50th Exchange – 1967/8

The following materials from the 50th Exchange were provided by Doug White’s widow. Doug was a long time member and organizer of the exchange.

The 50th pin is shown below:

Here is a picture of the 50th Exchange attendees :

We have identified a number of the curlers from the 50th. Click on the picture to see a higher resolution version with the names.

These are the only ones we can recognize. If anyone knows any others, please email us using the contact us link at the side or bottom of the page.

Doug White was a bit of a poet and wrote this poem to commemorate the 50th Exchange:

50 Years Ago

From Kitchener a foursome have set out to old Detroit.
They thought for sure at curling, they were much the most adroit.
They practiced on the way there, at Stratford’s little rink.
And then moved on to Woodstock, to meet their topmost rink.
At Sarnia they paused and threw their rocks there for a while.
And sometimes they were beaten or won it by a mile.

By then their destination was right within their sight.
And they saved their strength and energy to fight with all their might.
Detroit was there and waiting to play this mighty group.
And put their best foot foremost as on the ice they troop.
The rocks went down the glistening ice.
The brooms they beat a tune.
The shouts of sweep were heard all round.
The sweat it glistened soon.

With four ends past, Detroit’s skip said:
Stack brooms and come with me.
They all put down their brooms and followed him to see what this strange custom was that this man would introduce.
He soon showed all these northern men he didn’t mean fruit juice.
For he fed them good strong whiskey and gin, and rum galore.
And beer for those that wanted it.
Until they said “no more”!

When they returned to curling, the rocks had lost their eyes.
The shots were missed and missed again to everyone’s surprise.
But no one lost their temper for they all did realize,
That the words “Stack brooms” had caused the rocks to lose their bloody eyes!

From that day on for fifty years the teams have come and gone.
From Waterloo and Kitchener and from Detroit’s old town.
Each year for half a century, the curlers cry aloud.
“Stack brooms you heartless shysters”.
We’ll sweep no more by God.
And down go all the brooms a cracking on the ice.
And up go all the glasses that are emptied in a trice.

But just in case you men who read.
Think our exchanges are a drunk.
I’ll tell you now and strongly too.
That thought is a lot of bunk.
For this bonspiels gone on and on for fifty years and more.
Because those that have attended it all know the friendship’s core.
For friendship and for fellowship you can give three hearty cheers.
For if the Lord is willing it’ll last another fifty years.
Doug White – 1967

Curling Songbook

The following pages were taken from a songbook that was written for the 50th exchange. Thanks to Frank Duffey for providing the songbook.