Category: News

By Karen Hillis and Betty Olsen

Saturday, SEPTEMBER 16 and Sunday, September 17
Mixed Doubles Club Tournament
Saturday, SEPTEMBER 30 and Sunday, OCTOBER 1
Men’s and Women’s doubles Club Tournament

Now is the time for you to grab a partner and put these dates on your calendar.
We hope to have 8 teams for each category: Mixed A, Mixed B, Men’s A, Men’s B, Women’s A. Women’s B.

On Sunday, October 1 there will be a dinner at Foothill to socialize and hand out awards.

You don’t want to miss any of it!

By Sonia Soin and Betty Olsen

The Fun Mixer 2023 on Friday, July 21 was a great success thanks to everyone. A special thank you to all those who helped Harry and me organize this event from the start. It was our first time taking home the Mixer Black Binder.

Thank you to all the ladies who helped set up and decorate the area, welcome and register all the players with name tags and score cards. And special thanks to those who stepped in to fill in some spots last minute.

We had 24 players filling all 6 courts mixing it up at 4:30 p.m. and another 24 players mixing it up at 5:30 p.m. The viewing stands were filled with spectators most of the time with lots of comments and cheering. We were especially excited to have several new tennis club members participate.

Following the tennis, a delicious BBQ was organized by Linda Dumont, social chairman, and her culinary gang. A very big thank you to Brian Dombrowski for grilling all those delicious burgers.

There is one sad note to this otherwise Fun Mixer. Nancy Spisar took a tumble on the court and hurt her right wrist. …turns out she is having surgery this week! Nancy and our President Randy Shaw will be rehabbing their bodies for the next while since Randy had knee replacement surgery day of the Fun Mixer.

Sonia Soin and Kathy Dombrowski at the Tournament Desk.

Spectators filling up the viewing stands.

Nancy Spisar and Mary Ringel

Tennis Talk

By Betty Olsen

I would like to introduce you to one of our new tennis club members. His name is Tony Loiacono. He and wife Hanne moved to village Hermosa April 2023. When you meet him, you will wonder if he is related to Steve Olsen because if you were glancing at the courts from the viewing stand you would think you were watching Steve except Tony is a lefty!

Tony grew up traveling because his father was in the military. But the unique reason he moved and traveled so much was because his dad was a PGA tour golf pro in the military. Tony has an older brother who is a scratch golfer. He also has a younger sister.

Tony went to high school in Florida and played trombone in a jazz band. He went to Florida State University and became a wine sommelier working his way through college at Disneyworld. After college he and a friend did a road trip from Florida to California but ran out of money when they hit San Francisco. However, he never returned to Florida because he met his wife here and raised his family in Redwood City. They have one son, Nicholas, who is a musician. He plays several instruments, but the guitar is his main instrument but now is a music producer and owns a recording studio in San Mateo.

Tony has enjoyed many careers including working as a yacht broker in Newport Beach. Tony and Hanne now own a special events company. Their clients include Stanford and many IT companies. However, he says he now works part-time because he can rely on repeat business.

I asked Tony how he found out about the villages, and he remembers when they decided to move, they looked on Zillow. And are we glad they did! Tony joined the tennis club after participating in Jay’s Sunday drop-in and states they are very happy with their move choice. They were looking for a friendly community with many activities to choose from and they found it.

Tennis Talk

By Betty Olsen and Nancy Domingo

Saturday, July 1, the tennis club held its annual Bocce/BBQ meeting. Nancy Domingo, chairperson, and her committee did an outstanding job organizing this event. Peggy Seidel, Sherry Benz, Judy Falarski, Betty Olsen manned the check-in desk where folks picked up their name tags and raffle tickets a well as their Bocce times.

Approximately 91 members and guests filled the shady spots at the umbrella tables. Don Clarke and Lolivic Shaw entertained us with two songs, “Shallow” and “Don’t Fall in Love with a Dreamer”. Randy held a short meeting with Roy Pennington announcing fall League Tennis.

Volunteer chefs cooked steak, salmon and vegie burgers served with Costco chili, potato salad, green salad, and ice cream bars for dessert. Yum!

