Hello Hope Curling Club members,

As many of you are aware, the Curling Club is facing financial challenges this season as a result of fewer league registrations (including the loss of Tuesday Ladies' League), decreased participation in our bonspiels (16 teams for our January Men's and cancellation of our February Ladies' due to lack of interest), the ever-rising cost of Hydro, and ice plant difficulties (unanticipated start-up expenses at the beginning of the season and the recent failure of compressor #1). We as a Club are currently conducting an aggressive fund-raising campaign which includes the following initiatives:

1. Maximizing the attendance of our upcoming Mixed Bonspiel, March 1-3. As stated in my previous communication, if you know anyone, especially from out-of-town, who curls, e.g. friends, family members, colleagues, I urge you to please reach out personally with a telephone call or an email to invite more teams to join us for a weekend of fun at our Curling Club. Also, if you yourself are interested in curling and have yet to enter your team/find a team to curl on, please let me or Roman know as soon as possible.

We will be calling for volunteers to fill bar and canteen work shifts for the Mixed Bonspiel - a sign-up sheet will be posted and/or circulated beginning this week at the Curling Club. Thank you in advance for contributing your time.

2. Annual Silent Auction on Saturday, March 2 of our Mixed Bonspiel. This has been a very successful event in previous years, raising between $2500 and $4000, and is an enjoyable part of the entertainment at the Mixed Bonspiel. We are asking for contributions from EACH of our league rinks as well anything that our non-active Curling Club members may be interested in contributing. Items have ranged from homemade goods and crafts including artwork, woodworking projects, and artisanal baskets, to services such as barbeques, dinners, home improvement packages, and professional services. Past contributions have also included tickets to events as well as goods of all varieties. This is an exceptional opportunity to raise much-needed funds for our Club and all donations are very much appreciated. Thank you for your support.

Please drop off your contributions at the Curling Club any time BEFORE NOON MARCH 2, and please fill out the Silent Auction Bid Sheet, being sure to include the name of your rink and a description of the item. Items will be on display for bidding starting at 12:00 noon on Saturday, March 2 until 8 pm. Bidding ends at 8:00 pm sharp.

3. Extra End Cash Raffle Ticket Draw. A reminder that the Early Bird prize of $500 will be drawn at 10:00 pm on Saturday, March 2 at our Mixed Bonspiel. Please turn in all your SOLD tickets and the corresponding monies to Roman, Stu, or Galen between now and the evening of Saturday, March 2. Now more than ever, we need to sell all 1500 tickets to capitalize on the potential of this fundraiser. I urge each currently active curler to try to sell your book of tickets - if each of us shoulders our part of the load we can do big things together! Non-active members are encouraged to see an active curler for a chance to win - tickets are only $10.00; $4000 total prize money up for grabs, grand prizes to be drawn at the Dance on April 20.

4. The return of Franco's Spring Fling Dance on Saturday, April 20, featuring Kieth Campbell's band, Swampwater. More to follow.

Many thanks to everyone!

Galen

Hello fellow curlers, With only 16 teams for our Men's Bonspiel last month and the cancellation of our Ladies' Bonspiel this month, it has become imperative that we work to maximize the participation in our upcoming Mixed Bonspiel on the weekend of March 1-3. If you intend to register a team and have not yet done so, please do so ASAP so that we will have adequate time to organize those of us who wish to curl in the bonspiel but have not yet found a complete team. That being said, if you are looking for a team to curl with, please let me or Roman know. EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY, we need more curlers from out-of-town to come to our Mixed Bonspiel. Posters have been sent to all the curling clubs in the region, however, I don't believe this passive advertising approach will be enough. I think that we need to take a more direct, personal approach to persuade out-of-town teams to join us. To that end, if you know anyone from out-of-town who curls, e.g. friends, family members, colleagues, please reach out and give them a call or send them an email with a PERSONAL INVITATION to come join us for a weekend of fun at your Curling Club. I urge each of you to please do what you can - your Curling Club needs your help! Thanks everyone! Galen