We are grateful to The Shuffler for recording this piece of shuffleboard history, as depicted in this excerpt from 2016 07 08.

– by stanistheman, based on an article in the Chatham Daily News

Alphonse and Phoebe Marchand were recognized by the Canadian National Shuffleboard Association on Thursday, July 7, 2016, near Chatham, Ont. for their contribution to the sport, including hosting the first Canadian Open shuffleboard tournament in 1980.

Pictured, from left, with a plaque honouring the Tilbury, Ont. area couple, are; grandson John Carson, Henry Strong, immediate past president of the CNSA, and Glen Peltier, friend and long-time local shuffleboard player. (ELLWOOD SHREVE/THE DAILY NEWS)

Alphonse and Phoebe Marchand loved to have family and friends visit their Tilbury-area farm, and a big draw was their shuffleboard courts.

The couple, who were snowbirds, gained a passion for the game while wintering in…