Board members of the Hall of Fame and Museum include Muzika as chair, along with Marilyn Sutherland, Barb Currie, and Bev Miller, along with Paul H. Schurman as Advisor/Consultant, and Dave Murphy, President of the PEICA.

Dignitaries on hand to offer their congratulations to the inaugural inductees included Al Forsythe, President of the Canadian Curling Association, Barry Chappell, Councillor, City of Summerside, Janice Sherry, MLA Summerside-Wilmot, Nancy Sinclair, President, Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club, and David Murphy, President, PEI Curling Assocaition. Les Harrison, President of the World Curling Federation, was unable to attend due to commitments at the Monctonian bonspiel, but sent along a congratulatory note. Master of Ceremonies for the event was Paul H. Schurman.

Here is the evening’s programme:

PEI Curling Hall of Fame & Museum
First Induction Ceremony
Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club
Thursday, November 15, 2007… 7:00pm
Paul H. Schurman…. Master of Ceremonies

Welcome…………………………………………………. Paul H. Schurman

Acknowledgment of Special Guests………………….. Paul H. Schurman

Welcome………………………………………………… Jerry Muzika, Chair.. PEI Curling Hall of Fame

Greetings………………………………………………… City of Summerside
Government of PEI
Silver Fox Curling Club
Canadian Curling Association
PEI Curling Association

Citations & Inductions…………………………………. Honourable Thane E. Campbell
Douglas Cameron
Elizabeth Linkletter
George Dillon
Kathleen and Alexander MacDonald
Robert Dillon
Helen and Hugh Robbins
Catherine Dillon

Closing Remarks………………………………………….. Paul H. Schurman

Here are the evening’s proceedings:

Inaugural Induction Ceremonies, Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame and Museum
Thursday, November 15, 2007, Silver Fox Curling & Yacht Club
Paul H. Schurman, MC

Good evening Ladies & Gentlemen….. let me welcome you to this inaugural Induction Ceremony for the Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame and Museum. Under the auspices of Curl Prince Edward Island, tonight is a very special one for some very special curlers and their families. These ceremonies shall acknowledge the achievements of no less than ten (10) Prince Edward Islanders, who have brought honour and distinction to themselves and to the sport in our Province. Let us rise now and welcome the Inductees as they make their way to their places of honour.

In a moment you shall hear about some of the background surrounding the formation of the Hall of Fame…. but I want first to acknowledge the presence of some other special guests who have joined with us this evening… some of whom will later address you. Councillor Barry Chappell, City of Summerside…… the MLA for Summerside / Wilmot, Janice Sherry…. the President of the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club, Nancy Sinclair….. the President of the Canadian Curling Association, Al Forsythe….. and David Murphy, President of the PEI Curling Association.
OTHERS :…………

Certainly we are grateful for the assistance of Curl PEI and special thanks as well to D. Alex MacDonald Ford Lincoln and Sport PEI

Now, the man who has been the driving force leading up to our special gathering tonight….. he has a special welcome, and shall relate some of the background information about the Hall…………he is a member of the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame…. please welcome the Chair of the Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame and Museum… Mr Jerry Muzika.

Now, it’s Greetings time………
With his own special greetings and those of the Mayor and Council, and the citizens of the City of Summerside, Councillor Barry Chappell.

We welcome remarks from the Government and the people of Prince Edward Island…. the MLA for S’Side / Wilmot Ms. Janice Sherry.

We are pleased that the Silver Fox made this venue available for this special evening….. we welcome greetings too from the President of the Silver Fox Curling and Yacht Club Ms. Nancy Sinclair.

Here is the President of the Canadian Curling Association… Mr. Al Forsythe, with his special greetings.

And a man who has been very helpful to the organizing committee over the past number of weeks… the President of the PEI Curling Association, Mr David Murphy.

