As curling takes world stage, watch it at the club

• 2010 Winter Olympics

The Two Harbors Curling Club is celebrating during the Winter Olympics with viewing parties and open curling Feb. 20-21 and Feb. 26-28.

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As the Olympics begin tonight in Vancouver, it’s expected that the nation and world will again take a curious interest in the sport of curling.

Of course, in Lake County, curling is just another part of winter. The Two Harbors Curling Club is celebrating during the Winter Olympics with viewing parties and open curling Feb. 20-21 and Feb. 26-28.

The community is invited to watch Team USA men’s and women’s matches, which begin Feb. 16 on USA Network, and also curl between televised matches.

A full schedule of viewing and open curling will be in next week’s News-Chronicle and also on the curling club web site, www.twoharbors curling.com.

The sport of curling has seen an increase in popularity since being re-introduced as a medal sport in the Winter Olympics in 1998 in Nagano, Japan. Four years later, when Salt Lake City was the host of the Olympics, curling in the United States saw a surge in interest.

Curling clubs across the country held open houses and instructional events following the 2002 games. Not only did clubs see memberships grow but new curling clubs were formed in several states.

Curling has been a part of the Two Harbors community since 1963. The first Two Harbors Curling Club building was built where the Two Harbors Fire Hall now stands. After losing it to a fire, the current facility on Seventh Avenue has been home since 1993.

The club has more than 110 members and holds leagues each winter.

Tags: two harbors, outdoors, curling