A large crowd of friends, family, former teammates and well-wishers was on hand Monday evening at the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Community Complex in Summerside for the 10th annual PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum induction ceremony, with four inductees, three of whom curled out of the Fox, being honoured – Kay Atkinson in the Builder category, Peter and Rod MacDonald as Curler/Builders, and Lou Nowlan in the Curler category. (Biographies for the inductees follow this report).
The Complex was professionally lit for the occasion, and a display of previous Hall of Fame inductees’ portraits and biographies was shown on the big screen throughout the evening.
The ceremony started with the inductees being lead into the hall and taking their front row seats, and Master of Ceremonies Paul H. Schurman taking to the podium, welcoming everyone, and introducing Hall of Fame and Museum Chair and Canadian Curling Hall of Fame member Jerry Muzika.
Jerry Muzika
Jerry had a few words of welcome, and then introduced the Mayor of the City of Summerside, Bill Martin, for some remarks. Bill mentioned that he was glad that so many (three out of the four) Summersiders were being honoured, and mentioned that he is a member of the Silver Fox as both a yachter and a curler, at one time taking part in the Junior (“Schoolboy”) playdowns, and now curling in Monday night mixed.
Bill Martin
Next up was Angela Hodgson, last year’s Curl PEI president, and recently-elected Curling Canada Board of Governors members, speaking in her first official role in that position.
Angela Hodgson
Sheila Compton, Curling President for the Fox was also on hand to with greetings.
Sheila Compton
The final greetings were from Curl PEI President Andrew Robinson, who remarked that he was very familiar with all the inductees, having participated in many events officiated by Kay, curled on provincial championship teams with Rod, and played many games against both Peter and Lou.
Andrew Robinson
Paul H. Schurman, in his remarks, also made note of the new PEICurling Hall of Fame and Museum scholarships, made possible by anonymous donors, with 4 scholarships annually, totalling $3000, being presented. He noted that the recipients have been chosen, are currently being contacted, and will be announced soon.
The first inductee was Charlottetown’s Kay Atkinson, in the Builder category, who kept her remarks brief, and thanked everyone for their assistance during her 20 years of curling officiating. Board member Wayne Wright, who is also the artist for all the Hall of Fame portraits, presented her with her with a certificate, pin, and portrait.
Atkinson, Wright
Kay Atkinson
The next two inductees, Summerside natives Peter and Rod MacDonald, are brothers who curled many years, often on the same team, and often with their wives and other family members on the team too. They were inducted in the Curler/Builder category. Both won multiple men’s championships, and together with their wives, finished as runners-up at the Canadian Mixed in 1996, which Rod mentioned as a particular highlight. Peter finished as Mixed runner-up a second time, with sister Kathy O’Rourke, her husband Mark, and Peter’s wife Karen on the team. Both mentioned the tremendous impact curling had on their business and personal lives. Their father, D. Alex, also a Hall of Fame member, was on hand for the event, as well as other members of their family and former team members.
Former teammate and Hall of Fame Board Member Ken MacDonald presented the pin and certificate, and unveiled the portrait for Peter, with Board Member Arleen Harris doing the same for Rod.
Ken MacDonald, Peter MacDonald
Rod MacDonald, Arleen Harris
Peter MacDonald
Rod MacDonald
The final inductee of the evening, in the Curler category, was Summerside’s Lou Nowlan, with Board Member and Hall of Fame member Al Ledgerwood presenting the pin and certificate, and unveiling the portrait.
Ledgerwood, Nowlan
A large contingent of family members were on hand for the presentation, including his wife Margaret, children, and grandchildren.
Lou Nowlan
Lou recapped his three-decade curling career, which began with an Atlantic Forces Curling Championship, representing CFB Summerside, and included 2 national Legion curling titles, and five consecutive Masters titles (out of 11 in total), in which his team never lost a game during the competitions.