Ladies and Gentlemen…. let us begin our Induction Ceremonies…..
I shall read the Citation of each of the Inductees…. following which, they or their representatives shall be asked to come forward to receive their Citation from one of our Board members and to unveil a special Caricature produced by the talents of Wayne Wright… each inductee, or his or her representative, shall have the opportunity to respond.

Our first inductee is a posthumous one….. the late Honourable Thane E. Campbell…..
( Paul H reads and asks Jerry Muzika to present the Citation to representative…………….
………………………………………. and assist in the unveiling )

Next, Douglas Cameron…..
( Paul H reads and asks Marilyn Sutherland to present the Citation to representative…………………………………………………. and assist in the unveiling.)

Our first Woman inductee is a posthumous one…… the late Elizabeth Linkletter……….
( Paul H reads the Citation and asks Barb Currie to present the Citation to representative……………………………………………………………….and assist in the unveiling.)

George Dillon…..
( Paul H Reads the Citation and asks Bev Millar to present the Citation to…………………………………………………………and assist in the unveiling.)

Kathleen & D. Alex MacDonald…..
( Paul H reads the Citation and asks David Murphy to present the two Citations to Kay and Alex and assist in the unveiling of the two caricatures.)

Robert Dillon…..
( Paul H reads the Citation and asks Al Forsythe to present the Citation to Bob and assist in the unveiling )

Helen and Hugh Robbins………
( Paul H reads the Citation and asks Nancy Sinclair to present the Citation and assist Helen & Hugh in the unveiling of the two caricatures ).

Catherine Dillon…….
( Paul H reads the Citation and asks Jerry Muzika to present the Citation and assist Cathy in the unveiling ).

Ladies and Gentlemen… our very first Induction Ceremonies is about to come to a close…. I want, on behalf of the Board of Directors, to thank you for being part of it all with your attendance…. and certainly we all join in congratulating the inductees and their representatives for what has, I’m sure, been a most proud and memorable evening. You are all welcome to stay and enjoy some delicious food snacks prepared by the people here at the Silver Fox.
You’ve been a great audience… have a safe journey to you place of destination.. Good night to you all !

Here are the biographies of the first ten inductees into the PEI Sports Hall of Fame and Museum:

The Honourable Thane A. Campbell 1895-1978

He was born in Summerside on July 7,1895………. received his Bachelor of Arts from St. Dunstan’s University and his Master of Arts degree from Dalhousie University. He then attended Oxford University in England as a Rhodes Scholar to study law for five years, returning to Summerside in 1922 to read law…. and in 1927, established his own law practice.

His curling interests were formally launched in 1928 when he joined the Summerside Curling Club, then located on St. Stephen Street. He soon formed his own team and captured the 1935 club championship.

He was President of the PEI Curling Association in 1936. In this capacity, he was instrumental in bringing about the Provincial Association’s affiliation with the Dominion Curling Association, Canada’s governing curling body….. the name was officially changed to the Canadian Curling Association in 1968. He was largely responsible for PEI being included in the Macdonald Brier Championship for the first time in 1936. The participation of the PEI teams in the Dominion playdowns was credited with greatly stimulating membership, interest and competition in curling throughout the province.

He was President of the Dominion Curling Association for the 1941-1942 season, having been elected to the post during the annual meeting in Toronto.

In 1943, he was elected Vice-president of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club of Scotland. Normally, the past president is only appointed for one year but with the war years, he was in that position for a few years. A photo shows him as Vice President in 1948. This organization serves as the mother club of curling in Canada and our Inductee was involved in promoting the sport at the international level.

From 1945 to 1953, he was a member of the PEI Curling Association. He chaired several committees including the Rules Committee and the Physical Fitness Trophy Committee.

He made a proposal to the PEI Curling Association in 1945 to hold an “open” Maritime Bonspiel. His suggestion was accepted and he was asked to head up a committee to investigate this project. His findings stated that the provincial Brier playoff should be held at the same time. His report was accepted and he became chairman of the Maritime Bonspiel which was called the Confederation Bonspiel for 1947. The bonspiel, held in the Charlottetown Forum, became very successful. He chaired the General Executive Committee which ran the bonspiel for seven years, which included the provincial playoffs for the Brier, and he was made Honourary Chairman of the Bonspiel in 1954. The bonspiel still runs today, although somewhat modified in format and administered by the Charlottetown Curling Club.

