Good memories and great curling
By Gerry Foster
The annual McGowan-Busby Retirees Bonspiel, held this past week in Grand Forks, holds special meaning with the names attached to this curling event. Bill McGowan and Charlie Busby were key organizers for many years and their dedication, outgoing personalities and love of the sport contributed greatly to this enjoyable and popular curling experience on the winter calendar. The names from the past don’t end there for the three divisions comprising the structure of the spiel also bear the names of outstanding and devoted individuals who were well-liked and now fondly remembered. Bill Ridley, Albert (Chick) Talarico and Jim Glanville were wonderful human beings and, along with Bill and Charlie, made singular impacts on the communities of Grand Forks and Christina Lake. For those who knew them personally, there is a sense of nostalgia when you walk into the Grand Forks Curling Centre in early December each year and one cannot help but pause and give thanks for these five exceptional men who are still very much missed but not forgotten. For those who are new to the area or of a younger generation, you would have been equally appreciative of the above five curlers and neighbours, gifts to their communities. At this year’s spiel, 18 teams slid, swept and banged rocks for three days and after each team curled five games, one local foursome and two from out of town were the victors. Gordon Shimuzu skipped his team of Joe Hasebe, Harold Edstrom and Dave Dale to a perfect 5-0 record to capture the Bill Ridley trophy. You could call this squad the Boundary all-star team as Gordon is from Greenwood, Joe from Midway, Harold from Rock Creek and Dave from Grand Forks. The other event winners were Primo Secco (Skip), Pat Fennell, Mel Johnston and Dave Shankland from Trail who etched their names on the Talarico trophy while the Glanville division was won by the team of Don Allbright, Chuck Clubine (Skip), Doug Cade and Hank Shaver from the Penticton Curling Club. Curlers also travelled from Creston, Vernon, Nelson and Kelowna.
One significant change was made this year. Since its inception the event was billed as the Men’s Retirees but for the first time three women participated, and this we understand will continue in future years. It will now officially be labelled a Mixed Bonspiel. History was made at the 2011 McGowan-Busby Memorial while honouring the past.
