This Week in History – Bonspiels and Poetry

SPRA 2008.80.15 Mel Rodacker curling, ca. 1935.
SPRA 2008.80.15 Mel Rodacker and a teammate look over the rocks in the house, playing in the first Grande Prairie Curling Rink, ca. 1935.

The week of March 2nd to 8th seemed to be when the Mixed Bonspiel was held in Grande Prairie, as it turned up in papers of those dates many times. I picked out the years 1934 to 1937. I’ve realized over the months I have been reading the papers for items for this blog that I like items with lists of names. I can scan the lists looking for family members and other familiar names, either people I knew or had heard about. These Mixed Bonspiel items are a treasure trove of names, as all rinks are listed. One year, my Grandmother, Mother, an Aunt, and (future) in-laws were all curling. I didn’t even know my Mother ever curled, although her name is only on one list, so maybe she only curled in one bonspiel and either gave it up or wasn’t asked again! I noticed that my in-laws never curled on the same rink. Interesting! I hope readers enjoy perusing these lists as much as I did. In case you don’t like the lists, there are also a couple of curling songs which were sung at the Beaverlodge Bonspiel Banquet, and an uncredited curling poem.

Grande Prairie Herald, March 2, 1934 p. 8
Grande Prairie Herald, March 2, 1934 p. 8
Grande Prairie Herald, March 8, 1935 p. 1
Grande Prairie Herald, March 8, 1935 p. 1
Grande Prairie Herald, February 28, 1936 p. 8
Grande Prairie Herald, February 28, 1936 p. 8
Grande Prairie Herald, March 5, 1937 p. 1, 4
Grande Prairie Herald, March 5, 1937 p. 1, 4
Grande Prairie Herald, March 5, 1937 p. 2
Grande Prairie Herald, March 5, 1937 p. 2
Grande Prairie Herald, March 5, 1937 p. 2
Grande Prairie Herald, March 5, 1937 p. 2
Grande Prairie Herald, March 5, 1937 p. 2
Grande Prairie Herald, March 5, 1937 p. 2

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