Mr. Campbell was responsible for the PEI Curling Association approving a Maritime Bonspiel for junior curlers in 1946. He met with officials in Moncton and they decided that the first bonspiel would be held in that City. The trophy was called the Physical Fitness Trophy.

In 1948, following the lead of the western provinces, he, along with Harold Gaudet organized “school boy” curling on the Island. The Summerside Curling Club was one of the first clubs in the Atlantic Provinces to introduce school boy curling. In one short year, the sheets were filled with youth on school days. Soon the Island school boy championships were born, and he helped organize this event. His son, Alex, represented the Island at the Nationals in 1953.

Our Inductee was one of the leading promoters and investors responsible for acquiring artificial ice in the Summerside Curling Club on Notre Dame Street in 1947-48.

In 1949, he presented to the PEI Curling Association, an outline of a program arrangement for a visit to Canada by a group of curlers from Scotland. The program included a stop in PEI in 1950, and he chaired the committee handling all matters pertaining to the visit. There were a few more visits, such as in 1957 and 1965… and he was involved in some capacity in these visits as it appears he was an Honorary Life Member. There were other tours as well with the Swiss and with the United States and his involvement in these tours, whether as a curler or in administration, was evident.

He was appointed as trustee of the Macdonald Brier Tankard in 1946. At that time, the Brier trustees established all the rules of Brier competition as well as a code of ethics for Brier participants. The body was also consulted each year regarding site selection, and he was instrumental in influencing the decision to hold the 1964 Brier in Charlottetown. The trustees were responsible for the overall successful operation of the annual Brier championship. He was a member of the executive of the Dominion Curling Association during the time that he was a Trustee. He chaired the board of trustees from 1963 to 1972, and carried on in this capacity for 25 years, retiring in 1972.

A regular participant in many bonspiels held locally and in the Maritimes, Thane Campbell and his teammates would also participate in the Quebec International Bonspiel and the Montreal International Bonspiel.

A frequent guest speaker at national and international events, the Ottawa Journal in 1953 described Mr. Campbell as “one of Canada’s leading authorities on granite curling,” when he spoke at the opening of the Rideau Curling Club.

He was given an Honourary Life Membership of the Dominion Curling Association in 1947……… and was elected to the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame, as a builder, in 1974.

In 1967, he was inducted into the Governor-General’s Curling Club. To qualify for membership, a person must have, as a player or builder of the game, distinguished himself in curling and exhibited outstanding qualities of good sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct, and the true spirit of the game.

Public life saw him elected to the Provincial Legislature in 1931 and he served as Premier from 1935 until 1943, when he resigned to accept the position of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island.

He was active in a number of commissions and associations…… He served with the National Historic Sites and Monuments Board… The National Library Council… the War Claims Commission… the Boards of Governors of Dalhousie University and of Saint Dunstan’s University…. and was named Chief Commissioner of the Foreign Claims Commission. Mr. Campbell was inducted as a Companion of the Order of Canada in 1973. He was the first Chancellor of the University of PEI in 1968….. and received Honourary Doctor of Laws, Degrees from the University of PEI and Dalhousie University.

The outstanding contribution of the late Honorable Thane A. Campbell to the roaring game of curling spans nearly 50 years, during which he played a prominent role in developing the sport at the local, provincial, national, and international levels.

His accomplishments… his development of school boy curling… his leadership… his promotion… his participation and encouragement of others are most worthy of recognition as a builder of curling on PEI.. The PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum, postumously, inducts Thane A. Campbell as its first member on this day, November 15, 2007.

