One Friday a player ran into the plexiglass. The relentless player signed up for the following Sunday and Friday – “For Friday I will be wearing a helmet if I play on court 1.” Kudos to him for not surrendering to an inanimate object such as a wall or plexiglass.
A great host from Yonkers brought 2 good friends, who were visiting from Texas, to the Friday party. He was sure that the trek from Yonkers to West Caldwell would be worthwhile. They got to play with old and new friends and even hung out long after the tennis party was over…
Another festive holiday party! We celebrated Labor Day on Sunday at Packanack Lake in Wayne. My partner Dwight outdid himself at the party, cooking up a storm with an expansive menu of hot dogs, burgers, chicken, eggplant and even sicilian on the BBQ grill! Them Italians certainly know how to celebrate…
Three week night regulars got to play with another regular from a different night. The player from Jersey City expressed that – “it was a load of fun. [Player from Cliffside Park] added a different dynamic to the game…
A newcomer from NYC, originally from North Carolina and later Georgia, gave up her other plans to give us a try tonight. It must be the website’s slogan – “100% Fun Guaranteed” – that drew her to the party. Afterwards she sent a note saying that she was glad she did. It was as much a pleasure for us meeting her as her meeting us. Two other women also attended, changing the “men only” attendance from last week. They came from NYC and Cedar Grove to join us, a testament to how far the Buffs are willing to drive to have fun!
It’s great that in the summer players can just drop in without reservations. They know that they can see friends anytime they come, almost like being at “Cheers” – the TV sit-com. Two players from Boonton dropped in and got roped into playing. They ended up staying until the end of the party. There’s always so much to talk about when you don’t see each other for a whole week!
A regular from Jersey City was away for only a week, plus the 2 weekends before and after. As soon as she got back to town, she reached out to all her tennis friends from the Tri-State area. This week she played tennis for 5 straight days, taking one day off to spend time with her husband, before resuming regular routine and playing at the Sunday party. She shares the syndrome with a husband, a regular from Palisades Park, whose wife is overseas for 2 months. Their spouses would be happy to know that they’re doing something healthy and fun…
When the first winter regular from Livingston dropped in to say hello, I was completely surprised. Then when the next winter regular from Bloomfield dropped in I was even more surprised. By the time the third from North Caldwell dropped in, I bolted out of my chair from wonder and excitement and declared – “It’s a party where players just drop in to say hello!”
Regulars returned for the Friday party this week after missing last week for a wedding in Toronto. The fitting topic of conversation was of course about weddings and marriages. And there were 4 weddings in the last 12 months. Of those, 3 Friday regulars (from Clifton, Lyndhurst and Parsippany) married women from Canada…
Last-minute decision, I joined several tennis players for wedding in Canada, that of a player from Parsippany. Gone Friday and back Sunday. It was one of the best weddings, road trips and long weekends! I’d write about it but told everyone at the wedding – “What happens in Toronto, stays in Toronto.”