Our History
Established in 1952, we have grown and changed in our 71-year history.
Our first "home" was in a wood frame building with natural ice. One veteran curler described early curling as "mogul curling" as the rock bounced up and down and back and forth as it made its way to the 'house'. The ice was natural; the building was extremely cold; lighting was dim; and the corn brooms left a nightmare of "straw" on the sheet.
MPP Bob Boyer throws the first rock at our opening
Our New Facility
Our new facility was opened on November 26, 1983. Now we enjoy a new rink with a heated and dehumidified environment. Playing with synthetic brooms and curling shoes with built in sliders on artificial ice means a clean and consistent curling surface.
Our lounge, Bar and Kitchen are warm and inviting and are often rented by groups and individuals for their special occasions.
This building was funded by a Wintario Grant, as was the Community Centre and Arena next door.
We currently have over 90 members and in addition to Curling we have a summer Bocce league. We are also very active in the Community with participation in the annual Half Ironman competition the Surf and Turf Dinner and Auction and the Santa Claus Parade.
Captured Moments from the 1950’s to the Present
November 2024
Marie Vanclieaf FUNspiel
On Saturday November 16, 20 enthusiastic women curlers came together to celebrate the Lake of Bays Curling Club’s Marie Vanclieaf FUNspiel. In honour of longtime Curling Club member Marie Vanclieaf, this event was brought back to life this year under the guidance and leadership of Kelly Priest.
Fun was had and points were earned both on the ice in one 6-end curling game and a skills competition, and off the ice in a memory game, trivia quiz and Lego competition. The Kir Royale cocktail of the event was a crowd pleaser!
As they say, “it takes an entire club to keep the ladies happy” and thanks go to our kitchen crew, bartenders, ice maintenance, organizers, decorators, score keepers, and judges. In no particular order and hoping we have not missed anyone, thanks to Susie Bloom, Lili Davis-Burchat, Cathy Hoare, Lorie Marsham, Nancy Parsons, Paul MacLennan, Bill Rowlands, Terry Kouyoumjian, Hugh Knox, Phil Ridley, and Pamela Bowen. But the biggest thanks go to the wonderful women who laughed and cheered throughout the day.
October 2024
🏆 TRIVIA NIGHT: Our First Fundraiser of the 2024-2025 Season
We kicked off the “Social Season” at Lake of Bays Curling & Bocce Club with an entertaining night of Trivia. It was a record turnout! Team Mathany’s table came first in the general categories while Team Beaudry won the “Who Am I”. The room was lively thanks to our "Bethune Bellringers" and "St. Kateri Angels", heavenly groups to be sure. (And we’re always thankful when the “younger folks” drop by to play.)
A great turnout that kept Bill and Elaine working the bar all night.
Thanks to the Fundraising Committee for the treats and the set up/take down.
See you for our next Trivia in February!
Emma Miskew of "Team Homan" Visits Lake of Bays: A Thrilling Morning
Baysville, Ont. Friday, Oct. 11, 2024
Written by Greg Mckenzie, Director Strategic Growth,
Lake of Bays Curling & Bocce Club
It was an exciting morning at Lake of Bays Curling & Bocce Club, (formerly Baysville Curling and Bocce Club), as we welcomed Emma Miskew, one of the world’s top women curlers, along with Eric Wolfe, Marketing Manager at Lake of Bays Brewing Company.
Emma Miskew’s "Team Homan" recently announced a partnership with Lake of Bays Brewing Company, who has also been a valued long-time sponsor of our club. A special highlight of the visit was the unveiling of a new house decal for our curling rink, designed by Emma herself. In addition to being an elite athlete, Emma is a professionally trained graphic designer, and we’re thrilled to feature her work in our club.
Lake of Bays Curling & Bocce Club strives to serve our Lake of Bays community. We continuously partner with local businesses to support our efforts to engage the community through curling, bocce, and special events. We take great pride in our ongoing partnership with Lake of Bays Brewing Company and we are excited to be included in their Team Homan sponsorship.
Pictured left to right: Greg Mckenzie, Board Member Lake of Bays Curling & Bocce Club, Dean Beaudry, Chief Ice Maker, Eric Wolfe, Marketing Manager at Lake of Bays Brewing Company and Emma Miskew, Canadian Olympic Curler - Photo by Ahne Crawford-Ridley
Autumn Bocce Winners - Fall 2024
Six sunny Thursdays. Lots of fun.
🏆 Ken Kavanagh, Michelle Kavanagh, Kim Pearce, Rich Pearce.