Douglas Allison “Doug” Cameron

Two trivia questions have been asked in past National Curling Publications…… “Only one Maritime Skip in the history of the Brier is included with the all – time greats who have skipped more than 25 victories “…. Who is he? He is Doug Cameron, with 26 wins in five appearances.

“Only two curlers in Canada have skipped in all four Canadian Curling Association sanctioned events… namely the Brier, the Juniors, the Mixed, and the Seniors “…. Who are they? Saskatchewan’s Bayne Secord is one… the other is PEI’s Doug Cameron.

Doug skipped the PEI Team in the first ever National School Boy Championships in 1950 at Quebec City, finishing in a tie for third place… he was in Nelson, B.C. the following year.

He has represented our Province in seven Brier Championships… 5 times as a skip and twice as a third. He recorded a total of 26 wins and 24 losses in his five appearances as a skip…… twice recording 6 wins and 4 losses in the years between 1958 and 1965…… the era often referred to as the “Golden Years of Curling”, because of Richardson, Gervais and Baldwin. Games were 12 ends and corn brooms were used… out of 10 teams, he finished tied for third once and finished fourth once….. no playoffs then…. he had 9 wins while playing third, for a total of 35 wins in Brier competition.

Doug Cameron’s teams were invited and participated twice in the CBC Televised Curling Series in Winnipeg… in 1963 and 1964.. defeating the Richardsons in the semi-final in ’64, but losing to the Hersh Lerner Rink in the final.

Doug and his team-mates were the only team east of the Manitoba border to be invited in all of the three years that the Invitational Tournament of Champions was held at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto… 1964 – ’65 – ’66…. only 8 teams were invited each year…. their best showing was in 1965 when they finished as runner-up to Hec Gervais in a 3-2 final. That year they scored victories over the four time World Champions, Richardsons…. Hector Gervais, twice World Champions….. B.C’s Lyle Dagg, World Champion…. Bud Sommerville of the U.S., twice World Champion… and Matt Baldwin, three time Canadian Brier Champion.

While living in Ottawa in 1967 to 1970, Doug’s team won the City of Ottawa Bonspiel in 1969…. And his was one of two Ottawa teams who won the right to play against two Montreal teams in the Governor General Matches.

Doug Cameron represented PEI at the National Mixed Championships at Charlottetown in 1973… finishing with a 5 and 5 record…. In 1974 he was elected to the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame.. the first year of elections…….. and before retiring from active curling he skipped PEI Rinks in the 1989 and 1991 Canadian Seniors Championships. He was

inducted into the Prince Edward Island Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.

He has served as a Director and as President of the Charlottetown Curling Club… and was Host Committee Chair of the 1990 McCain’s Skins Game at the Ch’Town Club.

Doug is a Certified Curling Coach, and has coached PEI Teams at the Junior and Ladies National Championships…. most successfully at the 1977 World Junior Championships in Quebec City, when Charlottetown’s Bill Jenkins rink defeated Sweden in the final.

Truly one of the greatest curlers to slide from a Prince Edward Island Curling Rink hack…….. Douglas Allison “Doug” Cameron, who we welcome in the Curler/Builder category, as an inducted member of the “Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame and Museum”, this 15th day of November 2007.

Robert Francis Dillon

Bob Dillon has been prevalent on the Provincial and National Curling scene since the early 1960’s, achieving extraordinary distinction in the sport. His playing ability, sportsmanship and character have brought honour to the sport of curling in this Province and in Canada.

Bob’s major accomplishments include representing Prince Edward Island at the Brier in 1962, 1964, 1965, 1968, 1969, 1973 and 1974.

At the Canadian Mixed Championships in 1971, 1972, 1975, 1976, and 1978. And at the Canadian Seniors Championships in 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994 and 1995.

He received the Mixed Sportsmanship Award in 1976, and has also been a recipient of the Seniors Sportsmanship Award. At an International Invitational Tournament of Champions in Toronto in 1965, he skipped the runner-up team.

