Hack to Hack

BRCC Gets a Boost

2009-07-10T15:04:00.004-04:00

Johnny Cash. Everybody plays one of his tunes from time to time. Some of those songs are timeless. Although the "Man in Black" is gone, the BRCC is about to receive a different kind of cash, the green kind! Once again, the "Not-For-Profit" status is paying a dividend. Thanks for all your help in that Doug Kearns! I should say here that Doug Kearns, "Legal Eagle" of the north was instrumental in getting this set up for the club. His time was a valuable donation and our hats are off.

Back in June, we applied for a grant to do some renovations to the club. In a news release from the govt recently, we were named to receive approximately $13,000.00 in grant money. The board met recently, as you might guess, a hot agenda item was planning how to best utilize these dollars. The ladies washroom will be receiving face lift, and you can be sure that there will be alot of ladies elated over this. We are also going to look at the back wall and ascertain the scope of that job. Also, the roof has a couple of leaks that will have to be addressed. We are hoping that we can get that fixed with the remainder of the money budgeted.

So stay tuned, and I'll keep you updated as to how the renovations go.

Kudos to the BRCC board for getting this on the go. Special thanks to Kathy Jensen for her help in preparing the proposal. Her initial heads up, instructions and insight were absolutely fundamental. And once again, thanks to our Maymar who originally prompted the board to contact Kathy regarding this grant. Maymar is ALWAYS in the background, providing help and support to the board. Undoubtedly, her volunteer hours are covered for the next several years.

And check out this tasteful painting by Robert Sim, an artist and sculptor hailing from Winnipeg. Even the artists out in the "Peg" are curling fans!

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

Curling and China

2009-06-16T09:25:00.003-04:00

I read an interesting article by Bob Weeks about China winning the Women's World Curling Championship. He made some interesting points that I had not considered when I watched Bingyu Wang win. The question remains, will curling become a common sport in China now that the ladies are World Champions. Weeks did not think so. In spite of their win, curling will remain "an obscure sport". I agree...to a certain extent. I don't believe that curling clubs will dot the landscape over there in China any time soon. However, there may be potential for a few Chinese urban centers to build a curling facility. Perhaps a multi-sport facility..who can say. Nonetheless, it will be a very long time to grow this sport over there. But is this the way to even look at this. I say no. The fact that China has invested in curling teams to come to Canada and learn the game and compete regularly has paid dividends. To have world level teams competing in a sport that is not housed in your own country is a feat in itself. And I will go on to say that China has made a huge contribution to the sport. By knocking Canada off the top spot, China has shown the rest of the world that it can be done. That anything is possible with commitment. Isn't that what it's all about?

I say, who cares if China builds curling clubs. Yes, it would be nice but the bigger picture is that they are participating. And they are participating in a big way. Canada and the rest of the countries with curling representation had better brush up their skills and get game because for now, there's a new sheriff in town..and it's no Canuck.

Lee Ann Womack said it best in that song, "I Hope You Dance"...only in this case, it should have been..."I Hope You Curl".

And finally, this guy is arguably the best second in the game today. Yes or no?

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

Skins and the Road to the Roar

2009-06-09T13:21:00.006-04:00

Here's Team Murdoch taking on another giant after that wondrous "threepeat" win over the Kevin Martin crew. Terrible view for the guy at the rear holding up his broom. You know what he's saying? "Alright...that's enough. I quit!" And what's more, that Sumo is going to put some real awful marks in the ice.....fudge spots abound!

The 3rd annual Casino Rama Skins Match line up for January 16 / 17, 2010 has been announced. The defending world champion David Murdoch will be there to take on Kevin Martin, Randy Ferby and Glen Howard. An excellent line up and I'm sure the games will be excellent! I couldn't help but feel a twinge of remorse that no women's teams will be attending. Indeed, after last year's lop-sided victory and the media fall-out that ensued, I guess the people who plan this event felt that this could not be repeated. So true! However, I love watching women's curling. True, it's not the kind of game that the men play with the big weight run backs, redirects etc....I concede that. Nonetheless, the ladies' game has a flavour all its own. The finesse game comes into play and although they may not produce the same rock movement around the house as the men's game, the ladies make incredible shots in every game and it is my experience that the ends are just as dramatic. I find it a bit depressing that ladies curling doesn't get the crowds that the men's events enjoy. Personally, I can't understand why women's curling can't have their own Skins event. Perhaps it's all in the marketing. For sure the talent is there.

