvis and the Beatles in The Evolution of Rock. Eileen Kelliher's bad girls of rap had Ann Hartnraft slapping her thigh to keep time for the first curling rap. The Curling Sistas called to offer Bling Bling in the bonspiel with no Mistas-----------!!!!! Bruce Springsteen's Born In The USA was almost the highlight of team McCulloughs patriotic skit until Judy encored as Kate Smith singing God Bless America.

This is just a few of the evenings fun makers. Next year we should sell tickets!

Wurth Team Wins Dr. Ack

Congratulations to Nancy Wurth's team for winning the Dr. Ack (Junior Skip Competition). Nancy had Eileen Kelliher at Vice, Charlotte Colton at Second and Charlene Fitzgerald at Lead. Their team was undefeated!

The Cunningham weekend

Sign up for our Mixed Curling Bonspiel being held on the March 19-21st weekend.

We will be competing for:

All are welcomed and encouraged to participate in this competition. You will also be able to enjoy our 2004 St. Patrick's Day feast on Saturday night.

The committee will match up singles or you can sign up as a couple. Lets get 12-16 teams and have a real party weekend!

Men's and Women's National Competition in North Dakota

The Men's and Women's National Competition starts on February 28th and continues through March 6th. There are several teams from the GNCC region participating at Nationals. Chrissy Fink and Maureen will be attending. They will be Team Maroldo, New York and they would love to hear from you! Please check the website and send us some Fan Mail. Visit www.usacurl.org and click on the Men's and Women's Nationals link for updates.

Volunteers Needed for the 2006 World Men's Curling Championship

The GNCC is hosting the 2006 World Men's Curling Championship. It will be held in Lowell, MA on April 1-9 2006.

Volunteers are needed to help the GNCC prepare and host this event. This is the largest commitment the GNCC has ever made. It has a lot of potential benefits for curling promotion in Eastern USA. This undertaking will require 300-400 volunteers. The majority of them will be needed during the event; but some of them will also be needed in the time leading up to it.

Please review the info on the Warm Room bulletin board & sign up. I will keep a supply of applications available.

You may also sign up on the web site: www.wcc2006.org

Lets ensure a great turnout of SCC curlers. We will have a great time. Any questions please contact: Dotty Sheehan, GNCC Rep

Junior Bonspiel, March 5, 6 and 7th

The 43rd Schenectady Junior Bonspiel is March 5, 6, and 7th. We really, really, REALLY, above everything else, need help with housing. People can also help by setting up for and cleaning up after breakfast and lunch each day, working on the ice, making club signs or the draw board, chaperoning the dance, etc. We would not have had such a successful bonspiel last year without the support of our gracious members. The club made almost $900, and the 24 teams had a great weekend. Please make a very charitable donation to the club by helping to support the teen bonspiel. Thank you in advance!

Thank you in Advance, Dion & Andrea

CLOSING BANQUET

The Closing Party will be on Saturday, April 3rd this year. We are looking for volunteers to help assist and be a part of this event. Please contact Jane Caruvana or Nancy Wurth.

Remembering Neal Schell

Longtime curler, Neal Schell, passed away on February 1, 2004.

Neal served two terms as president of the curling club. He was an avid curler, loved bonspieling and was a member of the Chabawabs.

He and Betty chaired our German Night for many years and Neal became famous for his sauerbraten. He loved to cook.

He carried a list of punch lines in his wallet in order to have a good joke handy. The funny part being that he knew the punch lines but couldn't remember the jokes.

He will be missed. A Neal Schell Memorial Fund has been established. We will purchase a new chair in his name. Any contributions over and above will go toward kitchen improvements.

If you wish to contribute please send check to Jim Colton.

DUTCH SHOE SPIEL

Congratulations to Dorothy Szymaszek's team for winning the second event at the Dutch Shoe. Dorothy had Sally Ward at Vice, Ev Holmblad at second and Shirley Burgess at Lead. Dorothy has become a pro at using the Stick. I know we have all seen her in action.