August 2024
Another Successful Summer of Bocce Comes to a Close - June - August 2024
🏆 Congratulations to the Wednesday Night Champions: Rich & Kim Pearce and Michelle& Ken Kavanagh
🏆 And to the Thursday Night Champions: Steve & Brenda Turnbull and Ron & Laurie Grant (Missing in photo)
It was a crazy finish as there were a few upsets on the final night but ice cream and a tasty beverage or two helped ease the sting. Thanks to all of our "summer subs" and to Ed for organizing this summer league. Fall Bocce begins in early September.
July 2024
Thank You to our Surf & Turf Sponsors
Baysville Riverfront Group and Lake of Bays Curling & Bocce Club (formerly Baysville Curling and Bocce Club) hosted our annual Surf and Turf Dinner and Auction on June 15th at the Baysville Community Centre. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the businesses and individuals who contributed to our auctions. Your generous support was instrumental in making our event a resounding success.
Thank you!
Home Building Centre Gravenhurst
Ah Naturel Bath Body Spa
Back of Beyond
Basilico / Inn at the Falls
Baysville Country Store
Baysville Marina
Beauty Bar Muskoka
Bigwin Island Golf Club
Bullock’s Independant
Cast Iron Grill
Cheryl Scarborough
CMP Vaughan - Dock Edge
Donna's Hair Design
Dorset Timbrmart
Foggy Flats Farm
Follow Me North
Greavette Chev/Buick
Hidden Valley Resort
Humble Pie Butter Tart and Pizzeria
Jenn Costa
Jennifer Pearson
John and Jennifer Biondi
Kal Tire
Karen Gray Pottery
Kawartha Credit Union
Kawartha Dairy
Kings Riding Golf Course Aurora
Kristen Johnson Marine
Lake of Bays Brewery
Lake of Bays Plumbing
Lake of Bays Township
Leon's Furniture
Lori Grant
Manulife
Massage Works
Meat With Me / Corsetti’s
Midas Muffler
Modern Home Carpet One
Moller Insurance Ltd.
Mooskokas Ice Cream Shop
Muskoka Bicycle Pro Shop
Muskoka Chrysler
Muskoka Highlands Golf Course
Nora Underhill
North Granite Ridge
Pedicure Room
Port Cunnington Lodge
Portuguese House
Rafters of Muskoka
Robinson's General Store
Royal LePage Lakes of Muskoka Realty
Season 2 Season Garden Market
South Muskoka Curling & Golf Club
Spectacles Vision Centre
Stones Throw Design
Sunset Val
Windermere House
York1
Yummies in a Jar
Iron Man 70.3
Handing off water, Gatorade, or a protein bar to a triathlete moving at 20km/h involves split-second timing to carry out a successful transfer. Any volunteer who starts out standing still, must release the bottle at the just the right moment and pace to avoid the athlete dropping it, getting hurt, or worst of all creating a collision among the throng of cyclists racing to the finish.
This brief but demanding ballet routine plays out well over 3000 times in a race. And it is made possible from the collective energy of about 50 volunteers who set up, deploy, and clean up all of the aid stations, or who direct traffic to keep the athletes and motorists out of one another’s way. Every July, it is a privilege for the Lake of Bays Curling & Bocce Club (formerly Baysville Curling and Bocce Club) to lend its hand, together with the special help of folks from outside our organization, and build community spirit in Baysville and the region.
Special thanks to all athletes who came to Muskoka to race, all who make volunteering look effortless, and all of the busy motorists who share the roads with the athletes with a smile. We couldn’t do any of this without you.
And finally, a sincere thank you to Ironman reps from the club, Michael Davis-Burchat and Dean Beaudry who organized the massive Baysville effort and to our Baysville Fire Department for their ever-helpful presence.
Athletes who stopped along the way praised the volunteers for their enthusiasm, their support, and for their superb handoffs!
June 2024
The 2024 Annual Surf & Turf Dinner
Held at the Baysville Community Centre
June 15, 2024
Under the calm, kind, and efficient leadership of Cathy Vanclieaf, Baysville hosted another incredible Surf and Turf event this evening! Her hardworking committee members included: Lili Davis-Burchat, Susie Bloom, Kelly Priest, Diane Jones, Ed Mathany, Cathy Hoare, Lesley Van de ven, Elaine Rowlands, Paul McLelland, Janet Prueter, Bruce Moss, Bert Vanderhulst, and Dale Vanclieaf. Each of these committee members had an army of helpers who worked equally hard at making this evening such a massive success.
