WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ IN THE HOUSE:
Tonight: It’s appetizer night #1. ½ your team will bring appetizers for you and the team you are playing with. (9pm games are welcome to come early to enjoy!)
Next week: Appetizer night #2. The other ½ of your team will bring appetizers for sharing with the team you are playing with. (Again, 9pm games are welcome to come early to enjoy!)
This season: Anything special you want to see in our league? Any comments, kudos, suggestions? I’m still working on the details of our swag and an order form – stay tuned…
TEAM OF THE WEEK:
TEAM BYRNE – THE FUN SPA TEAM!
Skip: Marg Byrne
I started curling in 1995 when I moved to Oakville. I was looking for a way to meet people. My grandfather (in his 80s at the time) was still curling and other family members had curled over the years, so I figured I would give it a try. Over the years I have been on the WNL (or BW as we used to be known) executive in various capacities; I spent many years volunteering with the youth program at the club – most recently as convenor and programmer; I was on the Board of Directors as Youth Director for 4 years; and I have been an instructor since the program’s inception. I also play weekend mixed, Monday Ladder League and spare on Monday nights.
Vice: Laura Pratt
I moved to Oakville in 1999. My parents curled and encouraged me to try the sport as a way to meet people. So the following October, never having touched a broom or watched a game …having no knowledge whatsoever of the sport, I registered and showed up for the opening wine and cheese. As soon as I walked in the door looking confused and uncertain, Marg and Sheila approached me and said something like…”you’re brand new? Come join our team!”. I’ve been curling with them ever since. When we discovered we all had birthdays in November, our November spa weekend tradition was born. We wish we had kept a log of everything we did on those weekends over the last 20 plus years…it would save a lot of time trying to remember, but that’s half the fun. I also curled mixed on Monday nights that first year – one of the male members of the first team I curled with ‘had a friend’ he set me up with and Rod and I have been married since 2003. So this team and the curling club are responsible for my marriage and the spa weekends to escape my marriage!
Second: Sheila Wiebe
Most of my extended family curled— my grandpa was a ice tech in Tillsonburg and my aunt and uncle still curl competitively out of the Barrie club. So curling is definitely in my blood. I started curling in high school after one of those “recreation leisure” classes and then took a break during university. I resumed my curling career in 1991 and have curled pretty much every year since (except one during the pandemic). Started in Oakville in 1995. Found my jam in the second position as I really enjoy sweeping. I took the coaching course a few years back when my daughter’s university team needed a coach. I look forward to my weekly night out but I don’t get too hung up on the outcome of each game.
Lead: Paula Somers
I started curling as a new curler in 2012 when the team was looking for a lead. Thankfully my team doesn’t take the outcome too seriously and everyone is out for an enjoyable evening. I’ve picked up many good tips over the years but, like golf, it’s tough to put it all together! I never thought of myself as a spa person until I joined this team - it’s definitely an annual highlight!
Fifth: Carolyn Melia
My husband and I were looking for an activity that we could do together. Friends of ours suggested we try curling and join the weekend mixed league. We started in 2015 and while we still play in mix, our friends divorced and quit curling haha. Marg Byrne was my neighbor at the time and she asked if I was interested in being a 5th on her woman's team. The deal was sealed after she mentioned a spa weekend was compulsory! This is the most supportive team ever...on and off the ice. There is no pressure, and we are truly there for the love of the game and spending time together as a team! I also play Monday Ladder League.
What would you like the other WNL members to know about your team? Tell us a story about your team…..
We are fun! We are Team SPA – you can only join our team if you are willing to go on a Spa weekend in November – this is mandatory! We have been doing this since 2001! I believe we have only missed one weekend away since then - thanks to COVID.
Marg & Sheila met in the mid 1990’s back when the WNL was still the social Business Women (BW). Laura joined us when we had switched to WNL ladder league in 1999. Paula came on board in 2012 and Carolyn rounded out the team in 2016. Over the years we have rotated positions – sometimes using the “skip until you lose” lineup. The lineup above has been our current iteration for several years now!
Best game? Your worst game?
We don’t dwell on these… we win some, we lose some. We are here for the social aspects, exercise and laughs.
Your best memory together…. All those Spa weekends!
PLEASE share a picture and an introduction to your team for the league. Send your team submissions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We really want to know who you are! Be proud! Be awesome! Be a team league advocate by sharing your story! Are you an awesome team? Are you a new team? Have you been in our league FOREVER? Please …. Please…. Please - send me a picture and tell us something about you – so when we see you at the club OR play against you on Wednesday – we know something about you!
PLEASE!!
LAUGH OF THE WEEK:
STUFF THAT MAKES US CURL BETTER:
Spotted at the Collingwood Curling Club…
RECIPES AROUND THE RINGS:
Loaded Egg Muffins
Cals: 165
Protein: 14
Carbs: 2.5
Fat: 11
These easy, loaded egg muffins can be filled with any combination of veggies, cheese and meats. Easy breakfast to make ahead for the week.
Prep: 10 minutes mins
Cook: 20 minutes mins
Total: 30 minutes mins
Yield: 6 servings
Serving Size: 2 omelets
Required: nonstick muffin pan
Ingredients
- nonstick cooking spray
- 9 large whole eggs
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- black pepper, to taste
- 3 tablespoons thawed frozen spinach, drained
- 3 tablespoons diced tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons diced onion
- 3 tablespoons diced bell pepper
- 3 strips cooked bacon, chopped
- 2 ounces shredded cheddar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Spray the muffin tin generously with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- In a large bowl whisk the eggs, season with salt and pepper.
- Mix in the remaining ingredients.
- Fill and place tins on a cookie sheet and bake 20 to 25 minutes, until set.
How to Freeze
Here’s what to do to freeze these breakfast muffins for the month:
- Let the muffins cool, then remove them from the muffin tin.
- Flash freeze them by setting them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and sticking the pan in the freezer. This step prevents the muffins from freezing together.
- Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag, label it, and return it to the freezer.
How to Reheat Egg Muffin Cups
To reheat, you don’t even have to thaw them first. Pop them in the microwave straight from the freezer and warm for one minute until heated through.