Sat. Feb 27: 50/50 Raffle Winner of $20,950

“We put in $20 each with the intent that if we win, we donate it to the rink and it can live to see another day. And it is.”

Curling is more than just a game. It is often a key part of the social fabric in communities across Alberta. That is certainly the case for the Calumet Curling Club and their passionate team of volunteers and directors. Congratulations to this group of amazing and generous people for winning Saturday’s record 50/50 draw of $20,950.

“We have a little 2 sheet curling rink in our community completely run by volunteers and of course, with no curling this year, no bonspiel – which is kind of our number one fundraiser for the year, it was looking a little bleak. Now it’s not,” laughed Holly Riske.

Holly and fellow directors Blaine Ravnsborg, Vangie Gray, Eric Bloomquist, Rick Massing, Dan Lea, Dustin Krzywy, Ola Olson, Craig Massing, Kelly Dux and Lonny Olson decided to go in together and buy tickets for Saturday’s draw.

“We put in $20 each with the intent that if we win, we donate it to the rink and it can live to see another day,” said Holly. “And it is.”

Yesterday was the day to play, and Holly initially bought $50 worth of tickets, followed by another $50 fifteen minutes later during the first draw. She followed the same pattern during the second one. Her strategy paid off as she woke up this morning to find out they held the winning ticket.

“I had to look at the ticket five times and I called my husband and told him I think we won,” said Holly. “We have a group text for our directors, so I sent out a message to them telling them, ‘wake up you guys, I think we got it.’”

Established in 1954, the Calumet Curling Club has inspired this loyalty and dedication that made winning this jackpot possible. Situated between Ponoka and Bashaw, the club’s annual men’s bonspiel attracts 32 rinks and is run for an entire week. They also host a popular mixed doubles bonspiel, funspiels, and social nights throughout the season.

This is grassroots curling in Alberta. People and communities like the Calumet Curling Club are what makes the spirit of curling shine so brightly. Congratulations to Holly and her fellow directors. You truly are curling rock stars and exemplify the growth, access, development and leadership of curling right here in Alberta.

Today is the final day to purchase 50/50 tickets during 2021 Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Tickets can be purchased from 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM MST and can be purchased here. (LL#570519)