IGBO Mid-Year 2005 in Calgary—Wow What a Week!
Republished from January 2006 IGBO Newsletter
 November 2005—
Mid-Year 2005’s celebration of IGBO’s Silver
Anniversary and Alberta’s Centennial is now
history and wow, what a week! By IGBO standards,
the tournament was short on participants
but long on fun.
There were a total of 208 bowlers and 15 nonparticipants
and it would appear that there
were several “firsts” in Calgary including:
- not one, not even two, but three same-sex marriages,
- possibly the highest ever participation by women at approximately 25% and,
- with over 75 attendees, this was likely the largest assembly at a Quilt Memorial
- Service.
Congratulations to all those who excelled in
the bowling wars and an honourary mention
goes to Steve Smolen for scoring a perfect
“300” game. Thanks to Mike Filion of
Toronto who graciously lent the committee
his flag collection … Let’s Bowl has never
looked more colourful. Also a special thanks
to some old friends, Blake Simmons of
Toronto, Oke Millett and Mark Raymond
of Vancouver. They no longer bowl but came
to Calgary to volunteer, party and be a part of
our celebration. No question, their experience
and willingness to pitch in was invaluable
to the success of our event.
At the host hotel, the Westin Calgary, it was
standing room only in the Oklahoma City
Hospitality Suite and the Calgary Committee
wish Ken Jones and the Oklahomans well as
they plan to host Mid-Year 2007. On Friday
evening, the Calgary Committee hosted a Hospitality
Suite and featured an award winning
local acappella group, the Heebee-jeebees while
just across the hall, the women were having a
blast at the “7 Come 11” Casino, sponsored by
Money Pennies. The party carried on Saturday
night at a “Black and White” circuit party
sponsored by Metro The Club.
On Sunday, all 22 panels of the IGBO Quilt
were on display followed by a memorial service.
This was in essence a homecoming of
sorts since Calgary bowlers have constructed
each of the panels. Reverend Michael Ward
and members of Calgary’s Central United
Church presented a compassionate and moving
service including story telling, music and
an AIDS ribbon exchange, for over 75 attendees.
The Calgary Men’s Chorus opened the Awards
Buffet Dinner with the various anthems. If
Wow What a Week! you live in the New York area, check them out
as they will be performing at Carnegie Hall
early in the New Year. Congratulations to
Ron Suttora Jr. and Dick Cooper, the
latest winners of the Tom Hack Service
Award. MeLoDee hosted IGBABE which
featured three contestants and two Calgary
Committee members including Ms.Canada
and Auntie Wilma. Congratulations to Ima
Rider of Oklahoma City, the newest Ms.
IGBABE.
On Monday, the second bus tour of Banff
headed westward towards the mountains. A
total of 30 bowlers ventured to the mountain
resort and from all reports, had a great time.
The weather during the tournament was unseasonably
warm but on Monday morning,
winter arrived. Many bowlers don’t know how
fortunate they were to escape on early flights!
And so, on behalf of the Calgary Committee,
a hearty thanks to all who came and experienced
the warm hospitality of the Canadian
west, it was wonderful to have you as our guests!
Bill Moore, Co-Chair
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