Bob Dillon was elected to the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame in the “Curler” category in 1974, at the age of 37. Since then, he has continued to excel in the sport by representing our Province at many National Championships….. in 1999 he was inducted into the Prince Edward Island Sports Hall of Fame.

He has contributed towards the development and advancement of curling in Prince Edward Island in other ways as well. He has served on the PEI Curling Association as the “Mixed Representative” to the National Championships for three years…. 1977 to 1979… and as the Junior Representative in 1980 – ‘ 81 and ‘ 82. He ‘s been part of several Host Committees during National Championships held in Charlottetown… including the National Mixed in 1973 and 1996… as well as the Scott Tournament of Hearts in 1984 and the McCain Skins Game. He’s been a member of the Charlottetown Curling Club since the late 1950’s, and, in fact, is an Honourary Life member of the Club.

Curling in this Province has been a part of our sports heritage since the early 1900’s and tonight we capture more of that rich heritage, as we induct, in the Curler Category, Robert Francis ” Bobby ” Dillon into the “Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame and Museum”, this 15th day of November 2007.

Catherine “Cathy” Dillon

It was in 1962, while teaching in Calgary, that Cathy Dillon began her curling career when asked to join a mixed curling team. Upon her return to Charlottetown, she joined the Charlottetown Curling Club in the fall of the same year, where she still curls today. She has participated as a player in nine Canadian Ladies Curling Championships and four Canadian Mixed Curling Championships. She has also contributed to the game of curling as an administrator, coach, and official.

Cathy has won six PEI Ladies Curling Championships – three as second for Marie Toole, 1970,1971 and 1972…… one as third for Marie in 1974…. and two as third for Kim Dolan, in 1983 and 1985. She also was the fifth player on three other PEI Ladies teams that represented this Province at the Canadian Curling Championships. In 1974, the PEI team was second at the National Championship.

As a mixed curler, our Inductee won four PEI Mixed Curling Championships – 1972, 1975, 1976 and 1978. All four were with her husband, Bobby, and all were as Third..

In 1972, she was with Bobby, John Fortier and Jean Court. In the other three years, she was with Bobby, Jean Court and Merrill Wigginton.

Cathy won the All-Star Award for Third at the1975 and the 1978 Canadian Mixed Curling Championships. The team also placed second at the Canadian Mixed Curling Championship in 1975.

She was on the provincial mixed runner-up team in 1966 and in 1977, playing with Alan Smith in 1966 and with Bobby’s Team in 1977.

She won the City Ladies Curling Championship three times, as third for Kim MacLeod in 1983, and as a skip in 1974 and 1975, with Audrey Simmons, Jean Court, and Janet MacDonald.

Cathy was also very involved in the administrative aspects of her chosen sport, beginning as Chairperson, Publicity of the Charlottetown Ladies Curling Club, in 1965 – 66. She continued to serve the Charlottetown Curling Club as their delegate to the PEI Ladies Curling Association in 1973 – 74.

She was Games Chairperson, PEI Ladies Curling Association in 1974 – 75 and Chairperson, Publicity for the Provincial Association in 1975 – 76. She moved on through the Executive of the PEI Ladies Curling Association as Second Vice President in 1979 – 80……. First Vice President in 1980 – 81, and President in 1981 – 82.

Cathy also participated in various roles on the organizing committees of three Canadian Ladies Curling Championships held in Charlottetown. She was the Games Chairperson for the 1973 MacDonald Lassie ( Canadian Ladies Curling Championship ) and a committee chairperson on the 1984 and the 1999 Scott Tournament of Hearts Committees. In 1984, she was the Co-Chair, Statistics……. the first year statistics were computerized. At the 1999 Scott, she chaired the Banquets Committee, and she also served on the Canada Winter Games Committee in 1990 – 91 as Vice-Chair of Ladies Curling.

Cathy coached the Junior Ladies curling team of Lori Robinson, Angela Roberts, Anne Dillon and Cathy Campbell, when they won the PEI Junior Ladies Championship in 1986 and 1987, and she went on to coach them as they represented PEI at the Canadian Junior Ladies Championship events. As well, Cathy coached this team as they represented PEI at the 1987 Canada Winter Games.