Nancy Domingo’s guest, professional jazz singer, Yvonne Flores entertained us with a song on her album Sheer Bliss. She will be performing on August 12 at the San Jose Jazz Festival in the PG&E Hammer Theater Stage at 3:00pm.

And then to finish the day, Nancy handed out the many raffle prizes totaling $400.00, to conclude the day’s festivities. We were happy to see many new members attend as well as some of our older folks no longer playing but still tennis enthusiasts.

Our next event is our “Fun Mixer” Friday, July 21 chaired by Sonia and Harry Soin. Please go to “YourCourts” and on the right side click on “Coming Events” to sign-up. Following tennis, there will be a BBQ at the viewing stand.

Attention all Tennis club members. 2023 Tennis mixer is almost here, so sign up now before all spots are filled. The date of this event is Friday, July 21st starting at 430 PM. There will be two sessions. We promise you an evening filled with interesting tennis games with a twist. Each participant can sign up for only one session. Don’t miss out! The evening will be filled with fun tennis, food, music, and prizes.

We have a great organizing committee of volunteers to ensure you all have a great time. The committee comprises of Linda, Betty, Liz, Nancy, Helen, Brett, Doug, Asra, Sonia and Harry. We can always use the help. so feel free to reach out to Harry or Sonia if you would like to help.

Check your email or sign up on Your Courts.

Schedule of events :

Session 1 – 4:30PM

Session 2 – 5:30 PM

There will be a BBQ following the tennis, so bring your appetites. And don’t forget to bring your own drinks because the event is BYOB.

By Sherry Benz
TT 6/29/23

Some folks imagine that “jump start” is something you need when your car’s engine won’t turn over. Yes, but the Tennis Club’s Jump Start program is different, helping Villagers who are a bit (or more than a bit) “rusty” and even some brave folks who wonder if they could start a new sport as a senior. Dozens of “want-a-be” tennis players have passed though, most of them very successful in upping their game and joining in play. We have just concluded the 2023 Jump Start session (10 weeks in all) and a party followed – just a wee celebration of all we have learned, new friendships, and the fun we had on the courts.

This is the 2nd year for Peter Groot. He showed up with a wooden racquet in 2021 and a healthy resolve to get back into tennis after 42 years! And, wow, he has turned into a very formidable opponent. His advice is “don’t think that you can’t play”! Thanks to the generosity of one of our members, we were able to provide Peter with a free racquet and the sky is the limit! Myra Dykstra is also attending for the 2nd year and really appreciates having input from different coaches, helping her break old habits – don’t we all want that!

Speaking of coaches, we couldn’t offer Jump Start without the generous time and expertise given by Mike & Gail Tuft, Peggy Siedel, and Roy Pennington. Not to mention a few others who dropped in to help: Karen Hillis, Betty Olsen and Barry Stein.

We all know that our skill improves with practice and the more balls we hit and the more players we play against, the better we get. So … everyone, take advantage of Open Play. You are welcome at any level and you can continue to get coaching, if you would like. Open Play is Monday and Friday from 4:30-6:00 PM on courts 5 & 6. Contact Peggy Seidel if you have a question: peggy@theseidels.net or 713-398-7955. We’ll be looking for you!

Attention Tennis Club Members!

The Bocce and BBQ event on July 1st is just around the corner! We are happy to announce that at the raffle we are giving away $400 in cash prizes. The cost is $25 per member and $30 per guest which includes a raffle ticket. Keep in mind that reservations close on Sunday, June 26th.

Everyone who is registered will receive a raffle ticket. Everyone who plays Bocce will get one, and there will be Tennis Club Trivia. For example, Who was the first Villager Tennis Club President? The first 10 people who email me with the answer at domingonancy22@gmail.com will get raffle tickets. For the answer go to: https://villagestennis.vgcc.club/past-presidents/.

The cat is out of the bag!

Our own Villager’s Tennis Club players are going to sing for us. Enjoy the smooth and silky sounds of Don Clarke and Lolivic Shaw!

Schedule of Events

3:00PM- Check in at the Gazebo Park and sign in at the registration table. You will be given a raffle ticket, name tag with your entree you chose, and your session for Bocce if you signed up.

