At 95 years young, Bert Wiens乌鸦传媒� cheerful persona still fills the air of the curling rink 乌鸦传媒� though now it乌鸦传媒檚 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乌鸦传媒檛 just a milestone 乌鸦传媒� it was a farewell to a beloved pastime that had defined so much of his later years.

乌鸦传媒淚 officially retired from curling at Christmas,乌鸦传媒� Bert said with a chuckle. 乌鸦传媒淏ut they had me come out on my birthday to throw one last rock. I couldn乌鸦传媒檛 say no to that.乌鸦传媒�

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乌鸦传媒檚 enthusiasm for life was evident long before he first stepped onto the ice.

A talented saxophone player, Bert led 乌鸦传媒淏ert乌鸦传媒檚 Best,乌鸦传媒� a musical band that graced stages for years before his transition into retirement and discovery of curling.

乌鸦传媒淚 retired from the band and started curling,乌鸦传媒� Bert recalled. 乌鸦传媒淚t gave me something new to look forward to.乌鸦传媒�

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乌鸦传媒檛 diminished.

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

乌鸦传媒淲e [curling club] operate four days a week now, and I go every day,乌鸦传媒� 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.

乌鸦传媒淎t 95, I乌鸦传媒檓 getting a little wobbly,乌鸦传媒� he admitted. 乌鸦传媒淚 didn乌鸦传媒檛 want to take the chance of having a fall and being disabled. And I am fortunate to be this age 乌鸦传媒� I still drive my car and I go wherever I please.乌鸦传媒�

Bert乌鸦传媒檚 zest for life extends beyond curling.

With a large family of over 40 乌鸦传媒� including five children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren 乌鸦传媒� 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.

乌鸦传媒淚 have a big family 乌鸦传媒� we always have large family gatherings on New Year乌鸦传媒檚 Day,乌鸦传媒� he said. 乌鸦传媒淪o we were all together.乌鸦传媒�

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 乌鸦传媒� through work, music, and curling 乌鸦传媒� 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乌鸦传媒檚 no longer gliding across the ice, Bert乌鸦传媒檚 legacy in the curling community will be felt for years to come.

For Bert, it乌鸦传媒檚 simple: 乌鸦传媒淟ife is good. And I don乌鸦传媒檛 sit around much.乌鸦传媒