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MADOC HERITAGE GARDEN TOUR
Thank you to everyone who made the Madoc Garden Tour a huge success. The weather co-operated and the gardens were
gorgeous. Special thanks to those who provided their beautiful gardens for public viewing and took the time to give tours
and provide helpful garden tips!
Thank you, Nancy Moorcroft, Joanne and Denis Bacon, Barb Gordon, Judy Smith, Debbie Wiggins Reid, Pam Blackburn,
Sharlene Holden, Rosanne Ballast and Bonnie Moore. Your generosity was greatly appreciated.

Also, many thanks to our awesome sponsors: Stonepath
Greenhouses, Madoc Garden Centre, Madoc Foodland, Hidden
Goldmine Bakery, Fine Line Design, Woodland North 62
Lavender Farm, Tim Horton’s and the B.I.T.
Congratulations to the Garden Trivia Winners who won a $25
Gift Certificate to Stonepath Greenhouses: Betty Sexmith, Marg
McBride, Janet Webb, Cathy Goodchild, Dianne Hutchison, Joan
Vanmeer, Claire Francis, Gayle Blakely and Judy Jackson.
All proceeds from this event will be put towards the Village
Square Renovation.

ANYONE CAN CURL
A beginner’s story
I’m new to curling. I started curling in January 2020 just before the first COVID lockdown. I have no family history of
curling, and I did not grow up in a community where curling was prevalent. But once I retired and we made the permanent
move out here, my husband and I began looking for activities that we could do during the long winter months. Knowing the
benefits of staying physically active, and the importance of maintaining social ties, particularly for seniors, I decided to try
curling, but not without some trepidation. Was the ice slippery? Would I be able to slide from the hack? Could I still curl
even if I couldn’t slide from the hack? And lastly, would someone like me, who is not particularly athletic, just embarrass
myself by attempting to curl?

So I went to an open house at the Marmora & Area Curling Club (MACC) where I had the opportunity to learn the basics of
curling, including curling etiquette and safety, and was then given the chance to try sliding and throwing rocks. I was
provided grippers for my shoes and walked for the first time on the newly pebbled ice. It was not slippery at all. What a
relief! (I still wear protective headgear because that’s just common sense - it’s not like our balance improves with age!)

First lesson was on how to slide from the hack. This requires a slider to be placed on one foot. It was not easy and required
some balance but I managed it. I threw my first rock and it only went about halfway down the ice. Next rock went a little
further and by the fifth or sixth, it was going where it needed to go! Victory! Then came lessons on how to rotate the rock
upon release so that it actually curls and instructions on sweeping to show how it impacts both the speed and curl of the
rock. Cool!

I joined two leagues (both non-competitive), and under the tutelage of experienced curlers, all of whom were extremely
welcoming and patient with new curlers, I improved both my understanding and skill. But after curling for a short while, I
determined that sliding from the hack just wasn’t for me so another member suggested that I switch to stick delivery. I
discovered that many curlers who take up curling later in life use a stick to curl. The use of a stick to deliver the rock
means that I no longer need to use a slider, and instead, wear double grippers on my feet at all times.

No sliding took the pressure off of my knees and upped my enjoyment of the game tenfold. Suddenly I was less worried
about balancing and sliding and could concentrate on rock delivery, strategy and having more fun! It was like a whole new
world had opened up for me. My experience proves that everyone can enjoy curling and benefit from the social network
and sense of community that goes beyond the wonderful game of curling. MACC has allowed me to develop my curling
skills, improve my fitness and form friendships all within a welcoming and positive setting. I would encourage anyone to try
curling. Fitness and friendships await.

-Suzan Sabir
(for more information, go to marmoracurlingclub.com)