3:00PM- Appetizers and soft drinks will be served

4:00-7:00 PM- Bocce Play

4:20-4:30 PM- Singing performance by Don Clarke and Lolivic Shaw

4:30-5:00 PM- General Meeting with Tennis Club President Randy Shaw.

5:00 PM- Dinner is served.

6:00-8:00 PM Music and dance

It’s going to be a SMASH hit, so sign up now! Come and join the FUN because that’s how we tennis players BOUNCE it and ROLL!

For more information or to register please email, Nancy Domingo at domingonancy22@gmail.com or call at (408) 832-9751 or email Lolivic Shaw at lolivicshaw02@gmail.com.

By Nancy Domingo
TT Publication 6/16/2023

Attention all Tennis Club Members! The Bocce Play and BBQ is just around the corner, so sign up now and bring guests! The date of the event is July 1, from 3 to 8 p.m. There are going to be two sessions of Bocce and our General Meeting. Don’t miss out! The day will be filled with food, music, dance, Bocce and a raffle to win cash prizes!

We have an awesome committee team who are the following: (pictured left to right) Lolivic Shaw, Don Clarke, Mary Ringel, Nancy Domingo (Chairperson) Ruth Domingo-Liu (Vice-President), Robert Diaz, Mila Gines, Randy Shaw (President), and Gerhardt Ringel.

Check your email! Sign up on “Google Forms” in an email that was sent to you. Fill in your choice of a dinner entree which are steak, salmon or veggie burger. Sign up for Bocce Play. Also, there are volunteer opportunities to help out that day. Please bring your own plates, silverware, and alcoholic beverages.

Schedule of Events: Meet at the Gazebo Park at 3 p.m.; Bocce Play at 4 to 7 p.m.; Musical Performance at 4:20 p.m.; General Meeting at 4:30 p.m.; Dinner served at 5 p.m. and Music and Dance at 5 to 8 p.m.

The cost is $25 per member and $30 per guest which includes a ticket for a drawing. Keep in mind that reservations close on Sunday, June 26. Everyone who is registered will receive a drawing ticket. Everyone who plays Bocce will get one, and there will be Tennis Club Trivia. For example: Who was the first Villager Tennis Club President? The first 10 people who email me with the answer at domingonancy22@gmail.com will get drawing tickets. For the answer go to: villagestennis.vgcc.club/past-presidents. The winners will be announced in the next newsletter!

Who said tennis players can’t sing? There will be a special musical performance by Tennis Club Members: Road Runner and Rockstar. Come and find out who they are!

It’s going to be a SMASH hit, so sign up now! Come and join the fun because that’s how we tennis players bounce it and roll!

For more information or to register please email, Nancy Domingo at domingonancy22@gmail.com or call at 408-832-9751 or email Lolivic Shaw at lolivicshaw02@gmail.com

Tennis Talk

By Betty Olsen

Meet Tennis Club board member Marty Funcell, our new court manager who is doing an awesome job taking care of our courts.

Marty tells me that before moving to the villages, he only played tennis once or twice a year with a friend over 30 years ago, but after moving here in 2020 he signed up for the Jump Start program and is playing regularly. He also enjoys pickleball and golf, but states tennis gets priority.

Marty was born and raised in western New York in a small town called Kennedy, New York. He is from a family of 6, 3 boys and 1 girl, Marty being position number two sibling. After high school Marty joined the US Air Force and learned electronics stationed in Montana. After his discharge, he stayed in Montana and attended the University of Montana in Missoula.

With the electronics boom in California, Marty moved here in 1977 and worked as an electronics engineer. He was married for 24 years and has one daughter who lives in southern California. After his divorce in 2005 he moved to Santa Cruz to enjoy the beach life. Then Marty retired in 2007 and enjoyed surfing and hiking, but calls this first retirement an unpaid sabbatical. Then he unretired and worked for Apple. Again retired, Marty moved to the Villages during the pandemic in 2020.

Marty is currently exploring the art of writing, enjoying the writer’s group here at the villages. He also has written many songs, has published two CDs, and has written a children’s book. Check out his website: MartyFuncell.com. Take a look!

Yes, thanks Marty for choosing the Villages. We are hoping it is your last move!