Norfolk Holds Its Fiftieth Men’s Bonspiel This Month

In December 1958, the Norfolk Curling Club held its first Men’s Invitational
Bonspiel. This month, the club will be celebrating its fiftieth, with 16 outside
teams taking part in the competition for the Calder Trophy. Visiting teams
include those from Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and
Pennsylvania.
The event starts Thursday, December 4 and will finish with the finals on
Sunday, December 7. This year’s bonspiel also includes three teams who
are taking part in the new Grand National Curling Club of America’s Tour.
Established earlier this year, the Tour is for those teams hoping to represent
the GNCC for the US Men's championship, and who also hope to take part
in the Olympic Trials. It is expected that there should be some very good
curling during the weekend.
The Calder Trophy is named after Jack Walcott Calder, father of Elisabeth
Childs, who lived and curled in Utica, New York. When he visited his
daughter and son-in- law, Ted, in Norfolk he suggested that Ted build a
curling rink to keep people active in the long winter months. The advent of
the first men’s bonspiel required a trophy and it seemed fitting to honor
Calder, as he and his daughter had been the main inspiration for curling in
our town.
The bonspiels at the club provide a good opportunity for those interested in
curling to come watch and learn about the game.