Editor: Jim Matchett Twas the week after Christmas, and all through the house Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse. The cookies I’d nibbled, the eggnog I’d taste At the holiday parties had gone to my waist. When I got on the scale there arose such a number! When I walked anywhere it was less a walk than a lumber. So away with the last of the sour cream dip, Get rid of the fruitcake, every cracker and chip. Every last bit of food that I like must be banished ‘Til all the additional ounces have vanished. I won’t have a cookie—not even a lick, I’ll want only to chew on a long celery stick. I won’t have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie, I’ll munch on a carrot and quietly cry. Hungry? I’m starving! and life is a bore--- This can’t be what the month of January is for? I can’t reach my curling shoelace to tie it, So I’m stuck this month with an unwanted diet.

As all of you probably know, our editor has taken a brief sabbatical to get his health in order. Before leaving, Jim made sure he had all the jokes and commentary in place for this January issue (thus assuring the quality of his long standing publication)… Hurry back Jim … we need your ROAR!

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Website,

Facebook &, Twitter blue text

Here's a message from our President Mark Romer: Welcome to 2016! I would like to wish all our club members a very happy New Year ahead.

I am grateful for, and would like to extend a special thanks to, all the volunteers who work so hard to keep our club running so smoothly! Whether it be in the office, building operations, ice maintenance & mechanical, bar, finances, league management, entertainment, calendar, ROAR, rentals or special events.. we could not do it without you!

Lyle Bradford Calcutta

Be sure to sign up for the 2016 Calcutta. Deadline for signup January 18th. Auction : Monday, January 25th Competition: February 1-4th Cost $40/person Not sure what this competition is all about? Check out this description on our Website !

Things you do not want to hear at a tattoo parlour: “Eagle? I thought you said beagle.” “We're out of red so I used pink.” “There are 2 O's in Bob, right?”

KUDOS

To Chris Byrne, Danny Bell, Simon Marcotte, Tyler Rowley and coach Trish Dempsey who emerged as Junior Champions at the annual Tim Caverly Bonspiel on Dec 27-29. For more details

look ahead to the Junior report later in the ROAR.

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What Has Been Happening Around Here? Turkey Shoot What gobbledygook! There was curling but the shoot never happened. Those turkeys were too smart. They realized the Quebec government was going to bring in a gun registration law so they headed up this way in early December. Despite the efforts of a Monsieur Stephen Harper, the turkeys spoke to the members of the government to keep them 'abreast' of the latest statistics about gun control. Monsieur Harper cried 'fowl' but he didn't have a 'leg' to stand on and the law was passed. The turkeys returned to our curling club knowing their lives were safe. They even helped Ed and Sandra Jones serve the pizza and gobbled up a few pieces of their own. After all was said and done, Marc & Mark’s teams took home the bacon (leaving the turkeys alone) .. Winning teams were: Vivian Martel Nick Fiore/Joe Balogh Doug Allan Mark Romer Angie Marszalek Chris Morrin Ray Dubrule Marc Philion Mirror, mirror on the wall. What the hell happened?

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Day Ladies Here's a report from Rosemary Cochrane: The Day Ladies finished the 2015 Fall season with a challenging Fun Day, crafted by Marnie Linder and Carol Voss, followed by a scrumptious Christmas Luncheon, catered by Jacques Gilmore under the watchful eyes of our team of Laurence Hogue and Marion Dean. Two more round robins are in the books: CRYSTALS COMPETITON Winners Runners-Up Marion Dean Hille Viires Mary Sutherland Carol Voss Susan Leger Hussey Wendy Yarnell Paula Percy Karen Hall-Moon PRESIDENT’S COMPETITION Winners Runners-Up Laurence Hogue Marion Dean Bonnie Allen Joslyn Schultz Karen Fagan Rosemary Cochrane Marnie Linder Paula Percy Welcome to Chantal Cormier and Carole Smith who have joined the Day Ladies League. The Day Ladies are ever so grateful to curlers from the other Club leagues who are generously sparing for us during the 2015-2016 season. Thank you to all who attended and helped out at our Luncheon Bridge on December 9, hosted by Angela Geoffredo and Mary Johnston. There is no Luncheon Bridge in January, but mark your calendars now and sign up on the bulletin boards for the next Luncheon Bridge on Wednesday, February

10. All invited to participate. Good Curling in 2016! “Did you throw up?” her mother asked. “Yes" the little girl replied. “Well, how could you have gone all the way out of the church and return so quickly?" "”I didn't have to go out of the church, Mommy" the little girl replied, "They have a box next to the front door that says 'for the sick'."

