March 6, 2026
ACC Anniversary – 170 years rocking in Almonte!
From the Almonte Gazette, October 7, 1881 – A short time ago representatives of the curling clubs of Lanark and Renfrew held a meeting in Almonte, when it was decided to procure a challenge tankard for competition between the clubs of the two counties. A grand “bonspiel” is to be held at Arnprior on the third Tuesday and Wednesday in January, when it will be decided which club is to become possessor of the trophy for 1882.
(Perth won the tankard in 1882, followed by Almonte in 1883 and 1884 and Arnprior in 1885.)
From the Almonte Gazette, February 19, 1886 – Curling Matters. —We last week gave the result of the various matches played at the bonspiel at Renfrew up to Wednesday night. On Thursday morning Arnprior and Kingston took the ice, the former winning by 10 points. In the afternoon Smith’s Falls and Pembroke were the contestants, and the result was in favor of the S. F. team. The final play was thus between Arnprior and S. Falls, but owing to the soft condition of the ice, and the fact that the latter team had played a hard game on the previous afternoon, they declined to meet their opponents on Friday morning, but proposed to do as was done on a previous occasion—postpone the play until good ice could be had. This Arnprior declined to do, and claimed the tankard. The action of the Arnprior curlers seems a little arbitrary, considering that this same request was granted them by the Almonte club a year or so ago as that asked of them by their opponents now, and very general dissatisfaction expressed at this most unpleasant and highly unsatisfactory conclusion of the bonspiel. We hope the matter will yet be amicably arranged between the two clubs, and that Arnprior will not go back on their previous record, and insist on winning by a “fluke.”
We haven’t been able to find records of this competition continuing after 1886, or of the tankard, and we wonder if Arnprior still has it!
- You can pick up your 170th anniversary pin at the bar for only $5. They’ll only be available this season, so don’t miss out!
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:
- This could be your last chance to get your volunteer work in! We need sandwiches, snacks and kitchen help for the Almonte Cup on Saturday or Sunday, March 28 or 29.
- The board will be discussing next year’s board makeup soon, so please start thinking about how you can help set the direction of the ACC. Speak to a board member or reach out to Steve Conlon at pastpres@almontecurling.ca.
- School coaches on March 26 at 8:30 a.m.
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.
- Tuesday or Friday evenings at 7 p.m.
- Sunday afternoons at 2:30 p.m.
- Day Social League on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 1 p.m.
- Monday Morning Ladies at 9:45 a.m.
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.
- Sign up by March 8 for the Almonte Cup! 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.
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.
- When you register to volunteer, you’ll see an X beside your name. If at some point you can’t volunteer in that slot, hit the X and your name will be removed. Please make sure to cancel if you can’t make it so we know that we need to find another volunteer.
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).
- Check out the new tv above the bar. This is where you’ll see the game schedule and other information from the club.
- 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.
- Play games within the time allowed – 8 ends in 2 hours (no end starts after 1 hour 50 minutes)
- Start the game at the start time by having greetings and the coin toss before game time (if your game starts at 6:30, the first rock should be thrown at 6:30)
- All games should run approximately the same time, so if you see that your game is an end or two behind all other games you should pick up the pace.
50/50 Draw
This week’s 50/50 draw winner is Michel Carriere! Unfortunately, Michel didn’t join the 50/50, so next week’s 50/50 will be $228.
