20 FOCUS - SEPTEMBER 2018 Port Perry Community Curling Club celebrates 60 years! • • • • • THE WHOLE TOWN IS INVITED to help the Port Perry Community Curling Club celebrate its 60th anniversary! “In keeping with the club’s name, we are focusing on curling and the community,” said Membership Chair Martin Cordell. He announced that there will be a free BBQ, displays of memorabilia, games and demonstra- tions, plus a vendor fair. Come on down to 483 Bay St. in Port Perry on Sunday September 30 from noon to 3 p.m. Hamburgers and pop will be served in the parking lot. Vos’ Your Independent Grocer is kindly providing a com- mercial BBQ and a tent for the occasion. The bar will be open. There will be a few local vendors on hand as well, mainly sponsors and curling club members. Move inside for some curling action! There are four sheets at the club. On sheet 4, there will be a fun game where people can take a shot. It will cost a toonie to enter. The winner who gets closest to the button wins the pot. There will also be a demo game of stick curling, which is popular with the older crowd. It will be fun men vs. fun women competition. Young curlers in the Little Rocks and Bantams will show off their skills. Top competitive PPCC teams will put on a great show. There will also be street curling for kids to try in the parking lot, using brand new apparatus from Curling Ontario, or floor curling indoors. “Curling is a great sport for all ages,” Martin pointed out. There are over 100 youth in the local club. “It’s eco- nomical for kids, at only $110 for the entire season,” he added. A BIT OF LOCAL CURLING HISTORY “It’s amazing to think that years ago, a group of like- minded people had the foresight to establish a curling facility in Port Perry,” commented Past-President Clive Powell. “As President for the past five years, I know that same spirit, determination and sheer love of the game of curling is as strong in our men, women, junior and senior members today as it was back then, especially as we cel- ebrate our 60th anniversary.” Historic memorabilia from the past six decades is being collected for the exhibit. There will be everything from old sweaters to pins to sticks and stones, trophies, awards and photographs. “It will tell our story of 60 years,” Martin said. The President for the landmark 60th anniversary year is Fred Gibson. Curling in Port Perry predates the PPCC, which was established in 1958. Back in 1895, curlers in the Port Perry area gathered on cold days to sweep their granite rocks in a cavernous are- na on Mary St. just west of Water St., up the slope behind the old Creamery. There were open rafters; no ceiling! A gelatin photo of the time shows men in jackets and ties, and hats, mostly bowlers. One curler donned a Scottish tam with a checkered band. Among the curlers pictured 113 years ago are William McCaw, George Gibbs, Harold Clemes, Bert Bruce, James Lucas, R. Holtby, C. Allison, James Carnegie, William Ross, Joshua Davis, and Joshua Curts. Way back in 1921, the curlers moved to another large, barn-like space that they shared with hockey players. It was just off Water St. at North St. near what is now the CIBC parking lot. Sometimes snow was cleared off the ice on Lake Scugog for a game. IT’S GONNA BE A CANADIAN TIRE 14325 Simcoe Street, Port Perry 905-985-7341 Canadian Tire will help you get back to school. Student Essentials