This photo was omitted from last month’s LCA report:

The Lady Tweedsmuir competition was played with irons up until and

including 1953 and from then on has been played with granites.

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Kurling 4 Kids Update Here is a report from Nacy Gallant First of all your Kurling for Kids Committee- John, James and I would to wish each of you a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year. Plans for our 18th annual Kurling for Kids Bonspiel are well under way. Our objective this year is $330,000.00, up from $310,000.00 last year. Last year the final amount collected was $320,000.00!

Each year we raise the bar and each year we surpass it thanks to all of you. This past Dec. all of the organizing committee members from all clubs were welcomed at the new Montreal Children’s Hospital for the official unveiling of the Kurling for Kids Playroom. Over the past five years, we raised the required $300,000.00 to build this beautiful space. It was an unbelievable sense of achievement that we all felt and would like to share with you. We were also taken on a tour of other departments and shown the various pieces of equipment we have given to the hospital over the years. Both hospitals have given us their wish list for 2016 so

now the $330.000.00 challenge begins. We currently have 16 teams confirmed and need only 8 more to complete the draw. Don’t delay in putting in your team. More info will be coming this month re tickets, online donations, corporate sponsors etc. Thanks to all of you, MWCC is still the number one fundraiser but there are two other clubs chomping at the bit to replace us. That’s not going to happen-----right!?!?

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Match Here is a report from Match Chairman Stewart Yaxley: Congratulations to team Freilich who defeated Marc Philion’s Team winning the A-Final in the Past President’s Ladder Team Freilich:

Kevin Alladin (5th man) Rob Philion (Lead) Marc-Antoine Biron (Second) Alex Hall (Third) Adam Freilich (Skip)

The Past President’s competition will resume Tuesday, January 12th, 2016 at 6:30pm (A-Division), and at 8:45pm (B-Division). (see table below)

C-Consolation B-Consolation A-Consolation D-Consolation

C-Final B-Final A-Final D-Final

Result Ranking for 2016 Team First Game in Second Half

A-Final Winner A1 Freilich

A-Final Loser A2 Philion

A-Consolation Winner A3 Wise

A-Consolation Loser A4 Ship

B-Final Winner A5 Holdaway

B-Final Loser A6 Grafton

B-Consolation Winner A7 Fajertag

B-Consolation Loser A8 Cohen

C-Final Winner B1 Watson

C-Final Loser B2 Betournay

C-Consolation Winner B3 Toteda

C-Consolation Loser B4 Graham

D-Final Winner B5 Haliburton

D-Final Loser B6 Murray

D-Consolation Winner B7 Cadorette

D-Consolation Loser B8 Brault

D-Skills Loser B9 Ryan BYE

Watson vs. Betournay Grafton vs. Holdaway Freilich vs. Philion Murray vs. Haliburton

Graham vs. Toteda Cohen vs. Fajertag Wise vs. Ship Cadorette vs. Brault

Montreal West Curling Club - Past President's Half-Seaon Final (2015-2016)

January 12th, 6:30pm

January 12th, 8:45

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Congratulations as well to Team Grafton who defeated Debbie Ship’s team winning the A-Final in the Grafton-Hunt Ladder Tournament. Team Grafton:

Robbie Sproule (6th) Anna Grafton (5th) Donald Sproule (Lead) Dave Coombs (Second) Steve Holdaway (Third) Scott Grafton (Skip)

The Grafton-Hunt competition will resume Thursday, January 14th, 2016 at 6:30pm (B-Division), and at 8:45pm (A-Division).

