LAMPMAN - The 100-year birthday party for the Lampman Curling Club ran from March 29-April 2.
The celebration brought out 64 teams and 264 curlers. Over 150 games were played with over 2,400 rocks thrown and over 45 hours of curling, which were played on eight sheets at the curling rink and the town’s arena.
This epic party began at 4 p.m. on the 29th with a western theme and a wings night. The next day would begin at the same time with a tacos and tequila feast and a Mexican theme. Each night games would run late into the evening.
March 31 was the opening ceremonies for the bonspiel and the celebration for the completion of the ice plant compressor.
The compressor project began a couple of years ago with government grants for the ice plant, but it was also around the same time plans for the 64-rink bonspiel started as well for the centennial birthday of the club.
A bagpiper escorted dignitaries to the front centre of the rink and this is when emcee Randy Ulrich took to the microphone, introducing Laurie Fornwald, who would lead in singing the national anthem.
Amber Fornwald offered the land acknowledgement.
Cannington MLA Daryl Harrison spoke on behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan. Harrison congratulated Lampman on their 100 years and how this will create some wonderful memories.
Blake Fornwald spoke on behalf of the RM of Browning No. 34 and the Town of Lampman Recreational Board.
Lampman Curling Club president Calvin Christensen welcomed all the curlers, and thanked all the volunteers, the committee, the town and all the great sponsors and donors.
“There are so many people who have made this possible,” he said.
The opening rock was thrown by Gerry Perkowitsch, and his sweepers were Anthony Fornwald and Dayton Neumier. Eileen McLeod was the broom holder.
The place was packed with people parking two blocks away.
Steve and Allison Catering, Carnivores, Scratch Bakery and the Harvest Café served the meal, with beef, smoked chicken, baked potatoes and all the trimmings.
Cakes were made by Tammy Christensen in celebration of this special birthday.
It was a hustle and bustle kind of weekend where the social went on for days and some curling was included.
Saturday would be Scottish Irish day with the pub open most of the time, and Sunday was clean out the kitchen.
By Sunday afternoon, eight teams remained for the final draws, with the four games beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the curling rink.
In the D event, Billy Wyatt’s team would play off against Team Devin Faber, with Wyatt taking the win.
The C event had Duane Lamontagne versus Precision Ag East, and it was Lamontagne’s team winning.
The Wade St. Onge rink would take on Brendon Fornwald for the B event, and Fornwald won that one.
The A event would see Kurt Freitag curl against Ryan Hanrieder. The Hanreider rink won 8-1.
“The event was incredible and well put on. They did an amazing job,” said Adam Himmelspach from the A-event champions.
The progressive 50/50 draw was won by Sandy Hanrieder and the $1,000 early entry draw went home with Ryan Thompson.
With this exceptional celebration in the books, the cleanup had to begin. Rocks needed to be returned that had been loaned from other rinks, carpet from the ice needing removed, and tables and chairs put away.
Christensen said he was exhausted, but the help from all the sponsors, donors, volunteers, the kitchen workers, spectators, the RM and the town, made it all worthwhile. Events like this can not be done without the help of all these people.
