The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
This week, The Extra End, is about the 13th Annual Men's Bonspiel that took place in February 1945. The information was gleaned from a curling booklet donated to the Flin Flon Museum by Jim and Doris McFarlene. The first thing I noticed was that curlers were asked to bring their own curling rocks if at all possible! There were 60 entries from the Flin Flon area and 51 from out of town, all the way from Drayton, North Dakota, with several from: Winnipeg; Hudson Bay Jct.; Nipawin; Sherridon; Saskatoon; Watson; Preeceville; Simpson; Biggar; Ridgedale; Rosetown; The Pas; Bowsman; Dauphin; Swan River; Neepawa; Carrot River; Stranrear; Manitou; and Alysham, among others. These curlers had to travel to Flin Flon by train. Many were unable to get rooms in The Flin Flon, Corona, Richmond, Elks or Royal hotels, so they slept in the train cars. The Flin Flon Curling executive at that time, consisted of Patrons R.H. Channing, W.A. Green, honorable Stuart Garson, Honourable T.C. Douglas and Mayor Cyril Stevenson. The Honourary President was J.P. Caulfield, with Past President Sam Hankin, President P.W. McPherson, Vice President G.M. Sprigings and Secretary Treasurer V.J. Longmore. The executive consisted of H.B. Goldsmith, Clarke Hume, Don Lockhart and W.G. Andrews. Ice Committee was Don Lockhart and Clarke Hume with the Prize Committee consisting of Sam Hankin, H.B. Goldsmith, P.W. McPherson and G.M. Springings. The draw was taken care of by W.G. Andrews, Don Lockhart, and Tom Howat. H. B. Goldsmith and Clarke Hume looked after the entertainment and finance was taken care of by Sam Hankin and G.M. Springings with the advertising being the responsibility of the entire executive. V.J. Longmore handled the accommodations and the Chaplain was Reverend Horsefield of the Anglican Church. In the booklet it was noted, "on this, the sixth year of the war, we are unable to completely list all our prizes. But we wish to assure you that in every case they will be up to their usual high standard." HBMS Event I wish I could list all the teams but that would take up the entire paper. I will however give you the winners starting with the HBMS Event (the prizes were four gold watches) was won by Geo Rawson with Al Ball, W. Burrows and M. Schater. Second - Royal Drug and FFCC Event (wool blankets) was won by Fred Stubbs, Carl Brown, E. Wakeley and Fred Hollier. Third - Beaver Lumber Event (end tables) was won by the Murray team from Neepawa. Fourth - Canadian General Electric Co. Wpg Man Event (four Stetson hats) was won by Bert McAree, Lorne Powell, Scotty MacFadyen and Jim Somerville. Hudson Bay Company Trophy In the Hudson Bay Company Trophy Event, the winner of 4-point HB blankets were H. B. Goldsmith, Russ Milton, H. Kerr and Phil Rowe. Second - Canadian Wire and Cable Co. of Wpg Event (silver trays) won by Perry McPherson, Pinkie Davie, Sam Hankin and Bud Simpson. Third - Ostry Company and FFCC Event (coat sweaters) was won by the Caldwell team from Hamiota. Fourth - Bell's Hardware and FFCC Event (coffee tables) won by the Annable team of Saskatoon. Third Primary Event In the third Primary Event, the T. Eaton Co, Dreffa event, including prizes of wrist watches, was won by Bus Perry, J. Mulhall, Art Stevenson and B. Lyle. Second - Sam Hankin and FFCC Event (chiffoniers) was won by the Cail team of Winnipeg Third - Canadian Ingersoll-Rand Co. Event ($10 War Savings Certificates) was won by G. Cross, Art Wilson, Vic Jacobson and Vic Bowes. Fourth - Jack Freedman Event (Ronson Lighters) was won by H. B. Goldsmith, Russ Milton, E. Wakeley and Fred Hollier. O.H. Lamont Trophy Event First - O.H. Lamont Co and FFCC Event (Gladstone Bags) won by Koffski from Nipawin. Second - E.B. Preston Jeweler and FFCC, Balco Event (wrist watches) was won by Pete Aspevig, Art Aspevig, A.H. Dudgeon and C.B. Cohoe Third - Western Trading Store and FFCC Event (Brocks Hats and Scotch Plaid scarves) was won by P. Wiebe, Gus Goldstrand, Ed Hammill, Walt Cunningham. Fourth - Local Barristers Ass'n and FFCC Event (silver casserole) won by G. Muggaberg, Mac Bonnett, Hal Anderson and B. Frost. Keddie Hardware Event First - Keddie Hardware and FFCC Event (Tri-Light Lamps) was won by L.B. Fairburn, Gerry Proudfoot, W.H. Jones and Rod Campbell Second - Frank Schieder Men's Store Event (shoes) was won by the Aspevig team from Hamiota. Third - Men's Style Shop and FFCC Event (jackets) was won by the Rees Davis team from Island Falls. Fourth - Northern Grocers and Dry Goods and FFCC Event (gloves and cravats) was won by F. Blake, F. Stewart, J. Killoh and M. Laing. Other Winners Grand Aggregate, sponsored by the Miner Publishing Company Ltd, was won by the H. B. Goldsmith team of Russ Milton, H. Kerr and Phil Rowe. The Long Distance Prize, donated by Golden Gate (pictures), was won by the Nissen team from Drayton North Dakota. The Hard Luck Prize, donated by Club News (pump jiggers) was won by Cam Spice, Don Dow, W. Howey and C, Berry. Wanted Pictures of eight-enders. Please don't think you are showing off: people are interested in knowing how many there have been over the years! Drop pictures with names and year of the win at 1 Hillcrest with your name so I can return them to you!
