The Senior Friendship Tour Committee, along with their Canadian counterparts, have been working hard to put together a memorable Tour. Eight clubs will host curling with the kickoff game at Schenectady Curling Club on Tuesday, November 8, and the Welcome Dinner at Albany Curling Club later that evening. The itinerary can be found on the Itinerary Sr Friendship Tour 2021(22) page. All are welcome to support and cheer on the participants. If you can't join us in person, come back to this page often to watch our progress along the route and experience the Tour vicariously! It's sure to bring a smile to your face and show a bit of the "Spirit of Curling" that we all enjoy.

Today we picked up the Canadian curlers in Boston and headed out for our journey together. After a wonderful lunch at Boca Bella that included a singing guitarist and complimentary dessert, we made a last minute detour to stop at Broomstones.

At Broomstones, we saw the Scot Tour in action. We got to see the club, some curling, visit with some curlers from the States and Scotland, and get a few pictures together. Too soon we were back on the road and off to Albany to get ready for our opening games tomorrow at Schenectady and the Welcome Dinner later at Albany Curling Club. The Friendship Tour is off to a great start.  

Our second day together brought the first day of curling. Schenectady welcomed the Canadians with a broom arch and Apple cider donuts before everyone was piped onto the ice and toasted the piper. Lively games followed on keen ice and friendly competition. An excellent lunch featuring area food and entertainment by the Canadians wrapped up the morning.

After a bit of an afternoon break, Albany welcomed us for the Opening Dinner. Excellent food, speakers including an area Assemblywoman and Beau Welling, President of the WCF (via Zoom), and wonderful entertainment by club and tour members provided a welcome that will be remembered by all attending. 

Utica welcomed the Friendship Tour today with a full schedule. We arrived to a warm reception and sweet breads and coffee and tea. The Canadians then did some group warmups that were impressive, and impromptu.

The play opened with the players marching onto the ice and forming two lines so Joyce Shaffer, a Utica curler that was a member of the first Friendship Tour back in 1990, could throw the first rock between the lines of players as they made a broom arch overhead.

Broomstacking took place after the fourth end. Something new and enjoyed by the Canadians! Lunch followed the play. The afternoon brought a tour of the Munson, Williams, Proctor Arts Institute lead by docent and Utica curler Susan Williams. The day wrapped up with dinner back at the curling club. The Tour continues to make connections and memories for everyone involved.

Today we traveled from Albany to Norfolk. On our way we made a stop in Great Barrington for a stretch, shopping, River walk, and lunch. Norfolk welcomed us and as two teams played, the others got a tour of the amazing library. The groups then swapped places. Each also had a chance to enjoy some of the play of their tour mates when they returned from the tours.

A pasta dinner and special cake wrapped up the evening before hitting the road and driving towards Boston and our next destination.

Everyone had a wonderful time at their first billet of the Tour. Lots of happy people as we gathered together this morning at TCC with future plans being made.

Then it was off to Boston for a free day to explore the city with the help of trolley hopper tickets. Many enjoyed Cheers Pub for a bite or beverage but found not everyone knew our names!We had amazing weather as the storm cleared early and we enjoyed sunshine and temps in the 70s. A great day.

After grabbing a bite en route at the Southside Tavern in Braintree where pre-ordered food and good service made for a quick stop, we arrived that night at the Cape with an enthusiastic welcome, dessert, and refreshments. Everyone retired to the homes of area hosts for enjoyable visits for our second billet. 

After a restful night sleeping at our billets we were again warmly welcomed at Nutmeg Curling Club. We processed onto the ice following the piper and both the US and Canadian flags. Pictured with the Canadian flag is USWCA Past President Nadia Leslie. The women enjoyed off-ice time watching their teammates curl and relaxing in the warm room.

Deluxe Grilled Cheese sandwiches, salad, and soups were enjoyed for lunch with an assortment of homemade cakes. Before we departed the Tour banner, given by the Canadians, was already proudly displayed.

We visited the Philadelphia Curling Club.

The Tour was gifted broom head covers with Philadelphia themed fabric. Broomstacking finished up the day before we headed off to Potomac.  

We had a free day in Washington DC. The day started with a group activity of a special docent led tour of the Women's Memorial arranged by a committee member and Navy service woman Nadyne Krienke. It was an inspiring visit as we learned of the progression of women's rolls in the service throughout time.   

The museum has a literal glass ceiling. There are etchings in the glass and when the light hits at the right angle the shadow of the etching is thrown on the wall inside. This was a special treat honoring women.	The group then decided to extend our visit in Arlington and walked up to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier where we got to see the changing of the guard. The one we observed had a female as the supervisor of the change. So special after coming straight from the Women's Memorial.

Our Coach driver, Damiean, got us right to the White House for a photo op.	And of course a piper was playing so we all felt "piped on"!

The rest of the day everyone could go explore the Mall area with all of the Monuments and Smithsonian Museums. And fun to see the Natural Science Museum after watching Night at the Museum on the trip down!

We gathered again at the Washington Monument and were able to go up inside for a final look, from 500 feet above, over the US Capitol in all directions. We were gifted with another wonderful day of weather and many memories to take and share back home.

Our last day was full and fun.

We started with a quick trip to visit the Vanadu Art House. A residence that is considered "Suburban Burning Man: A weird art-encrusted cottage on an ordinary street".
	After touring this yard and house we moved on to Potomac CC for lunch and games.
Former Tour member Jan Little joined us and Kelly Stephens also came in to support the Tour and get to know the Canadian guests. The games wrapped up the play for the Tour. The beginning of the end. Bittersweet.
	The hogs of the hotline became a theme enjoyed by the Canadians throughout the tour.
After the game the entertainment became lively then it was back to the hotel to get ready for the Farewell Dinner.
	We had two players from the Washington Divas (tackle football) come represent the Washington Coalition of Women's Professional Sports and address the group with an inspiring presentation on now to do it all and keep your own goals in the forefront.

Many moments throughout the tour showed the strength of women and all that has been accomplished and what still is to come. Women bagpipers, women in the service, women sports coalition to have a voice. It was all inspiring. The evening continued with dinner and other presentations by Lauren Luther, President of the Potomac Curling Club, and Kelly Stephens, USWCA 1st VP (next President) and former Friendship Tour member. Gifts were exchanged and tears fell. The trip to the airport was filled with singing and a few more tears and promises that more was to come.