Author Archives: Dan York

About Dan York

Just a guy in Vermont trying to connect all the dots...

curling rocks

2020 Update – Need New Leaders for Monadnock Curling Club – interested?

Would YOU be interested in taking on the leadership of bringing curling to the Monadnock region of New Hampshire? If so, please email me at [email protected]

You may have noticed the lack of updates on this site. There’s a reason. A lot changed since Matt and I began this project back in 2013 – and our lives have taken us away from the Monadnock region. Matt and his wife moved out of New Hampshire. And in the summer of 2018, my family moved to the Burlington, Vermont, area. Prior to that, I had been caught up in the world of competitive junior curling with my oldest daughter for the past several years, and all my volunteer time had been consumed by that effort.

I still think it would be great if someone could bring curling to the Monadnock region. If anyone is interested in picking up this work, I would be glad to transfer this website (it’s based on WordPress), the domain name, social media channels, email account, etc. There is also a very small list of people who expressed interest in getting involved.

Please email me at [email protected] if you are interested.

Meanwhile, if you are looking for curling in the Monadnock region, either to learn the sport, to participate in leagues, or to rent ice for an organization / corporate event, I strongly suggest you check out the Petersham Curling Club (PCC), about 45 minutes south of Keene, NH, in Petersham, MA. They are a great group of people that are very welcoming to all who are interested!

If you are looking for curling in the state of New Hampshire, I am only aware of these clubs:

There are a couple of other clubs in Massachusetts and Vermont that may work for some people in New Hampshire. Please see our list of other clubs.

Try Curling at Petersham

Try curling this weekend (Feb 17-18) at Petersham Curling Club and next week (Feb 19-24)

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Want to try out curling?  The Petersham Curling Club (PCC) is offering multiple opportunities over the next week.  This weekend (Feb 17-18) there are two free “Olympic Open House” events:

  • Saturday, February 17, between 1:00 – 5:00pm
  • Sunday, February 18, between 1:00 – 5:00pm

You will learn the basics of the sport and get a chance to try it out on the ice.

However… pre-registration is completely SOLD OUT! There will be limited walk-in spaces available, so you can still head down and check it out, but you may have to wait a bit.

PCC is about 45 minutes south of Keene, NH, in Petersham, MA. More info can be found on the club’s website.

Another option is to pay for a Learn to Curl session on February 19, 20, 21 or 24.  In these sessions you will get to learn all about the sport and get a chance to get out on the ice and learn how to play.

SPACES ARE FILLING UP FAST for the Learn to Curl sessions – so sign up on the PCC Learn to Curl page if you want to join in.

And if you would like to help us bring curling to the Monadnock region, please fill out this form to let us know you are interested!

Curling sheet

Learn to Curl at Petersham Curling Club: Oct 7, 14, 21 and 28

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If you live in the Monadnock region and want to try out the sport of curling, the closest curling club is the Petersham Curling Club in Petersham, Massachusetts. It is about a 45 minute drive down Route 32 from Keene, NH.  This year “PCC” will be offering “Learn To Curl” sessions at the following times:

  • Saturday, October 7, at 10:00am and 6:00pm
  • Saturday, October 14, at 10:00am
  • Saturday, October 21, at 10:00am
  • Saturday, October 28, at 10:00am

As noted in their Facebook post about this:

Each session lasts about 2-3 hrs. and includes basics such as delivery, sweeping, the etiquette of curling and strategy of the game. Kids older than 5 yrs. are very welcome! The fee is $40 per person and this fee will be applied to a membership if you decide to join. Sign up early, as there are limited time slots available — email [email protected]

I (Dan York) normally curl out of PCC and find it a great place and great community. I’d strongly encourage everyone to check it out. If we are to build up interest in curling in the Monadnock region, the Petersham Curling Club is a great place for people to get started!