A-Consolation B-Consolation C-Consolation

D-Final A-Final B-Final C-Final

Result Ranking for 2016 Team First Game in 2nd Half

A-Final Winner A1 Grafton

A-Final Loser A2 Ship

A-Consolation Winner A3 Philion

A-Consolation Loser A4 Haliburton

B-Final Winner A5 Fajertag

B-Final Loser A6 Murray

B-Consolation Winner A7 Graham

B-Consolation Loser B1 Romer January 14th, 8:45pm

C-Final Winner B2 Wise

C-Final Loser B3 Betournay

C-Consolation Winner B4 Myers

C-Consolation Loser B5 Watson

D-Final Winner B6 Ryan

D-Final Loser B7 Dubeau

Montreal West Curling Club - Grafton Hunt Half-Season Final (2015-2016)

Philion vs. Haliburton Graham vs. Romer

January 14th, 8:45pm

January 14th, 6:30pm

Watson vs. Myers

Dubeau vs. Ryan Grafton vs. Ship Fajertag vs. Murray Wise vs. Betournay

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TGIF Here's a report from Randy Fraser: The first session of 2015 was similar to last year, with 4 teams vying for supremacy. During the round robin Jean-Marie Martin’s team went undefeated, with Norm Savoie’s in hot pursuit. The Robert Assaly and Paula Percy teams suffered from some player absences. The playoffs were similar, with Jean-Marie and Norm chasing the gold medal, while Paula and Robert played for the bronze. Gold medal winners were: Lester Shepherd Robert Lio Joelle Green Norm Savoie Silver went to: Jonathan Knight Rinetta Lio Dale Huston, Jean-Marie Martin Bronze winners were: Patricia Cogan Randy Fraser Paula Percy For the next session we expect to have 5 teams playing, thanks to the efforts of Jim Doyle and all his instructional coaches. Keep up the great work you do! A special welcome to… Michael, Rinetta, Joelle, Lester, Jonathan, Greg Smith and Philippe Leroux. Also a special thank you to all spares that came out to support us. Wilkinson Jim Doyle says the curlers in this competition just can't wait for the New Year to start after enjoying the great Pot Luck feasts to celebrate the holidays.

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The new priest is nervous about hearing confessions, so he asks an older priest to sit in on his sessions. The new priest hears a couple confessions, then the old priest asks him to step out of the confessional for a few suggestions. The old priest says, “Cross your arms over your chest and rub your chin with one hand." The new priest tries this. The old priest suggests, “Try saying things like, “I see,"” “yes,” “go on,"” “I understand," and “how did you feel about that?" The new priest says those things, trying them out. The old priest says, “Now, don't you think that's a little better than saying, “Whoa... What happened next?"

Wednesday Evening EHL

Here's a report from Bonnie Soutar: The EHL will finish the last game of the Fall round robin on January 13th. There are 5 teams in the running to claim the Champion’s title based on their performance on that final day… Good luck to all! The Match committee will be meeting to assemble new teams for the Winter session which will also extend over 11 games starting January 20th. Welcome to our new curlers who will be moving up from Instructional! Mixed Day Curling Dodd Gray Competition: League Champions: Claude Labrecque Rick Hughes Ed Jones/JIM MATCHETT (oops the key stuck) Jean-Marie Martin Runners-up: Elise Thomas Greg Kehoe Ray Dubrule James Botsford 1st-Half Playoff Champions: Al Kmec (by 3/ 4 of a point Chip Mowat over Paul Doyle) Gerry Sabourin Bob Carson/Dave Dubeau

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Runners-up: Frank Csik Bill Bedford Gerry Sims Paul Doyle Interclub On November 25th at our club against TMR we won 3 of 4 games. The winning teams were: Elise Thomas Maureen Custy Harvey Artsob Joe Balogh Ray Dubrule Peter Graham Doug Allan Rick Hughes Bert Mombourquette Jean-Marie Martin James Botsford Bob Carson On November 26th at Pointe Claire we won 2 and tied 1. Winners: Tying team: Harvey Artsob Claude Labrecque Cyril Bernard Joe Balogh Martin Jacobs Maureen Custy Doug Allan Gerry Sabourin Pierre Dufour Jean-Marie Martin Russell Haliburton Jacques Lacroix On December 2nd at Hudson Legion we won 2 games. The winning teams were: Maureen Custy Chester Sawczyszyn Greg Kehoe Chip Mowat Pierre Dufour Gerry Sabourin Jean-Marie Martin Gary Barker On December 4th at our club against Laval we won 1 and tied 1 game: Winners: Tying team: Harvey Artsob Maureen Custy Ray Dubrule Pierre Dufour Gerry Sabourin Doug Allan Jacques Lacroix Jean-Marie Martin On December 11th we won 3 at Royal Montreal. The winning teams were:

Maureen Custy Harvey Artsob Greg Kehoe Ray Dubrule Pierre Dufour Doug Allan

The Mixed Day Christmas Luncheon featured Gazette columnist Pat Hickey.

