Battle Creek FULL BLAST Pickleball !

Insight and Website of Richard Movsessian

"Whoa! You put a lot of spin on that ball!" I heard that a few times, yesterday. That "spin" may have earned me some new respect among my betters on the pickleball courts. But if they only knew... ... ... each time they said the word "spin", my non-sports mind spun to the cycle on my washing machine.

Wise enough to know what to leave to the pros, I will once again recommend the insight and website of Richard Movsessian aka "Mo". Today is a good day to visit the laundry room, toss that pile of exercise clothes into the washer and then relax (with the last of the Thanksgiving Day leftovers-yummers!) to enjoy MoPickleball/Helpful tips for improving your pickleball game . Thank you, Mo! Happy to spend the morning learning from your experience!

Live Well! Play Pickleball!

The Michigan Athletic Club in East Lansing

and Glenn Lansky

redefine

HOT Winter Pickleball!

MI Pickleball! Booming in the Bubble!

Go MAC! Go Glenn!

Sweet Potatoes, Pickled Beets, and PICKLEBALL!

!! Happy Thanksgiving Day !!

Today, gathered around Michigan dinner tables,

families and friends will pray, eat, laugh, and indulge

in lively conversation! The lively Thanksgiving conversation,

for MI Pickleball Players is sure to include the word "PICKLEBALL"!

Happy Thanksgiving to ALL MI Pickleball Players!

!! Enjoy the Harvest !!

"The Menu" Composed by Chef Cousin Mark!

TODAY’S THANKSGIVING MENU

About today’s turkeys:

• 3 Tom Turkeys for a total of 68.53 pounds.
• Brined in a combination of salt, brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, vanilla, which were all mixed into raspberry, cranberry, grape, orange pineapple and orange juices since Saturday afternoon.
• The turkey’s were set a blaze at 4:57 a.m. to be gently smoked over a smoldering combination of only the finest Macomb County wild cherry wood to an intended internal temperature of 170 degrees Fahrenheit where it will be carved by some of our volunteering family.
• It will be served along side of the best hand crafted side dishes known to man, or woman for that matter, such as Rose’s rice, Ida’s Idaho’s, Gloria’s handmade spinach pie amongst others too numerous to list.
• This is followed up with only the finest desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth such as Jean’s famous pies and Carol’s cannolis, along side a steaming cup of coffee, tea or beverage of your choice.
• So, please make yourself at home and enjoy today’s buffet, and join us in giving thanks for all we have, for the people we love, the people we are and are able to be while living in the best place on earth.

Enjoy,

The Staff……………

Your chefs today: Mark and Noah

Generational Blessings of Health and Wellness!!

Katie (18), a healthy daughter whose mom is an MSO Gold Medal Winner
Sally (81), a healthy mom whose daughter is an MSO Gold Medal Winner

From Nancy Thoenes: "Some of us play PICKLEBALL at Sterling Heights Senior Center. Last night Beth Mosshart brought her mom, Sally, who is visiting for the holiday and I brought my daughter, Katie, who is home from college. Sally is 81 years old and Katie is 18. They both played and had fun. Talk about a spread in ages!"

• Nancy Thoenes MSO Gold Medal Women's Singles Badminton
• Beth Mosshart MSO Gold Medal Women's Singles Racquetball

!! Thankful for the generational blessings of health and wellness !!
!! Thankful for PICKLEBALL, the game for ALL ages !!

You Are Invited...

INVITED
All MI Pickeball
Tournament Officials and Players

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER
Norm Davis
USAPA Board Member and Training Chair

TOPIC
Rules and Refereeing

DATE/TIME
Tuesday, November 25 at 2:40 - 4:00 PM

LOCATION
The Crittention Wellness Center at the OPC
The OPC, 650 Letica Drive, Rochester Hills, MI 48307

FREE
Come..."just for the FUN of it!"

QUESTIONS
Janet Razz MIPickleball@gmail.com

Princess PINK

MI Pickleball Welcomes Norm Davis

!!! A Festival of Friends !!!