And for the Roar of the Rings, it looks like Martin and Howard have already qualified. For the ladies, Jennifer Jones is the only qualifier. The rest will go to Prince George and play in the Road to the Roar event to decide the rest of the field for the Roar event. Prince George's Road to the Roar will be an excellent tournament. For the ladies, there'll be teams like Sherry Anderson, a team I particularly like although I have been disappointed more than once with this teams' late game implosions. Another team attending will be Kelly Scott....after a poor showing this year, they 'll have to get it together for this upcoming season. And how about Sherry Middaugh? Can this team make it through? Sometimes I wonder. They don't seem to be the tough team they used to be. Then there's Krista McCarrville. Here's a team I like. Great composure to this team. I would not be disappointed if they won. And everybody's favorite Quebec team will be there..Marie France Larouche. Who could not like this team?! Once again, I would not be disappointed to see them win but are they strong enough to be gold? There are a total of 12 ladies teams competing at the Road to the Roar.

And there's a total of 12 teams competing in the men's side for the Road to the Roar. My favorite team, Gushue will be there. They are a tough team. They gave Howard and Martin (both) a tough game at the Brier and really, should have won bar the late game implosions that I have come to loathe so much. And you'll be seeing Stoughton another tough outfit. Wayne Middaugh will be there...sort of like a dark horse. And Bob Ursel...still plugging away at it. He's another team that could get on a roll...Heaven knows they have the experience. And Pat Simmons will be there. This is a solid team, a team that I like for sure. I recall the Friday night 1 - 2 game of the 2008 Brier that Simmons played against Martin. After doing so well in the round robin, Simmons was top team going into the play offs. And this game was looking like Simmons was going to win it. Left with a take out and stick for the win, Simmons' rock overcurled and rolled out of play giving the win to Martin. as soon as the shot was missed, the camera went right on Simmons. I'll never forget the look on his face. I felt terrible for the guy but hey, Martin won and I like this team too. Who says there's no drama in curling. I bet that was a sleepless night for Pat.

Anyway, the 2009 / 2010 TV curling season is going to be excellent this year. There'll be lots of it that's for sure.

And finally, these curling chronics were members of the Royal Montreal Curling Club. Do you know what the claim to fame is for this very old club?

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

How's Your Curling Withdrawl

2009-05-14T12:58:00.004-04:00

So, now that almost a couple of months have gone by since the season ended and we've all had time to decompress, how's your curling withdrawl? For a curling chronic like me, I find it nice to have a break and do some different things, but curling is never far from my mind.

There is still much to be done at the BRCC and the members of the board have been meeting regularly since closing to make preparations for next year and to try to get a handle on the renovations that are needed at our great little club.

Summertime is the absolute best time for socializing. Everyone is out and interacting. It is also the best time to plant a few curling seeds. Plant enough seeds, and at least a few curlers will grow. Perhaps mention curling to your non-curling friends. Let them know how much fun curling really is. As curlers, and lovers of the sport, we are also advocates of curling. Without curlers advocating curling, it is difficult to grow the membership. A strong, healthy membership is the paradigm of a successful club.

I'm hoping that you will follow this suggestion and help the BRCC to keep growing and maintain the success that we now enjoy. So get out there and enjoy the great outdoors....and plant some curling seeds. They never need water, just proper planting.

And finally, who is this curler with rings in her eyes?

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

If You Get a Chance, Say Hello to Dunc.

2009-05-11T11:54:00.002-04:00

Just a quick update regarding our good chum, Dunc Murphy. Dunc has been transferred to Laurentian Hospital in Sudbury and is in the 'rehab wing". Dunc is in recovery mode.

I have heard that he has been picking his guitar, of late, and I speak for everyone when I say that we all look forward to hearing him bang out some tunes next year.

Dunc's wife, Pauline, has been with him in Sudbury right through. She hopes to see some visitors drop in to see him. This would be a great boost for Dunc. So, if you're in the area, drop into the Laurentian Hospital and say hello to Dunc Murphy. Your visit would mean so much.

