Highlands Lawn Bowling Club

Some wonderful pictures I took of our 100th Highlands Lawn Bowling Club Anniversary in May 2018.

The top photo is of our former lovely President, Linda Gallagher, Kathy Kerr and an unknown gal in sunglasses beside her at our anniversary celebration. Linda was probably the reason I started to get involved in volunteering for the club. She was always friendly and encouraged me to help out at the socials. Now I’m Communications Director for the club and really enjoy it. Linda, Kathy, Gary, Eileen, Barb, Tony and Joy and more were always so welcoming when I started with my husband Kerry. Really warm and friendly people at Highlands Lawn Bowling Club.

Second picture is of Barbara Spencer showing former Honourable Brian Mason, Minister of Transportation and MLA for Highlands Norwood Constituency some tips on how to bowl.

Third picture is left to right of Helen Gillespie, Laurel Erickson and my husband, Kerry Weeks at the anniversary celebrations.

Fourth picture is of one of our members, Vivian Kwan showing and teaching Member of Parliament for Edmonton Greisbach, Kerry Diotte how to bowl at our Anniversary Celebrations.

Fifth photo is of three unknown guests under our anniversary banner enjoying the festivities.

Final photo (sixth) of our former President, Barbara Spencer in action bowling at our Anniversary Celebrations. It was a great day, warm, sunny and a great turnout at our 100th Anniversary celebrations in 2018 at the Club. We hope to have many more events in 2021 once the restrictions are lifted. Looking forward to lawn bowling in four short months! Happy New Year folks! Hope you are keeping active and healthy.

Starting Monday, January 18th, outdoor gatherings up to 10 people are allowed. Make sure you get out for walks, cross country skiing, skating, tobogganing, and start getting into action for the start of lawn bowling in May 2021!

Personal and Wellness Services are also open by appointment only. Ensure you book to see your hair stylist if you haven’t yet! Massage therapy, spa services (manicure, facial, pedicure) are also available.

Funeral services are now permitted up to 20 people in attendance at a service. No receptions are permitted. Let’s hope things ease up more, like recreation centres and restaurants in our province. Stay safe and healthy folks!

Wishing all our Highlands Lawn Bowling club members the merriest Christmas!  It has been a difficult year for all navigating through these COVID times.  However, we were able to have a Corona-tournament in September 2020.  We also had a very high participation rate in members bowling on a regular basis at the club during our bowling season.  We were able to successfully keep all Health Protocols in place and a great thanks to the following for doing so:  Gary Schwandz, Eileen Passmore, Joy White, Cecilia Gillespie, Kathy Kerr, Thelma Melnichuk, Richard Fitzgibbon.  Joy did a great job in organizing the Corona tournament and Eileen did a super job in setting up the online booking!  Our volunteers and board members came together to step it up and it turned out to be a very successful bowling season, despite our challenges.  I wish you all a safe, healthy and joyful New Year.  There will be new groups – particularly youth engaged in Highlands, one being the Girl Guides & Pathfinders group in our own neighborhood.  I was able to secure that before the year end.  I do hope our members will sign up early and encourage others to join us as we have so much to offer for the 2021 season.  Stay tuned for more details!  Happy New Years Highlands Lawn Bowlers!  It will be a great 2021!!!  Picture shown below is from the year 2018, our 100th Anniversary.  Written by Janice Fleming, Communications Director

