Monday After the Scotties

Very busy day shuttling the remaining teams to Calgary Airport.
The big task was taking all 25 vehicles to have the radios removed, then take to Sign-A-Rama to have all the decals removed then move them to Buget Rental.
This took us all day and did not get home until 6pm.

Said my final good-byes to everyone and maybe see some at another event.

I had a terrific time with NO Stress !

Here are some final photos.

Dave Signing Off



Watching the Outdoor Action

 

Dan's Command Centre



TV & Radio Control Centre




Ops Centre in Parking Lot



Friday-Saturday at the Scotties

Friday, Saturday
After driving for 11 hrs on Thursday I had Friday as my only day off.
The highlight of the morning was a moderate length walk through Louise and Fred’s neighborhood in minus 10C.
The homes ranged from over a Million down to $400,000.
I was impressed by the walkways, small lake surrounded by homes. In the winter the city cleans and maintains an ice surface for hockey and skating and in the summer it’s a lovely pond for all sorts of wildlife.
In another subdivision their green space had an almost regulation size out door hockey rink complete with full size boards which was flooded and cleaned by the city. Wow would the kids in my neighborhood love that.
Later in the day Fred & I went to the page 1-2 game BC vrs MB.
I worn my Norge Ontario Pants again and attracted a lot of attention, which is totally against my nature but someone had to do it.
I tried to get camera time alternating myself at either ends of the home end. Don’t know if it worked?
After the game the Heart Stop Lounge was the happening place to be with a arousing band from Lethbridge, everyone except the drummer having long hair down their backs. Picture me with long hair down my back and that’s what they looked like not a pretty picture eh!
Did some schmoozing, lifted a few, danced some, met some interesting people.
Home at 12:30am only to up at 5am ready to drive for my 6:30am shift.
Ahh the life of a curler.

Teresa - Jane

Bye Bye

Sunday Gold Medal Game

Sunday and Final Day at the Scotties
Update on Friday night surprise at the Heart Stop Lounge.
Go back to my Tuesday Calgary Airport Run. Before picking up my passenger at 7:45am, I stopped for a Timmies. While waiting in line I chatted with a young gal asking her the location of the Days Inn, which was just around the bend out of sight. To thank her I gave her a London Pin.
Forward to Friday night at the Heart Stop Lounge. It was packed, noisy and the place was humming. Out of the Blue this excited girl screamed and grabbed me and said " you’re the guy who gave a pin at Timmies"
She then went on to say she gave the pin to her 8-year-old niece who then showed to all of her friends. The story touched my heart.
Sunday Shift started at 1pm and I needed to get the Manitoba Team to sign my jersey. While driving back to the Hotel the radio said there was a pickup at Earls for Team MB, so I diverted to the restaurant, got my autographs and photo with Jen & Kaitlyn. YEA!
I had Sunday all planned out. My shift started at 1pm to 8pm and I would cut out at 3pm about the 5^th end of the Final game to assemble with the other volunteers to walk on the ice at the closing ceremonies. My plans got changed at the last moment as myself and Pearl had to driver Team Northwest Territories/Yukon to the Edmonton Airport.
Had to wait on the return trip until we got the two-way radio signal to find out who WON!
Went straight back to the Heart Stop to get my next to final autographs from Team Alberta or the new Team Canada.
Finally caught up with them and their excitement and had them sign my jersey.
Fantastic day for the organizers having the Host Province win the gold medal and become Team Canada.
Interesting side bar, Alberta Team Coach, Darryl Horne is the husband of Kate Horne a former Emco employee and player with Cathy Borst of AB.


Kaitlyn Laws & Jennifer Jones Team MB




Jennette - Dave- Mother of Pearl




Dave & Pearl




Doug,Director Fred,Assistant, Dan, Dispatcher, Dave, Driver




Clock Gift and Card for Dan our Dispatcher




Kingston 2013 Scotties Team
Brian Ward, Ken Thompson, Larke Zarichny, Jan Ray

 More to follow on Monday, my last working day.

