MEET OUR NEW CURLERS

Ellen Shupe Bell
Char Fitzgerald introduced Ellen Shupe Bell to curling. Ellen lives in Brunswick with her husband, Jim and daughter Elaine. She is a realtor for Bryce Realty. Ellen plays golf and enjoys working in stained glass. She does volunteer work through The Junior League of Troy.

Chuck Deshaies
Chuck is just returning to curling after having completed his masters thesis in Canadian History. He and his wife, Barbara live in Altamont. He is employed by the NYS Department of Labor. Chuck has two sons, Michael and Jim. His heritage is French Canadian and he is very interested in Canadian politics. Chuck is an accomplished writer and was published in TOWARD FREEDOM.

Mary Ellen Nerz
Mel (she likes to be called Mel) is engaged and lives in Guilderland with her three cats Max, Radar and Hawkeye. She rows with the Albany Rowing Center and is interested in photography. Mel is an accountant.

Greg Elkins
Greg came to an Open House and found curling another sport he could enjoy. He also likes to play basketball and softball. Greg moved to this area from Flint, MI two years ago. He is single and works for Lockheed/Martin at the KNOLLS.

John & Nancy Karm
Nancy and John won the silent auction at the Vintner's Dinner for the Regional Food Bank which was a membership for two at SCC. Time Warner employs Nancy and John works for GE. They live in Charlton and enjoy skiing and gardening.

Charlie & Kathy Brown
The Brown's visited the Scottish Games this summer and learned about the SCC Open House. They are curling in the Tuesday Mixed and in the OLL League. Kathy and Charlie were just married this past July. Kathy is an elementary Health teacher in the South Colonie School District and Charlie is a Portfolio Manager in Albany. He enjoys golf and Kathy scrap booking.

Paula Healey
Paula is a friend and co-worker of Dion Warr. Originally from Utica, she moved to Schenectady in 1994. Paula works at the Division of the Budget for Keane, Inc. An avid sports enthusiast, Paula enjoys golf, volleyball, water skiing and now curling. She is curling in the Bradshaw and the Open Learning League.

Andy Ottati
Andy and his wife Maureen live in Schenectady with their two year son, Colden. The Ottati's are expecting a new addition in April. Andy is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park and has taught culinary arts at Paul Smith College. He is employed by Milano's restaurant in Loudonville. Andy enjoys hiking and skiing. He is a native of Schenectady and has wanted to try curling so he stopped by one evening and signed up with his buddy Paul Winters!!!!!

Come back later for more new members and photos.

CURLING LESSONS INTRODUCE 14 TO CURLING

The club held a three-class course for people to get in depth instruction on all aspects of the game. The head instructor was Dion Warr who was assisted by Jeff Mayott and Nancy Wurth. Liz Lansing, Victor Rodriguez, Tim Brooks, Jim Ridenour and Deb Lansing pitched in to help with each class. Other members joined the group on the last night to fill out teams for a fun filled game. Fifteen people participated and completed the course on Nov. 1st.

FOR SALE

Club chairs are for sale. $20.00 dollars each. We have too many "old chairs". If you would like to purchase some, talk to Jeff Mayott. He will help you to pick out the "extras". Give the $20.00 to our treasurer, Bill Jerome.

The Carosella Memorial

The second annual ladies bonspiel, The Carosella Memorial, was held November 5-7. It was a great success thinaks to the work of Becky and Shaun-Paul Manore and their committee. Fourteen teams participated (compared to eight last year). The away teams included the USWCA East team. These ladies spoke to the gathering about future USWCA events.

The winners are posted on our web site. The fifth event was the "Ice Cream Bowl" event. The winners received a Bowl and some Ben & Jerry's to put in it!!!

ANNYOUNGHASEO! (Korean greetings)

I've got about 14 days to go in Korea. I am looking forward to leaving the impersonal arena behind and getting back to the welcome sight of the SCC warm room. At the same time, I am looking forward to the next week or so, as the athletes for the PCC begin to arrive and sneak into the facility for some illegal early practice. (right Ken?)

I expect by now, our leagues are moving along and everyone is making friends with our new members. During the open houses, clinics and other early events, I saw several marvelous prospects for sweepers out there, so skips, be on the lookout! I have heard favorable reports on the Carosella, and that the SCC folds in the Ross Tarleton acquitted themselves well.....congratulations to all! Now the Achilles is on the horizon...I hope that everyone will come out and help and fill the warm room with spectators for this great bonspiel.

I am off to install carpet and help out with the ice for a WCF officials clinic. Best wishes and a wonderful Thanksgiving to you all.

Jim Ridenour, President

HELP OUR CLUB REACH $20,000 GOAL

An anonymous benefactor said he or she would match donations up to $10,000!! We need $3,150 more to meet that goal which will mean $20,000 to our club and help us on the way to being debt free. Can you help? We appreciate all members who have contributed so generously to the cause!

CURLING GLOSSARY

GNCC -- Grand National Curling Club is part of the United States Curling Association. The GNCC is our governing body in the eastern US and encompasses all clubs from New England to Florida. A portion of our dues go to support the GNCC. The GNCC sponsors the following events: Men's and Women's Championships, Senior Men's Championships (which will be played at Schenectady this year Feb 3rd through 6th), the Francis Dykes Memorial, the Women's Challenge, and the Kayser Mixed, all for 5 year and under curlers, the Ross Tarleton International (which is a competition between the US and Canada), and the Junior and Mixed Championships (which select teams to go to the USCA Championships). This year SCC will host the first 10 and under spiel December 10th through 12th. You are enttitled to a GNCC directory. They're on the table just inside the warm room. Dotty Sheehan is our representative to the GNCC.

USWCA -- United States Women's Curling Association is the governing body for women's curling in the US. The USWCA strongly co-ordinates with the United States Curling Association and has representation on the board. The USWCA sponsors the following national bonspiels: US Women's, US Senior Women's, the Scot's Tour, Canada Friendly, and the Five and Under. Marie Pletenik is our representative to the USWCA. SCC Women Curlers pay dues to the USWCA.

USCA -- United States Curling Association is the overall governing body for curling in the US. The USCA has standing with the United States Olympic Committee. Beginning Dec 6th, separate playdowns will be held to select the teams to represent the US at the 2006 Olympics in Italy. If you would like more information please go to USACURL.ORG. The USCA sponsors the Men's, Women's, Junior's, and Sr. Men's National Championships. We are represented at the USCA by the GNCC.

BONSPIEL -- A curling tournament.

UPRINK -- The Skip and the Three.

DOWNRINK -- The Two and the Lead.

HOUSE -- The bullseye or target.

T-LINE -- The line that bisects the House.

HOG LINE -- The line 21 feet from the T-line is the foul line and the Hog Line at the target end defines whether or not the stone is in play.

IN-TURN -- Release of the stone in a clockwise manner.

OUT-TURN -- Release of the stone in a counter clockwise manner.

WIDE -- Releasing the stone on the outside of the Skip's broom.

NARROW -- Releasing the stone on the inside of the Skip's broom.