Following closing remarks by Paul H. Schurman, the inductees posed for photographs on the stage, and Board members had their photo taken with the 10th Anniversary cake during the post-event reception.
This year’s induction ceremony was sponsored by PEI Ford Dealers, Beaton’s Wholesale Dry Goods, the City of Summerside, Consolidated Credit Union Ltd., and Phillips Feed Service.
Inductee photos, condensed bios
Kay Atkinson
Kay Atkinson has been a dedicated curling official beginning in 1996. Since then, she had officiated at all levels of curling competition – Provincial, Canadian and World curling events. Her experience and expertise as an official are well recognized by Curl PEI, Curling Canada, and the World Curling Federation, filling the roles of head official and chief umpire at many of their events. Having dedicated her time and energy over a twenty year span volunteering as an official for the sport of curling, Kay will be recognized as a Builder at the induction ceremony on October 24, 2016.
Peter MacDonald
Beginning in 1973, winning a provincial Junior Men’s Curling Championship and continuing on through to 2013, Peter MacDonald has made his mark as a competitive curler on PEI. As one of a talented curling family, many of his 17 provincial titles came while competing with family members as teammates. In all, he had ten appearances at the Brier, three at the Mixed, two at the Seniors, one Juniors appearance, and one at the Canada Games. His extensive volunteer activities over many years supporting curling, and his ongoing corporate sponsorship, together with his significant achievements on the ice will be recognized on October 24 as he is inducted into the PEI Curling Hall of Fame as a Curler/Builder.
Rod MacDonald
Rod MacDonald began curling in 1974 and in 1978 won his first of seven PEI Men’s Curling Championships. A member of a very talented curling family, Rod has amassed an impressive curling record, including ten appearances at the Canadian Men’s Curling Championship (seven as a player, two as fifth, one as coach), three Provincial Mixed and four Provincial Senior Men’s curling titles.
Rod and his family are long time generous supporters of curling on Prince Edward Island, through their corporate sponsorship of events involving the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Community Complex, including sponsoring their closing spiel for more than 30 years. They are also valued sponsors of Curl PEI and the PEI Curling Hall of Fame since its inception. Rod will be inducted into the Curling Hall of Fame as a Curler/Builder.
Lou Nowlan
Lou Nowlan has achieved his main curling success as a competitive senior curler. Since 1995, Lou Nowlan has won three PEI Senior Men’s Curling Championships, seven PEI Legion Curling Championships, two Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Curling Championships, 11 Provincial Masters championships, and three Maritime Masters championships. He will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Curler.
Inductee Full Bios
Kay Atkinson
Kay Atkinson has been a dedicated curling official, beginning in 1996 when she took the Level 1 and Level 2 Technical course for officiating, at the Charlottetown Curling Club. She completed her Level 1 certification in 1998 after working six games as an on-ice observer or timer under the supervision of a Level 3 (or higher) official. She received Level 2 certification after doing 6 games as an umpire or timer under supervision in 2000. She received Level 3 in 2001 and Level 4 status in 2007.
In 1996, Kay worked at the Canadian Mixed Championship, held at the Charlottetown Curling Club, mostly as a game observer, charting the stones in play.
In 1999, Kay volunteered to work at the Canadian Women’s Curling Championship, held at the Charlottetown Civic Centre, again mainly as an on-ice observer.
In 2001, the President of the PEI Curling Association asked Kay to take on the role of Head Official for PEI. She was responsible for officiating the five main provincial events: Men’s, Women’s, Juniors, Seniors and Mixed. This required her to attend all games and be responsible for ensuring rules were followed and things ran well. She carried out this responsibility for the next four years. Prior to the events, she taught timing courses at each club.
Kay also taught officiating courses, at first with Marilyn Sutherland, who was the Master Course Conductor, then later, on her own. She also supervised those who took the courses to become certified according to Canadian Curling Association standards.
In 2002, Kay was at the Canadian Juniors Curling Championship in Summerside as an umpire, policing hog line violations, doing measures and ensuring that the rules were followed.