Early Monday Report..........-27C...Time to put on winter coat

Saturday at the Scotties

Saturday at the Scotties
Was able to rest after my 6:30 am to 12pm shift and then back to rink for the 2:20pm all teams autograph session.
Now that was hoot. All the teams signed a long sleeved Scotties Shirt and also had my photo taken with every team.
I had to use all my restrictive powers to keep myself under control. But finally lost it after an offer from Heather Dacey, NS team skip which you will see in the attached photo.
All the teams gave away stuff, Pins, pedometers, key chains, signed team photos and from Team Ontario they gave me a pair of Asham curling gloves.
While waiting in line I befriended 2 lovely sisters from, Yarbo/Esterhazy Sask. & Lac La Biche AB, which I promptly renamed "Son of a Biche"
The Esterhazy gal sister and traded taking each others photos with the teams…..They were loads of fun.
Also met 2 gals in the Volunteer Lounge Shannon & Erin. Shannon also writes a Foodie Blog and she just added our photo to it today. Here is the link to her Blog.http://reddeerfoodie.blogspot.com/2012/02/baked-basil-chicken-caprese-quinoa.html 　
The volunteers were also treated to free Massages which you had to prebook for. Today was my day. I had a 30 min. glorious back and foot massage. Met one other volunteer who loved the them and had just finished his 5^th treatment, Bastard Guy!
Watched the page 1 – 2 game at home and they went to the last Heart Stop Lounge for a full evening of entertainment of fun, skits, music, dancing and libations.
You could get a free samples of the Amarula, South African fruit liquor but only one per evening as they but an indelible mark on your hand. We all rubbed like mad to remove and head back for another sample.
I won the contest with 5 free samples then they closed, ran them dry.
Met and partied with Fred & Lousie’s neighbors, Alan & Jaime, Bonita, Kim & Greg, Sharon & Thersa.
Evening ended at 11pm as Fred has a 5am Edmonton airport run in the morning. He was back in Red Deer by 7:30 just in time to make poached eggs and toast.
Tough life eh!

Esterhazy & Lac La Biche



Team Canada & Harley




Team Holland Canada




Team Horgan Ontario First Night



Team New Brunswick



Team Nova Scotia Heather-Smith Dacey




Team Newfoundland & Labrador




Team Northwest Territories/Yukon




Team Horgan Ontario




Team PEI




Team Quebec




The Mudmen




Mudmen Piper



Erin & Shannon(Foodie Blog)

:
Ji


Louise & Fred (aka Papa Bear)



Jill Officer's Mom Leslie


 

Louise and Fred's Neigbors

 Bye! Bye!

Thursday at the Scotties

Thursday Feb. 23/12
Today was the day for the Norwegian Pants.
I decided that I would wear my Norwegian Pants on shift.
Well did that cause a stir. Dispatcher redirected all the driver’s to check out ‘Dave’s’ Pants. Then I waited for the comments to fly……"like your pants"……"you have the spirit"……"where did you get those"……." where can I get a pair"…..one person shielded their eyes. All the comments were in fun.
The stares without the comments were hilarious.
Later in the afternoon I had a trip to the Calgary Airport to pick up a passenger. Part of the trip was through a raging snowstorm but being use to the 401 there was no problem.
Walking back and forth at the Airport wearing the pants was certainly and experience. People did not know what to make of me. Everyone, I mean everyone took a good look and some had very positive comments.
While waiting at baggage claim I met two very interesting and famous people. George Chuvalo and Lloyd Robertson were having a chat. I waited for the right moment and introduced myself.
I mentioned that I had seen his recent interview on CBC George Stroumboulopoulos show and he said I should tune in to his interview, "One on One with Peter Mansbridge on Sunday Feb. 26th.
Below is a link to that interview.
Wow....I shook the hand that laid out Mohammed Ali.
I recognized Lloyd Robertson first by his familiar voice.
Very Cool!
While waiting I went to the liquor store to look for a brand of Scotch recommended to me, not available in Ontario, called "The Glenrothes" When the checkout lady noticed my name badge she gave me the Airport Staff discount…My lucky day!
Arrived back in Red Deer at 9pm and headed for dinner and had Red Deer’s famous meal, "Steak Sandwich". Everyone tells you where to get the best one.
Standings have been determined with no tiebreakers, which means an easy day on Friday. Only 4 games left using the page system.

http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/News/TV_Shows/Mansbridge_One_on_One/1455754065/ID=2202450613

Bye Bye for now.

