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"A Family Tradition for 126 Years" By Kelly Lown Port Perry Star The Port Perry Community Curling Club has been a social centre for Scugog Township res- idents for 38 years. _ A sport for life, curling is en- Joyed by the young and old alike. "That is the great thing about this sport. You can join when you're young or retired. As long as you are healthy you can play forever," said 77-year-old Jim Davidson who has been curling for 20 years. Curling in Port Perry began in the 1954-55 season at the prompting of Grant MacDon- ald. MacDonald is the founding father of curling as it is known in Port Perry today. He began curling at the age of 17 in Cannington and Lindsay. Few clubs existed in those days as many were phased out dur- ing the war and depression years. MacDonald continued to curl in the Oakwood and Sunder- land areas as he got older, but he talked of starting a club in "Even though the organiza- tional period had its struggles, the venture was a complete suc- cess and the curling club was formed. An executive was chosen, a name, "Port Perry Community Curling Club," was given to the club and the sport was officially underway in Port Perry in 1954. MacDonald served as the first president of the club. The club maintained interest and stable membershi the years went by members had a dream. That dream was to move towards their goal of es- tablishing a facility for curling only. The members wanted it to be a member-owned facility not municipally-owned. A generous curler made their dream come true as he made land available to the club. In July of 1958 the curling club was erected on the corner of Bay and Old Simcoe Streets in Port Perry. Many trusting individuals paid a life-membership fee at WW KELLY LOWN/PORT PERRY STAR Jimmy Davidson, 77, of Port Perry has been an active member of the Port Perry Curling Club for 20 years. Pictured he shows the proper approach to releasing the stone. Port Perry. In 1954 the Scugog Arena Board announced it had time when the ice was idle, welcom- ing the suggestion that the town would try to interest residents into curling. Experience was scarce, as only 11 residents had ever curled. It wasn't a deterrent ob- viously, as close to 80 people turned out to give the sport a look. Other problems did arise as they do with any new venture. The curlers were using an ice ad which was also used for fey and figure skating so the rink had to be transformed into pebbled ice. The club needed materials to line and measure the ice, a counting system and stones and brooms. that time to aid in the construc- tion of the building. A sport which symbolizes brotherhood was already evi- dent at that time in Port Perry. Members of the club, as well as other area residents who were not or never became involved with the club, volunteered to build the roof of the new struc- ture. Many of those men responsi- ble for the facility are no longer active members of the club but will always be an integral part of the club because they are life members. A plaque with their names remains prominent in the club house. These men joined a sport which has an obscure history. Evidence of its inception points to Scotland where a painting created in 1565 by and as °' Pieter Breugel entitled "Hunt- ers in the Snow," depicted curl- ing. References to the sport can also be found in Scottish writing datingback to 1540. According to the Curling Hall of Fame and Museum of Cana- otfone's opponent." No other games seems as democratic. "On the ice it is not what you are but what you can do. It is best described as a united broth- erhood, within which peer and da, curling came to this country ~~ in the 18th century. The first organized club in North America was the Mon- ... treal Curling Club which was established in 1807. The United States did not see its first club until 1821. Curling flourished with the contruction of the railway in the 19th century. Clubs began to form in Ontario, Newfound- land, New Brunswick, Manito- ba, Saskatchewan, Prince Ed- ward Island, Calgary and British Columbia. The Three Rivers was the first to hold an interclub compe- tition. The contest between Montreal and Quebec started the wave of bonspiels for the fu- ture. The largest of today's bon- spiels in Manitoba began in 1884. The next venue for the sport was a taste of international fla- vor. Ontario and the United States met in 1865 setting the stage for Scottish visits begin- ningin 1902. Curling went to the next phase when it became a full Olympic sportin 1924. Curling has come a long way in Port Perry. Members today can curl around their hedtic life- styles. There are womens, mens and mixed leagues as well as a Junior program offered through ocal schools. The club is busy afternoons and nights. More than 350 curlers are ac- tive members with an addition- al 175 non-active. And, new members are always welcome to join. These members joined the sport for life that the curling museum calls "a primary exam- ple of social understanding, good fellowship and the respect Keeping a watchful eye on the shot. peasant are equal," the article states. Curling is a sport for life and a sport for all. Members of all ages and from all walks of life are brought together to enjoy their sport. KELLY LOWN/PORT PERRY STAR John Butler and Jack Nottingham aid the stone with a lit- tle sweeping effort. Forder-Parks Insurance Brokers Inc. 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