At the Canadian Men’s Curling Championship in Halifax in 2003, Kay filled the role of a game umpire, including running practices and doing measures.
During the national Special Olympics curling championship at the Charlottetown Curling Club in 2004, Kay was the Head Official.
In 2005, she worked at the Canadian Juniors Championship in Fredericton New Brunswick, as an umpire.
Kay took a year off from Curl PEI as head official in 2006, but was asked to return in 2007, and continues to the present day. For three years she has been the Chair of the Umpires Committee for Curl PEI, keeping umpires current on new rules and regulations, assigning umpires to events and ensuring their roles are fulfilled.
She was an umpire at the Canadian Men’s Curling Championship in Calgary in 2009, the sole umpire for the Canadian Firefighters in Charlottetown in 2009, and umpired at the Canadian Seniors Curling Championship in Summerside in 2009.
In 2010, Kay served on the committee for the Dominion Curling Club Championships as a representative for the Charlottetown Curling Club but also officiated one of the three daily draws, either at Charlottetown or in Cornwall.
The Canadian Curling Association (CCA) appointed Kay as Chief Umpire for the Scotties Tournament of Hearts Canadian Women’s Curling Championship held in Charlottetown in 2011. An unusual step, as it is rare for a local person to be selected to supervise all officials. She accepted the challenge and successfully carried out the duties which included scheduling of umpires, holding meetings with the players and volunteers, liaising with the CCA, and preparing necessary paperwork and reports.
In 2013, Kay was Chief Umpire for the Canadian Seniors Curling Championship event held in Summerside, and she was also a game umpire at the World Mixed Doubles in Fredericton in 2013.
Kay was a game umpire at the Women’s World Curling Championship in Saint John, New Brunswick in 2014 as well as the Deputy Chief Umpire for the Canadian Juniors Curling Championship in Liverpool, NS. the same year.
In 2015, she was an umpire at the Canadian Juniors Curling Championship in Corner Brook, NL. and, in 2016, at the Canadian Seniors Curling Championship in Digby, Nova Scotia, Kay was a game umpire.
Kay also volunteered at the 2012 and 2014 Players’ Championships in Summerside as an umpire and scorer, and at the Curl Atlantic bonspiels held at the University of Prince Edward Island. As well, she officiated at the Atlantic Under 18 championships.
She was President of the Charlottetown Curling Club twice, in 1996 and then again in 2009-2011, for a two year term.
Kay won the PEI Senior Women’s Curling Championship twice and went on to represent PEI in Thornhill Ontario in 1997 and in Lethbridge Alberta in 2003.
Having dedicated her time and energy over a twenty year span volunteering as an official for the sport of curling, it is fitting to recognize Kay’s dedication and hard work by inducting her into the PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum as a Builder.
Peter MacDonald
Peter started to curl in Summerside when he was 14 years old.
In 1973, he won the Prince Edward Island Junior Men’s (Schoolboy) Curling Championship, skipping his team of Terrance McTaggart at third, Terrance Tupper at second, and Phillip Hardy at lead.
In 1975, he won the Prince Edward Island Winter Games, playing third for the Bill Merklinger team, and went on to represent PEI at the Canada Winter Games in Lethbridge, Alberta.
Peter skipped his teams to three Prince Edward Island Mixed Curling Championships, keeping it all in the family each time. His first, in 1990, saw his sister Joanne Postma at third, brother Rod MacDonald at second, and at lead was his wife, Karen A. MacDonald.
In 1994, with his wife Karen at third, his brother Rod at second, and lead Karen E. MacDonald (Rod’s wife), they won the PEI Mixed Championship. Again curling with their wives, the brothers finished as runners-up in the 1995 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship in Sarnia and earned the Sport P.E.I. team-of-the-year award.
