Hi All, [Sept 21, 2007]

Thanks for the great response this past week, as we’ve expanded our offerings.  We’ll continue to need that support as our Junior programs kick in next week!  And parents, don’t forget that we’ve built an entire homework/computer lab for the kids while they are not on the court.  Our pros are pretty serious about teaching tennis in a fun way (read Tyler’s note below), and I’m pretty serious about getting homework done so you can enjoy tennis, so that’s a good combination.  Remind your kids that even if they don’t become tennis pros, if they do their homework, maybe they can own a tennis club someday!  Our wireless seems to be working great, and so is the big screen tv.  Remind us to turn off the tennis channel and put on pbs kids in the afternoon when the kids are here!

Naturally, our focus right now is on getting the Juniors program up and running.  If your kids have buddies that might enjoy tennis, see if they want to sign up.  It’s hard with soccer and such in the fall, but then we make it easy by offering our program any day of the week.  My son is a 4^th grader, and I’m going to see if he wants to invite a different friend once a week to come home with him on the bus, and head over to Simsmore Tennis for snack, homework, and fun court time.  If only I had these opportunities growing up in Westland Michigan, perhaps I would be a tennis pro today, and some other reinsurance guy would be writing this email!

Our doubles challenge and most of our season times are also getting up to speed, and our usta teams are going really well.  I will note that every day is a fashion show when the usta teams arrive!  At least it seems that way to this humble, and perpetually underdressed, actuary.

We’ll celebrate the start of our Junior programs with a movie night this Friday, the 28^th!  We plan to show The Iron Giant.  My kids and I really enjoyed this animated tale from 1999:

We’ll have flyers for you this coming week.  Remember, the idea is that one or more parents can bring in children for pizza and the movie while the adults have a fun game of tennis.  All skill levels are welcome for this social event!  We’ll start the movie promptly at 7 PM.  Ok, probably not promptly, but we certainly won’t wait until 7:30.  The movie is about 90 minutes long, and we’ll project it bigger than life.  Tennis is from 7-9 PM, $30 per adult.  If you would like to reserve a place, either respond to this email, or let Claudia know! 

Tim, Chief Member

Special From Tyler:

As we kick off this Juniors session, I wanted to reiterate our objectives for your children.  The goal of our junior lesson program is to maximize each player’s skills utilizing an energetic, technical and positive teaching approach. 

Our junior program has specific goals that the instructors focus on to make sure your child has a solid foundation of technique, footwork and strategy. We try to limit the coach to student ratio to 4 to 1, although it sometimes will stretch to 5 to 1.  Singles and doubles play will be incorporated into the workouts. Progress reports will be given out at the end of each session to keep you informed of your child’s activity. And of course, you’re always welcome to watch the action from our observation area.

Classes are available Monday-Thursday with match play on Fridays. Some kids come once a week, others every day, and all schedules in between.  Match play is a two hour round robin style format with singles and doubles play supervised by our teaching staff.

We look forward to seeing you on the court!

Hi Players! [Sept 28, 2007]

First, rest easy, you won’t have to read a long email from me every week, it’s just that there is a lot going on as we get the season underway.  And you need to know!  Also, we’re aggressively adding people to our email list each week, so if you don’t want an email from us, let us know.  Or, if you feel like you’re missing part of our story, send me a note and we’ll send you the couple of prior emails.

Hi Simsmore Tennis! [Oct 24, 2007]

Simsmore Reporter (SR):  "Jim, it’s 6 AM on Monday of the camp, why are you awake?"

JW: "We had opening day yesterday, and it was a rousing good time.  But how could I sleep knowing that so many at Simsmore were waiting for my news?"

SR: "Fair enough.  So what is your news?"

JW: "I want to share with Simsmore all that I have learned so far."  My fellow campers, 91 of them, are all still asleep, and probably still drunk. But not me. I have serious work to do, which brings me to the heart of today’s message-POST WORKOUT REHYDRATION. If you've spent any time on the court with Tyler, you have already been instructed as to the importance of proper grips, which enables you to strike the ball w/ maximum effectiveness. What you may NOT be aware of, however, is that gripping techniques are equally important in the first few moments following a practice or a match. So, having had ample practice yesterday w/ this, I pass along to you the rudiments of what to me is most critical, so listen very carefully."

