Spirits high at fundraiser for Norfolk Curling Club

NORFOLK —The Norfolk Curling Club held its fourth annual Wine on Ice fundraiser at its clubhouse on Saturday, Nov. 11.

Wine and liquor were provided by Ledgebrook Spirit Shop, C&P Village Imports and Skurnik Wines; food was provided by club members.

A silent auction included work donated by artist Bill Graulty and photographer Susan Poirier. Domaney’s Liquors and Fine Wines and other businesses and individuals also donated items for the auction.

During the event, demonstrations were held on the club’s ice rink and anyone who was interested got a chance to learn about curling and even try it.

This is the club’s fourth year in its rebuilt facility, following an arson fire that burned down the original building in December 2011. The club, which was founded in 1956, functions in many ways as a community center.  

“I think the club has been doing well since we came back after the fire,” club member and event co-organizer Caryn Trager said.  

“We have curling clinics for all ages now, from teens to seniors. We even have wheelchair curling clubs. We have bonspiels, where teams from other states and countries come to curl competitively.

“We would love to get first-time curlers out on the ice so they can learn what all this fun is about.”

The club members are still paying off bills and loans from the reconstruction of the facility, which was completed in 2014. The Wine on Ice fundraisers have been a fun way for community members and club members to come out and socialize, she said, and try some new wines and spirits.

Twenty-five year member Terry Olson said that he enjoys the social aspects of curling.

“To me, curling is a game that takes two hours,” Olson said. “You can chat with people while you play. It’s like golf because it’s very sociable. After you finish the game you come into the bar and have a drink. It’s a sport that you can play when you’re young and you can keep going even when  you’re very old. You can make it as aerobic as you want it to be and you can be as competitive as you want to be.”

Olson said that the club, which currently has more than 100 members, has a variety of leagues at all age and skill levels.

For more information about the Norfolk Curling Club and to get the schedule for clinics and bonspiel competitions, go to www.norfolkcurlingclub.org.