On the ball, on the mark...

So on Saturday it was horseshoes, but on Sunday afternoon it was bocce ball that captured the attention and the participation of the assembled masses. The competition was quiet, calm, yet intense... focussed, yet friendly (on the surface at least).

Perhaps it was the pristine wilderness-like setting for the reunion that enhanced the spirit of collaborative sportsmanship, and the etiquette of competition:  "Rules!?! In bocce ball?!? We don't need no stinkin' rules!!"

In the end of course, fair play and solidarity won the day, and Bruce won the big prize and the admiration of team-mates and sports fans from across the nation (well, those who were still with us and eager to see our new trophy find an appropriate home). Go Ducks!

Sometimes of course, it was difficult to tell the serious fans from rowdy and unruly spectators, but every sport needs a fan base, an armchair quarterback and a critical analysis. Sportswriters take note! No riots, no threats, no wagers on the outcome, just good clean heckling and fun.

The Bocce Trophy

In response to Sue's request for a photo of the Bocce trophy, please find a snapshot at left of the polished granite orb which is affixed to a black lacquered iron frame that is shaped to resemble a goose with antennae.

This magnificent piece of art was donated to the reunion as a door prize, but took on a whole new identity as a symbol of extraordinary athletic prowess demonstrated in the highly competitive arena of Bocce Bowls.

Alas, in the thrill of victory, I have forgotton the name given to the trophy... "DUMOC Memorial Bocce Trophy" or something like that. All I remember is that shortly after the presentation ceremony, Mike Canivet handed me a hand written certificate that read "Bruce Steele: DUMOC Bocce and Bullshit Champion". Whatever did he mean? Modesty forbade speculation! Sigh.

That's Gary in the background of the photo. He absolutely could have taken a far finer picture of the object d'art. But I snapped a few quick pics on my cell phone and I share one here-with. I have only the photos as memorabilia as taking the 10 kilo goose back to Regina was out of the question; it now rests in the DUMONT Museum, ready for the next "Dumont Bocce Champion" to be revealed and to lay claim to the honour and the goose.

As to the query from Steve (found in a comment attached to a post below) about the ambiguous sporting relationship between myself and Janet Davies (see Gary's action photo, below), I must say it is a complex one, and best described as follows. After we (Janet and me acting as a team, as seen in the photo) decimated all comers, my partner challenged me to a show down ... a contest of bowls ... Mano a Babe ... hobbit vs. athlete. A duel for ultimate supremacy and the undefeated crown.

Janet chose a local veteran competitor as her partner (the ty-dyed Mr. Epps seen in the aforementioned action photo), while my second was a Winnipeg based volunteer whose only experience with the game (and for that matter, with Dumont) had been through observation during the weekend. (I believe his name is Frank - my memory is dulled due to raging testosterone levels at the time of the competition.) Through the choice of partners, another level was added to the competition ... East vs. West... Congested, Polluted Urban environment vs. Pristine Prairie Expanse.

To cut to the chase, we flat-landers prevailed convincingly, and in recognition of my status as the day's only "unbeaten bowler", as well as my unbridled joy in said accomplishment, I was awarded the pictured trophy as Bocce champ and unparalleled narcissist on the Foreman Club pitch on that day. My most excellent opponent, Ms. Davies, displayed outstanding "sportspersonship" in presenting me the goose in a public ceremony. (cough) Somewhere, there is film.

And so, it came to pass that Michael's scribbled note, quoted above, truly does capture the spirit of the moment.

One takes life's victories where one can, insatiably and with gusto, I fear.

Quite seriously, many thanks to DUMOC for planning and holding a fine, upstanding event. We all got the tee-shirt!!!!

It was wonderful to see the family and relive the past without being maudlin about it. (Moving 25,000+ books took the edge off any possible "maudlin" feelings.)

Anyway, well done and thank you one and all. Three cheers!!!

Millennial sports and the new face of the Ducks

As proposed by the alert and forward-thinking Mr. Steele in a blog posting earlier this year, bocce ball made its competitive debut at the 40th Anniversary Dumont Reunion, out-stripping even horseshoes and darts in popularity. Amidst speculation that he had been secretly training throughout the spring on the wind-swept and rain-soaked inner-city parks of Regina, Bruce took an undefeated record into the tournament finals against Janet Davis, a hard-working and competitive municipal politician of some note, from a nearby village. In a tense and exciting finish, Bruce and his rookie partner prevailed, and were awarded a strangely-shaped statuette that has subsequently been dubbed the Granite Duck. DUMOC officials are still awaiting the results of the obligatory drug testing.

In deference to tradition, Joe Goodman brought along his legendary first basemen's glove, but attempts to round up an actual softball and bat were continually disrupted by new reunion arrivals, innovative snacks, cold beer and a gang of unruly horseshoe players. Go Ducks!

Patiently waiting for beer

Acknowledging our chefs

No, not the whole gang, mostly those two guys in the back that the crowd parted to reveal. Outstanding meals all weekend long, and they just kept getting better!

Quest for the perfect margarita

Extensive and comprehensive testing was required to achieve a fine balance for the masses, but with an enthusiastic initiative by Terrina Harding, coupled with the always precise measurements of veteran bartender John Dufort and his capable assistant James Allen, the thirsty appeals from the masses were answered... until the tequila ran out, of course.

Meanwhile, James was ready, bringing out samples of each batch of margaritas to be road-tested, field-tested, ingested and selected. Reunion attendees were eager to engage in this participatory consultation.