SR: "Jim, our readership is spellbound, impart your knowledge."

JW:

1. "Take the open palm of your playing hand and place it firmly on the side of a can, bottle or pint glass of Foster's Lager (Australian for beer).

2. Grip said container firmly, but not tightly. Allow a faint smile to crease your lips. Then (and this is huge) allow the arm to bend comfortably at the elbow, bringing the liquid to your mouth in full anticipation of a successful delivery.

3. Drain that bad boy to the dregs, and, wiping your mouth roughly w/ your sleeve (you too girls), say to the barmaid or bartender- "Thanks mate- hit me w/ anotha" (Aussies don't really pronounce their R's like we do)."

SR: "Sounds easy enough, but did you have to go to Texas to learn to drink beer."

JW: "No, I’m well versed in the art, but I go to Texas to drink with tennis-playing Aussies, and that is entirely different.  And now everyone at Simsmore is educated also. You will soon find yourself sufficiently rehydrated, and after the second pint, not so bothered that you may have just lost."

SR: "Jim, any tennis news for us?"

JW: "Oh yes, how could I forget?  Right, the beer.  Let me close by telling Simsmore that I was John Newcombe’s first round draft pick in the team competition, which begins tomorrow. The pressure is huge, but I hope to represent Simsmore to the best of my rather limited ability.  For now, though, I may be late for PRE Match HYDRATION. What do you think?"

SR: "Jim, it’s 10 PM on Tuesday night, you’ve had two and a half full days of tennis.  How are you holding up?

JW: "The past two days have been nonstop, both on and off the court. I'll do my best to touch on a couple highlights. Yesterday, I was asked to play a Fantasy Doubles match w/ Rick Leach (9 time grand slam doubles champion) and Brian Gottfried (holder of three slams). The fourth was a bloke named Bo from Las Vegas, one of the campers, about 6'5", and former player at UCal Davis., who can serve about 125. It was decided that Brian and I would play together. Being the only player under 6 feet (if you haven't noticed, I'm kind of small), I liked my chances, and the match was played on Court one w/ the whole Camp watching on."

SR: "That’s a lot of pressure, playing in front of the whole camp, right?"

JW: "Well remember, they were fairly drunk."

SR: "Right, the whole Australia thing.  OK, so who won?"

JW: "To make a short story long, Brian and I won 6-4, but what made it memorable was my inside-out ace against a rather surprised Rick Leach. Its a big deal when a camper aces a legend. So big, in fact, that there is a  presentation during dinner if it happens."

SR: "Can I assume the presentation involves a Foster’s can?

JW: "Everything here involves a Foster’s can.  Anyway, I'm pleased to say that Simsmore is thus far well represented. I'm actually kind of famous, signing autographs, posing for pictures, dinner with the queen, you know, the regular stuff."

SR: "Excellent news, Jim.  What else is going on?"

JW: "I really need to get to bed.  But perhaps next time we run into one another I can tell you about my new buddy Angus Dean, a 60 year old from Queensland Australia, who owns a 120,000 acre sheep ranch which takes 30 minutes to cover from one end to the other, by plane, which he pilots. Truly the prototype for Crocodile Dundee.  G'day for now."

SR: "Thanks Jim!"

In closing, Jim’s remarks on Angus reminds me of one of my favorite jokes.  A Texan visits a weather old farmer up in Maine.  After a cordial greeting, the Texan asks the New Englander how big his ranch is, and the farmer says it stretches from "these woods over here to that creek over there."  The Texan puffs out his chest and says, "well back in Texas, if I get in my truck in the morning it will be evening before I get to the other side of my ranch!"  The farmer eyes him coolly and says, "Yup, I used to have a truck like that."

Our Cosmo Girls (3.0) came up short last weekend, in a match at Canton, falling 1-4.  Better luck next time, but special congrats to Francine N (S2), the day’s lone victor for the good guys (girls?)  And also a great job by Hawk (D2), who is not only a great player, but also great with child.  She and Kathy went to a tiebreaker before falling, and while Mom and Baby are fine, it’s time for Mom to rest for awhile (at least with USTA), and the Cosmo Girls will certainly miss Hawk in the coming weeks.

