Photo: Anne Merklinger delivering the keynote address at The Dominion opening banquet on Sunday night. Merklinger skipped the PEI Junior Women’s championship rink in 1976, with teammates Kim MacLeod (now Dolan), Kathie Burke (now Gallant), and Karen Stewart, and, curling out of the Rideau Curling Club in Ottawa, was  a two-time runner-up at the national Tournament of Hearts.

(The Dominion Daily). Lights shone brightly on the magnificently decorated Christmas trees at the Scarboro Golf and Country Club, welcoming everyone to last night’s opening banquet of The Dominion Curling Club Championship. One by one, each of our twenty-eight teams were proudly announced on the eve of the fourth national championship for club curlers.
The buzz and excitement continued to grow as each speaker spoke passionately about a sport that combines teamwork, skill, a friendly competitive spirit… and a drink or two at the bar.
First to take the stage was The Dominion’s CEO, George Cooke.
George articulated The Dominion’s passion for the event and aligned the values of the sport with those that The Dominion practises as an insurance company. “In curling,” said George “you are taught to play by the rules and that sportsmanship reigns supreme.”
Returning player Deb Goodwin (Skip of the British Columbia women’s team) recapped her memories from the 2011 event in Richmond, BC. She also shared her wisdom with some of the new teams, reminding them that “no matter what, you are a provincial champion.” As the teams prepare for the Opening Ceremonies later today, she encouraged them to absorb the awe of the provincial colours, but not to forget that “you are wearing them too”.
Perhaps the most impactful message of the evening came from keynote speaker Anne Merklinger, CEO of Own The Podium. She shared her “8 Steps to Excellence”, hoping to inspire those in the audience to reach new heights in sport. “Be a good teammate, control what you can – your attitude – understand the power of the mind” and finally, “anything is possible”.
Event Chair Leigh Armstrong – who is just back from curling in China – completed the evening’s program with remarks about how the memories of this championship “last a lifetime”.
Official draws start this afternoon and the  Opening Ceremonies are set to begin at 7:00 pm Eastern time. PEI and the Northwest Territories have the opening day byes.