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

Our Thoughts are with Dunc Murphy

2009-05-05T11:47:00.003-04:00

I usually like my posts to be entertaining and to promote laughter (and curling!). However, today, I write to you on a more somber note. On behalf of the Blind River Curling Club, I would like to extend our thoughts and best wishes for a speedy recovery to BRCC's longtime friend, Dunc Murphy.

Dunc recently suffered a stroke while visiting his son in Montreal.

Dunc is a well known curling personality on the North Shore, and a member of the Deer Trail Curling Club in Elliot Lake. Since the early 60's, Dunc Murphy has been dealing out curling 'dunks" wherever there's a spiel. And that's not all, he is also well known in this feather fedora and toting his guitar, wailin' out some of those good old tunes.

We all look forward to seeing Dunc around again soon. Get well Dunc!

The Curling Chronic

Maymar Gemmell Inducted into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame

2009-04-29T10:02:00.002-04:00

This is BRCC's own Maymar Gemmell, with her 2009 Masters team that went to the National Championship in Saskatoon earlier in April. Wouldn't you know it...Maymar has been inducted into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame. What a great honor and it could not have gone to a more deserving candidate. Maymar has devoted her life to curling and epitomizes what being a true curling chronic really is.

Maymar has won two Canadian Senior Women's Championships, in 1990 and 1993, playing in the second and lead positions for Ontario skip, Jill Greenwood. As well, she has skipped a Bristish Columbia seniors ladies team (with a runner-up finish) and several years skipping a Northern Ontario senior ladies team in national competition. And that's not all, she skipped a team in the 1991 World Womens Curling Championship for the USA ( four Canadians living in Houston, TX)....Al Gemmell has told me of the long treks from Texas to the north to bonspiel. Now that is commitment to the sport!

And that's still not all. Maymar is a member of the NOCA. In fact, she is one of the participants that got the NOCA started...amalgamating northern Ontario curling.

Maymar's accomplishments in curling and the contribution she has made to the sport are no small achievements. She certainly is a "Hall of Famer" by whatever criteria they use. The BRCC is proud to have Maymar as a member and the contribution she has made just at our club level is evident. Maymar is always active in the club...even when she is not around. As a board member, I can honestly say that Maymar is always looking for ways to improve the club. She provides information all the time on one curling-related thing or another. Personally, I am thrilled to see Maymar receiving this induction.

So, the next time you see our Maymar, stop and offer her kudos for this most prestigious award.

On another note, today is the second last day to get registered to be a volunteer at the 2010 STOH in Sault Ste Marie. Still on the fence? Hop off and give it a whirl. Set yourself up for a one-of-a-kind curling experience.

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

Board Meeting Monday, May 11, 09 7 pm

2009-04-22T12:32:00.004-04:00

There will be a board meeting of the BRCC on Monday, May 11, 09 at 7:00 pm.

BRCC Boys Attend POST Spiel at Coppercliff

2009-04-22T12:13:00.004-04:00

That's Al Viel, Lloyd Bigras, myself and Mike Landry, just finishing our first game at the Post Spiel at Copper Cliff Curling Club this past weekend. As always, I had an excellent time with my compadres...Al, who i have played alot of games with, Mike Landry, the same and our gracious host, Lloyd who regularly attends the Men's Closing at the BRCC. Unfortunately, we lost our third game and were ousted from the tournament on Saturday night, (the dreaded Saturday night game), but our spirits were only briefly dampened as we still had the pleasure of each others' company and we sure made the best of it. Thanks to Lloyd's better half, Sue, who served as our chief means of transport. Also attending this 48 team spiel from the BRCC was Brian and Judy Welsh, curling with Judy's sister and husband. They went 2 - 0 and then, same as us, lost their third game.

There were a couple Elliot Lake teams at this event as well. Dunc Murphy was there with a squad and Mike Brown had a team there as well.

Have a look at these guys. It's Dunc Murphy's crew at the Post. This picture was taken following the Saturday night game which they just won. I have to say, Dunc Murphy is one of my favorite all-time curlers in the north. Dunc is in his 70's and still out there winning games. Dunc "dunked" us at the BRCC Men's Closing (Saturday night game) and he's been busy dunking everyone else ever since. Just ask the guys who he just beat, they'll tell you. And what about Pete Anderson. Absolutely excellent to see him out there this weekend. It was great to see these guys in the hunt and on their way to Sunday. Ya gotta love these Elliot Lakers!

