When there is a bonspiel in Rumsey, often the action on the ice can go on late into the night.
On Thursday night, the action may go on even longer.
You see, Thursday night is Oyster Night. The Rumsey Ag Society has a longstanding tradition of serving the libido-enhancing tidbit for dinner, and participants at the bonspiel gobble them up.
“We go through about 40 quarts,” said Rhonda Lund who, for the last few years, has been serving them up at the lunch counter along with Lori Cawiezel.
With about 15-16 oysters per quart, that’s a good dose of the tiny but mighty aphrodisiac.
“People come from everywhere… a lot of them come just specifically for oysters,” said Lund. “Everybody enjoys them.”
Although she couldn’t specify if wives or husbands enjoyed them more, she does say the mixed bonspiel is the most popular event.
Tim Primrose doesn’t mince words.
“The wife and I both love oysters, as far as the men and women in general, I bet the men probably look forward to them more,” he said.
He also vouches that the oysters help with “curling,” and maybe a bit with marital harmony. In fact, two of his children were born in the fall, roughly nine months after bonspiel season.
Looking at her birthday book, Lund agrees there is a good sum of fall babies.
Becky Kowalchuk seems to enjoy the oysters as well.
“They are deep fried and they are so good. They are quite large, about four inches long, and you might get six to eight on your plate, it’s really good. Need any more details than that?” she asks.
The men’s bonspiel is from January 23-28, the ladies is February 6-11 and the mixed is March 5-10. There are also other events throughout the season.
Good thing they are running a number of bonspiels, as it seems some can’t get enough.
According to Lund, who refused to mention names, after a bonspiel one year, the leftovers were laid out upstairs for volunteers to help themselves. A couple took advantage, and grabbed a roll of foil, wrapped the remaining oysters up and put them in their pockets for later.
“Maybe that’s what keeps them coming back for more,” laughs Primrose.
It’s curling season in Rumsey, get ready to get your rocks – shucks, that’s too easy.
