Art McAllister may be 80 years old, but on the ice he isn't showing any signs of letting up.
On Sunday, during the first day of Farmers/Farmerettes Bonspiel action at the Innisfail Curling Club, his team Al Keffen Accountants/Canada Malting walloped ATB Financial 10-4, even though the other team is made up of much younger players.
ìWe're here for a hoot,î he said. ìWe were pretty lucky last night.î
The 67th Annual Farmers/Farmerettes Bonspiel is the biggest date on the local curling calendar and the energy is just ramping up, and no one wants to miss out.
ìI had a cow calve last night,î said Brenda Bennett, president of the organizing committee. ìI should be at home.î
Bob Garrison, the assistant icemaker, was up at 6:45 a.m. preparing the ice Monday. He started with a good shave then put down a cold pebble and a hot pebble, to get set for the day ahead.
ìThe ice is getting a really good workout,î he said. ìIt's a tradition that's been going for years.î
In Ladies A play Fourlane Ford beat Big Bend Market 11-2, Boston Pizza beat Tim Hortons 9-1, C&B Electric/The Pipe Yard beat Parkland (Alberta) Commodities 8-5 and Central Alberta Co-op beat Tri-S Fertilizers/Farm Credit Corp. 8-7.
In Mens A play Innisfail Veterinary Service beat Central Alberta Co-op 8-2, Fourlane Ford beat Re/Max Sun Country Realty 8-2, Ellis Fabrications/Hometown Auto beat Royal Bank/Innisfail Seed Cleaning 7-5, Dickson Fertilizer/Llewellyn Plumbing beat Innisfail Truck Ranch/96.5 CKFM 7-0, Al Keffen Accountants/Canada Malting beat ATB Financial 10-4, Complete Catering/Viterra beat Boston Pizza/Koch Fuels 9-4, Kal Tire/West Central Heavy Duty beat Cooperators Insurance/Nestle Purina 8-2 and Crop Production Services/Crossroads Gas beat Future Ag/Antler Hill Welding 8-7.
ìWe've got lots of people watching,î Bennett said. ìIt's huge.î
"The ice is getting a really good workout. It's a tradition that's been going for years."Bob Garrison, assistant icemaker