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

Blind River Ice Guy Volunteers at 2010 STOH

2009-04-17T10:24:00.004-04:00

Have a look at these guys, makin' curling ice for an upcoming event. BRCC's own ice guy, Mike Laderoute, will be helping out with the ice at the Scotties in 2010 in Sault Ste Marie.

You know, if David Wilcox was a curler, he might have not written that song, "Layin Pipe All Night Long". Perhaps he would have wrote it to be, "I'm Makin' Ice, All Night Long"....or something like that. I can see Mike with his ipod and ear buds blasting that song while he tends to his ice duties. (Well..maybe not an Ipod and ear buds...more like a walkman, cassette and earphones).

At any rate, Mike will be there, doing his part for the STOH and for the BRCC. Excellent work Mike!

There is still time to get yourself set up to volunteer at the STOH. Just check the Scotties Tournament of Hearts 2010 website and look under volunteers. Try it out, this is the kind of thing that makes curling chronics!

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

2010 STOH Volunteering Revisited

2009-04-13T08:53:00.004-04:00

One other thing you should know about volunteering for the Scotties. ....YOU DO NOT HAVE TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE WEEK. You can volunteer for just one day if you like...that's the beauty of it. Don't think you have to take the entire week off to volunteer for this event. If you are good for 1 day, then that's a help to the organizers. Do your part...get involved. Support ladies curling and support your club! So check out the site and line up your fun volunteering time in the Sault now. I'm sure you will not regret it.

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

Volunteers Still Needed for Scotties 2010

2009-04-09T12:12:00.003-04:00

Ever been to a Scotties? I've been to a couple and they're excellent. I went to Sudbury back in 2001 and watched Colleen Jones win it over Kelly Law. That was a great game and a great finish ( a measure!). Those that have attended these kinds of events can attest to the excellent experience, and those of you that have not....well, the Scotties is coming to the Sault in 2010 and there is an excellent opportunity to get involved. It is truly a wonderful experience to volunteer at a National Curling final and certainly no better way to be a part of the action. Those clubs that have members volunteering at the STOH receive a share in the profits (I'm sure they are proportional to the amount of volunteers coming from each club). So, this is also a great way to help out your home club.

Check out this site: www.seasonofchampions.ca/2010stoh/ and sign up to volunteer at a Scotties. Make yourself a curling memory, these opportunities will not come along every day. You have until APRIL 30th, 09 to get signed up so don't wait, get your volunteer gig lined up right away. You won't regret it!
And here's one more. An 'end of the year' tough one! (Al and Maymar cannot guess this one...they'll know it!). Who is this guy?

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

Tickle Me Emo

2009-02-17T15:54:00.005-05:00

Sorry for the lame title, I just had to say it. This is the Emo Curling Club, located in Emo, ON. Located less than an hour west of Fort Frances, Emo is a small town of approximately 1000 people. Al and Maymar were up there during the Northern Ontario men's provincials, Al in his capacity as NOCA president and Maymar, there to coach Team Danny Lemieux of the BRCC. Although the boys did not make it through, they still put in the time and effort and did a good job getting there. Kudos! Al and Maymar, in the meantime, got to throw some rocks at the Emo Curling Club thanks to the iceman, bar manager, janitor (and supplier of these pictures)....Lyle Gill.

This facility, and its inception, is a shining example of the creativity, and the dividends it yields, in getting a club on the go. This is a 100 year old school house. The lounge area is where the main classroom was. Out the back, there is a 3 sheet quonset hut. Change rooms are in the basement and if you are tall, it is to your disadvantage.

This club was closed for 8 years and is now open again as the Town of Emo took it over and employed Lyle to run it.

This is completely cool! Anyone ever been to Emo? Did anyone ever hear of Emo. Not me, until this very day. And now, if and when the opportunity knocks, I'm going to check out Emo and perhaps hang with Lyle for a while. Anyone else know of unique clubs? Let me know...send me a picture. labcity007@hotmail.com

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

Shout It Out Loud

2008-10-27T11:39:00.004-04:00

Shout It...Shout It...Shout It out Loud! This was a Kiss song. I don't watch the Gene Simmons Family Jewels reality show, but back in the day, I was, like many others, a Kiss fan. They had the right idea with this Shout song, and if they were curlers , the song would still apply. (Although they would have a heck of a time gluing Teflon to the spiked shoes they wore). Members of Kiss would have made great front end players shouting down to their skip.

