March 2022 - K-W Granite/Detroit Curling Exchange

We resumed the 105th exchange at the KW Granite Club!
This is the first in person exchange since March 2020.
The Detroit curlers successfully followed the protocols to enter Canada.
They came with 10 new exchange members!
Albeit 4 of them were Bradford, Ontario natives.

The following is a write up by Damien Buchkowski from the Detroit Curling Club newsletter:

March 18, 19 and 20, 2022 marked the conclusion of the 105th Detroit-KW Exchange in Ontario. It was fantastic to have all of the camaraderie (and tomfoolery) live and in person again! Two years ago, just after the conclusion of the March 2020 Exchange, the Covid-19 global pandemic was just sinking its teeth into the world. Little did anyone realize that it would take two years for life to become just a little more “normal” again. Thankfully with
technology, the Detroit and Kitchener sides were able to hold “Virtual Exchanges” while live events were not possible, though the true feel of the event was missing – as was the curling.
Although travel to Canada required proof of a negative pre-entry Covid-19 test and a bit of advance planning,
Twenty-three individuals represented the Detroit Curling Club at this year’s exchange. Oddly, DCC member and Canadian, Mike Hardman, recruited three other curlers from his former home of Bradford, ON to come and represent the DCC. The Detroit Curling Club had a total of ten “Rookies,” including the four Canadians. Kitchener had a total of twenty-eight representatives with four new “Rookies.”
This year’s event began on a Friday evening with hospitality and a joyous reunion of the Detroit and Kitchener groups. Friendly and lively curling began in the morning on Saturday with a break for lunch followed by more curling in the afternoon.
The Saturday banquet held at the Olde Heidelberg Inn & Restaurant was enjoyed by all. As always, the food was delicious and the stories were
memorable!
Sunday Sinners Breakfast was held, in usual fashion, at the Plattsville Curling Club.
At this breakfast, the “Rookies” earned acknowledgement as full-fledged Exchange
participants.
A notable auction occurred at the Sinners Breakfast when a bottle of Ukrainian vodka was put on the auction block with all proceeds pledged to a Ukrainian Relief Fund to help with humanitarian efforts due to the current war. Not only did the bottle auction for more than $100, attendees made further donations, raising a total of nearly $800 for those in need. Several comments were made regarding the friendly nature of our exchange between neighboring countries and hope for better times ahead for other parts of the world.
Heartfelt thanks to the Kitchener Committee who put much work into planning an event whose true fate was still unknown until only a couple of weeks prior to the Exchange date. Their efforts were certainly great and are truly appreciated! We look forward to reciprocating in November 2022 for their return to Detroit for the beginning of the 106th Detroit-KW Exchange!
During the Saturday luncheon between curling matches, the Detroit side was informed of the recent passing of longtime KW Exchange member, Les Houston. Les was an Exchange fixture for many years. His charming smile, kindness, and friendly nature will be missed and remembered. Good Curling, Les…

Here is a link to the whole Detroit Curling Club’s newsletter:

Scots wha hae newsletter

Detroit Attendees:

Alez Sanchez, Bill Bellair, Bob Merkley, Bram Parkinson, Chris Golec, Clint Vericker, Craig Gonzalez, Dallas Schneider, Damien Buchkowski, Dave Hesse, Dave Turner, Duncan Whitmore, Eric Trytko, Jeff Angell, Jim Morris, Joe George, John Danckaert, Jordan Kemp, Mike Clift, Mike Hardman, Paul Gaines, Russ Gale, Sam Kilby,

KW Granite and area Attendees:

Bob MacMillan, Brian Pattison, Carl Keller, Carl McLean, Cec Hofstetter, Dave Cain, David Wong, Don Fanstone, Doug Adams, Frank Vandergriendt, Gerry Dolff, Graham Vincent, Graham Wallbank, Ian Anderson, John Carr, John Martin, Kevin Bradley, Luc Cormier, Mark Fisher, Martin Rombout, Marty Bell, Matt Schumacher, Mike Lupsa, Norm Green, Paul Sandford, Ron Shane, Steve Harnock, Tobby Schmalz

A record number of new members – here are 10 of them

**Front Row: Eric Trytko-D, Steve Harnock-KW, Chris Golec- D, Mike Clift-D, Carl Keller-KW Rear Row: Mark Fisher-KW, Bram Parkinson-D, Clint Vericker-D, Bill Bellair-D, Mike Lupsa-KW**

Here is the Bradford contingent.

