2010 Colton winners (L-R): Nicole Ladopoulos, Amy Corey, Laura Knussman, and Paula Lancaster

Two important in-house events for our women were held in January; The Colton Bonspiel, and The C.R.U.E. Bonspiel. The Colton is for experienced skips, and is considered the Women’s Club Championships. This annual event is held in honor of Charlotte Colton, Ruth Kerr, Dorothy Szymaszek, and in memory of Ursula Hilborn. The C.R.U.E. is intended for novice skips, and was established by Claire Brunkhorst, Ruth Kerr, Undine Fiedler, and Evelyn Homblad, who comprised the first team of women from Schenectady to win the Empire Bonspiel. These ladies wanted to foster the development of curling among women in the club, and encourage newer curlers to step into the house.

This year’s Colton was held on January 30th and 31st with Paula Lancaster’s rink taking the top prize, The Colton. Paula’s team was rounded out by Laura Knussman at Vice, Amy Corey at 2nd, and Nicole Ladopoulos at Lead. After a very close match (won by only one rock!), Team Lancaster defeated Team Fitzgerald made up of Charlene Fitzgerald, Carol Munro, Linda Falcon, and Tess Stoklosa.

The Kerr pin was won by last year’s Colton winner, Liz Lansing with a rink of Sue Adair, Peggy O'Connor, and Jackie Donegan. They bested Jill Grandusky’s team of Lori Millet, Meghan Campbell, Cathy Faulkner, and Natalie McDonough. MJ Miller’s team of Dotty Sheehan, Denise Cashmere, and Kelly McCart won the Szymaszek pin over Eleanor Lisuzzo’s team of Lisa Filkins, April Katz, and Nancy Gaines. Finally, Fay Navratil’s rink of Kathy Brown, Barb Kimmey, and Sara Marchand took home the Hillborn prize over Betty Sovik’s team of Eileen Kelliher, Joan Pearson, and Roberta F.

2010 C.R.U.E Winners (L-R): Joan Pearson, MJ Miller, Lisa Filkins, and Denise Cashmere with Claire Brunkhorst and Evelyn Homblad

On January 16th, the C.R.U.E. bonspiel was held. This one-day event consists of two 6-end games. The winning team is determined by points. This year's brave novice skips included Jill Grandusky, Denise Cashmere, Laura Knussman, April Katz, Meghan Campbell, and Sara Marchand. The runner-up team, skipped by Sara Marchand, included Stephanie Magee at Vice, Nancy Gaines at 2nd, and Jackie Donegan at Lead. This year's winner, with nearly 23 points, was skipped by Denise Cashmere, and included Lisa Filkins at Vice, MJ Miller at 2nd, and Joan Pearson at Lead.

Congratulations to all the winners in these great events!