Jack Penny with A1 Curling Rock

Editor: Kate Renz
Date: 2026-09-14

 

Local News

Highwood Curling Club honors member ahead of 100th birthday
Laura Myers, HighRiverOnline.com | Monday, Sep 14 2026, 4:05 AM

 

Jack Penny, a month from his 100th birthday, and Bill Pallister at the Highwood Curling Club HighRiverOnline/Laura Myers

The Highwood Curling Club honored longtime member Jack Penny with a personalized curling rock handle last week as he approaches his 100th birthday on Oct. 3.

He curled for 87 years, including the last 26 at the Bob Snodgrass Rec Centre.

With the club's recent acquisition of new handles for their curling rocks, Joanne Abel suggested that Penny should be honoured with one named for him. Bill Pallister made it happen and the personalized rock was presented to Penny last week during an informal gathering at the rink. 

Penny is delighted at the tribute and was happy to chat about his curling journey.

New curling rock dedicated to Jack Penny on the occasion of his 100th birthday. HighRiverOnline/Laura Myers

A lifetime on the ice
He was born and spent the early part of his life in Abernethy, Sask. Growing up in Abernethy helped spark his lifelong love of the sport.

"In the small town that we had in the wintertime, we had very few things to do. There was hockey and there was curling, and most people participated in one or the other," he said. "So, I got into curling early and had moderate success."

The sport has changed over the years, and Penny spoke specifically about the evolution of the broom. "I remember scoffing when they first brought in the push broom, you know, I thought, oh, those little things, they can't do the job over the big sweeps, you know? But yeah, you soon learned that the opposite was true." 

'It's just a lovely game'
The appeal of curling is quite simple for Penny. "It's just a lovely game," he said. "You're out there with friends, it's competitive, and you try to beat the other fella, and then when you're finished, you go in and have a little drink."

Penny continued curling while working as a radiologist in Fredericton for 25 years. Eventually, returning to the west, he and his wife Jackie settled in High River. Curling was a fixture every place he lived. 

"At almost every place I went, there was an opportunity, to do a trophy or do something that was competitive in curling. The most recent competition was when I was in Fredericton doing seniors. And then here in High River, it was super-senior," said Penny.

Members of the Highwood Curling Club at a recent gathering to honor Jack Penny. Front row: Jackie Penny, Jack Penny, Joanne Abel Back row: Kate Renz, Bill Pallister, Pat Paslawski  HighRiverOnline/Laura Myers

The secret to 100 years
Asked about the secret to reaching nearly 100, Penny credited a few specific things.

"First of all, a good wife who looks after me. I have a rocking chair in every room," he said. But ultimately, he believes it's "just good genes" that have allowed him to see 100 years.