Happy Easter to all of our Family and Friends

Friday was a wonderful day to play Pickleball.  We had two grandchildren join us in some fun games during their school break.  There were four courts going throughout the morning.  On the last court was Jenney competing against her grandmother, "Marilyn Crowell".  Britt, "Manny & Marie's granddaughter" was competing against Maria Geize.  The girls were determined to beat the older folks and were very happy when they did.  Kathy was also visiting her parents , Bob & Ruth Fegers.  We also had a parade of Easter bonnets displayed by Karen Orman and Harry Yorgensen.  Karen, we can be assured will come in displaying all of her holiday attire on all the holidays of the year and Friday was no different.  She was wearing her "Pink Easter Bonnet" with lots of spring flowers on it.  She changed to her "Bunny Ears" while she was playing Pickleball.   We never know what she will be wearing for any particular holiday, she is always full of surprises.

Britt and Jenney playing against Marilyn Crowell & Maria Grieze

Marilyn Crowell

Nice form Jenney.

Nice form Britt.

Maria displaying her return shot.

Britt Rhodes

Maria Grieze, Karen Orman, Kathy Fegers & Irene Blenis.

Nice ears, Karen!

In your Easter bonnet with all the frills upon it...

Love that Easter bonnet, Harry!  It looks great on you!

Highland Lakes Pickleball Outing

These are pictures of our Pickleball outing which was held at the picnic area yesterday, April 14, 2011.  As we do every year, after the Pickleball Championship the players get together to have fun at the Pickleball Outing.  This year wasn't any different, we had a great crowd, enjoyed lots of different dishes that everybody brought, and so many delicious desserts.  The weather couldn't have been any better for our outing.  Thanks to everyone who brought food or drinks as well as games to the picnic.  It was very much appreciated by one and all.  The winners of the Pickleball Championship players enjoyed receiving their awards and everyone had a great time.  Thanks to all the people who participated and helped to make this an enjoyable day.  Good friends, good times, that's what it's all about. 

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Pickleball Final 4 Competition

The 2011 PickleBall version of the Final Four was held on Tuesday April 5th. The players were determined by their average score from games played during the month of March. The top four men played against each other in the men’s division and the top four women played against each other in the women’s division. The event was a huge success for the players and for all that attended. The games were played hard and every shot was a battle of the wills and determination of the players. The PickleBall group would like to thank the players and judges for helping to make this event a success. This could become a format for future competitions since everyone seemed to enjoy playing and watching.  Congratulations to all who participated in the games.  We are very proud of our players.

First Place winner is Lynn Corbett.

Second place Winner is Judy Wenzel

Third place winner is Irene Blenis

Fouth place winner is Anita Pasiak

Thanks to all Judges, they did a wonderful job.

First place winner is Jay Reardinger

Second place winner is Ken Corbett

Third place winner is Bill Guenst

Fourth place winner is Gerry Crowell

Men's Competition

Intense play!

Eyeing the ball!

Way to go Gerry!

She's got her paddle on the ball!

Lounges for the ball!

Her short shot!

I think the ball is going out!

Great form here!

Determined for accurcy!

Jay Readinger of Highland Lakes becomes USAPA Ambassador to NW Colorado.

Congratulation's to Jay Readinger from your friends at HL Pickleball.

Read Jay's story on Pickleball below...

Our own Jay Readinger is the new USAPA Ambassador to NW Colorado.

He can play and teach the game.

Jay & Karen all decked out for St. Patrick's Day.

We will miss you Jay when you leave but your always welcome to come back anytime.

 

Finding and Enjoying An Exercise Addiction


When my wife Mary Lou and I decide to park our sailboat in Newfoundland for the winter and come to Florida to spend the cold months with my mother at Highland Lakes, one of our ambitions was to try to get the regular exercise that living on a boat full time does not offer. We arrived in early December and in addition to walking the dog and riding bikes we discovered this crazy game called Pickleball soon after our arrival. By the end of December we were hooked and playing four or five times a week.


Thanks to the welcoming (and patient) Pickleball group at HL we were able to learn the rules and etiquette of the game quickly. With about 20 years of racquetball and squash in Jay's background he was able to get the basics down fairly quickly. One of the pleasures of playing at HL has been the ability to play both indoors and outdoors. We did venture over to the Villages for a group lesson with State Champion Deb Harrison. The lesson was well worth the time and effort, and we try to get in a couple of practice sessions a week (mostly outdoors) to continue learning the basic strokes and strategy. Rounding out our Pb workouts has been a weightlifting program that not only increases stamina on the court but has helped, we believe, in injury prevention.


Recently, we made the decision to accept a job share opportunity at the Lowell Whiteman School in Steamboat Springs, Colorado which will put us near one of our four children and a grandchild expected in late July of this year. Since we will be working at a private school with a nice gymnasium that seems just about right for three Pb courts, it seemed logical to become a United States Pickleball Association (USAPA) Ambassador so that we can connect with other Pb'ers in Colorado and hopefully begin both a school program and a community program.


Jay has really enjoyed teaching the game to some of the newcomers at HL and with a coaching background has become an avid student of this great game we call Pickleball. So, if your travel plans call for a trip to NW Colorado and you are looking for a Pb session, get in touch with us through the Ambassador section of the USAPA.org website and come play.


Jay Readinger

Two energetic young men joined us this week for some good Pickleball games.

We had two guest visiting their grandparents this week and they both  came to join us in some good Pickleball games. Matt, grandson of Norman & Nancy Elias and Kurt, grandson of Manny & Marie Cardoza.  These young men sure put on a good show for all of us.  Such power and energy, so nice to be young.

Grandkids come to HL to play Pickleball during school vacation.

We always welcome every one's grandchildren to come down to Pickleball and try to play the game. Some are new to the game and some are experts and can always show us older folks how it's done. This is a fun week at Highland Lakes with several grandchildren coming to play Pickleball and having a good time.  We have Alton & Diane's grandson Chris Scheel,  Don & Ruthanne's grandson John Eric Mooney and Harry Yorgenesen had his grandchildren here also.  I did not get pictures of Harry's grandchildren (sorry Harry), because I had to miss Pickleball on Tuesday morning to bring Tootsie to the Vet's.  No, we do not have a dog we are sitting Bob & Jane Miller's dog.  I'm hoping to see Harry's grandchildren tomorrow morning.  It's always a pleasure to see how much these kids have grown from year to year.  I hear that Matt is around here somewhere and should be showing up at Pickleball soon.

Double click on photo to enlarge

Happy Valentine's Day to all Pickleball Players

Monday is Valentine's Day so we weren't surprised to see Karen Orman walk into Pickleball dressed for the holiday. Karen dresses for every holiday, she has it all, shirts, hats, socks etc. She brings laughter and lots of fun to our Pickleball group. Thanks Karen for being you.

Sunday afternoon Pickleball clinic.

This afternoon we had a Pickleball clinic which was given by Brenda & Dave Littlefield from Citrus Hill. There were a total of 32 Pickleball players who took advantage of this clinic. Thanks guys for a great tournout.  Visiting us was John Eric from CT.  Hope to see you tomorrow night at Monday Night Pickleball.  John Eric is Don Gullakson's grandson.