Cathy Dillon is a Certified Level 2 Official. Besides officiating at various Provincial competitions, she was an on-ice official at the Canadian Special Olympics Winter Games in 2004.

She has been recognized with various awards over the years …… In 1976, she received the Charlottetown Curling Club Curler of the Year Award….. was roasted on September 30, 1978 at the Charlottetown Curling Club…….. was inducted into Canadian Curling Hall of Fame on October 3,1995 as a Curler/Builder….. joining husband Bobby,who became a member in 1974. In 1995, she received the PEI Curling Association’s Recognition Award, sponsored by the Scott Tournament of Hearts……. and in May 2005, she received an Honorary Life Membership to the Charlottetown Curling Club.

Catherine “Cathy” Dillon, a most worthy inductee, in the curler/builder category, into the “Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame and Museum”, this 15th day of November, 2007.

George Dillon

George Dillon began to curl in 1943 when he was 5 years old. He was the “mascot” of the caretaker and his wife at the Charlottetown Curling Club.

He has competed in ten national curling championships…. his first national appearance was in 1955 at the National Schoolboy Championships in Sydney, Nova Scotia. He played third for the Barry MacDonald team…… the event is now called the Canadian Junior Men’s Curling Championship …. they placed runner-up in that competition.

Meanwhile, competitors at the Canadian Men’s Curling Championships are awarded a “purple heart” which players proudly wear on their curling apparel… the championship is often referred to as the “Brier”. George has eight purple hearts for his eight appearances at the Brier. This is a record for most appearances for a curler from PEI, tied this past March by Peter Gallant & Robert Campbell.

George’s first appearance at the Canadian Men’s Curling Championship (Brier) was in 1958, in Victoria, BC…. he played third for the Doug Cameron team.

In 1959, the competition was held in Quebec City and he curled third for the “Jiggs” MacDonald team.

In 1960 and 1961, he played third, again for the Doug Cameron team, at the national events in Fort William, (now Thunder Bay) and Calgary.

His next appearance at the Brier was in 1963 in Brandon. Again, he played third for the Doug Cameron team. Two years later, 1965, he played second for Doug Cameron’s team at the Brier in Saskatoon.

In 1970, George played third for the Art Burke team when they represented PEI at the Brier in Winnipeg…… and his final appearance at the Brier was in 1977 when he played third for the Ken MacDonald team in Montreal.

George Dillon was a versatile player. He could throw accurate takeouts playing in the second position as well as being able to execute the soft come-around-the-guard shots required of third stone curlers…… he was able to throw rocks with a lot of weight and still be consistently accurate.

George played on other curling teams that made it to five other PEI Men’s Championship finals but ended up in runner-up positions.

Our inductee played in his final national championship in 1979, playing third for the Bill Jenkins team at the National Legion Curling Championship in Lloydminster.

George Dillon was elected to the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame in the curler category in 1974.

This was the inaugural year for the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame. Three Islanders were selected in this special first year in the curler category….. he was one of them.

In 1964, 65, and 66, he was a member of the Doug Cameron team that participated in the Invitational Tournament of Champions held at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. Only eight teams were invited each year and theirs was the only one east of Manitoba in 1964…. and east of Ontario in both 1965 and 1966. The team placed fourth in 1964 and 1965 and second in 1966. George played third in 1964, and 1965 and second stone in 1966. At these events, the Cameron team had proud victories over legendary curling teams such as the Richardson’s, four-time world champions….. Bud Somerville, USA, twice world champion…. and three-time Canadian champion, Matt Baldwin.

Although complete records are not available… but according to Doug Cameron, George played with him and won at least eleven Charlottetown Curling Club Championships and six “City” Championships. The Club Championship was formerly known as the “Rendezvous Restaurant Trophy” and the City Championship was sponsored by “Henderson and Cudmore”. Both of these accomplishments are records at the local level.

