Olga Pacholok was the honorary curler at the Athabasca Curling Clubís Ladies Bonspiel last month.
An avid curler since the 1960ís, Pacholok has played a huge role in the ongoing health and growth of the local club. She served on the club executive for a number of years and helped start and run an afternoon ladies league, which introduced countless women to the game.
She has also been part of a team (with Helen Hyde, Julianne Pylypuik and Bessie Speers) that has represented Athabasca at the provincial seniors playdowns.
Roxanne Gill had the honor of introducing Pacholok, with whom she has a long history on the curling ice.
ìIíve known Olga since I started curling in the Athabasca Ladies League when I was 16,î she said, noting her school team would share the ice with the local ladies.
ìOlga was always so welcoming and kept track of how our year was going and encouraged us every step of the way.î
On top of everything she did for the club, Olga would always go above and beyond to make sure everyone was enjoying their time on the ice, according to Gill.
ìShe always carried two pieces of paper in her pocket. One said ë100 per centí and the other said ë200 per centí. If (skip) Irene Fedoretz made both shots, she flashed the 200 card; one shot, the 100 card. That shows how she was always positive. Even curling 50 per cent was as good as 100 per cent for any of Olgaís skips.î
Though curling can be competitive, Pacholok always took it upon herself to make sure the game was fun.
ìHer plan was to always keep it light,î said Gill.
ìShe was full of fun, laughter and encouragement.î
With the Athabasca Curling Club still going strong with no signs of slowing down, Pacholok was recognized for her efforts in making that possible.
ìIt is thanks to pioneer curlers like Olga that we have such a strong club today.î