Want to Learn To Curl? Try it out Oct 5 and 7 in Petersham, MA

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petersham-curlingWould you like to learn to curl? The great folks at the Petersham Curling Club are offering “Learn to Curl” sessions on Wednesday, October 5, and Friday, October 7, 2016 from 6-9pm. From the PCC Facebook page:

Ever wanted to try out the awesome sport of curling? Well, here’s your chance! On Oct 4th, 5th and 7th at 6 PM, Petersham Curling Club will be holding Learn to Curls. There will be plenty of great instruction from experienced curlers, both on and off the ice, to get you out there and throwing some stones! (And maybe even get in a game…) The cost is $40 per person and all we ask is that you come with sturdy shoes with clean soles (we’ll provide all the other equipment). The age limit is 5 years and older, so bring your kids, too! Respond to this post and we’ll get you on the list — it fills up quick, so don’t wait. Come try the Olympic sport of curling!

More information can be found on the PCC Learn to Curl page. Petersham Curling Club is the closest curling club to our region. It’s about 45 minutes south of Keene, NH, down Route 32.

There are still spots available. To sign up, you need to contact Ted Paul at 978-815-1666 or [email protected]

 

Want To Learn To Curl? Try out curling on March 26 in Petersham, MA

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curlingrocks

Want to give curling a try?  On this coming Saturday, March 26, 2016, the folks down at the Petersham Curling Club, about 45 minutes south of Keene, NH, in Petersham, MA, will be offering two 3-hour “Learn To Curl” clinics fro 10am – 1pm and from 2-5pm.

SPACE IS LIMITED!

From the post to the Petersham CC Facebook page:

They are happening March 26th and there are 2 slots — 10AM-1PM and 2PM-5PM. You get on-ice instruction from experienced curlers, use of curling equipment and a lot of fun (even get in a game!). Just remember to wear sneakers or shoes with a sturdy flat sole. The cost is just $40, and if you decide to join the club, this amount will be deducted from your membership dues. Respond to this post and I’ll put you on the list, as each slot is limited. Feel like an Olympian for a day — try out curling! See you on the ice!

For $40 you get 3 hours of instruction and the chance to try out the sport!

To sign up you can reply to the post on the Petersham Curling Club Facebook page or send an email to Ted Paul.

We hope some folks from the Monadnock region will try it out!  And if you’re excited about curling, please let us know you are interested!  We’ve got some ideas for the future…

Keene’s Chloe York Heading To USA Curling Junior National Championships

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Team Rodgers photo

We are delighted to announce that Keene’s Chloe York will be playing in the USA Curling Junior National Championships in Willmar, Minnesota from January 16-23, 2015 as one of the top 10 Junior women’s curling teams in the USA!  Last week at the regional “playdowns” (tournament), her team won one of two spots from the eastern USA for the “Nationals”.  The team will now travel to Minnesota starting January 15 to compete against nine other teams.

Chloe, on the right in the photo, is 13 years old and an 8th grade student at the Monadnock Waldorf School in Keene.  Chloe started curling in 2011 at the Petersham Curling Club about 45 minutes south of Keene in Petersham, MA.  Her team is led by skip (captain) Rebecca Rodgers, 15, also from Petersham Curling Club, and includes Anna Cenzalli, 14, from Cape Cod Curling Club, and Elizabeth Janiak, 14, from the Nashua (NH) Country Club. Chloe plays the “lead” position that throws the first rocks in a game.  All of the girls have been curling for 5-8 years and have been playing in competitive bonspiels (tournaments) throughout the region.

Given that this “Team Rodgers” is a new team without any corporate sponsorship, they are actively asking for donations to help fund the costs of flying 8 people (the 4 girls and their parent chaperones) out to Minnesota and housing/feeding them for the 9 days of the event.  If you would like to help support this amazing opportunity for these girls, please visit:

https://www.gofundme.com/teamrodgerscurling

If you are with a corporation or other entity that might be willing to help financially, please contact team coach Dan York at 603-439-0024 or [email protected] .

If you would like to follow the activities of the team over the next few weeks as they prepare for and then compete at the 2016 Junior National Championships, please follow the team on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TeamRodgersCurling where they will be posting updates.

Thank you to everyone in the area who has already helped out the team!  The girls are so excited for this incredible opportunity to play at a national level!

