LITTLE CURRENT—For 100 years, a friendly rivalry between Little Current and Espanola has played out in their respective curling rinks for the coveted Baxter Cup, and for 64 years, John Hodder has been there taking part.
“It’s always been in February, because there was no artificial ice back when it started,” Mr. Hodder explained. The Little Current resident remembers when the arena was where Barney’s was located, and they had two sheets of ice on the sides. “Each player in those days had their own stones and they always had to stay overnight, at least one night, sometimes two,” he explained. By the time Mr. Hodder joined the club in 1961, they had trouble getting players. “I had to play the afternoon game and the evening game”.
Early on there were three rinks, then four, and now there are five, with five teams from both competing clubs. “It used to be that just one of the pairs of teams would compete for the trophy, but at one point, all the names of all the teams’ members were added to the trophy,” Mr. Hodder recalled.
One can imagine the changes in the game and the times over 100 years. Train travel was the only way to get from Manitoulin Island to Espanola for the teams initially, and they would stash their stones on the ‘cow catcher.’ “Back then, the curlers were all businessmen who bought their own equipment. They each had their own stones, which were all different weights and sizes.” Then, in the 1950s, it was decided that stones would be purchased for the respective clubs, all the stones being the same weight.
Mr. Hodder remembers the times when the clubs would “bring their own booze and put it in their lockers.” Then a refrigerator was purchased for the purpose of storing said “booze.” “Then we learned that we needed a liquor licence if alcohol was to be sold. And then we needed Smart Serve servers. Lots of changes over these years,” he added with a wistful smile.
Because the Baxter Cup originated in Little Current, with local hardware store owner George Baxter commissioning the trophy for the annual competition, Mr. Hodder explained, “There were two trustees from here and one from Espanola. It’s been a few years now that there have been two trustees from both clubs.” Mr. Hodder was a trustee on the Baxter Cup committee from the early 1970s to just before COVID-19.
As former principal of the public school in Little Current, and former mayor, Mr. Hodder has seen and been involved in many of the changes in the town and, ultimately, a change that would have a positive impact on the Baxter Cup. He recalls, “A town meeting was held regarding the need for a recreation centre. The place was packed with people from the neighbouring communities as well as Little Current. The feeling was unanimous. At that time, the government put out an offer: ‘if you have an idea, come to us.’ So, I went to them,” Mr. Hodder said. “And they gave us a million dollars to get the project started.” That was in 1978, when construction began on the Recreation Centre where the Baxter Cup continues to be held.
On Friday, February 7, the rivals will meet for the 100th bonspiel in Little Current, continuing their competition on February 8 in Espanola. The question is: Will Little Current finally reclaim the Baxter Cup after seven years in Espanola’s possession? We can only wait and see. And you can be sure John Hodder will be there, taking part.
by Margery Frisch
