William Dale
Published in the Pontiac Journal on April 22, 2026
SHAWVILLE – The ice at 381 Lang St. was busy April 9 to 12 as the Shawville Curling Club hosted its 49th annual Community Bonspiel. Despite a condensed curling season, the organizing committee assembled a full schedule that drew teams from across the region. At $80 per team — plus the traditional contribution of four door prizes — the event served as both a competitive weekend and an important fundraiser for the club.
The success of the bonspiel was driven by a dedicated group of volunteers. Longtime club supporter Sonia Campbell described the event as a fitting conclusion to the season following Sunday’s final games, praising the committee’s work in organizing the weekend on short notice.
Special thanks were extended to Caleb Nickerson and Sara Knox for leading event coordination. On the hospitality side, Jared’s Kitchen kept curlers fed, while a rotating group of volunteers — including Gail English Smith and Barb Arseneault — ensured the clubhouse ran smoothly through the busy Saturday evening.
On the ice, Team Les Glorieux emerged as the top performers. Led by skip René Cousineau, the team delivered a dominant showing, recording a tournament-high 40 points to claim the “toilet seat” trophy.
Other division winners included Bonnieshade Farms, Hynes Paving, Quyon Lions, Wishful Thinkers, Traceys, and the Shawville-Clarendon Fire Department.
While competition remained central to the weekend, Saturday night shifted the focus to the social side of the event. The Reg Carker Band returned for its 11th consecutive year, taking the stage at 8 pm and providing the soundtrack for the bonspiel’s signature dance.
The event once again highlighted the strong community support behind the Shawville Curling Club, underscoring the continued local passion for the sport as the club approaches its 50th anniversary next year.
Photo: Travis Kluke delivers a stone during play at the Shawville Curling Club’s 49th annual Community Bonspiel, held April 9 to 12. (Scott Campbell)