Our Perfect Racquets won a close match with Manchester last weekend, 3-2.  Kim B. (S1) won a great match 6-4,7-5, against a very seasoned opponent.  But Kim’s great volleys, consistent groundies, and overall mojo was too much to overcome.  Paula K. / Robin C (D1) were victorious 6-2,6-2, playing a very strong match – they both brought their A-game.  Kathy M. / Mary C. (D3) won 6-2,6-1.  They played consistent great points, and special thanks to Mary for joining this bunch.  Alas, it was rumored that at least one women who came up short remarked that "she could hear Tyler’s voice in my head and we were doing the exact opposite of what he would say.  That is never a good thing!"  Amen.

The Violette Femmes won their first match of the year, 3-2 against Rocky Hill.  Shelly K (S1) won a close match in the tie breaker, and Della C. (S2) won by default, although she was ready to clobber anybody that showed up.  Finally, Laida K / Deb G (D3) put the match on ice, winning handily.

Win or Lose, congrats to all the women that competed last weekend.

Respectively submitted, Tim and Claudia

Hi Simsmore Tennis!

We're pleased to welcome our newest tennis professional, Alex Langbein, to Simsmore Tennis, and we're already enjoying his youth and enthusiasm!  Alex is a recent grad of Springfield College, where he played on the Varsity Tennis Team.  Like all of our 'younger' employees, he seems to have computer skills engrained, and for that we are always grateful.  Alex actually majored in Sports Management, so he brings another skill set to Simsmore that we're sure to find beneficial.  But most important of all, Alex is ready to teach tennis!  Does your game need a tune-up?  Does your game need a new shot?  Is your game missing?  Alex can solve all of these problems.

Contact Alex at alex@simsmoretennis.com, or call 651-7900 for scheduling.

Session 2 starts in a couple of weeks, on November 12.  We had a great turnout for session 1, and now that rec soccer is over, we're hoping for even more.  Bring your kids, have them bring their friends, and have those friends bring random children from the playground.  Call anyone at Simsmore, at 651-7900, to sign up!

Here's a short list of recently launched programs.  All are round robins, unless noted otherwise.  As the grim reaper would say, "room for one more…":

Men's Sunday Singles, 7:30 AM, 3.5+ level, $20 (Ben Silvanic)

Women's Friday Doubles, noon, any level, $15 (Sheryl Ruark)

Women's Wednesday Singles, 10:30 AM, 3.0+ level, $25 (Sam Levine)

Men's Thursday Doubles, noon, any level, $15 (Linda Wolfe)

Three matches were played at Simsmore this week, and it was a lot of fun to see all the activity on and off the court.

The Desperate Housewives (4.0) were in action this week, and they lost a close match to Farmington Valley.  Right now, our team has several 3.5 players playing up, and that can be difficult, but the women competed very hard.  Winners were our two singles players, Liz S (S2) and Dorien B (S1).

The Rally Girls (3.0) also came up short, although the match was much closer than 1-4 indicated, as all the matches went to a third set except one, and that one was 6-7, 4-6!  Suzy D (S2) was our lone winner, and I think I heard it was her first win in competition.  Great job!

It turns out, the men refrain from fancy team names, although I like the pr they give us by being simply "Simsmore Tennis".  Anyway, our 4.0 team defeated the squad from Canton, 4-1.  Special congrats to Mark L/ Len P (D3), who posted their first win ever in 4.0 competition!  Also winning for the men were Jon S (S1), Gilles P (S2), and Chris K/Jeff S (D2).  Nice job to the entire team.

Hi all,

To all USTA team players, men and women, regardless of level...

