Pipestone Flyer
The whole famdamily of shuffle boarders. Thanks to Anne for that submission.
It was in 1987 when a fine gentleman from Medicine Hat, Alberta got a bright idea of everyone playing shuffleboard. He just thought it would be a fun family occasion. So he made a phone call to Leduc to Tony and Anne's. Well it was accepted very well as in Tony's words “I THINK ITS A HECK OF AN IDEA”. So from these conversations came the :ANNUAL EASTER OPEN SHUFFLEBOARD TOURNAMENT.
The founder of this great event was Perry Dubchak ( Tony's son-in-law)
So it all started: On Easter of 1987 on Good Friday. We would color Easter Eggs with all the young ones. They were ages 1 to 8 years. Then on Holy Saturday we all had a turkey supper. Then we would all go downstairs and hold the draws for the tournament. Everyone would find out who their partners were. Some were pleased and some not so much. Then the big event got started. Ron would always open the games with “Let The Games Begin!!!!
There were trophies for: A event: B event: and of course a skunk trophy for the runner's up.
When the kids were small we'd let them play an end or so. They were so small they would have to stand on a stool to reach the shuffleboard. Then they felt like they were in the tournament too. As the years went by the tournament grew bigger and better. As the kids got older they too got to play for real prizes. We had many crying sessions when the smaller one's lost out in the game.
We also had many special guests enter our tournament over the years. Sister Carol and husband Ernie, Rosie, and brothers Alex and George. It was a pleasure to have everyone come. The more the merrier.
One year Tony pulled all the hats out of the closet and we all wore hats. From that year on we decided the tournament should have a theme every year. Since then every year had it’s own theme.
Then came March 1994. A very sad time for all of us. We lost Grandpa Tony. The games were cancelled for that year. He always said “I never get my name on any trophy!!” Well we decided we should have a trophy in memory of him. So now he has one all his own. It's a very nice trophy. Debbie and Perry made it. It even has his picture on it. The rule is: The most HANGARS wins the trophy. The winner gets to take it home for one year.
Then in 2002 a shuffleboard song was composed by THE ASTACK Group. One of the greatest composers of all time. We sing it at the beginning of the tournament and again at the end.
As the years went by it grew even bigger with girlfriends and boyfriends joining us. Also we have moved it from Anne's place in Leduc, to Ron place in Stony Plain.
Now here we are at the 25th Anniversary. I can't believe the family has grown so much and everyone still loves to come and be a part of it.
This year being the 25th anniversary the women aren't cooking and we are dining out in style. The theme is semi-formal dress. Also for this special year we are returning to Anne's place in Leduc where it all started.
We hope it will continue for many more years, GOD WILLING!!!