Latest news with #Sparkes
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Meet 'The Commish' of the Glovertown Oldtimers: 80-year-old Don Sparkes still laces his skates twice a week
Don Sparkes, 80, co-founded the Glovertown Oldtimers in 2000. He's still hitting the ice twice a week. (Melissa Tobin/CBC) Hockey players across Newfoundland will tell you the Glovertown Arena is one of the coldest rinks around. But it isn't slowing down Don Sparkes and his buddies from meeting twice a week during hockey season. Every Tuesday and Thursday, Sparkes and the rest of the Glovertown Oldtimers play the 9 p.m. game — the last of the night. At 80 years old, Sparkes says he's lucky to be playing at all. Sparkes is one of the Oldtimers's original members, and co-founded the team in 2000, the same year the arena opened in town. He started playing hockey as a boy, ripping up the frozen bays, before moving on to rec league in adulthood. When the new arena opened, he was 55. The Oldtimers started as a handful of guys at first. But as players got older, they wanted a friendlier game — less rough-and-tumble, more camaraderie on the bench. Now, there are up to two dozen players every game. "I think we got ... 10 on the side every night. And that's perfect," said Sparkes. "The bunch we got here now, real gentlemen." Sparkes takes a break on the bench. The team has grown to about two dozen players over the years. (Melissa Tobin/CBC) Sparkes credits his good health with these weekly hockey rituals, but it's not just about the exercise. Goalie Kevin Noseworthy says he loves playing with Sparkes, who the guys call "The Commish," short for commissioner. "He makes all the decisions. Just like [NHL commissioner Gary] Bettman. He organizes the social, brings the cards for Pass the Ace. Everything we do. He keeps us all alive." Noseworthy said he puts him to work in the net, too. "I think what amazes me about Don is even at his age now, he gets as excited about a goal, I think, as [Washington Capitals captain] Alex Ovechkin does," said Noseworthy. The excitement started off earlier this season, with Sparkes adding more points to his record. "Two minutes on the ice, scored the first goal. So that was pretty good. I was happy then," recalls Sparkes. Kevin Blackmore, who is known as Buddy Wasisname in the music world, is also a faithful member of the team, and says he's inspired by Sparkes's energy on the ice. "It's kind of remarkable that at the age of 80, he's so fit. And we figured the way he's going, he's probably good til 90, right?" said Blackmore. And while most members of the team are over 50, there's one player that Sparkes and the crew welcome as an Oldtimers, though he's nowhere near their age. Sparkes and Henry Poole, the team's only 'paid' player, pose for a photo. (Melissa Tobin/CBC) Goalie Henry Poole started playing with the team when he was in Grade 10. He's the only paid member of the league, with Sparkes collecting toonies and loonies from the others after each game to give to Poole, who's now a senior — the high school kind. "I think it might have been in Grade 11, they bought me a hockey stick for Christmas," Poole says. Poole says despite the age gap, he's forged infallible friendships with his teammates. This year's final game of the season will be Poole's last for a while, as he's set to graduate, but nobody expects The Commish to retire. In fact, he's getting yet another duty underway: planning the end-of-season party. Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador.
CBC
13-04-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Meet 'The Commish' of the Glovertown Oldtimers: 80-year-old Don Sparkes still laces his skates twice a week
Hockey players across Newfoundland will tell you the Glovertown Arena is one of the coldest rinks around. But it isn't slowing down Don Sparkes and his buddies from meeting twice a week during hockey season. Every Tuesday and Thursday, Sparkes and the rest of the Glovertown Oldtimers play the 9 p.m. game — the last of the night. At 80 years old, Sparkes says he's lucky to be playing at all. Sparkes is one of the Oldtimers's original members, and co-founded the team in 2000, the same year the arena opened in town. He started playing hockey as a boy, ripping up the frozen bays, before moving on to rec league in adulthood. When the new arena opened, he was 55. The Oldtimers started as a handful of guys at first. But as players got older, they wanted a friendlier game — less rough-and-tumble, more camaraderie on the bench. Now, there are up to two dozen players every game. "I think we got ... 10 on the side every night. And that's perfect," said Sparkes. "The bunch we got here now, real gentlemen." Sparkes credits his good health with these weekly hockey rituals, but it's not just about the exercise. Goalie Kevin Noseworthy says he loves playing with Sparkes, who the guys call "The Commish," short for commissioner. "He makes all the decisions. Just like [NHL commissioner Gary] Bettman. He organizes the social, brings the cards for Pass the Ace. Everything we do. He keeps us all alive." Noseworthy said he puts him to work in the net, too. "I think what amazes me about Don is even at his age now, he gets as excited about a goal, I think, as [Washington Capitals captain] Alex Ovechkin does," said Noseworthy. The excitement started off earlier this season, with Sparkes adding more points to his record. "Two minutes on the ice, scored the first goal. So that was pretty good. I was happy then," recalls Sparkes. Kevin Blackmore, who is known as Buddy Wasisname in the music world, is also a faithful member of the team, and says he's inspired by Sparkes's energy on the ice. "It's kind of remarkable that at the age of 80, he's so fit. And we figured the way he's going, he's probably good til 90, right?" said Blackmore. And while most members of the team are over 50, there's one player that Sparkes and the crew welcome as an Oldtimers, though he's nowhere near their age. Goalie Henry Poole started playing with the team when he was in Grade 10. He's the only paid member of the league, with Sparkes collecting toonies and loonies from the others after each game to give to Poole, who's now a senior — the high school kind. "I think it might have been in Grade 11, they bought me a hockey stick for Christmas," Poole says. Poole says despite the age gap, he's forged infallible friendships with his teammates. This year's final game of the season will be Poole's last for a while, as he's set to graduate, but nobody expects The Commish to retire. In fact, he's getting yet another duty underway: planning the end-of-season party.