Chester Curling Club’s 37th Annual, Snowball Mixed Bonspiel

The 2020 edition of the Chester Curling Club’s 37th Annual, Snowball Mixed Bonspiel, was by all accounts a huge success. It provided for a fun filled event with keen curling competition and renewed friendships and rivalries that are synonymous with our club’s character. There were 12 teams participating in all, including many local hybrid and league teams, as well as, teams from Halifax and Windsor.

Friday evening draws got off smoothly as teams were eager to get an early read on the ice and have that first game behind them. When teams were finished, they were able to relax with live entertainment and enjoy refreshments, and fine hors d’oeuvres. Although there were a couple minor power outages followed by a “one hour-ish” outage on Saturday, it did not dampen the spirits of the participants. This rather contributed to a festive atmosphere and the seventh end “candle light” snack and beverage break that everyone seemed to enjoy and take in stride.

Once again we wish to congratulate the winning teams;

• 1st Team Taylour Stevens, Adam Cocks, Kate Callaghan and Bret Dorey
• 2nd Team Dan Fraser, Haylee Nauss, Wendy Sheppard and John Sheppard
• 3rd Team Greg Rafuse, Micayla Dorey, Patrick Fraser and Rachel Wilwang
• 4th Team Renata Graham, Charles Walker, Darlene Gates and Ken Johnson.

We wish to extend a huge “Thank You” to our dedicated volunteers, without which, the Snowball would not run as smoothly or be as successful. Special thanks goes out to the following; Carla Rafuse, overall coordinator, MJ Barkhouse and her helpers, Diane and Cindy, for the wonderful meal and Beth Atherton with the junior curlers for serving, Danette Grey for procurement, food prep and set-up, Linda Townson and Norma Swinamer for food prep, set-up, Beth Bleasdale for canvassing, bartenders Morven McLaughlin, Tommy McLaughlin, Dean Dunford and Dale Rafuse.

Thank you, Kevin Koloff and the Gypsy Minstrel Band, for the live entertainment.

To all club members who donated food, be it the painstakingly decorated and (very tasty) star cookies, loaf cakes or store bought items, we are most appreciative. And here is a “shout out” to Dan Fraser, our MC, for the banquet and awards presentations.

Lastly, let us not forget the excellent and challenging ice provided by Randy Cocks.

Well done and thank you all for making your curling club a welcoming place to be!

The Chester Curling Club would like to thank our Community and private Sponsors for their gracious gifts: