WHAT’S HAPPENIN’ IN THE HOUSE:
Tonight: Let the Playoffs BEGIN! Tonight is the first round of our 2025/26 season playoffs! Curl well and have fun!
Next Week: Our second playoff games will be played on Monday April 20 teams 1&2 will play the winners from April 15, the winners advancing to the finals on Wed April 22nd.
Other NEWS:
*** Please note: You need to buy tickets even if you'll be playing the final on 22nd. We'll make sure to have plenty of food for after the game.***
Even More News: Have you seen these trophies?? Do you recognize the hands holding them? They have not been located and we need them for our league winners. Please drop them off in Casey’s office or let us know where you have seen them.
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Some Extra News:
The Toronto Hope is a lively women’s bonspiel set for November 7, 2026, at Leaside Curling Club.
It supports women’s cancer research at the Odette Cancer Centre at Sunnybrook.
Since 2019, the event has raised over $500,000 and brings together curlers from across the GTA for a day focused on community and positive energy, not just competition.
Kelly Breard, Carol Sandwell, Helen Stephenson, and Johanne Boivan won the event this season. They had an amazing experience, both on and off the ice.
Teams pay $500 to enter, and each curler is asked to raise at least $150.
The day includes games, meals, prizes, and a lively banquet and dance. It’s open to all skill levels, so everyone will feel welcome, from experienced players to those who curl just once a year.
There are also fun ways to support the cause beyond playing, like the Wine Survivor fundraiser.
JOKE OF THE WEEK:
STUFF THAT MAKES US CURL BETTER:
Tips on breaking up with your team:
- Establish a Team "Expiry Date": To avoid awkward mid-season breakups, teams should ideally agree on a date to sit down and discuss their future (e.g., after a specific playdown process or the end of the season).
- Be Upfront and Timely: If you know you are leaving, inform your teammates as soon as possible after a season ends, rather than letting them guess or delaying the inevitable.
- Be Honest but Considerate: Explain your reasons, such as wanting to play a different schedule (more or less competitive) or seeking a different team dynamic, without making it a personal attack.
- Follow Established Etiquette: It is generally considered unethical to leave a team in the middle of a committed process or season.
- Express Gratitude: Thank your teammates for their effort, time, and memories, even if the team wasn't a perfect match.
- Broomstacking Etiquette: Even if you know a breakup is imminent, finish the season with good sportsmanship, including participating in traditional broomstacking (sharing a drink with the opposing team).
- Define Team Goals Early: Future breakups can often be avoided by ensuring all team members are aligned on goals (e.g., social, competitive, bonspiel-focused) at the start of the season.
- Assess Team Dynamics: When looking for a new team, focus on shared communication styles and chemistry
RECIPES AROUND THE RINGS:
As a sweet over savory fan, this is my type of lasagna. Dessert lasagnas are a Delish specialty, and this recipe celebrates one of our favorite flavor combinations: lemon and blueberry. This easy no-bake dessert is filled with layers of lemon Oreos, blueberry cheesecake, and lemon whipped cream for the ultimate warm-weather treat. Tart, tangy, and sweet, this lasagna is the perfect way to follow up a spring dinner or a summer potluck. Here's everything you need to know:
The Oreos:
With the layers of creamy cake and whipped cream, the Oreos are important in providing some much needed crunch and texture to the dessert. If you aren’t able to find lemon Oreos, you can replace them with golden Oreos, and the dessert lasagna will still be just as sweet and lovely, but not quite as lemony!
The jam & curd:
I took advantage of store-bought blueberry jam and lemon curd to make this recipe super simple and straightforward, but if you’re feeling up for it, you can make your own jam or curd to make it stand out that much more.
Make ahead & storage:
This stunning layered dessert can be assembled and held in the refrigerator overnight, so it's ideal to make ahead of time. Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, though the Oreos will lose some of their crunch.
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 12 oz. store-bought or homemade lemon curd
- 3 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup (38 g.) confectioners' sugar
- 1 (13-oz.) jar blueberry jam
- 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
- 48 lemon Oreos
- Finely grated lemon zest and fresh blueberries, for topping
Directions
- In a large bowl, using a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat cream until stiff peaks form. Transfer a heaping 2 cups whipped cream to a medium bowl. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- To remaining whipped cream, fold in lemon curd. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- In another large bowl, using handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Add jam and lemon juice and beat until combined.
- In a 13" x 9" baking dish, spread a thin layer of cheesecake mixture. Cover entire bottom of prepared dish with Oreos. Spoon about half of cheesecake mixture over Oreos and spread in an even layer. Top with half of lemon curd mixture and spread in an even layer. Top with remaining Oreos, cheesecake mixture, and lemon curd mixture. Top with reserved whipped cream. Refrigerate until well chilled, at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
- When ready to serve, top with lemon zest and blueberries.
NEXT SEASON INFORMATION:
As we are nearing the end of our season, we already have a notice of a request for a spot for a new team! We have also received some requests for individual replacement players! Therefore, we are asking that you start letting us know your team's plans for next season.
Next Season's plans
If we remain at the current 36 teams -
- We can run as we did this year - 2 draws with 4 divisions of 9 teams played over 9 weeks each with each team getting a bye and then the 3rd draw with 6 divisions of 6 teams played over 6 weeks with each team getting a bye (total of 3 byes over the season) and then play offs using the 6 divisions.
- We can run it with 6 divisions of 6 teams over 4 draws -each team gets a bye in each draw - 4 over the season - (this would mean 20 regular games instead of 21). Play offs would use the 6 divisions.
Under both these options, the last regular game will be March 31 and playoffs Apr 7,14&21.
If we get an influx of new teams, we could accept them and grow the league or choose not accept them and keep the league the same size as this season.
If we decide to accept new teams I believe we would need to play some games on the only other available evening, which is Sunday.
We have already requested that we share the 5pm Sunday Night draw time with the men's leagues. That would mean we would also need to use the 9pm draw time, this would work out to only one (1) 9pm draw per team for the entire season.
If we lose teams, we would revert back to 4 divisions of 8 teams with 3 draws. Hopefully this won't occur.
This is just info for now. Decisions won't occur til early August, once registration is complete.