The combination of a full house, delicious food, divine desserts, and the support of a hardworking volunteer team made for a memorable evening. A special thank you to our local Humble Pie Butter Tart Factory & Pizzeria for the mouth-watering pies, tarts, and squares! We would like to thank everyone involved, especially the Baysville Riverfront Group, and our Baysville Curling and Bocce Club members.
We gratefully acknowledge our main sponsor, Home Building Centre Gravenhurst and all the other generous sponsors and donors who helped to make this evening such an incredible success!
It's events like these that highlight the strength and unity of the community.
MAy 2024
On May 4th, our club hosted our second annual "Cabaret"at the Baysville Community Centre in front of a sold out crowd! 96 people were treated to beautiful songs and hilarious comedies starring our Cabaret Cast from all over Ontario as well as Vancouver, and introducing two Dorset locals actors! The audience enjoyed the most sumptuous charcuterie boards and tasty beverages from the bar. The atmosphere was beautiful with soft lighting and colourful pansies, graciously provided by the Lake of Bays Garden Centre.
It takes a community to make something of this magnitude a success and our club has that support in spades. While the Leafs may have been eliminated, we were still whistling "Hey Big Spender" long into the night. Thank you all for your support and we'll see you at our Surf & Turf Dinner June 15th!
(Performers included Jason Shulha, Christian Ridley, Kim Ellis, Mark Needs, Steve McBride, Vanessa Slack, Phil Ridley & Ahne Crawford-Ridley. The Fundraising Team, headed by Janet Prueter & Elaine Rowlands, organized the charcuterie boards. Paul MacLennan managed the bar. Bill Rowlands & Ed Mathany helped wherever needed!)
April 2024
Fourteen women gathered for our Twig Workshop on April 24th, led by Jan, a friend of one of the attendees.
Jan, who honed her skills at the Haliburton School of the Arts, showcased her craftsmanship with a stunning collection of twig furniture including chairs, tables, baskets, shelves, and even a picture frame. She guided us through the process of cutting, measuring, and assembling, suggesting a simple basket or shelf as a beginner's project.
Participants crafted an array of baskets in different sizes and shapes, along with a couple of innovative shelves.
Jan's expertise not only facilitated the gathering of twigs but also enriched our learning experience. Many thanks to Cathy Hoare for coordinating this creative event and to our Fundraising Committee for supporting another community event open to all!
A special thanks to Janet Haugh Prueter for curating a delicious and diverse selection of refreshments for the morning session.
Photos courtesy of Janet as well. Multitasking at its finest!
March 2024
The 2024 Dorset Timber Mart Men's Bonspiel has come to a close. A hearty congratulations to all of the 12 teams from all over Ontario who enjoyed two days of camaraderie, good competition and exquisite cuisine!
In first place, a hearty congratulations goes to Team Francis from Huntsville: John Francis, John Frans, Mick Parker and Rick Stronks
In second place, hailing from Orangeville, congratulations to Team Vanvugt: Hank Vanvugt, Richard Nishikawa, Steve Knowles, and Matthew Vanvugt
Bringing "home" third place is one of our very own Baysville teams Team Beaudry: Dean Beaudry, Bill Rowlands, Greg McKenzie and Fraser McTurk.
A special thank you to Dean Beaudry and his team of ice masters for organizing this event, to Joan Beaudry and Cathy Hoare and all of the bakers, cookers and kitchen wizards who organized meals and who continue to give Baysville its delicious reputation for the best meals, and to Paul and Patti for keeping the bar tended!
We are especially grateful to our sponsor Dorset Timber Mart for their continued support these past decades and to all our other sponsors for their generous raffle prizes. See you next year!
January 2024
Living the Dream!
Sponsored by ASHLEY JEFFERY of LAKE of BAYS REALTORS at CHESTNUT PARK REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE LTD
Baysville's Women’s Open Bonspiel was another huge success as 16 women from Markham, Parry Sound, Huntsville and Bayville enjoyed 2 days of great curling, delicious food and fine friendship. Congratulations to the winners, Nanci Beers, Sue Shadd, Jannette Trussler and Anne Moffat from Parry Sound.
Organized by Lili Davis-Burchat and her team of volunteers.
The Curlers
Scotch Nosing Fundraising Event
hosted by Lorie Marsham featuring Wayne MacGregor Parker on the Pipes
December 2023
We had a sell out crowd that included a last minute group of wonderful walkins who went on to win this edition of "Trivia Night" hosted by Ahne Crawford-Ridley. Another FUNd-raising event that brought the community together for a fun evening out!
The 2023-2024 Hap & Alice Bonspiel - Winners and other Wonderful Participants!
A special thank you to our gracious sponsors and to all the volunteers who helped make this day such a fun event!
