Huntsville Seniors
Club 55

The international shuffleboard competition held in Midland last week brought out the best in club member Roy Babcock, one of the 11 members on the Canadian men’s team. From the Monday opening ceremonies, when the host team was the last to be piped into a jammed arena, Roy enjoyed a week-long shuffleboard adrenaline rush initiated by the presence of several family members, including two cheering granddaughters holding signs.

Against representatives from six international teams, Roy won 10 of his 11 games to become Canada’s leading scorer. Canada enjoyed a five-game advantage midway through the tournament but finished in second place when the United States rallied in a come-from-behind bid.

The American team won the tournament with a total of 92 games to Canada’s 91. A tie score in one game placed the Brazilian team in third place with 59-and-one-half games, slightly ahead of fourth place Germany’s 59.

Imagine the drama had Canada and the United States finished in a tie. Roy would have played a one-game final against America’s leading scorer. That game would have played to a full house of family, fans and lacrosse players from a tournament in the adjacent arena. There’s a performance that would have earned national attention.

Babcock indicated that as hosts, Canada’s accommodations, scheduling and camaraderie were of international calibre. The quantity and quality of the food, however, were beyond anyone’s expectations.

Although Roy has not as yet committed himself, he has been invited to participate again for Canada in the 2008 tournament in Australia.

On the Labour Day Monday holiday, the club will again salute its many volunteers with an afternoon of games followed by hot dogs and a corn roast. Although initiated longer ago than anyone can remember, early celebrations were held at the old boy scout camp on Mary Lake.

Celebrating volunteers is particularly important to us because our seniors’ club has no salaried employee. Although traditionally a members’ only event, you are encouraged to bring a guest. There is no charge for this celebration.

Don Woolman and Gloria Toth have asked that league bowlers attend an organizational meeting at the club on Thursday, Sept. 6 at 1 p.m.

Friday night euchre was, in part, a celebration of Blanche Guest’s 91st birthday. A birthday cake courtesy of her daughter was served as the dessert portion of the lunch.

Blanche shared in the prize for the most lone hands with Keith Crozier and Jim Gardiner. Edith Flood won first prize overall with Betty Humphrey second. Playing on men’s cards, Edith Wainwright was first with Wendy Sawyer second.

Friday night bridge saw Marj Wilson score 5,890 points to win first place followed by Jeanne Reed and Stan Westcott. Gerry and Mardi Keyes earned first place in Thursday night bridge followed by Nancy Mitchell and Ann Howe. Don Woolman and Bob France finished in third place with Bill and Meg Giller fourth.

James Tonks was the overall winner in Monday afternoon cribbage followed by Elmer Green, Lil Millar and Eileen Green.