Near the end of his competitive curling career, George Dillon curled in numerous Cash Bonspiels. In 1979, his team won the Cash Spiels in Montague, Charlottetown and Summerside.

Our inductee curled in what is known as the “Golden Years of Curling”. Games were 12 ends long, now they are 10 …… corn brooms ” boomed ” in the curling rinks, now the quiet push brooms are used. On Thursday of Brier week, teams played three 12-end games, a total of 36 ends, compared to 20 they would play today.

The PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum is pleased to welcome George Dillon, in the Curler Category, as an inducted Member on this day, November 15, 2007.

W. Elizabeth “Betty” Barbarie Linkletter

When the Provincial Ladies Curling Association was formed in Summerside on March 30, 1955, Betty Linkletter was elected as the first President. She had served as President of the Summerside Curling Club in 1951 – 52 and 1952 – 53.

Betty Linkletter was a very active member of the Summerside Curling Club on Notre Dame Street, introducing many new curlers to the game, and in 1958 she donated the “Betty Linkletter Challenge Trophy” to the Club, which promoted a great deal of competitive curling over the years, with all proceeds from the games going to the Prince County Hospital.

She skipped her team of Irene Silliphant, as mate… Sally Basler as 2nd stone and Fran Henthorn as Lead, to three consecutive Provincial Championships… in 1952, 1953 and 1954. It was called the “Silver D” then, sponsored by Dominion Stores until 1967. Provincial winners didn’t compete at National’s until the MacDonald “Lassie” was sponsored by the MacDonald Tobacco Company.

In 1977, Betty Linkletter was inducted, in the “Builder” category, to the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame, and in recognition of that honour, she was presented a plaque at the 1977 MacDonald Lassie sponsored Provincial Ladies Curling Championship Banquet, held at the George R. Pearkes V.C. Branch Royal Canadian Legion in Summerside. At the time, Betty joined nine other first Provincial Ladies Curling Association Presidents in the Hall.

The Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame & Museum celebrates the good work of Elizabeth “Betty” Linkletter and posthumously inducts her, in the Builder Category, into the Hall on this 15th day of November, 2007.

Kathleen “Kay” Stuart MacDonald and Daniel Alexander “Alex” MacDonald

No two people have given more to the Sport of Curling in Prince Edward Island than have the husband and wife team of Kay and D. Alex MacDonald.

Kay began her curling career at the former Summerside Curling Club on Notre Dame Street, competing at the Club level and at the other Island Curling Clubs. In 1977 she was the winner of the “Ben Ames Williams International Mixed Bonspiel” in Belfast, Maine, curling as Lead for the Wyman Millar foursome…. the Bonspiel originated in 1962 and is named for the distinguished author of “Leave Her To Heaven”, Ben Ames Williams, himself a curler, residing in Searsport, near Belfast. The annual event includes teams from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts… as well as New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

In 1983, Kay, playing lead for the Gen Enman Rink, won the PEI Senior Women’s Championship and competed at the Nationals in Guelph, Ontario.

Kay MacDonald was an active member of the Ladies Division of the Summerside Curling Club….. always ready to assist in Club activities, banquets, fund raising, etc…… and was Vice-President of the Club in 1976 and 1977, and was active in Membership and Publicity in 1977 and 1978.

Meanwhile, Alex, also began his curling career at the Summerside Curling Club, competing in the club events as well as at other Island Curling Clubs. He played second stone for the Wyman Millar team as they won the 1976 and 1977 “Ben Ames Williams International Mixed Bonspiel” in Belfast, Maine….. they recorded the first back- to-back wins by any team in the history of the prestigious event.

Alex MacDonald, like Kay, contributed greatly to Club activities….. he served as Co -Chair of Fund Raising for the Silver Fox Curling & Yacht Club… he donated a 1929 Model “A” Ford as a fund raiser, and ticket sales were sponsored by the Junior Curlers of the Club. He also served on the Board of Directors for the new Club.

