World's biggest curling stone

That's some big rock.

This 1.5-tonne curling rock is made of steel, foam and fibreglass and was unveiled late last month in tiny Arborg, Manitoba. It's just the latest big thing to be placed along North American highways with the aim of stopping people's cars, enticing them to take photographs and spend some cash at the local 7-11.

But it's got Thunder Bay, Ontario completely up in arms. They've had the world's largest curling stone for 46 years – built to celebrate the 1960 Brier – and now they've been upped by a prairie town boasting 957 residents. Alf Childs, the T-Bay rock's caretaker, says the metallic Manitoba creation doesn't even look like a curling stone."That's an affront to granite right there," Childs told the Thunder Bay Chronicle Journal.

But check out this guy, he's really fired up at "those bastards in Manitoba"!

• Speaking of famous rocks, the Stone of Destiny has found a new home...

• Spies tell us that Glenn Howard and Sherry Middaugh have been honoured by their home Coldwater Curling Club for their 2005-06 on-ice exploits – Howard lost the Brier final and qualified for the Olympic Trials while Middaugh finished fourth at the Trials – and will receive a cruise. Isn't that generous! Two questions: do they have to bunk together, and can Sherry bring husband Wayne?

• After many trials and tribulations there will finally be curling in Vermont this fall, which has got one ex-Ottawean all pumped up...

• Elsewhere in the U.S., the annual Cape Cod Summerspiel wrapped up on the weekend...

• Some guy from this organization not only wants his "sport" to join the Olympics, but he cites curling as a reason, saying it "requires less physical stress than some other sports"...

• Could curling be in trouble in both Gander, NL and Port Alice, B.C.? Powell River (also in B.C.) wants a new facility, and Moose Jaw will once again debate their proposed facility tonight...