MI Pickleball Players thank USAPA Board Members

Norm Davis and Dennis Duey

for

"A Guide to Refereeing Pickleball"

Produced by USA Pickleball Association

USAPA Ambassadors Meet, Greet, and Beat?!?* High School Students

Michiganders love experiencing the broad spectrum of life! Today Michiganders are enjoying BRIGHT SUN and COLD SNOW! Today two USAPA Ambassadors, senior citizens, are enjoying a PICKLEBALL "challenge match" with high school students! (If you've read any of my posts, you know I don't excel in math, science, or sports. So - all you science majors out there prepare to cringe.) Oh happy 'electromagnetic spectrum' day in the life of MI Pickleball players of ALL ages! Read what our very own math, science, and sports guy, Dick Manasseri, says about Mixed Generation Pickleball!

Pickleball News by Dick Manasseri

The Fun of Finding the Younger Players

A senior borrows the portable Pickleball net provided for training by the USAPA, puts it up in her driveway and teaches her children and grandchildren how to play, laugh, and exercise all at the same time.

A young recreation coordinator hosts drop-in play for all ages at the Midland Community Center on Sunday afternoons and is interested in hosting tournaments there for all ages.

A senior invites his 25 year old nephew to the Troy Community Center to share in the fun of Sunday night Pickleball.

A young senior takes 150 of her high school students through an extended Pickleball program that culminates with a spirited tournament and a challenge match with local seniors.

The physical education teacher host Pickleball sessions for over 100 other physical education professionals at the annual MAHPERD conference in Grand Rapids. These health and fitness attendees are then surveyed to see if they and/or their students are interested in free in-school clinics and other activities that will include the 2009 Michigan State Pickleball games with brackets for the younger players 14 & Under, 18 & Under, 18+, 35+, as well as 50+ and 60+. The survey results show that there is interest in having seniors visit schools to host demo/clinics and initiate intramural Pickleball programs.

Demo/clinics and presentations are planned for county Recreation Center coordinators as well as the statewide Michigan Parks and Recreation Association (MPRA) conference in Dearborn to establish greater awareness of the demand for Pickleball programs. The demand is derived from the desire of seniors to play with younger family members and friends as well as the enthusiasm for the game amongst students who want to play outside school, maybe even with their parents and grandparents.

A model for this mixed generation energy that encompasses the family reunion exuberance of the Christmas Holiday Season is the Mixed Generation Holiday Pickleball Festival at the Troy Community Center on Sunday December 28. Round Robin Recreational Games on 7 courts will be held 6-8pm with Round Robin Competitive Games held 8-10pm. Pick your partners and register early as the number of teams is limited.

Mixed Generation Holiday Pickleball Festival Registration Form

*Ramblers! If you BEAT these guys, I want to know about it! Post your comments, post your bragging rights...This game has a silly name -- but it boasts some serious competition! Envision PICKLEBALL on your "Wall of Pride"! Go Ramblers! Go Pickleball Players of ALL Ages!

"Singing Pickleball Pete!"

Pete LaBarbera

'Pickleball' - Lyrics by Singing Pickleball Pete!

Expressions of Gratitude To Renard Kolasa

Renard,

There were several players working on drills this evening and discussing court strategy and shot placement.

The aftermath of your clinic will be with us all for a long time. There were 70+ players there yesterday and the response has been so positive.

I am especially grateful for the comments you made about the spirit of the game and knowing why you are playing on any given day.

You gave us all the gift of your insights, your skill and your love of the game. You reminded us of the respect we should have for all who endeavor to play at any level.

Thank you so much,
-Dick

Happy 'Hobbit' Birthday Renard Kolasa

J.R.R. Tolkien authored the classic stories telling of the Hobbits and their folklore. Hobbits have a wonderful custom of giving others gifts on their own birthdays, preferably something memorable that will give pleasure throughout the entire year! A "Hobbit Birthday" is a great way to celebrate life and living! And that's just what Renard Kolasa did for his birthday celebration! Renard blessed the more than 70 Michigan Pickleball Players that attended the MSO - Michigan Great Lakes Pickleball Instructional Skills Clinic, November 12, 2008. Yesterday was a glorious day in the life of pickleball at the OPC Rochester, a true festival of friends! Thank you Renard for gifting us with your instruction and your friendship! Click the link to read and enjoy Renard's Skills Clinic handout: "Six Sets of Five" by Renard J. Kolasa

Happy 'Hobbit' Birthday Renard!

