Seems like just yesterday that everyone met at Windy City for the first week of curling. April 3, 2014.

And although everyone has their memorable points from the past year, I just wanted to highlight a few of mine.

TEAM JEFF GALAS WINS THE FIRST LEAGUE

Despite personally throwing many stones through the house to actually getting stones in play, our team was able to take the first league championship.

HALLOWEEN

Although I personally spent most of the summer at work and had to miss a few months of curling, Halloween at Windy City was definitely one to remember. Well, when you see this Jack O Lantern … you know you are at home.

NEO FROM THE MATRIX’S ‘SWEEPING’ SAVES US A POINT

I truly wish I had a photo of this, but I’m going to do my best to describe it. And, maybe some Photoshop.

I was the Vice for Team Wolanik – and Andy was shooting the “Skips stones.” I was in the house, calling the line.

Our second, Nick Solka, is amazing on the broom – really putting his heart and soul into sweeping.

On this night … he slipped. Ended up on his back, in front of the stone. Now, from my angle, this all happened in super-slow motion …

He slipped in front of the stone – with him brook going flying sideways down the ice.

In a “hurting my back just thinking about it” moment – he went into a back bridge to have the stone go under him.

The stone makes it under Nick, bounces off an opponents rock and barely squeaks closer to the button for the point.

Now, if I remember right, we probably only took 2 points that game … but sometimes a shot like that can turn a severe butt-kicking into a memorable-in-a-funny-way enjoyable game.

Nick Solka was uninjured on the play.

BONSPIELS

For those really new to the curling world, bonspiels are curling tournaments. I participated in a few different bonspiels. The Prairie State Challenge, the ICA 5 & Under, the Big Spiel in Minnesota and the Dar Curtis.

My teams had some good luck, and had some bad luck (including one of my mens teams getting destroyed by a group of high school girls). As arena curlers not used to dedicated ice, it took a while at each tournament to get used to our shots. It made all of us realize how much we want our own dedicated ice.

Speaking of fundraising – have you bought a raffle ticket to benefit Windy City Curling? Each ticket is $20, but gives you a 1-in-250 chance to win $1000! We actually have 9 other cash prizes you can win. For more information, click here.

Like how I worked that in?

But some of the best parts about bonspiels are hanging out with all of the other curlers, including both other Windy City members and members from other clubs. You get to meet a lot of new people and hear a lot of great stories.

THE BIG SPIEL IN MINNESOTA

As I mentioned earlier, a few of us made our trip up to Minnesota to take part in their “Big Spiel.” You know you are up for an interesting trip when the ride includes listening to a mix of French-Canadian country music and 90’s hip hop.

Curling-wise: our team was one game away from the finals of the 8th event. This would be the equivalent of finishing roughly in 84th place of 96 teams.

Non-curling wise: lots of food, lots of beer, lots of fun. We all got to take in a Minnesota Wild / Chicago Blackhawks hockey game with the unbelievably cool, two-time Olympian Jessica Schultz (who I had interviewed earlier in the year for the blog)

Food-wise: This is just an excuse to put in a picture of Poutine (from Four Seasons Curling Club).

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

It’s funny how a season can turn. Especially in the first week.

Curling in the club championship with Team Richardson (Josh Richardson, Chuck Justis and Dan Burrows) – we were down early in week one. This includes a 5 point deficit at one point, and a 3 point deficit with two ends to play. Thought the championship was out of reach.

We forced the extra end, took the game and never looked back. We ran the table to go undefeated.

IN CONCLUSION

A lot of hours, a lot of miles, and a lot of fun From that first week a year ago until now, I’ve been hooked on the sport of curling. For those who I’ve met on this journey so far – THANK YOU! To Windy City Curling – THANK YOU!

For those looking for new stories and new friends – it’s time to join Windy City Curling. Whether its a Learn to Curl or our Rookie Leagues … you will be the envy of your friends. Stay tuned to WindyCityCurling.com for more events where you can get involved.

Trust me, it’s well worth it.

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