Abbotsford

Home after a long day of traveling back from Abbotsford. Kate decided to stay a couple of extra days to spend time with her friend Robyn but the rest of us headed home early Monday morning, never a flight you like to take because that means it wasn't a very successful weekend. Great competition, wonderful ice conditions, excellent host committee and a very supportive cheering section. Thank you to Anna, Walter, Pauline and Nelson for coming to watch our games and taking us out for lunch.

A very special thank you to our hosts: Tom and Jane, Trevor, Lia and Jarris. We were made to feel so welcome as you invited us into your homes; thankfully the power did come on, our last day but it did none the less. Next year we will make sure we get a dip in the pool and the hot tub.

We look forward to two weekends off from competition, spending time with family and friends before we head into zones in December in Elmvale

Don't Get Lost On Your Way To St. Mary's

After a well deserved week off the team traveled to St. Mary's for a weekend of curling. St. Mary's you say, where is it? Well Kim and Sherry got a bit lost but finally found their way to the quaint town near Stratford. The girls put together six straight wins to claim their second victory of the season. Although it wasn't a huge cheque the games and the competition will be a wonderful warm up for Abbotsford this upcoming weekend.

A special thank you to Gerry Guerts and Rob Lamont for an excellent job of organizing, running and everything else they did from running the bar, the kitchen and ensuring everyone had a fantastic time. Thank you to Gary and Joanne Hamer who drove all the way from Port Elgin to cheer us on once again Thank you for the delicious cookies Gary, keep them coming.

After a very early game Saturday morning the team went to Waterloo to take in the first two draws of the National Mixed. It was great to see friends from all across the country, we didn't know who to cheer for but of course cheered for good shots.

Good luck to our webmaster Rachel Vandervelde in her zones at Midland.

Saskatoon travels

Nov. 1

The girls arrived back from Saskatoon a bit tired, nine games, but happy with their performances once again. Four qualifiers out of four spiels, very consistent and now leaders on the money list at $19,700. It was great to see friends and family, thank you very much for all the support. Great job by Scott Matheson and his crew, the team sure loved the treats in the van even though I don't think all that chocolate helped their performance in the evening games. A very special thank you to Wayne Kiel of Regina for spending the weekend with the girls. Your comments were invaluable and we hope to get the opportunity to work with you again. This sport is unique in the fact that resources are shared and utilized for the improvement of the sport.

Curling for Breast Cancer Awareness

Oct. 17

Team Middaugh comes home with the winner's trophy, great job gals. It was an incredible final against Patti Lank from the USA, going an extra end. The crowd watching said it was the best final ever and the players can attest to that. The team would like to thank Jim Waite for spending some time with them at the Highland Thursday night for a practice and also for observing a couple of their games. Your insight and suggestions are very much appreciated Jim.

London is a very special bonspiel for a number of reasons and that is why it is one of our favorite stops on the tour. The message behind the spiel is breast cancer awareness and over the years much money has been raised for research and awareness. Kate, Andra and Sherry curled in the ProAm Thursday night and fun was had by all. Thank you to all the curlers for collecting pledges and making it a very memorable evening.

Happy Thanksgiving Calgary!

Oct. 10

Gobble, gobble but no Thanksgiving dinner was had by Team Middaugh in Calgary. No complaints though as the team qualified out of the "C" event, losing a close quarter-final to Cheryl Bernard. Thank you to Bernice Merrick for an excellent job hosting one of the longest running bonspiels on the ladies circuit. Thank you to the Weston Hotel for incredible service and a first rate hotel, see you next year we hope. It was such a wonderful weekend because of all the friends and family that traveled great distances to come cheer us on. We didn't get a whole lot of time to visit as we spent most of our weekend on the ice, but I guess that is why we curl isn't it? We did get a chance to do a bit of shopping and bought some team belts, home and away, and my do they look snazzy. See you next year Calgary.