At 95 years young, Bert Wiens香蕉视频直播� cheerful persona still fills the air of the curling rink 香蕉视频直播� though now it香蕉视频直播檚 from the stands rather than the ice.

Earlier this month, the Beaver Valley Curling Club witnessed a historic moment as Bert, a dedicated curler of more than four decades, threw his final stone down the ice to mark his 95th birthday.

For Bert, this wasn香蕉视频直播檛 just a milestone 香蕉视频直播� it was a farewell to a beloved pastime that had defined so much of his later years.

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Born on Jan. 13, 1930, Bert has spent much of his adult life in the Beaver Valley community, where curling became a passion after he retired from a 37-year career with Teck Cominco.

Though his curling journey began in the 1980s, Bert香蕉视频直播檚 enthusiasm for life was evident long before he first stepped onto the ice.

A talented saxophone player, Bert led 香蕉视频直播淏ert香蕉视频直播檚 Best,香蕉视频直播� a musical band that graced stages for years before his transition into retirement and discovery of curling.

香蕉视频直播淚 retired from the band and started curling,香蕉视频直播� Bert recalled. 香蕉视频直播淚t gave me something new to look forward to.香蕉视频直播�

For decades, Bert played at the Beaver Valley Curling Club, where he became a fixture both on and off the ice.

While his playing days are now behind him, his involvement with the club hasn香蕉视频直播檛 diminished.

He remains a regular visitor, cheering from the stands and enjoying the camaraderie of the sport he loves.

香蕉视频直播淲e [curling club] operate four days a week now, and I go every day,香蕉视频直播� he said.

When asked why he chose to step away from the ice, Bert offered the practical wisdom of a man who has lived a full and thoughtful life.

香蕉视频直播淎t 95, I香蕉视频直播檓 getting a little wobbly,香蕉视频直播� he admitted. 香蕉视频直播淚 didn香蕉视频直播檛 want to take the chance of having a fall and being disabled. And I am fortunate to be this age 香蕉视频直播� I still drive my car and I go wherever I please.香蕉视频直播�

Bert香蕉视频直播檚 zest for life extends beyond curling.

With a large family of over 40 香蕉视频直播� including five children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren 香蕉视频直播� he celebrated his milestone birthday surrounded by loved ones on the first day of the year, a family tradition that remains central to his life.

香蕉视频直播淚 have a big family 香蕉视频直播� we always have large family gatherings on New Year香蕉视频直播檚 Day,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淪o we were all together.香蕉视频直播�

Originally from Saskatchewan, Bert moved to Fruitvale in 1951 with his wife Isabella.

Together, the newlyweds built a life in the community. He worked as a pipefitter at Teck and became a cherished figure in the Beaver Valley community.

Over the years, Bert has watched the town grow and change, but the connections he built 香蕉视频直播� through work, music, and curling 香蕉视频直播� have remained steadfast.

As Bert steps into this new chapter, his story serves as a powerful reminder that age is just a number.

And though he香蕉视频直播檚 no longer gliding across the ice, Bert香蕉视频直播檚 legacy in the curling community will be felt for years to come.

For Bert, it香蕉视频直播檚 simple: 香蕉视频直播淟ife is good. And I don香蕉视频直播檛 sit around much.香蕉视频直播