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Rick Hughes Gerry Sabourin Bob Carson James Botsford Jean-Marie Martin Dave Dubeau

On December 18th we tied 1 game at Laval. The tying team was:

Maureen Custy Ray Dubrule Rick Hughes James Botsford

And that’s all!!! Junior Curling Here a report from Trish Dempsey:

As the first half of the season comes to an end, the Junior program is well underway. Teams have played in spiels throughout Montreal, and are gearing up for even more action in the new year. We will take a group photo during the second half of the season, but for now enjoy the smiles of most of our Big Rock curlers (BR) and coaches in this photo during the holiday party.

Both a Little Rocks (LR) and Junior team represented MWCC in the Glenmore Invitational Funspiel on November 28th. Although neither team made the rankings, fun was had by all and it was especially a

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great experience for some newer LR curlers to get out and compete against other clubs! The Junior team was made up of Simon Marcotte, Danny Bell, Tyler Rowley and David Wertheimer (coached by Bruce Bell and Gail Spence), and on the LR team were the following players: François Gariépy, Clovis Leclerc, Aiden Cochrane, Jack Philips and James Philips coached by Jim Cochrane and Martin Jacobs).

“The Boyz” (Danny Bell, Chris Byrne, Tyler Watson, Tyler Rowley and Simon Marcotte; coached by Trish Dempsey) took a run at qualifying for the Junior Provincials this fall. They hoped to join Dominique Jean and her team in competing this January on home ice, however came up short during the Dernière Chance tournament at Royal Montreal in early December. Despite playing a very good game against a team from Hudson that they often have close games against, the chance to play in the qualifier game came up short. With a few more years in this age division, The Boyz will be back to try for Provincials next year, and will even volunteer at the event in January 2016. You can join them and several other older Juniors and volunteer too – after all, it’s not every year such a tournament is held at our very own club!

The Junior Holiday Party was held on December 19th, and was very festive and full of energy; complete with a potluck, secret gift exchange (with 26 participants!), and themed activities for both age groups. The LR gang hunted for snowmen hidden around the lounge, and BR curlers were challenged to a holiday trivia quiz, which tested their knowledge on Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year Celebrations. Congratulations to Jack Philips for winning the snowman scavenger hunt (he was the first to find all 53 of them!), and to Janet Walpole for scoring the most points on the quiz, followed closely by Tyler Watson, Luca Zarow and Alec Zarow. There was also a great turnout for the Hot Shots Skills Competition, where 14 BR curlers competed both individually and in teams. David Wertheimer came out with the top individual score, and was joined by teammates Dominique Jean, Josh Manascu and Luca Zarow as the top ranked sheet. A special thank you goes out to honorary guest scorekeeper: Gloria Toteda!

Bonanza at the Tim Caverly Bonspiel

The Juniors were very active over the holiday season; four individuals participated in the Turkey Shoot, and two teams competed in the annual Tim Caverly Christmas Bonspiel in TMR, Pointe Claire and St-Lambert. In the Little Rocks division, François Gariépy, Clovis Leclerc, Aiden Cochrane, and Robin Meldrum (coached by Jim Cochrane) played in the consolation final and lost. They were down 4-0 after three ends and scored a big 4-ender to tighten the score, but couldn’t quite get enough points to win. In the U-21 division, Chris Byrne, Danny Bell, Simon Marcotte and Tyler Rowley (coached by Trish Dempsey) managed to squeeze their way into the top four ranks after the round robin – by a mere 0.7 points. They then beat out two of the top teams and walked away from the tournament as this year’s Junior Champions! The gold medal game was very intense until the very last rock; they were down 6 points after the first two ends and then, many steals later, caught up and won by 1 point. Well done,

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Montreal West! Two very big comebacks at the Tim Caverly this year!

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS!

The Leprechaun Junior Bonspiel will take place at our club February 12th to 14th. It is a popular spiel among local Junior programs, and it would not be possible without numerous volunteers. We are looking for volunteers to help operate the kitchen (making and serving snacks for the teams, as well as cooking meals to order throughout the day). If you are interested, please contact Janet with your availability for that weekend (even if you are only available for 1-2 hours at a time!).

