Heartland Senior Games - Day 2

Saturday morning was still pretty cold - but at least there was no ice on the car windows to scrape. We arrived a little earlier today, hung the banner, grabbed a hot cup of coffee, enjoyed some conversation about the day before and prepared for the beginning of the mixed doubles event.

The sun came out by mid morning, but the wind stuck around a bit longer that everyone would have liked. There were some awesome matches today; a lot of real close games and the spectators clapped and cheered! I didn't play in the mixed doubles but Karen - who partnered with me yesterday played with George Ramirez, a guy from the Solivata Community in Poincianna. George's mixed doubles partner had to withdraw from the tournament and he was looking for a partner. They played a great first match and won, but did not medal. Louann's partner also had to withdraw because of injury so Buddy filled in for him. They too played some really great games, but missed the medal rounds. BUT.....................some of our RV group did move on to the medal podium!!!!

First.........Mr. and Mrs. Michalski - OK........Stan and Sally!!! They had some really tough competition, but despite Sally's injury they took home the Bronze medal. Congrats!!!!

Rich and his partner Linda Kramer took home the gold. Talk about some exciting matches.....This one was a nail biter. Everyone else had finished for the day as these two were finishing their medal match against Kathy Miller and Steve Arlen from Solivita. Rich and Linda were favored to win the match and Linda is a Tanglewood resident - so they had the crowed behind them. But both teams were applauded numerous times for their great playing. Of course the one that everyone will remember is Steve , who in the first game could not miss a shot. He dove for a cross court shot from Rich or Linda (can't remember which) returned the shot but fell to the ground. While still laying on the ground the ball came back to him - and amazingly he returned that ball again AND took the point! The crowd exploded with applause. Steve and Kathy went on to win that game. But that was the only game Rich and Linda lost all day! The came back, took the next two games and claimed the GOLD! Congrats!
Speaking of the crowds - You'll find some familiar faces below..........

Bob and Kathy Hughes enjoy the games. Kathy played in the mixed doubles today too. Actually she and her partner were the ones that played against Buddy and Karen. You seldom see Miss Kathy in a picture without her cup of coffee......and this one is no different.

That's Buddy on the left and behind him our Kings Point friends Louann and Nadine.

Walter Kuehn and his mixed doubles partner (from Sun City Center) sitting and Tanglewood's Mark Telfer and Jimmy Maynard. Walter played yesterday with Bruce Whitehead . Today he took the Silver with Sue. Mark Telfer was the event coordinator and if you remember he played with Rich in the Tampa Bay games. Both he and Little Jimmy represented Tanglewood well..... bringing home Gold and Silver Medals in both the mens and mixed doubles.

That's Shirley Bucci from Sun City Center who partnered with Richard Rivard from Torrey Oaks. No medals for these two - but they both had a great time! You can't play a game with Shirley without laughing and having fun.

A lot of our friends from Peace River who were not playing in the tournament drove over to watch the games. What a nice surprise! That Dean in the front row on the left - who you will no doubt see playing in this tournament next year along with Karen and Sally. In the back is Buddy and Vicki (I think) with her husband and Rich.

Marge, Vickie and Sally. We saw Barbara Kobacker there too - but I must have missed getting her picture.

Rich and Heinz - Probably talking the price of gold!!!

Enjoying the games and the conversation! The ladies in the front row are, Judy Goldberg, Sally, Renate and Linda.

After the games- we packed up and headed for Homers. We decided that we could not come to Sebring two days in a row without stopping there. The parking lot was PACKED! There was a bus load of people there and two large parties in the back rooms. And - we ran in to the whole group from Solivita there too. This is definately a favorite of many people. The food was great, as usual.......BUT THERE WERE NO ECLAIRS !!! Rich had to settle for two pieces of Chocolate Cream Pie......Or was it THREE?

I can't prove it this time...........I left the camera in the car.