O’LEARY (by Eric McCarthy)– As a member of the Maple Leaf Curling Club from the time the sports facility opened in 1978, this year’s P.E.I. Curling Hall of Fame induction ceremony was a double honour for O’Leary’s Clair Sweet.

The 2018 P.E.I. Curling Hall of Fame inductees, from left, Derek MacEwen, Susan McInnis, Cliff Poirier, Ernie Stavert and Clair Sweet pose beside their portraits. This year’s induction took place recently at the Hall of Fame’s new permanent home, the Maple Leaf Curling Club in O’Leary. – Eric McCarthy

His home club is now the permanent home for the Hall of Fame. Portraits of all Hall of Fame members are displayed in the club’s main entrance and at the top of the stairs.
“We’re pleased,” said Sweet, the club’s past president. “It’s going to add to our entry way. It’s a nice addition to our club as well as giving them a home for pictures at this time.”
Jerry Muzika, chairman of the P.E.I. Curling Hall of Fame since 2006, expressed hope that having the portraits of curlers permanently on display will help inspire others to curl. Prior to this year, the portraits were stored away for most of the year, and only put on display during special events.

Sweet is the second member of the Maple Leaf Curling Club to be named to the Hall of Fame.  
Sweet, Ernie Stavert, Derek MacEwen and Cliff Poirier were enshrined in the builder category, and Cornwall curler Susan McInnis joined in the “curler” category.
“I did lots of curling over the years,” acknowledged Sweet, who has served on his club’s executive for more than 25 years. “I wouldn’t be a standout like most of the people who were inducted on the curling side of things, but I certainly enjoyed the curling aspect of the sport over the years.”

Click for the full story, including information on the other four inductees, in the Journal Pioneer.