I was given some wonderful tactical advice yesterday from John Newcombe (sorry, Tim here again, how cool is getting advice from John Newcombe!) in the midst of a tense and hard fought match that I was involved in. What is so interesting is, you have all heard it a million times but probably failed to implement it to its full benefit-I am referring to the necessity of playing ONE POINT AT A TIME- treating each point as a match unto itself.  Did you know that choking is a product of projecting ahead, getting temporarily distracted from the job at hand (which is the ball YOU are about to hit)?  Think about that players. I believe you will find it beneficial. It sure helped me. I came from a set down and then 0-3 in the super tiebreaker to win myself, which led to John Newcombe running on the court and giving me a huge hug and a "Good on ya mate"! Does it get any better than that? After all, John owns 26 Grand Slam Titles.

As I got on a plane to return to New England, I was met with a sense that I was leaving something incredibly special, namely, a fraternity of men, who in less than six days went from being, in many cases, complete strangers, to teammates and good friends. This is, in my opinion, Tennis at its best- when team members play their hearts out, win or lose, and are supported unconditionally by their teammates, again, win or lose. And afterwards, as fellow competitors, everybody again forms one big happy family of Tennis players, without divisions based on ability, wealth, or team affiliation. Can we all say that is a normative experience for us on our own teams and in our own particular Tennis environments? Having experienced the VERY BEST Tennis has to offer this past week in Texas, among the very best players in our games history (well over 100 combined Grand Slam titles), I hope to pass all I've learned along to all who are interested. Please feel free to ask me anything. Only be prepared to pull up a chair and pop open a beer. The best things, after all, take time...
Swing easy,
Jim

Like a lot of people, you probably need more actuaries in your life, but how do you make that happen?  Once again, membership at Simsmore is a gift that keeps on giving.  Beginning November 1, two new companies join Simsmore Square in our own building.  Ruark Insurance Advisors, Inc (RIA) and Ruark Consulting, LLC (RCL) are two companies from up the street that are ready to relocate.  We're a quiet people, unassuming, prone to wander outside our den in early afternoon, in search of tidbits of food left over by tennis players.  As a follow-up to last week's favorite joke about the Maine farmer, I offer one of my favorite actuarial jokes.  How can you tell if an actuary is an extrovert?  When he talks to you, he stares at your shoes.

Anyway, welcome to the crew - Ruthann Woodley, Inger Harrington, Judy Mason, Sally Osit, Peter Gourley, Susan Murray, Rich Tucker, Mike Loftus, and yours truly, the gentleman that has been sitting alone in the office suite for a week, with a bare lightbulb over his desk.

Also, we've added some walk through screens to our double doors on the courts (thanks Chad!).  So now, you can open the doors when it gets warm inside, and the screens will keep the junk (and birds) from coming in.

We had a late discovery of a conflict, namely movie night at Squadron Line, Simsbury's biggest elementary school.  So, to keep my own 4^th grader happy about Simsmore Tennis, we decided to move our event to the 9^th.  More details to come.

Hi Simsmore Tennis! [November 14, 2007]

Jodie Dimetres is one of our top female players at Simsmore Tennis, and we’re happy to report that her father, Gerald Slobin, was recently selected for induction into the New England Tennis Hall of Fame!  The induction ceremony is next summer, in Newport RI.  So, are you wondering how you get to the Hall of Fame?  Try doing what Gerry did:

Connecticut State High School Boys Champ for three years (lucky for somebody that they didn’t let freshmen play varsity back then).  Oh, did I mention that he never lost a high school match!

Full Scholarship to University of Miami where the team was #1 for each of Gerry’s four years, with a team record of 56-3. No surprise, Gerry was captain his junior and senior year. Played #1 doubles and #3 singles.

After college in the mid 50’s, he represented the US Army at the French Nationals (now the French Open), Monte Carlo and a list of European events as well as the US Nationals (now the US Open).  At the US Open in 1956 he beat Frank Shields in the 4th round and sent Mr. Shields into retirement.

Over his career, he held numerous top 5 rankings in Men's Singles and Doubles in New England.

Closer to home, he owned and operated the first indoor club in CT, Bloomfield Racquet Club (where a little lass named Jodi got her start!).  He also owned and operated the first Junior and Adult overnight tennis camps known as Connecticut Tennis Camp at the Loomis Chaffee School.

No stranger to the Hall of Fame, he was previously inducted into the Weaver High Hall of Fame and the National Jewish Hall of Fame.

Too bad this was a little late for Gerry, since it’s a posthumous honor, but it is still a great honor for his family, including our own Jodie, her sister Sheri, and brother Scott.  And if you ever doubt the influence a father can have on his children, consider that Jodie, Sheri, and Scott are all active racquet sports players and teachers.  Congratulations!

Team Appreciation Night!  Friday, November 16

Here’s some upcoming events, that should be great fun.

Thursday, November 22              We’re closed for Thanksgiving.  Go Lions!

Thursday November 29               Trunk Show.  All Day                                          Perfect Racquet will be at Simsmore for a fun day of shopping and more!

Friday November 30                   Davis Cup Celebration Night 6:30-10 PM              Play tennis and enjoy watching the US compete in Davis Cup, $25 pp

Sunday December 2                   Simsmore Square Family Festival 1-4 PM            As part of the community event, we’ll have Charlie Brown Christmas and crafts.

Friday December 7                     Long time members Appreciation Night 7-9 PM    Long time members and seniors play free.

The Perfect Racquets kept things rolling, winning for the 3^rd time this season, 3-2 versus Enfield on November 4.  Lisa P (S1) got things started with a straight set victory.  Robin C / Paula K (D1) kept the momentum going with a 3 set victory, and Amy S / Mary C (D3) wrapped things up with a thrilling tie breaker win!  This may have been Amy’s first foray into USTA action, so what a great way to start!

The rematch on November 11 did not go as well for the Perfects, but Mary C / Amy S (D3) won again!  Great job to the entire team.

The Violette Femmes (3.5) had a tough visit to East Hartford, falling 1-4.  Great job competing by the entire team, however, and special note to Lauri V / Ruth L (D3) for their straight set victory.  Great job!

The Desperate Housewives (4.0) won 3-2 against Enfield this past weekend!  Dorien (S1) and Nancy /Denise (D3) both had decisive 6-2, 6-2 victories over their opponents, it was much closer for Liz Z / Julie M (D2), but they also pulled it out in a tiebreaker.  Great job everyone!

After our last update noting that the men’s team rarely had fancy names, it was suggested by Jeff S. that the 4.0 team be called the Desperate Husbands.  Ironically, the team showed its desperation on Saturday November 4, losing to a rough and ready Middlebury squad.  I will now report on all Simsmore men that won their match (cue the crickets…)

Happy Thanksgiving!  Simsmore Tennis is closed Thanksgiving Day, and there is no junior program on Wednesday or Friday this week.  Have a great Thanksgiving!

New New New New!!!

I know what you’re saying, "alright already, we get it, you got some new stuff, new people, new whatever…but things don’t have to be new to be good."  Well said, astute reader.  As we approach the great American tradition of Thanksgiving, and this Chief Member looks back at the last two months, I want to single out one not-so-new person for special thanks – Tyler!  As many of you know, our head pro was here helping Dave and Claudia to build this business long before I showed up.  And what a great business he helped build!  He coaches four USTA teams, coordinates our junior program, fits in a full week of lessons, clinics, and such, and strings racquets in his spare time.  I also appreciate the little things about our business that he cares about, like keeping things picked up, and making sure our cabinets are well stocked.  When the Head Pro sets a great example through his work ethic, it trickles down.  All of us are lucky to have him.

Many of you feel the same way I do about Tyler and the rest of our professional staff, and you’ve benefited directly from the personal service that our pros provide.  This is a great time of year to show your appreciation for your favorite pro(s), in whatever fashion you can.  At Simsmore Tennis, we never expect anything greater than your patronage and the occasional smile, but no reasonable gift will ever be declined!

Junior Program Restructuring

"If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it."  Good ole American common sense, or trite nonsense from the pedestrian set?  As many of you know very well, our Junior Program has caught fire, and the fire is spreading.  We developed a waiting list for Friday Match Play.  For one minute we were tickled to have a waiting list for anything other than a hot shower, but then we realized, "we’re not a waiting list type of place."  If our working motto is, "It’s Your Time Now!", would we have to change it to "It’s Your Time Now to Put Your Name on Our Waiting List!"  Not much of a ring to it.  Anyway, to accommodate all the beautiful little cherubs, we’re making a change to our Friday Match Play to get more kids involved.  Tyler, Claudia and Jim have decided to integrate our Friday Match Play into our USTA junior team structure, so effective December 30, we will have our 18 and under players from 3 to 4:30 PM and our 14 and under players from 4:30 to 6 PM.  The on court experience will be pretty similar to before (and as long as there are package stores, I’m sure the off court experience will be the same also).

