The U.S. Olympic Men’s Curling Team was recognized at a send off event on Friday evening, January 15th at the Chisholm Curling Club in Chisholm, MN. Many residents from the Northern Minnesota town of 4,000 turned out to wish the Team well as they prepare to depart for Vancouver in less than a month! The Chisholm Curling Club is the home club of Olympic curlers John Shuster and Jason Smith.
People young and old and every age in between stopped in to say “good luck” and “good curling” to the team. There was time for autograph signing, picture taking, eating, and of course story telling amongst curlers. Two special people in attendance were Steve Kerzie and Bill Loushine, both long time supporters of youth sports in the Chisholm and Iron Range area. It was a privilege to spend some time with them and to hear their fun reminiscences of days past. In addition to Mr. Kerzie and Mr. Loushine, the mayor of Chisholm stopped by, members of the Chisholm Chamber of Commerce were in attendance along with local business owners and curlers and fans from all over the Northland.
The Club kitchen made hamburgers for the crowd, and three “Olympic” cakes and other treats kept the group well fed.
Tom Bobich, Chisholm Curling Club President presented the team with pins commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Chisholm Curling Club (1960-2010), along with a banner wishing them good luck in Vancouver. The team plans to bring the banner with them to Vancouver where it is likely to hang in their Olympic Village apartment.
In addition to the well wishes extended to the team from those in attendance, the event and Club raised funds for the team and their families to help with expenses incurred with travel to Vancouver for the Olympics. The Club kitchen donated proceeds from the evening to the team, and fans purchased t-shirts to support the team and their families. Jennifer Bonner, representing Curl Mesabi (Eveleth, MN) presented each team member with a note and donation on behalf of Curl Mesabi which is Jeff Isaacson’s home Club. This event was a great example of Iron Range hospitality and support for Team U.S.A. Curling!
Thank you Chisholm Curling Club and the surrounding communities! We appreciate your support!