In 1999, with his sister Kathy O’Rourke at third, brother-in-law Mark O’Rourke at second, and at lead, his wife, Karen MacDonald, they represented PEI at the Canadian Mixed Curling Championship in Victoria, B.C. finishing runner-up for the second time.
Peter won five Prince Edward Island Men’s Curling Championships. His first was in 1976, playing second for skip Ken MacDonald, Keith MacEachern was at third, and lead Alan Ledgerwood rounded out the team.
His next provincial men’s win came in 1978, skipping his team of third Rod MacDonald, second Ron Casey, and Keith Wedge at lead. They were the first Summerside team in 30 years to win the provincial men’s title.
Also in 1978, Peter won the Prince Edward Island 8 Year and Under Men’s Curling Championship with his same team of third Rod MacDonald second Ron Casey, and lead Keith Wedge.
In 1981, he again won the provincial men’s title, with Robert Carruthers at third, Alexander Stewart at second, and Rod MacDonald at lead.
Fifteen years later, in 1996, came his next win as a skip, with Grant Somers at third, John Postma at second, and Rod MacDonald at lead. This team would finish fourth at the Brier.
His last PEI Men’s Curling Championship win was in 2001, with Peter Gallant at third, Mark O’Rourke at second, and Mark Butler at lead.
Peter also stepped in as the fifth player for the winning PEI Provincial men’s team five times. He was selected as the fifth player for brother Rod competing at the Canadian Curling Championship in 2005, 2009, and 2010. Also, he was selected as fifth player for Robert Campbell in 1991 and 1993.
He won the Prince Edward Island Senior Men’s Curling Championship twice. In 2010, Peter played second for his brother Rod with third Peter Gallant, and lead Doug MacGregor.
He won the Senior Men’s title again in 2013, playing lead for brother Rod MacDonald. Playing third was John Likely, and second was Mark O’Rourke.
At the Canadian Seniors event in Summerside, the hometown of the MacDonald brothers, they finished round-robin play tied for third at 8-3 (won-lost), before losing a tiebreaker. Peter was chosen as a first-team all-star lead.
Peter has given back to his sport of curling in a variety of capacities.
He served as secretary-treasurer and auditor of the PEI Curling Association and as a director of the Summerside Curling Club, the Charlottetown Curling Club and the Summerside Silver Fox Curling & Yacht Club Management Board.
Peter was a Director of the Charlottetown 1999 and 2011 Scott Tournament of Hearts committees, responsible for Accreditation. He also was a Sports Director of the Canada Winter Games Committee in 1991, responsible for Junior Men’s curling.
Peter was Finance Chair for the 1987 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship at his home club, the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club. During the Championship, he was asked to coach the Peter Gallant team, who went on to win the event.
As a coach, Peter holds a level one coaching certificate and has coached at all levels of the game provincially and nationally.
Peter and his family are generous supporters of sport and, in particular, of the PEI Curling Association through their corporate sponsorship of various events as well as being a valued sponsor of the PEI Curling Hall of Fame since its inception. He is also currently a co-owner, director and Past President of the Charlottetown Islanders Quebec Major Junior Hockey League franchise.
Peter is a Director of the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association, serving as Secretary-Treasurer, and Vice President. He is slated to become chairman of the national organization in 2018. As well, he has served as President of the Ford Dealers of Canada, the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce, and was a division chairman of the United Way.
In all, Peter has had ten appearances at the Brier, three at the Mixed, 2 Seniors, one Juniors and one trip to the Canada Games. Together with his ongoing support of curling in volunteer positions, Peter has shown significant achievements in curling, and is a most worthy inductee into the PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum as a Curler/Builder.
Roderick (Rod) MacDonald
Rod MacDonald began curling in 1974, and in 1978 won the Prince Edward Island 8 Year and Under Men’s Curling Championship, playing third for his brother Peter with second Ron Casey, and lead Keith Wedge. With the same team, Rod won his first of seven PEI Men’s Curling Championships, in 1978 — the first Summerside team in 30 years to win the provincial men’s title.