Reminder, to be fair to our players, match play requires the child to be able to serve and keep score.  If your child can’t quite meet that hurdle, don’t be discouraged, just use it as an incentive for them to continue to improve.  It will make it that much better for your child when they are invited to participate in match play.

Trunk Show

Simsmore Tennis is welcoming The Perfect Racquet to our lounge on Thursday, November 29 from 10 AM to 1:30 PM!  There will be loads of great stuff, and great deals, just in time for the Holidays.  If you have a special request (e.g. sizes, colors, etc.), just let Claudia or Kathy know, and they’ll try to accommodate.  Note, a portion of each sale will benefit Golf Fore the Kids (www.golfforethekids.com), a local charity inspired by Jacob Osit, who lost his battle with cancer recently.  Jacob is the son of Alan and Sally Osit of South Windsor, and Sally works for Ruark Insurance Advisors, Inc. (our next door neighbor at 530 Hopmeadow).

Simsmore Square Family Festival

On Sunday, December 2, from 1 – 4 PM, Simsmore Square is having its first Family Festival!  There will be all sorts of goodies, including a wine tasting, carol sing, maybe even Santa.  And its all free!  Details are on flyers in the lounge, and also at www.simsmoresquare.com.  Now, what will Simsmore Tennis be providing?  First, we will offer a regularly scheduled exhibit of Fit Men in Shorts, otherwise known as a home 4.5 USTA match.  While the men are busy on the courts, the kids and families will be busy in the lounge.  We will have warm drinks and cookies, and a make-your-own tennis ball ornament craft from the creative mind of Claudia Berns (assisted by an internet search engine).  And to tie it all together, we will be showing A Charlie Brown Christmas on the DVD projector every 30 minutes.

Hand Towels

We’ve been up to our necks in towel problems since we opened (actually, since last year I’m told), so this time, we’re fixing something that is broken.  We will continue to provide free towels for locker room use, just ask at the desk.  For on court use, or as a fashion accessory, we now will sell you a beautifully embroidered Simsmore Tennis, LLC hand towel for $10.  I know what you’re thinking, "Me? Pay for a towel?  I’ll just bring one of my wife’s dish towels."  Dude, you’re not making progress if you wipe off sweat but leave gravy on your noggin.  And more important, you need to be part of the Simsmore solution.  Get on the trolley.  Buy a towel.  Buy two.  Get one for everyone on your Christmas list.  Special thanks to our own Marcie Humphries for the great job on the embroidery!

Hi Simsmore Tennis (November 28, 2007)

Here’s a real short email this week, highlighting a few great opportunities.

First, we have a trunk show tomorrow, Thursday, from 10 AM to 1:30 PM.  The Perfect Racquet will be here, with lots of fun stuff to see and try.  As the host club, we would normally collect a portion of each sale, but we’re giving our entire fee to Golf Fore the Kids (www.golfforethekids.com), a very worthy cause that has directly touched a few of us in the Simsmore Tennis community.  So, for the sake of your wardrobe and for the sake of kids everywhere, spend spend spend!!

Second, the Simsmore Square Family Festival is this Sunday from 1 to 4 PM.  Besides all the good stuff going on in the neighborhood, we’re offering a Make-your-own-ornament and Charlie Brown Christmas movie.  Plus the 4.5 men have a match.  Stop by for some fun and refreshments!

Last, I noticed that a few of the men look a little sluggish following Thanksgiving.  Was it the third helping, or are you a Lions fan too?  No matter.  Anyway, you know who you are, and you know you need exercise!  Our own high energy Bob Brusa (who never over eats), notorious for quick hitting drills and putting your body back on a righteous track, is setting up some morning drills.  Start times vary, but this is targeted for before your work day begins.  Contact us at 651-7900 to sign up for one session or more!  Ladies welcome too, but I would never accuse our females of over-eating (now over drinking….)

