The border closure has affected the lives of many people who cross between Canada to the United States, whether it’s to fish, shop or socialize. But for curlers, not being able to come to Fort Frances has added another hit.
Because there are no curling clubs in International Falls, curlers traditionally cross to enjoy the sport and the camaraderie at the Fort Frances Curling Club.
Jim Jackson, 77, has been curling since he was 12 and has been curling in Fort Frances since 1965.
“I’m very enthusiastic about curling. The last time I curled would be a year ago in March of 2020,” Jackson said. “It’s a pain not being able to curl. It’s not a happy situation.”
Jackson said on his regular schedule, he would cross the border for curling three times a week. A typical curling week for Jackson would start with curling on Monday and Wednesday during the day in the Seniors’ League. Then on Thursday night, he curled with a different group in the Twilight League.
Jackson also played in bonspiels Fort Frances and Stratton.
Jackson said he missed curling so much that he asked Canadian customs if they could provide him a note to go curl and go straight home afterwards.
“They said no and I completely understand that COVID is a problem,” Jackson said. “I’m not happy that I can’t come and curl but I’m over here alive and well and [Fort Frances] is doing very well with a minimum of [COVID] cases. I’m sure by this fall, I’ll be back over curling again.”
Curlers are wonderful people, Jackson said, and curling is a lifelong sport.
“I’m 77 and I’m still curling and my 87-year-old brother still curls,” Jackson said. “It’s not only the curling, it’s also the fellowship of the whole thing because when you go to curl, there’s four people on each team. Once you are on the ice, it’s fun and competitive and when the game is over, you come up and have a beverage and some good fellowship.”
Although it has been almost a year since Jackson held a curling broom, he said he has been keeping himself occupied with house chores and exercising.
“I’m a handyman kind of guy,” Jackson said. “I remodel the house. I do a lot of woodworking. My wife and I get out and walk but we haven’t walked the last two weeks because of the cold weather.”
There have been no updates on the border reopening from the federal or provincial government and it might be some time before Jackson returns to Fort Frances but until then he’s going to try keeping busy while reminiscing about the curling days.
