February 20, 2026
ACC Anniversary – 170 years rocking in Almonte!
From the Almonte Gazette, February 4, 1881 - The Curling Rink. — To afford all the members of the curling club an opportunity to participate in the roaring game, the rink is now opened every night of the week, excepting Saturday, from 8 to 10 o'clock. The number of night players is steadily increasing, but there is still room for more. The membership fee is only $2; and considering the amount of healthy exercise and genuine sport derived from the game, we do not think that two dollars could be put to better advantage.
We’ve come a long way since 1881, but we still enjoy an evening curling game for healthy exercise and genuine sport – and of course for socializing!
- You can pick up your 170th anniversary pin at the bar for only $5.
- We’ve commissioned drinks coasters with the club logo and our 170th anniversary logo, and we’ll be selling them for $15 each. They’re similar the U5 bonspiel prize coasters in material and shape and are quite solid and attractive. You can order any number and combination by going to https://forms.office.com/r/CpfRfshznF. Please order by March 1.
Volunteer
Volunteering is fun! Except for our ice technician, everything that happens at the ACC is done by volunteers and we appreciate the many members who step up to make the ACC a welcoming, fun community. Opportunities are posted on MEMBERS HOME > My Volunteer Interests, so visit regularly. Once your volunteer work is done, you’ll get your $80 opt-out fee back! Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Sandra Power, at volunteer@almontecurling.ca for more information.
Please help out! Current opportunities:
- We’re coming to the end of the season, so sign up to get your volunteer work done!
- A co-organizer for the Almonte Cup to help Ian MacLellan, in addition to the team captains (to be identified later). Please contact Ian at accianmac@gmail.com for more information or see him at the club. The Almonte Cup is the club’s signature event and we’d love to have you on the team to make it a success again this year.
- Ice maintenance for the OV Lefties Challenge on February 21.
- If you’d like to shadow a board member or coordinator we’d be happy to show you the ropes. Please talk to a board member or Sandra if you’d like more information.
Leagues
- Members who are already registered in two leagues are welcome to come out to the Tuesday, Friday or Sunday social leagues if they’re looking for more curling. If the teams are full, registered league members will have priority.
- There is also space for current ACC members to curl in the Day Social League on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 1 to 3 p.m.
- We have some spaces in the Monday Morning Ladies social league for the rest of the season. If you’re joining this league as your Learn to Curl league, there’s no cost.
Events
Club bonspiels and other events give you a chance to meet other members you might not meet in your curling schedule. They’re fun and social, and many have been going on for many years. You can register for club bonspiels and other events on the ACC website under EVENTS > Events Registration.
- Please note that you’re not considered fully registered for a club event until your fees are paid. Send your payment to etransfer@almontecurling.ca and include the event name in the comments. Event cost is found under EVENTS > Events Registration.
- Registration for the Almonte Cup is open and it’s filling up fast! Get your Red Ready or your Blue Bling on, as two teams of 48 curlers each will play in a variety of curling games from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. Great prizes and a chance to bid on fantastic auction items round out this signature event in support of the Almonte General Hospital Fairview Manor Foundation.
- The Silver Jug End of Year Spiel on March 21 is full, but you can join the waiting list!
Members Home
The ACC Members Home site is where you can update your personal information, register to curl, find your league and team information, and find other members.
- Remember, if you can’t make a game in a fixed league, it’s your responsibility to inform your skip and to find a spare. Check with members of your league’s bye team, or find one under League Information > Find a Spare. Contact your skip through the website under League Information > Teams and clicking on the email icon, or under Other > Member Search.
Club
- A key part of the Almonte Cup is our fundraising auction for the Almonte Hospital Foundation. If you would like to donate personally or through a business connection, please contact Stephanie Birtwistle at sponsor@almontecurling.ca or at the club. You could offer a new item, a service (gardening advice, cooking), or a special experience (boat cruise or cottage visit with lunch/dinner).
- Do you use club gear (stabilizers, sticks) during your game? Please help keep the club tidy by putting the gear away when your game is done, even if you’re not the last to use it.
- We have ACC crests for $10! They can be heat pressed or sewn on. Contact clubcomms@almontecurling.ca if you’d like to buy one or talk to Helen McIntosh at the club.
Did you know?
There are simple things you can do to help the game move smoothly so that getting 8 ends in is easy. You can see our updated rules and etiquette on the website under Curling > Etiquette, Roles and Rules.
- There’s a lot of yelling during a game of curling, but who’s yelling what?
- Throwers let the sweepers and the skip know about the throw – is it on the broom, heavy or light – so the skip and sweepers can adjust their play.
- Sweepers let the skip know the weight or time of the thrown rock and where it might end up.
- Skips or thirds in the house call the sweepers on or off based on the weight and direction of the rock.
- The skip or third in the house has the final call on sweeping – listen or watch for their signal.
50/50 Draw
This week’s 50/50 draw winner is Debbie Merrithew! Congratulations Debbie, your $340 will be sent to you by etransfer.