Coming up in the new year:

Jan 3-8: Junior Provincials (come cheer on our very own Dominique Jean and her team!) Jan 9: First regular Juniors of 2016! Jan 16: Myke Wilder In-House League (Game 3) Jan 30: no Juniors

For more information, feel free to contact any member of the Junior Committee and check out our Junior Page on the MWCC Website WMSCL Here is a report from Alan Bousquet:

RANK Team Games won

Games tied

Games loss

Games

forfeit

Total Point

s 1 Alan Bousquet 8 1 1 0 27 2 James Botsford 6 2 2 24 3 Michael McKeown 6 1 3 0 23 4 Tony Addona 5 1 4 0 21 5 Gary Palamar 5 0 5 0 20 6 Rick Hughes 2 2 6 0 16 7 David Hatch 2 1 7 0 15 8 Anthony Altobello 1 2 7 0 14

Games up to and including 20-Dec-15 Position by points does not take into consideration head to head games won within the same position

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Carpet Bowling A report from Kathy Hardiman We are happy to announce that we have three new members namely, Verna Joseph, Madeleine Veilleux and Jacques Picard. Jacques would very much like to see some male and female retired curlers join us every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 9:30am – 11:30am. He says it’s totally the cheapest game in town and we do have fun. This year ended with our Christmas Luncheon being held on December 8th and a good time was had by all 16 members and 2 guests. The teams consisted of: Carpet l Skip: Margaret McLaughlin vs. Jane Atkinson Catherine Richards Patricia MacWilliam Catherine Lanno Catherine McFarlane Madeleine Veilleux Eileen Motton Carpet 2 Skip: Kathy Hardiman vs. Jacques Picard Evelyn LeHeron Audrey McGregor Verna Joseph Eleanor Robertson Laura Ross Gwennie Halliday. Overall winners: Jacques Picard’s team Runner’s up: Jane Atkinson’s team. Winners of the Losers teams: Kathy Hardiman’s team. The game of who throws the bowl closest to the Jack was won by: Jane Atkinson and the runner-up Evelyn LeHeron. Four beautiful plants were then won by: Ron Pilkington (guest), Jacques Picard, Verna Joseph, and Catherine Richards. A superb bottle of wine was won by Catherine Richards. That’s it for 2015. We wish all members of the Montreal West Curling Club “A Very Happy New Year”

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Canfir Canfir is a mixed social curling league of various ages and skill levels. We play Sunday mornings from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, followed by a light lunch. If you are interested in sparing for Canfir, please send an email to canfircurling@gmail.com or call Nancy Duplessis (Canfir President) at 514-962-0052

STANDINGS AS OF SUNDAY DECEMBER 20

Teams Games Won Games Lost Games Tied Total Points

Pierre Cadorette 8 3 0 27

Luc Arseneau 7 4 0 25

Rob Williams 6 4 1 24

Danny Boyd 6 5 0 23

Sophie Belanger 4 5 2 21

Howie Myers 4 6 1 20

Jeff Cohen 4 6 1 20

Bob LeMesurier 2 8 1 16

Once again, Canfir kicked off the holiday season with a festive potluck lunch, complete with a draw to the button contest, prizes and some presents that Santa had dropped off. Congrats to the winners of the closest to the button draw (Skip: Pierre Cadorette, Third: Matt Racicot, Second: Christopher Bababjko, and Lead: Gloria Caron).

Please take a moment to check out Canfir’s Facebook Page for the latest buzz about our league and the curling world. While you’re there, don’t forget to “Like” our page.

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What’s Happening over the Next Few Weeks? January 1 - Vice President’s Funspiel 3-8 - Junior Championships 13 - Super Senior Bonspiel 25 - Calcutta Auction 27 - McCallum Fully – Hamilton Shield (LCA) February 1-4 - Lyle Bradford Calcutta

Team Philion – Past President’s A Finalists

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The MWCC Communications Project

BLAST from the PAST! Last month we showed some excellent men’s hats & whiskers. This month we show the other side of the coin and present a Ladies’ hat themed event. The men will undoubtedly win the whiskers competition but as for the hats? Well you can decide!