A number of Mountain View County athletes performed very well for Zone 6 (Big Country) at the Alberta 55 plus Summer Games, which took place July 4-7 in Medicine Hat.
Didsbury's floor curling team, consisting of Dave and Nettie Neustaeter, Carol Fuller and Wayne Moench, won gold in their event.
Don MacMillan from Didsbury won gold in 85 plus men's golf.
Teena Wilks of Didsbury won two golds and two silvers in swimming.
Earl Markham from Didsbury won two golds in swimming.
Leslie Markham from Carstairs won silver in horseshoes.
Peggy Stockwell from Sundre brought home gold in cribbage.
Nettie Neustaeter, a local Zone 6 athlete, Big Country Senior Sports Society treasurer and Alberta 55 plus provincial treasurer, said the games went well and all the athletes had a great time.
She said the idea behind the Alberta 55 plus Games is to initiate and sponsor activities which support physical, emotional, psychological, intellectual and social benefits to members 55 years of age and older.
"We offer 30 plus games and activities to enhance physical and mental health from active sports such as slo-pitch, hockey, curling, badminton, pickleball and cycling, to more passive activities such as arts and crafts, creative writing, bridge, euchre, cribbage, floor curling, floor shuffleboard, 8-ball, snooker and many more," said Neustaeter.
"Provincials are held every two years in odd-numbered years, which in turn may qualify you for the Canada 55 plus games, which are held every even-numbered year."
Neustaeter said that Mountain View County is part of Zone 2, which covers a large area from High River to Olds and from the Saskatchewan border to the B.C. border.
There are eight total zones throughout the province.
"Going to an event like the provincial games is so exciting for everyone," she said. "We have so much fun competing with our peers in Alberta. We meet people from previous years and form such good friendships, some that last a lifetime."
Neustaeter said there were about 1,000 participants and guests at the provincials in Medicine Hat.
"We were provided with two banquet dinners and lunch during our event," she said. "The food was fabulous and the socializing even better."
Neustaeter said the opening ceremonies were another big highlight of the weekend.
"All the participants followed their respective flags into the venue," she said. "We felt like we were in the Olympics! All the participants I spoke to had nothing but good things to say about the Games in Medicine Hat."
