OPENING PARTY/SOCIAL CURLING

The Opening Party/Social Curling Halloween Party was a "howling" success. The warm eoom was aglow with orange and yellow Halloween decorations. Marie Pletenik, the McCulloughs, Warrs, and Victor Rodriguez did a great job.

Seventy-eight ghosts and goblins enjoyed the lavish hors d'oeuvres prepared by the Millers, Judy McCullough, Ursula Hilborn, Liz Hanna and Jim Colton.

Chef Char served an old fashion pot roast dinner. The honors went to the pumpkin soup with several people requesting the recipe. Donna Disch, Carol Munro and Kat Curtis were outstanding in the kitchen duty department.

Famous magician, COGNAC THE MAGNIFICENT, blew in from Las Vegas and put on quite a show! His repertoire included card tricks, scarf tricks, number tricks, a disappearing ball trick, and a faulty YoYo trick. The hit of the show, however, was when Fay Navratil and Donna Disch removed Victor Rodriguez's jockey shorts!!!!! How did they do that, Cognac? Thanks a million to Joe "Cognac" Lisuzzo! You were fantastic!

There were witches, pirates, a court jester, biker guy, GI Joe and Viking queen. Superman flew in and Dion Warr's Indiana Jones "whipped" the competition to win best costume for men. Court Jester, Alex navratil and scary witch, Helen Merkley, captured prizes in the kid's category. the women's prize was taken by the very original Viking queen, Cathy Haag. Ed Kennelly and George Curtis were just plain spooky in their fright wigs

Thanks to the Social Curlers who did the clean up. Team Sheehan with George Wedekind at the sink, were helped out by Dee Rowan, MJ and Jerry Miller and Jim Colton.

It was the first night of Social Curling. We have eleven teams and always need subs. All curlers are eligible. Everyone is welcome to join for hors d'oeuvres and dinner on curling nights. Just call Char for a reservation.

Open Learning League

What is the Open Learning League? The Open Learning League is a new addition to the curling schedule this year, and will meet on Friday evenings after the Social League.

How is the Open Learning League different from other leagues? This league de-emphasizes individual games and standings among teams. Instead, it emphasizes responding to the expressed needs of the participants, concentrating on teaching newer curlers in a controlled environment, and focusing on different aspects of the sport of curling each week. Participants will be encouraged to share their knowledge and experience with the rest of the group as various game scenarios are explored. Participants will have the opportunity to experience playing all positions on a rink.

What will we cover? This is limited only by the objectives of the participants. Some topics include: Objectives with and without the hammer; the roles of each member of a rink; effective communication from the house and hack; game strategies; assessing opponents strengths and weaknesses; identifying and responding to changing conditions; special rules near the hogline and T-line; etiquette, sportsmanship and deportment.

Who can participate? The Open Learning League is open to all men and women members who would like to excel in the sport of curling.

What if I have questions? For more information contact Jim Ridenour

Structure

• Open Questions 10-15 mins.
  Take time to answer any questions about situations that may have happened during a league game, bonspiel, or previous class. We'll take the opportunity to clear any points the curler may have.
• Instructions 30-40 mins.
  A topic will be selected and explained in detail to the curlers.
• Practice 30-40 mins
  Drills will be designed to practice the current topic of discussion for that day. Curlers are expected to perform the drills in order to perfect those skills.
• Game 60-90 mins.
  If time permits, a short game will be held after forming a team with those curlers present. The game will focus on the current topic to further enhance the new acquired skill. The game may and will be interrupted for explanations about strategy or any other issues that arise during the game.

THE 25TH ANNUAL ACHILLES BONSPIEL

NOVEMBER 18-20, 2004

It's time for the annual men's bonspiel! We are looking for members to support this event by attending some of the games, and if possible, assist by volunteering to make this important revenue producer a success.

Contact Charlotte Colton if you are able to help in the food area. There are breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and dinners to be managed. Donna Mulig will take care of the welcoming party on Thursday evening. if you can help with hors d'oeuvres let her know. This will save a lot of telephoning, as Charlotte and Donna will be dialing soon.

Help is also needed for set-ups, breakdowns, scorers, publicity, closers, etc....Jump in there!! Hint.....Call Bob Mulig before he calls you!!!

Don't forget about the Friday night entertainment. Frank Jaklitsch, who performs locally, and Scotty West are lively and fun. Come out on Friday night at 9:30 for the entertainment or earlier and enjoy the curling.

Non-participants in the bonspiel are welcome to sign up for the dinners. Check the bulletin board. Your support and asistance will be greatly appreciated.

