Curling clinics have started at the club and continue for the rest of the week. Contact Steve O’Donnell at 613-732-7299 for details. New members are welcome to come and learn the game as well as those curlers who wish to brush up on their game.

 If you haven’t started already, perhaps it is time to start stretching to get your body in shape. It will complain with aching muscles not used for six months if you start in cold. Curlers should also be looking over their equipment to make sure it is ready. Those who use hair brooms need to check the broom head to see if hairs are falling out of an older broom. We all know how disconcerting it is to have a fine shot ruined by a pick on a fallen hair the sweepers missed. Along with this, look at your grippers. Old grippers shed bits and pieces that can also cause picks. Gripper debris is especially noticeable around the hack area, which is harder to clean, and can be aesthetically nasty looking.

 Regular league play commences this year on Sunday October 21 at 10:00 a.m. Skips should contact their teams this week. The Sunday league has managed to grow to 10 teams, so there will be byes this first draw at least- check your schedule carefully to make sure that you don’t end up at the rink when you could be sleeping in.

 Several club teams have already started play or are getting ready for the Arnprior Cashspiel this weekend. Carl Zieroth’s team has been throwing rocks and perfecting Carl’s sweeping with his new broom in anticipation of the Arnprior event. A crew skipped by Bill Wilson has an undefeated season going at a Master’s cash league hosted by the Rideau Curling Club in Ottawa. We hope the second game goes as well as the first.

So, curlers, stretch, check your equipment and get plenty of rest- the season is upon us.