Skips can only call line. They can't really see the speed of the rock so they must depend on the lead and the second to shout down to them just where they think the rock will come to rest, OR, how fast the rock is travelling. Is it guard weight, back line, takeout, or parking lot? The sooner the skip has this information, the sooner a decision can be made whether to stick to the plan or find a "Plan B"

Strong front ends can make a team. Their good sweeping and their capacity to quickly relay information to their skip makes them an integral part of the game.

A good exercise for front end players is to start to relay information to your skip. Talk to your skip and make a plan for this. You will be surprised at how fast you become good at this. This information will benefit your team BIG TIME. Try using a stopwatch. If you take a split time from the back line to the hog line and then watch to see where the rock ends up, the next split time you take will tell you if it is heavier or if it is lighter. If it is lighter, you will have the time to jump on that rock and sweep it. If you are still confused about using stopwatches, talk to someone on your team and they will be able to advise you.

So leads and seconds, here's a challenge for you and an opportunity to become even more involved in the game. Communicate with your skip on the rocks coming down the ice. Shout out the information he needs. "This is Heavy, or "Tee-Line Weight" or "Light"...you can see how this will help. The sooner the skip hears this, the sooner he or she can react.

Yes, Kiss would make good front end curlers. I would make them lose the make up and wear a jacket. Those low cut leather shirts would make for a cold game...and certainly would allow too many chest hairs to fall on the ice. The only thing they would be shouting to their skip is "PICK!"

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

Variety is the Spice of Life

2008-10-14T08:09:00.002-04:00

Variety is the Spice of Life. Now there's an idiom that we have all been exposed to at one time or another. Boy, it's true too! Seems like whatever we are doing, we need to mix it up after a while or things just go from routine to mundane. The ultimate boredom we feel is like a curse and we look for something to shake that feeling.

Elton John wrote an excellent ditty called Levon. It's a song about a guy who blows up and sells balloons all day....and he made good money at it too apparently. He was bored to death with it, but I guess he stuck with it and got his son doing the balloon thing too. Ultimately, his son got bored with blowing up the balloons and spent his time wishing he could be away from his dad and those darn balloons. Maybe Levon should have let the boy sell some balloons or perhaps, be the guy who goes and picks up the balloons...either way, give him a job other than blowing up balloons all day. Just to keep him interested.

Now what if Levon was a skip in the men's league? He brings in his son to play lead. So game in and game out, the boy throws all draws, never a take out. After a while, the boy becomes so bored with being a lead, he does not want to curl anymore. Why? Because there is no variety for him! Perhaps Levon would have done well to let the boy play second from time to time just so he could throw some take outs, mixed in with the draws.

In curling, lead stone is the most common entry-level position in the game. New curlers are asked to draw, draw, draw. This gets them used to the delivery. It acquaints them with weight consistency. They learn brushing. From the front end, they pretty well learn the game. This is all necessary!

The thing is, after a while, new curlers want to move forward. Learn to throw take outs and learn the more advanced strategies of the game. What is happening is that they are growing with the game. This is a natural progression. The fact of the matter is, newer curlers need to be given the opportunity to grow. Ultimately, they will taste all the positions and find the place on a team of 4 that will be their niche. Perhaps they will go back to being lead because they know they can offer consistent draws to the team as well as effective brushing. Maybe they will end up throwing second stones because they can throw accurate take outs and make a quick adjustment to draw weight for the second stone. Whatever the case, new curlers need the opportunity to see the game from all sides. As experienced curlers, it is our responsibility to ensure that newer players get this experience or they may not be curlers for long.

It can be argued that lead position is a very important position in the game today. The lead stones will determine the way an end will go. Thanks to the 4-rock rule, the lead's ability to put those guards up or put one in the house is paramount. Good leads are every bit as important on a team as anyone else. Shot making aside, good leads (good front ends in general) can look at a rock when it is released and know where it will end up at the other end. They will convey this information to the skip. And, there is nothing like good brushing. Good brushers can make the shot for their skip!

