On Saturday, Rich and I and Stan and Sally travelled over to Kings Point in Sun City Center to participate in their annual Pennies for Pickleball Event. Bruce and Gena were supposed to be going today as well, but Bruce was VERY much under the weather. Glad to hear that Bruce is feeling better - but we sure wished they could have joined us to enjoy the day.
Our friend Louann puts together these events at Kings Point, and we are always amazed at what new and creative ideas she comes up with. When you arrive you are always surprised. This time was no exception. In addition to having cold water available for all the players, Lou did up her usual "goodie bags" for everyone that was playing, complete with juice, cookies and granola bars.
Today she had these little pickleball banks made up for everyone. Complete with sunglasses, the banks held a "penny" pin for your hat or lapel, a Kings Point flag with your name creatively printed on it, AND ten pennies inside = just in case you lost and had to pay, your opponant a PENNY!
Not sure how many people were there, but my guess would be somewhere around 35 or 40. We met some new players from up in Solivita, which is up near Kissimmee, and there were also four players from Valencia. Lakes which is just up the road in Waumauma! No, not Wachulla! Waumauma! They just started a pickleball club there and already have about 40 members. We are going there next week to do a pickleball clinic for them. Should be fun!! Anyway the weather was absolutely perfect for the Penny Pickelball event.
Our Meadow Pointe players at home and some of you who were at Peace River in Wauchula this winter will recognize Barbara Purvis (left). Here she is playing with Nadine. Barbara is a Florida snowbird and travels in her Class C back and forth from Florida to Michigan. We wish her a safe trip back to Michigan - where she also has a group that she plays pickleball with.
Rich was scheduled to play with Stanley in the men's doubles, but someone didn't show up so Rich is filling in and playing here with Ron too. Ron and his wife Ellen live at Kings Point.
Yes - that's Sally . She and I played together in ladies doubles. We did OK!!! We were in the playoff's for the Bronze Medal - which we really should have won. We had already beat the team very easily........but we lost 17-15 !!! Here's Sally sitting and enjoying the competition.
Stan and Rich take to the courts!
Winning their first game easily!!
Here they are playing in their Medal Match!
Nadine and Louann - playing for the Gold!!!
And fighting for every point!!!
Congratulations! Lou and Nadine take the Gold!
And yes!!!! Rich and Stan played a great final match and here they are donning their Gold Medals! Good Job Guys.
Here's Louann - playing with her Tom - her mixed doubles partner. No they did not medal today!!
Here's Stan and Sally enjoying some good competition.
Now - Sally told me that Stan missed more shots than she did, and that it was her great playing that allowed them to take this game. I don't know Stan - she's looking pretty good here!
Maybe it was because today was Stan's Birthday and he was a year older today! Yes we all sang Happy Birthday to him. 
Rich and I were going to play in the mixed doubles today. Not a good idea. Those of you who know us well - and have seen us trying to play together know that it's not very pretty. No different today! There was another lady who needed a partner for a game or two - here's Rich on the court with her. Of course they won this game!
Congrats to Nadine and Gary who took the Gold in the Mixed Doubles
And to Sally and Stanley who took the Silver Medal. Great Job you Two!!
An I can't believe that we FINALLY got a picture of Louann and her husband Tony. As many times as we play in Kings Point we never seem to get the two of them in the same picture. Louann absolutely loves pickleball, LIVES pickelball and Tony is always there to support whatever she plans! Thanks again Louann and Tony for another great pickleball day! You two are AWESOME!
By the time we left Kings Point we had worked up an appetite. We followed Stan and Sally back to Wauchula where we all stopped at Paul's Kitchen for dinener. Everything was absolutely delicious! And, for those of you familiar with Pauls - today they substituted mac and cheese for the RICE!!!! The meals were delicious. Stan went for the Sirloin, as did I with four Jumbo Shrimp, Sally had the Catfish and Rich went with the Smothered Chicken, smothered in onions, mushrooms and cheese! One of the best meals we've enjoyed there.
It was a long day.....................and an early night!
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