MI Pickleball Players THANK YOU for your generosity!

We will enjoy your gift for the entire year and...happily ever after!

MSO 2009 Winter Festival Athlete Registation

Softball Players! Tennis Players! Badminton Players! Racquetball Players! Table Tennis Players!

Downstate Michigan is receiving the seasons' first gentle flutter of snowflakes. A good time to plan to "TURN UP THE HEAT!" You've heard of the game PICKLEBALL! Maybe you've even seen it played.

For the first time PICKLEBALL is a Michigan Senior Olympics 2009 Winter Games medal sport! PICKLEBALL wants to be your opportunity to take home 'The GOLD'..."just for the FUN of it!"

Men and women that have played softball, badminton, tennis, racquetball, and table tennis have great success quickly picking up the game of PICKLEBALL! They find it an easy game to learn and enjoyable game to play. The challenge of ball placement is captivating! The "POP!" of the ball is a welcome motivator! Mastering the game is filled with surprises!

Consider making PICKLEBALL your Michigan Senior Olympics winter sport. The FUN, friends, and fitness of PICKLEBALL await you! Come show us 'what you've got'!

February 2, 2009 MSO Pickleball Women's Doubles and Men's Doubles
February 3, 2009 MSO Pickleball Mixed Doubles and KARAOKE SOCIAL!
February 4, 2009 MSO Pickleball Men's Singles and Women's Singles

MSO 2009 Winter Festival Athlete Registration Form

"Quick! Bold! Ingenious!"

Dear OPC Rochester Pickleball Ladder Players,

THANK YOU for being my Pickleball Blessings!

Thank you for your gifts of friendship and of FUN! I will use your generous gift of money to enter and enjoy the MSO 2009 Winter Pickleball Games! I'll even s t r e t c h to play Women's Singles..."just for the FUN of it!" Thank you!

The OPC Rochester Ladder Award Night was a very special gathering of friends, both at the dinner tables (from 5:01-6:13) and on the courts (from 6:15-8:48). The clock was the storyteller. We spent more than twice as long playing as we did eating! That has to be good! Yesterday was one of those perfect days in life - when everything goes better than you can hope or imagine! Thank you!

Special thanks to Matt, Krystee, Jason, Rose, Alice, Judy, Ruth and ALL her staff, for being 'at our service'. Special thanks to Janette for being our calligrapher and Jeanne for being our photographer! (The first round of happy memories is on the sidebar slideshow, more to come soon.)

Papa Razz is making a color copy of my Ladder Participation Certificate, so we can double the pleasure and post it on my mom's refrigerator too :). Maybe I'll have a third copy made to post on the church bulletin board. Churches have long enjoyed softball teams and bowling leagues. If they only knew about the fellowship we enjoy playing PICKLEBALL... ... ...! OPC hosts an annual "Invite Your Pastor To Lunch" day. Maybe Michigan Great Lakes Pickleball will host an "Invite Your Pastor To Pickleball" game?!? Maybe I'll wear my NEW "Ask me about PICKLEBALL" shirt to church tomorrow :) ... ... ...?!? Thank you Dick!

Ladder Players, CONGRATULATIONS on your fitness level! A sustained hour playing pickleball is a great cardiovascular workout! YOU earned the bragging rights to your Ladder Participation Certificates! Show them to your neighbors, friends and family! Enjoy ALL the well deserved praise that goes your way! You are "QUICK, BOLD, and INGENIOUS" Professional Pickleball Players! What a great way to enjoy this season of LIFE!

ONE MORE PRIZE TO AWARD: How many times is the word "pickleball" used in this post?!? The first OPC Rochester Ladder player that emails the correct answer to me at MIPickleball@gmail.com is the WINNER of a beautiful LIME GREEN PICKLEBALL!

