RACINE — For the first time, the Racine Curling Club is entering a float into Racine Fourth Fest’s parade. The float, with the theme, “Don’t Take Freedom for Granite,” will feature oversized paper mâché curling stones typically made of granite with oversized curling brooms and a mock sheet of curling ice.
Building a float in Racine’s Fourth Fest is a fun way for members to bond and get back into the spirit of curling after a yearlong pandemic hiatus, as well as a creative way to publicize the club and attract new members.
“We decided to enter this year because the 2021-22 season will include the 2022 Olympics,” says Club President Gail Armstrong. “We want everyone to know that if you want to try curling, you can do it right here in Racine.”
The Racine Curling Club, founded in 1954, has more than 100 members ranging in age from 12 to 89. The club originally played on outdoor ice at Horlick Field and the Root River before it built its clubhouse on the north side of Racine in 1966 at 1914 Melvin Ave. The clubhouse was expanded in 1993 to accommodate more members and guests. It’s an all-volunteer run club including ice prep, facility maintenance and event planning. And, it’s the only indoor ice rink in Racine County.
During its October to April season, the club offers leagues seven days a week for all ages and curling skill.
“It’s a lifetime team sport,“ says Armstrong. “It is a very social sport that makes room for everyone to play.”
The game of curling originated in Scotland in the 16th century. Teams of four players compete to slide 40-pound granite discs — called stones — across a 150-foot sheet of ice and into a series of concentric circles, called the house. As the stones glide along the ice, players use curling brooms to melt the ice to make the stone move faster and curl (curve). A match is either 8 or 11 ends, which are like innings in baseball. At the conclusion of each end, the team with the stones closest to the center of the house earns points.
Curling is known for its camaraderie and good sportsmanship. Players offer encouragement and praise to other players, no matter if they are on their own team or the opposing one. A beloved tradition is the after-match bonspiel of convivial conversation.
Anyone interested in curling can go to the club’s website, racinecurlingclub.com, to sign up for emails to get notified of league registration. People can also find the club on Facebook.
“One can join as a single or with friends,” says Armstrong. “The club works to be sure that everyone is assigned to a team and to provide a fun experience for all.”
Fellow Racine Curlers,
I regret to inform you that we will not be opening for any curling in the rest of the 2020-21 season—including bonspiels. The decision to not curl was a close, difficult choice for the board. We weighed the desires of those who signed up to curl, the apparent lack of widespread enthusiasm for participating at this time, the further degradation of the overall COVID-19 situation, the long-term effect on membership, the viability of the leagues that would be left, etc. in reaching that decision. In the end, the safety of our curling family tipped the scales.
Although we will not be curling, many expenses continue. Anyone who pays their annual dues of $129 will be considered a paid member and will be registered with the USCA and any other applicable and customary curling organizations (organization registration is done by January 31). Part of any dues paid will help with our fixed expenses. Several people have already availed themselves of this opportunity and we thank them. Additionally, as the club is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Any amount paid in addition to or instead of membership dues comprises a tax deductible charitable contribution. You can pay online or by check mailed to the club or left in the indoor mailbox by the restrooms if you choose to do so. Any questions may be addressed to treasurer@racinecurlingclub.com.
We thank you for your continued support and hope that, with the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines and other advances in dealing with the disease, we will see each and every one of you on the ice next fall. Thank you for your patience while we wrestled with this unprecedented situation.
Personally, I would like to thank the Board members (Gail Armstrong, Keith Erdman, Brenda Tait, David Rank, Al Fillman, and Kristin Feick), Past-President Phil Janusiak, and Member-at-Large Danny Harmann for all their efforts in trying to make curling happen, researching the situation and making difficult decisions. It turns out that the situation leading to us not curling, in addition to being somewhat depressing, is more work for all of them than curling would have been.
Yours in holiday and curling spirit,
Michael Dry
President
Fellow RCC Curlers,
As you all know, COVID-19 caused us to cancel the Fall half. We just did not have enough registrations to make opening financially viable. The RCC Board understands that many of you have concerns about a safe environment for return to play and this may have caused you to not register.
To add additional safety, it has been decided to modify our league structure and fees. There will be three evening leagues: Monday/Tuesday; Wednesday/Thursday; and Friday/Saturday. There will also be two weekend daytime leagues: Saturday Doubles and Sunday. The Friday/Saturday league will have teams set by the draw committee consistent with our mixed leagues in the past. All other leagues will be “pick your own team” or sign up and let the draw committee put you on a team. You may sign up for a maximum of one evening league and one daytime league. This is to reduce the possibility of one infected individual cross-contaminating the whole club. Except for doubles, the schedule will be set so that only one game is occurring at a time. This will limit the number of people on the ice to 8 total.
Should a curler is tested positive or suspected of being infected with COVID-19, we will follow the CDC guidelines then in place to reduce the chance of further spread,
The fees for the second half are as follows: One daytime league--$175; One evening league--$200; or one daytime league and one evening league--$250. These amounts include the annual dues, so, if you already paid dues, that amount will be deducted from the amount owed. Junior curlers will pay $39. Sub-Only $150. 1st and 2nd year curlers will be discounted 50% and 25% of the league fee amount, respectively. The membership dues are $129 of the amounts above.
At our December meeting, the Board will decide, based on health safety and financial considerations if there can be curling at our club in the second half.
See the attached amended Covid Playing Procedures, the same as previously communicated, that will be implemented if we are able to curl. Please be patient as some details may still need to be worked out. This is new territory for everyone!
Registration is now open. There is a minor glitch in the website registration that causes it to charge $246 instead of $250. Thank you for your understanding. We encourage you to register and pay as early as possible and in any case before December 5. If you would like to pay by credit card go to Home > Our Club > Payment Page. In the unfortunate event that we do not curl, fees will be refunded upon request.
Yours in Curling,
The RCC Board
COVID-19 Playing Procedures
Registration is open now for the 2021 Winter leagues.
Click the registration button now to join a league and get in on the fun!
Registration is open now through Saturday, December 5, 2020
Please refer to the rates page here:
https://racinecurlingclub.com/index.php/our-club/membership-information/rates
The Racine Curling Club, founded in 1954, is a two-sheet curling club home to curlers from Southeastern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. We offer leagues seven days a week for all skill levels.
