Spring is in the air and the first bear sighting in Williams Lake occurred inside the walls of the Williams Lake Curling Club during the weekend at the Ministry of Forests and Natural Resource Management Provincial Curling Bonspiel.
Not a real bear, but Smokey the Bear did try his hand at curling as 18 teams participated in the event, held March 4-6.
During the opening ceremony curlers were piped into the arena by Bryan Underwood, followed by an opening speech from Williams Lake Mayor Walt Cobb.
The first rock was then thrown by Williams Lake Stampede Queen Cheyleigh Sand to kick off the bonspiel.
Winning teams were as follows:
A Event
1.) Jerry Mooney (skip), Stephanie Mooney, Lisa Barta and Rob Barta rink (String Beans and Wieners)
2.) Lindsey Wood (skip), Jason Ouimet, Kris Ouimet and Gina Alexander rink (Sheet Stains)
3.) Mike Pedersen (skip), Spencer Atkins (skip), John Hoyrup and Darcy Lillico rink (Grumpy Old Cowboys)
B Event
1.) Steve Dodge (skip), Allison Dodge, Christine Unghy and Steve Doerksen rink from Quesnel (The Magnificent Steves)
2.) Darrell Ashworth (skip), Myles MacKinnon, Mike Gash and Josh Pressey rink (Hammer Time)
3.) Bryan Underwood (skip), Tom Hoffman, Paul Koch and Tina O’Neil rink (Hack Attack)
C Event
1.) Mark McGirr (skip), Curtis Ofstie, Harold Stolar and Kurt Williams rink (Los Gringo De Ringos, also the best dressed team)
2.) Bob Keen (skip), Cyndi Keen, Grant Johannessen and Judy Johannessen rink from Quesnel (The Keeners)
3.) Doug Hill (skip), Tatiana Hill, Mark Hill and David Hill rink (Hill Billy Rockers)
Winners of the poker run and participation prize were The Outsliders and Curl Jam rinks.
The winner of the Dolton McCarther memorial award was Darcy Lillico, awarded to a person each year who exemplifies teamwork, camaraderie and participation in events and ensures everyone who participates has a positive experience.