P.S. Wouldn’t it be great if we could offer the sport of curling in Keene?  Please let us know you are interested!

Congrats to Keene Ice On The Start Of Their Construction!

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Keene Ice construction

Congratulations to the great folks over at Keene Ice on the start of their construction on Marlboro Street here in Keene!  It’s been great going for morning runs over the past couple of months and watching the construction evolve.  They’ve been posting some photos and comments over to their page on Facebook and it’s been fun to see.

People have asked me about whether we’d be able to have any curling at the new Keene Ice arena.  Given the fact that there is an extremely heavy demand for ice time for hockey leagues, figure skating and other ice activities, especially in light of the fact that Cheshire Ice Arena (our one other ice arena in the area) will not open next year, it’s highly unlikely that we’ll be able to figure out a way to do much in the way of curling at the Keene Ice arena.

I wrote last year about the challenges of scheduling in getting a curling club going at an ice arena and that really remains the biggest challenge.  I spoke with one of the Keene Ice folks earlier this year and the reality is that getting more than just a couple of hours at odd times is not likely to happen. I think it’s awesome for them that they have so much demand!

And, as someone who enjoys ice skating, I’m very much looking forward to skating at the new arena!

I wouldn’t rule out entirely doing something at the Keene Ice arena… even if it were just some demonstrations and “learn to curl” sessions at some point in time… but our focus continues to be on how we can identify a place for some dedicated curling ice that could let us grow the kind of curling club and curling community that we’d like to see.

If you’re interested, please do join with us and let us know your interested!

And if you get a chance to drive by the Keene Ice facility on Marlboro Street, do check it out – it’s great to see!  Let’s make Keene a winter sports destination!

P.S. And yes, in addition to the scheduling, curling ice is also different from skating ice… although there are many ice arenas that work hard to get their ice closer to what you can get at a dedicated curling club.

 

 

Keene Ice Speaking to Keene City Council Tonight at 7:30pm

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Keene Ice logoThe folks at Keene Ice just posted to their Facebook page that they’ll be in front of the Keene City Council tonight (Feb 19, 2015) and asked for people to come and provide support:

Supporters wanted! Tonight – City Hall – 7:30pm

We are so VERY close to beginning construction on the new arena…Please show your support for Keene ICE by attending tonight’s City Council meeting at 7:30pm, when the Council will be updated on the project before the final agreements are signed and we can started building your new rink!

If you can get there to support Keene Ice I would encourage you to do so.  Unfortunately I have other plans (concert tickets) but I will be hoping all goes well for them.  We’re not exactly sure what we’ll be able to do with the new arena in the way of curling, but we definitely believe this region needs this new arena as a way to bring more winter sports activity to the area.  ThinkRink!

Watch The US National Curling Championships Live All This Week

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us-curling-nationals

If you want to watch some outstanding curling, the US National Curling Championships are streaming live out of Kalamazoo, Michigan all this week and you can watch them live at:

http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Curling/Events/Championships/National-Events/National-Championships/Live-Webstream

These are the best Men’s and Women’s teams in the US all competing to be “Team USA” and represent the USA in the World Curling Championships coming up for Women on March 14-22 in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan and for Men on March 28-April 5 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

The remaining games that will be streamed live are:

Wednesday, 8 a.m. ET Heath McCormick v. Korey Dropkin
Wednesday, 12 p.m. ET Patti Lank v. Kate Bert
Wednesday, 4 p.m. ET Brady Clark v. John Shuster
Wednesday, 8 p.m. ET Erika Brown v. Nina Roth
Thursday, 8 a.m. ET Brandon Corbett v. Paul Pustovar
Thursday, 12 p.m./4 p.m. ET Tiebreaker games, if needed
Thursday, 8 p.m. Page playoffs, women’s teams to be determined
Friday 12 p.m. Page playoffs, men’s teams to be determined
Friday, 4 p.m. ET Women’s semifinal
Friday, 8 p.m. ET Men’s semifinal
Saturday, 10 a.m. ET Women’s final
Saturday, 3 p.m. ET Men’s final

We should see some outstanding curling this week!