A local woman was recently recognized for her years of service in the shuffleboard world. Myrna Bilton of Belwood was inducted into the Canadian National Shuffleboard Association (CNSA) Hall of Fame on July 24.
Bilton started playing shuffleboard when she and her husband Rendall retired and started spending their winters in Florida in 2000.
She has a great love for the game.
“Shuffleboard is wonderful exercise for any age bracket although it seems to attract us older ones because it’s something to keep us mobile, for sociability,” said Bilton.
She saw the need for local seniors to play shuffleboard during the summer months, so she and her husband helped found the Centre Wellington Shuffleboard Association.
“My husband and I, in 2009, we got it all going in the Fergus Curling Club. That took quite a bit of work. Now we have 60 to 65 members and we are located in Elora,” she said.
Their club, which plays Mondays at 1pm and Thursdays at 7pm at the Elora Curling Club, is open for new members to join.
“We have so many people that go to Florida that come home and say ‘why can’t we play in our own area?’” she said.
Bilton was the vice president for the CNSA in 2010 and was the president from 2012 until 2014.
She is also the vice president of the International Shuffleboard Association.
Bilton has travelled representing Canada to many countries including Australia, Germany, Russia, Norway and England, all for the game.
She received the award for her contribution and promotion of the sport as well as being an ambassador and being president of the organizations.
“It’s very humbling. I do it for the love of the sport and the people,” said Bilton.
She never dreamed she would be this involved in the sport when she started out, nor did she think she would be featured in the hall of fame. But she said the best part is making new friends.
“The opportunity and friendships that we have made are just beyond words.”
