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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2016-03-02, Page 88 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, March 2, 2016 Loss of vision is not stopping these curlers Shaun Gregory Huron Expositor The smell of ice lingered on February 23 across Seaforth Curling Club's frozen flooring, stones gliding in the dome -like building. The group made up mostly of Londoners can hear the rocks strike their targets as well as feel their restricted breath from the chilly inside temperatures; there's one catch to this curling game -they can't see. For the ones who prefer to throw the rock without using the standard six-foot pole, a customized curling 'push stick' is available for those with disa- bilities, the coach will stand in feel anybody can do anything and if you have already done something sighted, I don't see why you can't do it with sight issues," — said Seaforth Coun. Bob Fisher front of them. Theywill then tap the end of the broom on the ice, resulting in the person who is visually impaired to aim by noise. Seaforth Coun. Bob Fisher who lost his vision several years back would rather utilize the 'push stick' because of a knee injury he suffers from. The Egmondville native is part of the 12 -man team known as the London Blind Curlers, a group that has been meeting up annually in Seaforth and the London area for the last couple Vick shares his hockey story Valerie Gillies Clinton News Record Luke Vick was recently awarded a plaque from the 2015-16 Clinton Radars Team and Executive for achieving 400 points and for playing 224 games during regular season over his hockey career with the team. Radars player #20 was asked to share his hockey story with his fans. He described his journey up to this point in an e-mail to Joe 2016 SEAFORTH SCREAMIN' EAGLES TRAVEL & HOUSE LEAGUE SOCCER REGISTRATION Saturday, March 5—10:OOam—1:OOpm Seaforth Arena Travel Team Information Teams will play in the North Huron Soccer League. Home games will be at Seaforth Public School field and teams will visit any of the following centres: St. Columban, Clinton, Wingham, Brussels, Lucknow, Blyth, Teeswater, Bayfield, and Goderich. Practices will begin in March with games starting in May and ending in early August. Same gender teams will be offered for U9, U11, U13, U15, and U18 (Birth years between 1998-2008). House League Information All games will be played in Seaforth at the St. James Field and co-ed teams will be offered for children with the birth years of 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. The house league program will run on Tuesdays from May 24 - to July 26. Costs Travel: Under 9 Boys (born in 2007 & 2008) - $70 Under 9 Girls (born in 2007 & 2008) - $70 Under 11 Boys (born in 2005 & 2006) - $80 Under 11 Girls (born in 2005 & 2006) - $80 Under 13 Boys (born in 2003 & 2004) - $90 Under 13 Girls (born in 2003 & 2004) - $90 Under 15 Boys (born in 2001 & 2002) - $100 Under 15 Girls (born in 2001 & 2002) - $100 Under 18 Boys (born in 1998 - 2000) - $125 Under 18 Girls (born in 1998 - 2000) - $125 House League: U4 - Coed teams (born in 2012 & 2013) - $55 INCLUDES team photo — Subject to availability U6 - Coed teams (born in 2010 & 2011) - $55 INCLUDES team photo U8 - Coed teams (born in 2008 & 2009) - $65 INCLUDES team photo — Registration is FREE for those that volunteer to coach a house league team -- Contact Information Travel Soccer: Dan & Carolyn Bachert: 519-522-0114 or 519-440-9333 House League Soccer: Chris Preston: 519-703-0297 of years now. Starting the sport several years back, Fisher still had the ability to see, "I was a little more supple," giggled Fisher When his Seeing Eye mentor mentioned the dedicated bunch of visually impaired curl- ers that played not even an hour away, Fisher decided to give it a try, the rest is history. "I feel anybody can do any- thing and if you have already done something sighted, I don't see why you can't do it with sight issues," explained Fisher last Thursday, while also men- tioning that he's tried golfing and lawn bowling. For Fisher this is not only a time for him to get out of the Livermore, writer of Joey's Corner which chronicles the Clinton Radars games. The e-mail was shared with the Clinton News Record. Vick began with, "Growing up in the small town of Sea - forth, Ontario, hockeywas life. I can remember going down to the arena and spending count- less hours on the ice trying to perfect my game." Seaforth was his home team throughout his minor hockey days. He related, "I had some good success, but always falling short of winning a championship" Not attaining this elusive goal was not going to deter this budding athlete from continuing on in his hockey journey. house to enjoy the fresh air, it's also an occasion to mute his political endeavors of being a Huron East councillor and con- verse with people who share the same disabilityhe has. "You are with your peers and you can make jokes about your disabilities and be comfortable with it as people who are sighted, they don't knowwhat to say sometimes" stated Fisher about the sense of humor that comes with the curling gatherings. "They are afraid, any disabil- ity whether it's a wheelchair, sight, hearing, cerebral or mus- cular or whatever. People are afraid they don't know how to handle it." While in bantam hockey, Vick had the opportunity to "affiliate with the Seaforth Centenaires Junior D hockey team which really gave me a lot of experience." Junior C hockey was played with the Wallaceburg Lakers where Vick led the team in scoring. His stay with the Lakers was brief. Vick explains, "I left Wallaceburg three quar- ters of the way through the season as I signed with the St. Mary's Lincolns Junior B hockey team." Vick had four successful seasons, both on and off the ice, with the Lin- colns. "I had a lot of fun being part of that Come drive bus, for us! Murphy Bus Lines U/7l�.4/Y Would you like a part-time job without having to worry about working evenings or weekends? Do you like working with kids? We provide all the training and assist you to get your bus licence. We are an equal opportunity employer. Apply on line at www murphybuslines.ca Email murphy@murphybus.ca Please call 1-877-289-6507 to set up an interview. Clinton:519-482-3493 clinton@murphybus.ca Seaforth:519-522-1222 seaforth@murphybus.ca Mitchell:519-348-4725 mitchell@murphybus.ca Exeter:519-235-0450 exeter@murphybus.ca St. Marys:519-229-8956 stmarys@murphybus.ca ea orthhuronexsositor.co I mip L':: File photo Bob Fisher listens to some verbal instructions about where to aim his rock back in 2013. On March 18 the London Blind Curlers head to Kingston Ont also known as the Lime- stone City to compete in the Provincial and Recreational Championships. organization and really wished I could have won a championship there." Following Junior B, Vick decided to play Senior A hockey with the Clinton Radars. He commented that, "what started off as a 'goon' league has really developed into a highly skilled league with lots of talent." Vick is a perfect example of the high level of skill and talent present in the Senior A hockey league. In his ten years with the Radars he not only surpassed the scoring record that resulted in the recent presentation, but has set other new records in the franchise. Vick is still chasing his elu- sive goal of a championship. He reveals, "I truly hope that this is the year that I can finally win a championship and be able to share it with everyone who is part of the Clinton Radars on and off the ice" As with most dedicated hockey players, Vick follows the teams and players in the national leagues. His favourite player is Patrick Kane, cur- rentlywith the Chicago Black- hawks, lackhawks, which is Vick's favour- ite team. No player achieves the level of success that Vick has expe- rienced without the influence and experience of being part of the various teams through- out his career. Vick recognizes this stating, "I am very grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of this organization as it is first class." The Clinton Radars "have treated me with nothing but respect" Vick adds, "I would also like to thank all the fans who have supported the Radars through the thick and thin."