His second purple heart was won in 1981 playing lead, again with Peter skipping the team, along with with Robert Carruthers at third and Alexander Stewart at second. In 1996, Rod achieved his third PEI Men’s Curling Championship title, with Peter skipping, Grant Somers at third, John Postma at second, and Rod at lead.
Moving up to skip his own team, Rod also saw success. In 2005, his fourth PEI Men’s Curling Championship came with third Kevin Champion, second Phillip Gorveatt, and lead Mike Dillon. The same team repeated the win in 2006.
In 2009, he won the provincial men’s title with Kevin Champion at third, second Andrew Robinson, and lead Mark O’Rourke. The next year, 2010, they repeated with the same team. Also in 2009, Rod spared for Quebec’s Mike Carson at the Canadian Seniors Curling Championship in Summerside, playing second stone for nine games.
Also in 2010, joining up again with brother Peter, he won the Prince Edward Island Senior Men’s Curling Championship. Peter skipped the team with third Peter Gallant, Rod at second, and lead Doug MacGregor.
Rod again won the PEI Senior Men’s Championship in 2013, skipping his team of third John Likely, second Mark O’Rourke and his brother Peter at lead. At the Canadian Seniors event in Summerside, the hometown of the MacDonald brothers, they finished round-robin play tied for third at 8-3 (won-lost), before losing a tiebreaker. The Rod MacDonald rink was named Curl PEI team of the year for the 2012-13 season. As well, Rod also took home Curl PEI’s senior male athlete of the year title.
In 2015, Rod won the PEI Senior Men’s Curling title and represented PEI at the national event in Edmonton with third Kevin Champion, second Blair Weeks and lead Mark Victor.
In 2016, Rod gained another PEI Senior Men’s Curling Championship title, winning with Kevin Champion at third, and Mark O’Rourke and Mark Butler as the front end, going on to compete at the national event in Digby, Nova Scotia.
Rod was selected as a fifth player to compete at the Brier twice – for Mike Gaudet in 2004 and Peter Gallant in 2007.
Rod holds a Level 2 in coaching. In 2008, Rod coached Peter Gallant’s team at the Canadian Men’s Curling Championship in Winnipeg. He also coached the Krista McLellan team in 2001 at the Atlantic Canada 17 and Under Women’s Championship in Corner Brook NL, where they won gold.
Rod won his first Prince Edward Island Mixed Curling Championship in 1990, playing second, with his brother Peter skipping, sister Joanne Postma at third, and lead Karen A. MacDonald (Peter’s wife).
Rod won the PEI Mixed again, at second, in 1994, with skip Peter, Peter’s wife, Karen, at third, and lead Karen E. MacDonald (Rod’s wife). The team finished as runner-up in the 1994 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship in Sarnia and earned the Sport PEI Team of the Year award.
Nineteen years later, in 2013, Rod won the PEI Mixed Curling Championship for the third time, this time as a skip, but still keeping it all in the family, with sister Kathy O’Rourke at third, second – brother-in-law Mark O’Rourke, and lead, wife Karen E. MacDonald. They represented PEI at the national event in Ottawa.
As a dedicated volunteer, Rod has served numerous years with the Prince Edward Island Curling Association and also with the Silver Fox Executive and Management Board. He also was a volunteer at the 1991 Canada Winter Games.
Rod and his family are long time generous supporters of curling on Prince Edward Island, through their corporate sponsorship of events involving the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club, including sponsoring their closing spiel for more than 30 years. They are also valued sponsors of Curl PEI and the PEI Curling Hall of Fame since its inception.
Rod has served as a director with the PEI Automobile Dealers Association and his company, D. Alex MacDonald, is a title sponsor for the local Jr. “A” hockey team.