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Yahoo
This Country Just Dethroned France as Europe's Most Romantic Destination
Looking to plan an unforgettable romantic getaway for you and the love of your life? Then, it's time to head to Europe. And no, we're not talking about France. In February, European Waterways released the findings of its study ranking the most romantic destinations across Europe. To come to its conclusion, the team evaluated destinations based on their number of romantic and fine dining restaurants, number of restaurants with Michelin stars, number of wine bars rated four stars or above, the number of tours and wine tastings available, and the number of vineyards. The company noted in its findings, which it shared with Travel + Leisure via email, "For years, France has been considered the pinnacle of romance, home to enchanting cities like Paris, Bordeaux, and Carcassonne. However, recent data reveals a shift in the rankings." That's because, after looking through all the data, it turns out Switzerland is the most romantic European destination of all. After factoring in all the data and giving each country a normalized score, Switzerland claimed the top spot with 269 points, leaving France trailing behind with 250. "France, while still a heavyweight in the romance category, has faced stiff competition from Switzerland's unique offerings," Maryanne Sparkes, a travel expert at European Waterways, explained. "While destinations like Avignon, Bordeaux, and Carcassonne remain popular for their rich history and culinary excellence, Switzerland's ability to provide both adventure and intimacy has propelled it to the top." Sparkes noted that Switzerland's dedication to quality over quantity, combined with its stunning wine regions like Lavaux and Valais, gave it a solid edge and made it a spot foodies, wine lovers, and romantics will all adore. Additionally, the study added that Switzerland offers unparalleled luxury through its high-end resorts like Grand Hotel des Bains Kempinski in St. Moritz, The Woodward in Geneva, and Mandarin Oriental Palace Luzern in Lucerne, which offer spa retreats, plush rooms, and a sense of style that are ideal for couples looking to unwind together. And, as anyone who has ever even googled Switzerland knows, its scenery is simply breathtaking all year long—from the flower fields around Lake Lucerne in Spring to the blanketed mountain peaks of Verbier all winter long. Both Greece and Italy also made the list, with special shoutouts to Santorini, the Amalfi Coast, and Positano. But, if you happened to already plan a loved-up trip to France, that's OK. The findings called out several locations across the nation where romance abounds. See the complete findings at Related | This U.S. Destination Dethroned Paris as the Most Romantic in the World | Learn More Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
BBC News
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Traitors' Alexander inspires fans to donate to Mencap
A Traitors finalist has helped boost donations to a learning disability charity by more than £46, Dragonetti told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire he was "so grateful" for donations to Mencap after the charity helped his late brother. During the series, the former British diplomat, who attended Oundle School, Northamptonshire, said if he won, he would donate some of his prize money to Sparkes, chief executive of the charity, said: "Telling his story has inspired a tremendous wave of generosity from the public." Mr Dragonetti, 38, said his brother, who had global development delay and autism, used to go to summer camps set up by he was voted out of the show in the final and did not win, Mr Dragonetti told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire his hope of donating some prize money was "effectively happening" as fans touched by his story had made donations."Anything I can do to try and raise the profile of that would be fantastic," he said."I know first-hand it's really hard for carers, parents, siblings of special needs children to both look after children and be political advocates, and if there is anything I can do to add my voice to that and be helpful then that would be my most proud takeaway."More than 2,000 people gave to the Peterborough-based charity, with some taking to social media to share their reasons and encouraging others to Sparkes said: "Despite not winning on Friday night, Alexander remained faithful to the end and captured the hearts of the nation – he is our champion."These donations are needed more now than ever as people with a learning disability continue to face extensive inequalities every day."Mary O'Hagan, Mencap's executive director of fundraising, said: "Every penny will help us ensure people with a learning disability can live happy and healthy lives."Additional reporting by PA Media. Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
