And the pitch — it changed as the weather did, shortening
or lengthening as ice conditions changed, but the participants
didn't seem to care. With their four-person teams, no one
pulled out their measuring tape to see if the area was the
45- to 46-meter length of a competition-size pitch, and even
fewer questioned the ice. Small puddles of water became
a brief concern midday, not because of the fear of falling
through the 8-inch ice, but because wet clothes in January is
rarely a good idea.
To play, the stones were released from the front edge of
a line called the hog, with extra bragging rights awarded to
those who could slide the farthest across the ice without
falling down, while still releasing the rock in the general
direction of the house. Points were awarded to the stones
closest to the center, and additional points were awarded
to teams for each stone that is closer than the best of their
opponents'. No points were awarded if teams are unable to
land a stone in the scoring area.
Cole's teams have won all but one year, and while bragging
rights were won that day, the object of Elk Creek curling is
always fun.
And fundraising. They do this in the most unique way
possible — sliding giant stones across a frozen Nebraska
farm pond in January, in hopes of sending rocks to
the house.
N
A Brief Curling History
Above is the 16th century painting "Winter landscape
with a bird trap" by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, of
Belgium, which portrays a scene of a sport similar to
curling being played on frozen ponds.
The first recognized curling clubs were formed in
Scotland during the 19th century with international
competitions also being held during this century.
By the early 20th century, the game had reached
such notoriety it was included in the first Olympic
Winter Games in 1924. However, it was removed from
Olympic programming until gaining official medal
status in 1998 by the International Olympic Committee.
Nowadays, national and international competitions
take place on indoor rinks under carefully controlled
ice conditions, and more laid-back versions of this
popular winter sport are held throughout the world
on frozen waters, including at least one in Elk Creek,
Nebraska.
December 2022 • Nebraskaland 43