CAROSELLA WOMEN'S BONSPIEL THIS WEEKEND

The Carosella Women's Bonspiel will be curled starting Friday evening with draws at 6:15 and 8:15. There are 14 teams participating with curlers from Philadelphia, Albany, Broomstones, Utica, Nutmeg and Schenectady.

Becky Manore said that the committee could use some help. If you are available sometime over the weekend or could donate an hors d'oeuvre for Friday night, please give her a call.

Non-curlers are invited to attend an Italian dinner on Saturday evening. The cost is $12 per person. Call for reservations.

Join us for the finals on Sunday at 11:30 AM. The curlers will be piped onto the ice with a piper in full regalia. So come on out and enjoy the spectacle and the curling.

RIDENOUR HEADS FOR KOREA

Jim Ridenour, the head icemaker for SCC and club president is headed for Seoul, South Korea, on November 7. Jim has accepted a position as assistant head icemaker for the Pacific Curling Championships. He will be working with head icemaker Doug Wright of Wright Ice in Manitoba, Canada. Local icemakers will fill out the rest of the crew. Six countries will compete: Japan, Australia, New Zealand, China, Korea, and Chinese Taipei (Taiwan).

Besides the Pacific Championship, this three week long session also includes two additional competitions, the Presidents Cup for juniors and for adults. In addition, the team will be giving a five-day ice making course.

Jim is a hydrogeologist working in exposure assessment for the NYS Dept. of Health. He joined SCC in 1997 and quickly became interested in making ice. Jim has pursued this interest by attending Canadian Curling Association ice making training courses and has attained a Level three certification. During this time Jim has been busy making ice for SCC, but more notably for the 2003 Brier (the Canadian Men's National Championship), the 2002 Olympics in Salt Like City, Utah, the 2001 Junior World Championships (also in Utah), the 2000 National Senior Games and the 1999 GNCC Senior Men's Championship.

Jim has been invited to make ice for the 2005 Canadian Olympic Trials and has applied to the 2006 World Championship in Boston.

Bon voyage, Jim!

Curl For Life - Coolest Fundraiser Around

The Schenectady Curling Club played host to a group of wonderfully generous people on Saturday, October 23, who contributed over $1,500 for an important cause. To Life! - a breast cancer support organization located in Delmar, is the beneficiary of the proceeds.

Smiles and cheers were everywhere as the mostly first-time curlers were given a curling lesson and then played a four end game. After the game, they were treated to a delicious lunch prepared by Liz Lansing and Fay Navratil.

Tim Brooks gets the credit for coming up with the idea of bringing prospective curlers together to raise money for a good cause. He was also the event chairperson. Great job, Tim!

Several other club members came out to support the event by volunteering to instruct and coach: Dion and Andrea Warr; Jeff Mayott; Matt Staccone; Alice and David Rubin; Michelle Mayhew; Cathy Haag; Jon Kunin; Deb and Don Lansing; Victor Rodriguez; Jim Ridenour; and Nancy Wurth. Beth Jaeger of the Albany Curling Club also joined us.

Thanks to our generous donors the raffle was a success. Charlene Fitzgerald donated two beautiful handmade throws. Panera Bread, Glen Sanders Mansion and David's Hair Salon also donated items.

A Curl For Life T-shirt designed by club member Victor Rodriguez was given to each participant. A small supply is still available for $10 each. Please see Tom or Nancy if interested in purchasing any.

It's never too early to plan ahead. Are you interested in a sponsorship for next year? If so, contact Tim Brooks.

EMPIRE PLAYDOWNS

Sign up now if you want to play in the Empire Bonspiel. The deadline for entering a team is Thursday, November 11th. If more than 2 teams sign up, the first play down game is scheduled for Saturday, November 13th. No submissions will be accepted after the 11th. For more information, call Maxine Getty.

THE LADIES OPENING DINNER

The women had a very enjoyable dinner and meeting to start the season. old friends and new members were among the attendees. Carol Munro and her crew put on a delicious spread.

On behalf of the women, Charlotte Colton presented a club chair to Marie Pletenik in recognition of her many years of service to the club, especially to the Women's Organization.

THE 2004-05 T-LINE

This year the T-Line will be distributed to the club every other Wednesday evening. More issues will put out as needed.

Please send in your articles to either Charlotte Colton or Dotty Sheehan ASAP. We will be sure everything gets in the next issue.

The T-Line will also be put on the web site. Please leave the printed copies on the tables for all to read.