Gratitude and love, xox Janet

MI Pickleball FUN!

USA Pickleball Association

OPC Rochester Fall 2008 Ladder Award Banquet

As our younger friends say: "What's not to love!"

Clare Bushman and Maria Williams

MI Pickleball Fitness!

USA Pickleball Association
OPC Rochester Fall 2008 Ladder Award Banquet

"Energy For Life!"

Lita Vazquez and Mary Stoolmiller

Michigan MXG Pickleball ~ by Betsy Kamp

Mixed Generation (MXG) Driveway PICKLEBALL

On November 1st I had a family gathering in which some of us played Pickleball on my driveway. We had 2 generations with me (Grandma Bets), my daughter, my son, and my cousin. We played doubles most of the afternoon. I was the only one who had played before, but the younger generation caught on quickly. Each of them enjoyed it so much that they are going to suggest to their sport club manager that the game be introduced to the club members. So perhaps Madison, WI. and Hudson, Ohio will start a Pickleball group.

One note of interest: My daughter has a dog named Gracie and in a short time we were playing "Gracieball". Shortly Gracie was taken inside the house and we continued playing Pickleball!

MI Pickleball November Players of the Month

PICKLEBALL

FUN! Friends! Fitness!

Hans Spata, Lynne Dadas

Jeanne Rinehart, Sandy Knaack, Eugene Murphy

Come and Enjoy: "Pick a Pickleball Pair"

First with your eyes wide open, enjoy this delicious photograph: Michigan Pear ~ Reflections by Dawn! Now, I'm taking a PRIVATE show of hands. Everybody close your eyes so you can't see your neighbors responses. Ladies, raise your hand if you are of the generation where a girl NEVER 'called' a boy. Gentlemen, raise your hand (promise nobody is looking but me) if you are still just a little shy to 'make the first move'. No peeking, be absolutely sure you have your eyes closed! Ladies and gentlemen, raise your hand if your spouse has been your only 'partner'. That WAS the case for me BP - Before Pickleball. Now I have ONE long and faithful marriage. And MANY pickleball partners. (I'm so squeaky clean, even if I was running for president, the paparazzi couldn't find an interesting story on me. I not only never played sports, before falling in love with pickleball, I never played 'the field'.) I'm the classic shy extrovert. The first time I needed to ask a man to be my MIXED DOUBLES PICKLEBALL partner, I did the logical thing. I asked my girlfriend, Liz, to ask someone for me!

MSO - MI Great Lakes Pickleball Instructional Skills Clinic

Presented by Renard Kolasa

• Wednesday, November 12 at 1:00 - 4:00


• The OPC Gym, 650 Letica Drive, Rochester, MI 48307


• Free to 2008 and 2009 Michigan Senior Olympics Members
• Cost: $5.00 Non-members
• Registration required for members and non-members
• To request the registration form email: MIPickleball@gmail.com

The Skills Clinic is a great way to develop a winning strategy for the February MSO Winter Pickleball Games. In addition to tips and training, the Clinic agenda includes an introduction to the partner search process. Pare down the guess work (and the jitters) of picking a MSO Doubles Partner, come to the Clinic and enjoy the partner search process. Come and enjoy: "Pick a Pickleball Pair"!

For those of you that like MATH puzzles more than puzzling relationship questions: Papa Razz and I met, standing in line near a coal heated building, on cold 1958 January morning. He popped THE QUESTION, while we were eating Michigan cantaloupe, on an adventurous May day, 18 years later. He said: "I love you, but we can't elope..." He sang too! "Meet Me Somewhere in Your Dreams" by Doc Watson... Back to the MATH -- November 13, 2008 is our 32nd wedding anniversary. If my MSO partner is 60+ years of age -- he/she will have to play down an age bracket. If my MSO partner is under 55 years of age -- I will have to play down an age bracket. What was my age bracket when I first meet Papa Razz?!? And everyday is still... ... ... an adventure!"