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