Rod has an impressive curling record including ten appearances at the Canadian Men’s Curling Championship (seven as a player, two as fifth, one as coach), three provincial mixed and four provincial senior men’s curling titles and exhibits dedication to the sport of curling as a volunteer and sponsor. He is being inducted into the Hall of Fame and Museum as a Curler/Builder.
Lou Nowlan
In 1989, Lou skipped his team of Fred Hiscock, Don Despin, and Ev Ward to a victory in the Atlantic Forces Curling Championship, representing CFB Summerside. They went on the play in the Canadian Forces Nationals in Lahr, Germany.
In 1997, Lou won his first of three PEI Senior Men’s Curling Championships, playing second with skip Wayne Gardiner, third Fred Hiscock and lead Raymond Thomson. His second title came in 1999, skipping his team of third Fred Hiscock, second Wayne Gardiner and lead Raymond Thomson.
He won again in 2014, playing third for skip Ted MacFadyen, with Pat Aylward at second and Earle Proude at lead.
Lou saw great success competing in the Provincial Legion Curling Championships. He was on the winning Provincial Legion Team seven times, and went on to win the Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Curling Championship twice.
In 1995, Lou skipped his team of third Fred Hiscock, second Ken Praught and lead Arnie Kaland to the first of the seven provincial Legion titles. He repeated the win in 1996 with the same team, going on to win the Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Curling Championship that year.
For three consecutive years – in 2003, 2004, and 2005, with Mel Bernard as skip, Lou won the provincial Legion curling title, playing third with Doug Currie at second and Wayne Gardiner at lead. In 2004, they went on to win the Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Curling Championship.
In 2013, playing second, Lou was again in the winner’s circle, winning the PEI Legion Curling Championship with skip Mel Bernard, third Blair Jay and Earle Proude at lead position. His last provincial Legion title came in 2015 playing third for skip Mel Bernard with second Blair Jay and lead Earle Proude.
Lou won eleven provincial Masters titles. The first five of these wins came in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, skipping his same team of third Doug Currie second Wayne Gardiner and lead Raymond Thomson. An interesting note is that they never lost a game on their way to their provincial titles during this five year period. In 2004, 2006 and 2007, they also went on to win the Maritime Masters Championships.
In 2011, Lou was back again at second, winning the PEI Masters Championship with skip Mel Bernard, third Ted MacFadyen and lead Earle Proude. They repeated the win with the same team in 2012.
In 2013, with Blair Jay replacing Ted MacFadyen at third, Lou was again the Masters winner with skip Mel Bernard and lead Earle Proude.
Playing third for skip Ted MacFadyen, with Earle Proude at second and Alan Montgomery at lead, their ninth Provincial Masters was clinched in 2014. With Bill Hope filling in for skip Ted MacFadyen, Lou, and the front end of Earle and Alan went on to win the 2014 Maritime Masters Championship.
In 2015, Lou won yet another Masters, with skip Mel Bernard, second Earle Proude and lead Alan Montgomery. Ted MacFadyen skipped their team of third Lou Nowlan, second Earle Proude and lead Alan Montgomery to their eleventh Provincial Masters Curling Championship title in 2016.
Lou served as the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Curling Club representative to the Prince Edward Island Curling Association for three years 1985, ’86 and ’87. He was the CFB club Vice President in 1988 and President in 1989 and 1990.
Lou served four seasons – 1994-1995 through 1997-1998 – on the Curling Executive of the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club, including one year as Vice President and one year as President. He also served four seasons on the Silver Fox Board of Directors from 1998-1999 to 2001-2002.
He spent several years on the ice committee at the Silver Fox for both provincial and national competitions, including Seniors and Juniors curling, as well as for the Grand Slam of Curling event held at Credit Union Place.
Since 1995, Lou Nowlan has achieved three PEI Seniors Curling Championships, seven PEI Legion Curling Championships, two Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Curling Championships, 11 Provincial Masters championships, and three Maritime Masters. He is being inducted into the Hall of Fame and Museum in the Curler category.