Wednesday Feb. 22 Post

Report from Red Deer Scotties
A little about Red Deer.
Population 90,000 and is 1hr 20mins north of Calgary and Edmonton is about the same to the north.
Has the feel of London being in the middle between to large cities, Toronto and Windsor/Detroit.
Has most of the major stores, Walmarts Costco, Staples, Shoppers, and major restaurants.
Restaurants of choice by the teams have been, Subway, Boston Pizza, Tony Roma’s, Corra’s, The Keg and of course Tim Horton’s
I have had to learn routes to all the above places as well as many to most of the Hotels, Malls etc.
So far so good. One good thing is I can just call out on my 2-way radio for help if needed.
It is very easy to get around and there are roads that by pass the main parts. Numbered streets are also very helpful.
There are quite a few RV Dealers in town, lots of $$$ to spend.
It must mean there are lots of good places to visit and camp.
About the Scotties
Red Deer hosted the very first Canadian Women’s
Championship in 1961, called and the sponsor was Dominion Stores.
In 1981 Scott Paper Limited took on the sponsorship role and that has lasted to the present.
Alberta Teams have claimed a total of 6 times over 50 years.
1966 Gale Lee
1968 Hazel Jamieson
1977 Myrna McQuarrie
1978 Chris Pidzarko
1981 Susan Seitz
1992 Cathy Borst
 　
Red Deer offers a high class facility that is a perfect venue to host a national event of this caliber and without having to leave the building, called the Westerner Park, that houses the Enmax Centrium Arena, Parkland Pavilion (Heart Stop Lounge,) Pairie Pavilion, Banquet Rooms, Stockmen’s Pavilion.
Spectators have access to world class curling and exciting and ever-buzzing Heart Stop Lounge, meet-and greet areas where player are ready to socialize and sign autographs.
Many behind-the-scenes areas for sponsors, security, personnel, media and medical staff.
Monday, Family Day was another busy day at the Rink.
3 Draws with 3 shifts for the drivers. There can be up to 20 drivers per shift every day.
My shift was 12 noon to 6 pm. Everyone rotating between the Hotel, and the Centrium (curling venue)
After making a few trips I had to have 2 signs 24" X 36" printed at Staples and mounted on foam board and returned to a sponsor.
Next up was taking 2 officials to Calgary Airport then back for the remainder of my shift.
When not playing the teams are going grocery shopping, out for meals, malls and shopping.
Tuesday…..My Shift was from 6:30 am, started off and getting a run first thing to take the Curling Manager and Ice Technician for the St. George’s Golf & Country Club, Etobicoke to Calgary Airport for a 10am flight home. Bill was very interesting, he was involved in the Dominion’s. New all the ice makers in London and all the scuttle butt going on around Ontario Curling.
Back to Red Deer to finish out balance of shift ending at noon.
Watched last 5 ends of the afternoon draw, team Canada, Amber Holland vrs Team Ontario.
Tracy Horgan had things in control until giving up a 4. It was delicate shot thru a small port to bump out shot stone.
I was 3 rows behind the shot and the ice given looked to me too wide. Hey, you never miss a shot from behind the sheet.
Thing are heating up, Wednesday will be very interesting. Don’t drive tomorrow until 6 pm to midnight, giving me time to gather more stuff for the Blog.
Health news, there have been 6 players taken to the hospital with flu symptoms. The fifth players are getting their chances to play. One team played with only 3 players yesderday.