If you are a skip, a good exercise might be to switch up your front end from time to time. Let your lead shoot second stones and vice versa. If you are a lead on a team and want to try a different position, let your skip know. Maybe he can help you out. Try sparing in different positions in different leagues (like the mixed leagues) because the experience will be great! Get out there and get your feet wet!!

Good teams are not only those teams that can execute well. The chemistry MUST be there. Players must be content in the position they play. The only way for players to know they are content in a certain position is to experience other positions. There will come a time when each and every one of them will have their "curling epiphany" and find their niche. Then, and only then, will they be able to fully grow into that position and embrace it.

Levon would do well to follow this advice. Let his son take a break from blowing up balloons all day; perhaps let him get into sales or purchasing. Ultimately, he might hate sales, or he might hate dealing with the balloon mongers. You never know, he might end up back at the balloon stand, lips puckered and ready for another day. However, he'll be blowing them up with enthusiasm this time, because he will have found his balloon niche.

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic

For Whom the Bell Tolls

2008-10-07T08:24:00.004-04:00

"To bell or not to bell", that is the question. I'm sure if William Shakespeare had been a curler in a small Canadian curling club instead of some writer hanging around Stratford Upon Avon, he might have written this in the place of the famous soliloquy we all know so well. There is a good chance he would have been dealing with the "Bell" issue in an effort to get the late draws started on time.

Picture this: You're in the 5th end of a game against a team whose skip is agonizing about every shot. The play has been slow all game and players are getting bored. To make matters worse, you are down three and hoping for a deuce to get the game close. The plan is, to keep fighting back and to take the game in the eigth end. Your team seems to have the momentum to do this. However, that is never going to happen because the bell just rang(Or in our case, the WWII siren wails; everyone ducks expecting an air raid at any time). This means, finish playing the end you are on and play one more. The opportunity for the big finish is gone with the bell.

Frustrating? You better believe it! Necessary? In this case ..ABSOLUTELY!

The bell poses an interesting dilemma. On the one hand, games need to be played and over in the two hours allotted. By and large, most games should only take two hours. This becomes an important consideration when there is another draw coming on immediately after, especially in the evening. It's true; getting on late when you already have the late draw can be a bummer. It can be frustrating playing against a skip that favours slow play.

But it's a double-edged sword.....

Skips who are trying to play their best and want to make the best decision for a particular shot will stand back and have a look at the situation. What feels like the most comforable shot to throw? What does the rest of the team think? Is it worth the risk? Is there a way to only give up one? These are decisions we all face at some point during the game. And let's face it, skips need to be afforded the opportunity to think about that shot for a moment from time to time. Especially when the game is tight and both skips desperately want to avoid being the first to implode.

So how do we deal with slow play? One solution is the bell. It is absolute. Once rung, that's it. Finish your end, play one more and head to the lockers. It is sure to keep the draws on time. But there is something about the bell that carries a negative connotation. It's so totalitarian, so impersonal, so darn frustrating when you are trying to make a come back. The bell will surely make both teams pay for the slow play even though most times, only one team is guilty of it.

Is there anything else that can be done? HOW ABOUT PLAYING FASTER? Now that sounds like a great solution to this dilemma. Teams need to support this initiative...not just the skip. When you are shooting, huge amounts of time can be saved over the game if you are in the hack and ready to shoot before the preceding shot has come to rest. This will buy your team time. Skips must learn to be decisive. Save the long analytical sessions for those times when it really matters. In many ends, your shot will be obvious or just a couple of options. Go ahead and make a choice and get down the ice and shoot. Decisiveness for a skip is a skill, so practice this. If you are a skip, be conscious of the time. Make sure your team is going to stay within the two hours allotted. Practice being decisive...it will save you time and boost your confidence. It sends a message to the opposing team that you are ready to rock....game on!

Or, it's back to the bell. The bell will not care about your feelings because it's just a bell. I like the idea of controlling my own curling destiny. I hope you do too. Let's get out there and keep our games within the two hours. The late draw people will be happier and it shows them consideration.

To bell or not to bell?....Well, I say "not to bell" but we need to make sure that we don't give the bell a reason to ring, or it will be "for US that the bell tolls!"

Rock On!

The Curling Chronic