Thanks to all,

Tim, Chief Member

Hi Simsmore Tennis (December 7, 2007)

Mixed Leagues Forming

We’ve had such great success with USTA leagues at Simsmore that we’ve decided to add a couple of mixed doubles teams. You can sign up for an 8.0 or 9.0 team (the sum of the male and female rating). If you don’t have a rating, one of our pros will help you with a self rating. To form a team, we need at least 10 players on the roster. Only six are needed for a match, since a match consists of D1, D2, and D3. Play begins in January. For inquiries, call Claudia at 651-7900.

Weekend of December 12, 2007

We had a great weekend, as many of you know that were here.  The Simsmore Family Festival was a hit for us, mostly because the weather was cold and they did this punch card thing so everybody that visited Simsmore made their way to 530.  And once they got here, they found it a very fun, warm, and welcoming place.  Special kudos to Tyler and Claudia, both did a great job of greeting people, telling them about our programs, and getting them settled in doing a craft or watching Charlie Brown.

Our junior matches were a big hit too, as both teams had victories.  As parents, we know that it’s the fun and experience that counts, but we also know our kids, and if they don’t feel the accomplishment of victory once in a while, it’s not good.  Great jobs by all the kids!

Long Term Member Appreciation Night, Friday December 7^th

Do your bones crack all day? Do you consider moans legitimate conversation? Do you still complain about FDR? You may be eligible for free tennis! At least for one night. This Friday at 6:30 PM, we’re having an appreciation night for our members that have been with us the longest, that have kept this ship upright all these years. Call Claudia or our front desk to reserve your spot!

Teen Night, Friday December 14^th

Do you play video games all day? Do you consider "like" and "whatever" to be legitimate conversation? Are you in the dark when people talk about FDR? You may be eligible for our teen tennis night, on the 14^th! Come join other like minded kids for a fun time on the courts and in the lounge. Call to reserve your spot, or signup on the bulletin board!

Billing Billing Billing!!

Well, from our point of view, all the invoices are created and have been distributed! We would be relieved, except now we transition to collections. It is a pitiful sight when actuaries and tennis pros team up to provide muscle to get bills paid. Don’t let it come to this! Pay your bill now, and know you’re helping us stay afloat.

Homework/Computer Lab Update

If tennis clubs have survived all these years using paper and pencils, how come Simsmore Tennis has seven computers, and we still think we need more? There should have been a warning with an actuary owner (e.g. "possible side effects of actuary-owner include fascination with RAM, and long periods of quietness"). To really appreciate the computer/homework lab, you need to visit us in the afternoons during our junior program. The space is crawling with kids of all ages, playing games, checking emails, there could even be some IM going on… I’m not sure what that is, but I’m told it is legal.

The common element for the kids is that they also play tennis. Hey, it’s 2007 and technology is second nature to these kids. As parents, we know we need to help our kids attain a balanced lifestyle, and if a few computers draw them in to get them exercising on the court, that’s a good solution. And if you’re Old School, you’ll be happy to know that you only see true joy on the kids’ faces when they’re on the courts (or eating pizza).

Also, special thanks to Claudia Franklin. First, way back in August, she confirmed my suspicion that kids (and their parents) would really respond to better lighting at Simsmore Tennis for homework. Then, when she saw that I go overboard on things (seven computers and counting), she gave us a lot of old software for the kids’ pc’s. Thanks Claudia!

Men’s Double Challenge

We’ve been gratified by all the men wielding sticks on our courts, but it is stretching our existing programs! Good problem, but calls for expansion. We’re adding two nights, Tuesday and Thursday at 8 PM, of double Challenge for the men. Doubles Challenge is an inexpensive ($15 per night) way to get a good workout with other men of similar ability. Each night you are teamed with three other men on one court, and you play a set with each person. Partners rotate every week. When you join Doubles Challenge, you join for the season, so we ask you to let us know what dates are good. We then use that information to develop rotations that keep everyone playing as much as they want, with good competition. This program is not just targeted to new members, but is also a good fit for almost any men currently playing season time. Call Claudia for more details.