**Bob Merkley, Jordan Kemp (sitting), Russ Gale, Mike Hardman**

Friday Night Hospitality:

**Chris Golec, Craig Gonzalez, Duncan Whitmore with John Danckaert (crouching)**

**Jeff Angell, Dallas Schneider and Dave Hesse**

**Luc Cormier, Damien Buchkowski, Jim Morris & Kevin Bradley**

**Sam Kilby, Dave Turner and Joe George**

**From the left: Craig Gonzalez, Carl Keller, Carl McLean, Eric Trytko, Bram Parkinson, Jim Morris, Clint Vericker and Paul Gaines**

**Bram Parkinson, Mike Hardman Jim Morris and Mike Lupsa**

**Mark Fisher, Tobby Schmalz and John Martin**

**Kevin Bradley, Carl McLean and Luc Cormier**

A selfie? Paul Gaines, Bob MacMillan, Dallas Schneider and Matt Schumacher

Saturday Morning Curling:

**On Sheet 1: Dave Turner, Graham Vincent, Ian Anderson, Paul Sandford, Alex Sanchez, Bram Parkinson, Sam Kilby and Mike Lupsa**

**Sheet 2: Carl Keller, Brian Pattison, Dave Wong, Mike Hardman, Dave Hesse, Craig Gonzalez, Tobby Schmalz and Eric Trytko**

**Sheet 3: Mike Clift, Bob Merkley, John Danckaert, Damien Buchkowski, John Carr, Luc Cormier, Kevin Bradley & Doug Adams**

**Sheet 4: Dallas Schneider, Jeff Angell, Bill Bellair, Paul Gaines, Dave Cain, Carl McLean, Cec Hofstetter, Gerry Dolff**

**Sheet 5: Clint Vericker, Russ Gale, Duncan Whitmore, Jim Morris, Mark Fisher, John Martin, Marty Bell, Matt Schumacher**

Sheet 6: Norm Green, Steven Harnock, Chris Golec , Martin Rombout, Bram Parkinson, Joe George

After 4 ends the brooms were stacked!

How many brooms are there? Whose is missing?After the brooms are stacked – we drink!

**Sam Kilby, Graham Vincent, Mike Lupsa, Ian Anderson, Alex Sanchez, Bram Parkinson, Paul Sandford, and Dave Turner**

**John Martin, Marty Bell, Mark Fisher, Jim Morris, Duncan Whitmore, Clint Vericker, Russ Gale**

**Bill Bellair, Dallas Schneider. Carl McLean, Jeff Angell, Gerry Dolff, Dave Cain, Paul Gaines, Cec Hofstetter**

**Seated: Bram Parkinson, Joe George, Steven Harnock, Norm Green Standing: Frank VanderGriendt, Chris Golec, Martin Rombout,**

**Mike Clift, Bob Merkley, Luc Cormier, Doug Adams, John Danckaert,, Graham Wallbank, Kevin Bradley, Damien Buchkowski**

Tobby Schmalz, Eric Trytko, Carl Keller, Brian Pattison, Dave Wong, Mike Hardman, Craig Gonzalez, Dave Hesse

Serious Gin Rummy throughout the day!

**Seems like Graham Wallbank & Don Fanstone are doing more drinking than playing cards!**

Following libations we saw some serious and not so serious play on the ice!

**Alex wonders what his skip is thinking!**

**Ian is ready to sweep Steven’s rock – Frank & Bill are waiting!**

**Not so serious are: Chris, Bill, Bob and Russ**

**Looking to win the best hat award: Brian, Mike, Sam and Dave**

Here’s the serious stuff:

**Bob places his broom as a guide to his thrower.**

**Not enough ice for a take out John! Your Knees will suffer!**

**Dave shows good stick form while Jeff wonders which yellow rock to throw!**

The following are focused:

Sinner’s Breakfast was another winning event!

Trophy’s on display: Oswald Trophy given to the winning score, the Bombay Bicycle Club Trophy for the best Joke of the weekend and the Vince Scherer trophy – in memory of long time member Vince – a toast to Vince is usually drunk from the cup – not this year!

**Most Important are our bartenders: Luc, Paul & Kevin**

Imbibing are Dave, Joe and Mike

Mike was the catalyst for the auction and donation to the Ukranian cause.
Before he left for the exchange, he went to a number of liquor stores around Detroit and found a bottle of Ukranian Vodka to put on the table.
It ended up on the auction table. Cec bid $100 for it.
Members then donated to the cause which took in $800!
Many thanks to Mike!