Having written about the sport of curling during my days on theBangor Daily News sports desk and even attempting it once myself withthe encouragement of Mary Dutch of Belfast, I was thrilled to read inour paper recently that six people will represent the United Statesin the first World Curling Federation wheelchair curlingchampionships Jan. 21-26 in Sursee, Switzerland.
It gave me even more pleasure to know that Dutch, who has longbeen an active Belfast Curling Club member but unable to curl sincebeing diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1979, is now back on theice and headed for Switzerland.
Dutch, 42, is a member of Team USA with Loren Greenlaw, 42, ofHallowell; Weston Smith, 61, of Glenburn; Douglas Sewall, 53, ofOrono; Samuel Woodward, 57, of Surry; and Danell Libby, 33, of Gray.
My happiness at Dutch's participation has been tempered a bit,however, by word from her husband and team coach, Dr. Jeff Dutch,that although she was originally the team's skip (the personresponsible for getting the 42-pound stone going down the ice), sheprobably will be on the bench during the competition.
Jeff Dutch said that in just the short time between now and justbefore Christmas, Mary's condition has changed so that she no longerhas the strength to put the stone on the ice.
'It takes a lot of upper-body strength to deliver from astationary wheelchair,' he said, adding that officials with thecompetition have indicated she will be unable to use a powerwheelchair on the ice.
The Dutches hope, however, to make a statement at the competitionby showing the officials, first, that the conditions of those with MScan change week to week or month to month and, second, that powerchairs have no more adverse effect upon the ice than nonpowered ones.
In any event, Jeff Dutch is looking forward to the experience andis especially pleased that he, his wife and her teammates are goingto be able to travel abroad.
'Mary and I thought probably we'd not see Europe at any time, withthe older cities not being accessible,' he said, 'but it sounds likeSursee, with its rehabilitation hospitals and clinic, is a town thatis accommodating and accessible.'
Jeff Dutch, by the way, finds himself in a new role in thischampionship - coach rather than competitor.
He recognizes his 'role reversal' and the fact that he is aninexperienced coach, 'but I probably have more experience than anyother club member as far as competition is concerned and, therefore,I was happy to volunteer,' said the former U.S. men's nationalchampionship competitor.
Dutch believes the team will learn a great deal in its first-evercompetition because, 'I think we are going to be facing folks withcurling experience who came to the game after an injury and who hadthe able-bodied experience,' he said.
Other than Mary Dutch, most of the team members are new to thesport, having learned it through the newly organized Alpha One-BCCprogram.
The team is sponsored by Alpha One, a nonprofit organization thatprovides 'a variety of services and programs, statewide, to peoplewith disabilities,' explained Dennis Fitzgibbons of the Alpha Oneoffice in Portland.
'We are extremely pleased and excited and thrilled that theBelfast Curling Club has been so welcoming of people withdisabilities, and to get them involved in this sport of curling,' hesaid.
A program that was initiated just a year ago with BCC and AlphaOne, Team USA now has 'made this great opportunity available for thisteam of people with disabilities to compete in the firstinternational wheelchair curling championship,' he said.
'To be associated with that through Alpha One, sponsoring one ofour recreational programs, and teaming up with the Belfast CurlingClub, has just been a great experience for all involved.
'It's a real advance for making another recreation outletavailable to people with disabilities.'
Although Alpha One is helping underwrite the trip, supporters arehelping the team raise the $15,000 they need to compete inSwitzerland.
Doing her part in that regard is Maine musician Lynn Deeves, whohas gathered a group of friends and is host to a benefit concert from6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, at Hall-Dale High School Theatreon Maple Street in Farmingdale.
Tickets are $10 for individuals, $25 for a family, and will beavailable at the door, which opens at 6 p.m.
If you cannot attend the concert, but want to help these peoplerepresent the United States in this competition, send your tax-deductible contributions to Alpha One, 41 Acme Road, Brewer 04412, orcall (800)-300-6016 for more information.
Congratulations to members of the Maine Credit Union League whosejust-concluded seventh annual BearHugs for Kids drive collected arecord 1,300 bears, more than doubling last year's record of 610.
The 500 bears collected at credit unions and the league'sheadquarters in Westbrook, combined with 800 bears collected inconjunction with an annual concert sponsored by Portland radiostation WJBQ, Q-97, resulted in this year's record-setting drive.
Jon Paradise, MCUL director of communications, founded the programthat provides bears of all shapes and sizes to be donated tohospitals, health care clinics, law enforcement agencies and otheremergency agencies throughout the state.
Agency and hospital personnel give the bears to children involvedin traumatic situations such as fire, accident or an abusive orviolent event.
The MCUL is just beginning to distribute the bears throughoutMaine.
If your agency or hospital would like to be included in thatdistribution, call Paradise at 773-5671, Ext. 273, or e-mailjparadise@maineclu.org.
Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.