As owner of D. Alex MacDonald Ltd, he has sponsored the “D. Alex MacDonald Closing Mixed Bonspiel” for 44 years…. and the “Provincial Men’s 8 year and Under” for 24 years

For their contribution and dedication to curling, Alex and Kay were chosen as Honourary Hosts for the 2002 “Karcher Canadian Jr Curling Championships” held at the Silver Fox.

They have raised a family of 11 children : Donald, Roberta, David, Danny, Peter, Rod, Joanne, Michael, Pamela, Neil and Kathy….. Donald passed away in 2005.

They may have retired from active Curling, but they passed on their love of the game to a number of their children… creating a Family Curling Dynasty. Many are PEI Champions who have competed in National Events, such as the Brier, Scottie Tournament of Hearts and National Mixed….. two members of the family are Canadian Mixed Champions. Their family, like Mom & Dad, have also contributed greatly to their respective clubs, by serving on the executive, and by sponsorship and coaching… which has made Alex & Kay so very proud of their many achievements.

Kay and Alex MacDonald are Life Members of the Silver Fox Curling & Yacht Club… and for their tremendous contribution to Curling in this Province, they are worthy inductees as Builders, into the Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame & Museum, this 15th day of November 2007.

Helen Robbins and Hugh Robbins

Two names that have been synonymous with the game of curling are Helen and Hugh Robbins. The Robbins joined the old Montague Curling Club in 1964. Hugh was Vice – President of the Club the last few years of its existence, and was on the Building Committee for the new Club and the Project Manager for its construction when it was built in 1978. He was Vice – President in 1980-1981… then President in 1981-1982, and was on the Board for the next several years as Bar Manager, Chair of Maintenance, and Chair of Games at different times.

Helen held Executive positions on the new club, including President in 1983 – 84, and has helped organize and supervise the Junior Development Program at the Club. She has represented the Club at the Provincial Ladies Association for many years…. was on the Committee which wrote the Constitution and Bylaws for the proposed amalgamation of the PEI Curling Association and the PEI Ladies Curling Association. She became Vice – President for three years from 1988 to 1991… then President of the new Association in 1991 – 92, and Past President in 1992 – 93. Helen served as the Provincial Representative to the meetings of the Canadian Curling Association from 1989 to 1992. In 1997, she was honoured to be a member of the Canada – USA Senior Women’s Friendship Tour to Wisconsin and Illinois. Helen Robbins reached her Level One Coaching Certificate and Level 3 officiating……. coaching and/or chaperoning many Junior Teams at Provincial competitions, and officiating at countless club, provincial and national events, including Canada Winter Games, National Mixed, and Scott Tournament of Hearts. She was also Chair, or on the Committee for the Fashion Show from 1992 to 2006…. and both she and Hugh have sponsored a Junior Competition at the Montague Curling Club for the past 20 years. For her untiring work with curling and many other facets of her community, Helen received the highest honour bestowed by this Province, on October 3rd, 2007.. the Order of Prince Edward Island.

Hugh Robbins represented the Montague Club at the Provincial Level…. he was Vice – President of the PEI Curling Association in 1981 – 82… President in 1982 – 83, and Past President in 1983 – 1984….. receiving the PEI Curling Association Recognition Award. Both Hugh and Helen were given Life Memberships to the PEI Curling Association in 2007…. Helen had earlier received a Life Membership to the Montague Curling Club in 1993, and a National Coaching Award and a Scott Recognition Award in that same year.

Hugh became a Level 3 official, like Helen… officiating at Provincial and National events, including the Canada Winter Games, National Mixed and Scott Tournament of Hearts.

For many, many years, this husband and wife team were the mainstay of their club during Bonspiels…. arriving early… helping to officiate and assisting in many other ways…. and staying to clean up!

Helen and Hugh Robbins, most worthy recipients of the Honour that is their’s tonight as they are inducted, as Builders, into the Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame and Museum on this 15th day of November 2007.