Eileen started bowling in 2015, five years ago. “I went to an open house in May at the Highlands Lawn Bowling club the same year I retired.” Eileen has played in many tournaments. “I’ve played in the Klondike Quadi at the Royal Lawn Bowling club.” I’ve played in the President’s Cup.” She has played in the Provincial Women’s Seniors and the Medicine Hat Memorial Tournament. One bowls memory she is proud of is the Seniors Tournament she played with Joy White and Kathy Kerr. “We came in 3rd!”Lawn bowling is the only sport she participates in as she said she is not a sporty person. I tend to disagree with this as I’ve seen Eileen bowl and she is a very good bowler. So I consider her sporty. I’m sure she does other interesting hobbies as Eileen is a very interesting lady. She is easy to talk with, very outgoing and friendly and was one of the first people I met who was very warm and welcoming to me and my husband Kerry Weeks when we first joined as members of the Highlands Lawn Bowling Club. I asked Eileen who she admires or looks up to. “I look up to my husband Ron as he is a very wise person. I admire the following people in the sport of lawn bowling: Richard Turner, Ed Gallacher, Cecilia Gillespie and Joy White. The concentration and focus they put on the sports and bowling have taught me to become a better bowler while having fun and enjoying it. They are able to maintain their focus, and concentration while they are bowling, enjoy the game and treat everyone with respect.””The best advice I ever received was from Cecilia Gillespie. She said take something positive away from every shot.”The most interesting place I’ve travelled recently was Russia. It has a very similiar climate like northern Alberta; same vegetation and birds. Culturally it is very different and beautiful. Russia is very rich in history. It would take a long time to really understand its history. It was a wonderful trip!

Written by Janice D. Fleming

When did you start bowling?  I started lawn bowling  in the spring of 1997 when I worked for Alberta Environment.  I was invited to try out for the Corporate Challenge and wanted to try my hand at lawn bowling.

How were you introduced to the sport of bowls?  I received an email from the Corporate Challenge inviting us out to join.

How and when did you start lawnbowling with Highlands Lawn Bowling club?  I started bowling with Highlands in 2018.

Have you played in any tournaments?  I played my first tournament with the club in August/September 2020.  I won a bronze medal and a silver medal with Corporate challenge in lawn bowling.

Name one bowls memory that your proud of.    I helped my team win a silver and bronze medal in 2018/2019 for corporate challenge.

What others sports are you playing or that you enjoy?  I love playing golf, tennis, hiking in the mountains, ballroom dancing (I’m an instructor) and swimming.

Who do you look up to (sports-related or not) and why?   I look up to my grandfather, Michael Rudnicky.  He came to Canada with very little to start a new life as his land was being taken from him.  He worked hard, and was a farmer, businessman and innovator.  He managed the local church and had electricity installed into the community.  I lived and cared for him for 7 years and I miss him dearly.  I learned so much from him and thank him for the sacrifice he made to have a better life.  If it wasn’t for him, my mother Anne, and father Ron, I would not be blessed to live here in Canada.

What is your best piece of bowls advice you’ve received or want to give?  Stay focussed, communicate well with your partner and watch your movements and placing before you release the bowl.

What place have you travelled to and tell us about your experience?  I’ve travelled all over  to Ireland, Scotland, England, Italy, Switzerland, and Prince Edward Island.  All are unique.  I will tell you about Ireland.  My father was born in Dublin.  I went as a child at the age of two.  I then went again in 2005 with my father and with my own family in 2015.  The country is filled with wonder, down to earth people, and the food is fantastic!  Countryside is breath-taking, be sure to see Blarney Castle, Waterford, The Ring of Kerry, Dublin and any small town.  Hospitality is fantastic!

Eight teams participated in the Pairs Competition on Monday evening,  August 31st at the Lawn Bowling Club.   Cecilia Gillespie acted as our Drawmaster and reviewed the rules and COVID procedures.  President, Gary Schwandt provided greetings and was pleased with the turnout and interest in this event.  Thanks to Joy White who organized this wonderful event!  The Competition will continue on Sept 7th and 14th at 7pm.   Good luck to all!

We are back to modified play at Highlands Lawn Bowling club!  The weather is hot and the players are ready to compete!  It is great to be playing in small teams while properly social distancing and following all safety protocols.  Make sure you sign up on the following link: https://signup.com/go/XAVFRvM.  There are various days and times that you can choose from.  See you at the club soon!

Happy Canada Day from the Highlands Lawn Bowling Club!  This Canada Day picture was taken in 2019.  We hope to see you soon at the club as we enter into Phase 2 whereby we can start to play actual games.  This will commence July 4th.  You must sign up prior to play and be a member.