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.
Flin Flon's Golden Gals rolled out the red carpet while hosting the Provincial Golden Gals Play downs February 13 to 16 at the Uptown Curling Club. The fourteen teams from southern Manitoba arrived in Flin Flon on Sunday evening, Feb. 12. The curlers were treated to a "meet and greet" on Sunday evening. A wine and cheese affair was hosted by the Uptown Ladies Curling club. The teams hit the ice at Uptown C.C. bright and early Monday morning February 13 at 8:30 with Flin Flon's Ann Wiebe defeating Russell's Hazel Miller. Shirley Bell of Hamiota won over Darlene Grandmont of Argyle, Assiniboine's (Wpg) Marian Whalen defeated Riverview's (Brandon) Pat Pink and Sharon Tetreault of Morden won over Della Campbell of Stonewall. At 11 a.m. Mary Adams of Brandon (last years winner) defeated June Reece of Winnipeg and Sheila Smith of Minnedosa over Jean Ross of Winnipeg. Evelyn Sanders of Manitou defeated Jean McKean of Minota and Flin Flon's Geri Kostuchuk lost to Wanita Stewart of Selkirk. At 1:30 the opening ceremonies took place with all the participating teams being piped onto the ice by Rod Walker followed by RCMP officer Chuck Gareau in red serge. Ann Wiebe, the committee president, hosted the event and introduced the guest speakers, who in turn brought greetings to the people assembled on the ice and behind the glass. Mayor Dennis Ballard spoke on behalf of the City of Flin Flon followed by Colleen Stallard on behalf of the Town of Creighton. Brad McDougall sang O Canada and then Ann Henry delivered the first rock with Evelyn Meyers holding the broom and Ruth Roncin and Terry Jaszan sweeping. Eva than declared the Provincial Golden Gals officially opened. The 3 p.m. draw saw Wiebe go down to defeat to Bell, while Tetreault defeated Whalen. Adams defeated Smith and Sanders defeated Stewart. The teams enjoyed a lovely banquet at R.J's courtesy of the Golden Gals Association. The entertainment was awesome with the "Name That Tune Guys" Rob and Randy getting everyone on their feet. All the curlers could actually be seen doing the locomotion down the hall of the motel. Who says seniors can't have fun? Tuesday, Feb. 14 the curlers got a half hour reprieve and started curling at 9 a.m. with Tetreault defeating Bell and Adams winning over Stewart. At 11:30 Miller defeated Grandmont, while Pink defeated Campbell and Reece defeated Ross and Kostuchuk defeated McKean. At 2 p.m. all local eyes were on sheet two as the Flin Flon teams went an extra end with Wiebe edging out Kostuchuk. Reece over Whalen, Pink over Smith and Sanders over Miller. Meanwhile in the "A" side final Adams defeated Tetreault to win that side of the competition meaning that Adams still had to be defeated twice. Then the entourage headed for Rocky View OTA where everyone was treated to another excellent meal courtesy of the Flin Flon and Parkland Credit Unions. Wednesday, February 15 at the 10 a.m. draw Stewart defeated Wiebe, Reece defeated Tetreault, Adams over Pink and Sanders over Bell. Thus at 2 p.m. Reece defeated Tetreault and Adams over Sanders. There were good crowds for the games and the spectators were treated to great shot making. Because of newspaper deadlines, Thursday's play off game results will be in Monday's paper with only two teams left Adams and Reece and the closing ceremonies immediately following the final game. Keep in mind that Adams has to lose twice to be kept from successfully defending her Provincial title.
