LAST WEEK’S RECAP | Aug 27 – Sept 2, 2012
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.
A player from Teaneck made delicious guacamole but unfortunately I forgot the chips. We were lucky to escape the rain in the surrounding areas and played from beginning to end of the party. Aside from the food, there were players galore from NY/NJ, including Hartsdale, Manhattan, Yonkers, NY, Cliffside Park, Clifton, Convent Station, Edgewater, Hackensack, Hawthorne, Hoboken, Jersey City, Lyndhurst, Morristown, Palisades Park, Ridgewood, Roselle Park, Rutherford, Teaneck, Waldwick, Wayne and Whipanny.
A player from Hackensack brought 2 nephews this time. The 23-year-old has been coming since he was 19 and is now a veteran at the parties. The 14-year-old came last and this Sunday, finally getting to see what his 23-year-old cousin has been enjoying. From the looks of it, they had a blast. The 23-year-old and I had a rain check to play next time, and I’m looking forward to it. I’ll be sure to find myself a formidable and young partner (maybe his 14-year-old cousin) to run down balls for me.
It was great that everyone was able to now enjoy all 6 clay courts, although it was easy for spectators to enjoy the matches farther away, as the courts are linear.
From the nearby courts, there were many entertaining moments. Watching a player from NY and a player from Palisades Park team up, one donning white and the other black head ties, resembling ninja’s. They needed to get pumped up for their match against Dwight and his female partner from Yonkers, who donned a black fitted dress, revealing strong muscles and tight abs. I warned the ninja’s – “She may look like a woman, but hits like a man.” And so the battle began, long rallies, cross court, down the line, volleys, etc. (Of course, with Dwight on the court, there are always comedic utters.) She was fierce! One of the opponents sent a note afterwards – “great time, great exercise!” I was happy to hear.
A couple from Cliffside Park had such a great time that they were planning their next outing here before the end of the outdoor season.
Two good friends from NY made their holiday visits, one playing on center court. The other, a spectator, and I enjoyed many a matches from the deck all afternoon long.
It was good to see a player from Roselle, who attends almost solely holiday parties. But I remember her nonetheless.
This time around, the Yonkers couple closed out the place, putting aside their dread of heavy holiday weekend traffic, a testament to how much fun they had. A perfect day!