Scotties Tuesday Feb. 14 to Sunday Feb. 19

Opening Ceremonies

Dispatch Office



Jim and Fred at the Heart Stop Lounge




Country Band at the Heart Stop




Opening Ceremonies




View from Fred & Louise's Kitchen Window



Tuesday Feb. 14/12

Get away day from London to Calgary arrived at 8:58 am
Picked up by my host Fred Zucker for the 1hr and 15 min drive to Red Deer.
Arrived at Fred & Louise’s home and settled in.
Spent the remainder of the day shuttling vehicles from local Ford dealer, Festival Ford, to the arena
Also orientating myself to the great city of Red Deer
Wednesday Feb. 14/12

Continued my city orientation, routing to Co-op fuel & wash facilities, Sheraton Hotel, Red Deer Lodge, Westerner Park, Liquor/Beer outlets
Fred & myself went for our first run to Calgary airport to pickup Jennifer Jones Manitoba Team at 6pm. I transported Jill Officer, her 9 mo. Daughter and Mother.
We had to use 2 Ford Flex’s and 1 Cargo Van
Transportation Director had the pleasure of Driving Jennifer(Lost that one)
　
Thursday Feb. 15/12

Today is arrival day for the rest for the remainder of teams.
All on duty drivers pick up teams from Calgary airport.
My run was a 12:05 pm pick up of Team Newfoundland, Heather Strong.
Finally figured out all the routes, good to go.
Finally qualified for my temporary Red Deer License.
Friday Feb. 16/12
Today is is action day for the drivers and the dispatcher.
Moving players & coaches from the Hotel to the Centrium
(Rink).
We have the greatest Dispatcher, Dan. He has been the dispatcher at many CCA events in Alberta over the years.
He is a tireless worker and does all three shifts.
He is the MAN!
Ford Hot Shots started and finals on Saturday.
Started my 6:30am to Noon shift.
About mid morning got the call to Pick up a CCA Governor from Calgary Airport, Bernadett, a familiar face from the London Brier. Arrived back in Red Deer about 1:30pm.
Finally picked up my Accreditation
Volunteer Party started at 6pm with a wonderful huge roast of Alberta xxx Beef dinner.
Received a prize for being the furthest away volunteer, Bev will like the Spa gift set.
Stuart Brown was our familiar announcer M/C. He is the M/C for all the CCA events and does a fabulous job. He’s a comedian.
Dinner was followed by 2 fantastic Bands.
Tera Lee, and her Country Music Band, she is the morning show host of the local Red Deer award winning radio station
KG country
St. James Gate - A Rollicking, Rambunctious Celtic Alberta Band, who perform in their customary Kilts.
The Joint was packed
 　
　
Saturday Feb. 18/12

SHOW TIME - my day started at 6:30am in queue at the Sheraton waiting to take teams to opening ceremonies and the finals of the Hot Shots.
Northwest Territories/Yukon Skip Kerry Galusha, wins the Hot Shots and the lease of a Ford Focus Titanium for two years.
Received a call to pickup two BC ladies with the Sandra Schmirler Foundation, Lindsay Sparkes and Marcia Gudereit (3^rd for Sandra Schmirler team)
Received another trip to pickup a package at Fedex near the Calgary Airport. Back in Red Deer at 2:30 pm and finally off shift.
Watched Tracy Horgan Team win their opening game, a great win. Well done Tracy! Met the team twice and they are most excited team here. Fantastic people.
Went back to the rink in the evening and watched for a few ends then home for the evening.
Sunday Feb. 19/12

Got some rest today until shift starts at 6pm to midnight.
We went to the Moose Lodge for the best $5 brunch ever.
The food we had will last until supper(if I get any)
Spent most of the morning creating this blog before heading over the catch the last 5 ends of the afternoon draw before my shift begins.
Ontario 2 wins 1 loss....Great Start
Lots of snow tonight, many accidents including a transportation vehicle.
They were tied up over 2 hrs waiting for the RCMP to arrive.
Home at 12:30am

Will be driving Peter Inch to the Calgary Airport later this afternoon, he was real surprised to see me volunteering here.