Well, if all goes well, effective Wednesday, my wife and I will be empty nesters.  The U-Haul is rented, packing is ongoing, Dad is starting to realize this is actually happening.  The kid did live in a dorm and a couple of off-campus apartments for the past 3 years but that put her just 15 minutes away.  The brain goes into a frenzy, "Did I do enough to prepare her for the big bad world".  Then I take a breath and remind myself that there are many kind people out there and that every adventure she had set out on has been a mounting she successfully climbed.  A good friend once told me, "You raise 'em up to leave you".  I guess I need to figure out the best courts in the Lansdowne (PA) area.  Let's brighten my mood by blasting off for a quick trip around the Pickleverse.

1. Have Net Will Travel - Faith United Methodist Church (512 Hughes Street, Bellefonte) has a pickleball court in their back parking lot.  They permit others to use the court when church activities do not need that parking lot.  For now you need to supply your own net.  They have one but it is locked up in their storage garage.  Once they figure out how to make that accessible they will advise me and I will share that.

2. Rumor Mill - A township in Centre County is considering adding two pickleball courts at one of their parks.  I will keep my ears open and see if I can gather more intel.

3. Early Tournament Alert - I was contacted by a committee chair who is looking to hold a charity mixed doubles tournament at the end of July at one of the local indoor venues.  The emphasis, other than raising money for their organization, will be more fun than hard core competition.  As I get more information I will share that.

4. Even Earlier Event Alert -  They State College Y pickleball folks asked that I share that their Dink For Pink event is scheduled for Saturday, September 20, 2025.  As details come in, I will share.

5. Help Wanted - If you are a kind, helpful person or are still working to satisfy those community service hours from your alternative sentencing requirement for past bad behavior, the YMCA could use more volunteers for the 2025 Ironman Competition.  Volunteers are needed on June 13, 14, and 15.  If you are ready to jump in, here is a link to register:   https://ironman.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=89218  If you need more information contact Drew at dvontish@gmail.com

6. And You Thought Your Down The Line Shot Was Just Sucky - Thanks to Al R. it was brought to my attention that a couple of the nets at Bernel were 2 to 2 ½ inches high at the sidelines.  Chris S., Al, and I did our best PennDOT supervisor impression by standing around and looking at the problem and we developed a theory that due to freeze and thaw cycles over the winter the post had been pushed up and stuck in place.  I notified the township but it turned out my contact was out until June 11th, and their backup was out for a couple of days.  Taking a page from my old work days of "it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission" I came back the next day.  As it turns out it was a very easy fix.  I loosened the tension on the net and then grasped the post and wiggled it.  It fell right back into place.  When it reset, water spurted up from the post hole.  So the ice heave seems to be the reasonable cause.  Now those down those down the line passing shots have a better chance of success.  See the photos below of the one post (I corrected 2) that had heaved and what it should look like.  I will be going through and checking the other posts next week.

7. Bernel Road Park Windscreen - I also reported the needed repair for the windscreen on the back fence.  I don't do ladder work anymore so I'll leave that to the township.

8. Tip Of The Week - The tip was going to be a rant about bodybagging but if I wrote it now it would be from an emotional viewpoint so I am giving myself a week to mellow and hopefully provide a more measured and helpful post next week.  So the tip of the week is a repeat but one that bears repeating,  WEAR EYE PROTECTION.  I have a friend going to a doctor due to taking a ball to the face.  They would not share a lot of details with me so I don't know if the ball was sent with malice (bodybag) or a hard hit errant ball.  So for now, WEAR EYE PROTECTION.

9. Still Accepting Registrations - Portage and Grantsville tournament info is also below.
   
   

Have a great week and I hope to see you on the courts soon.  The indoor sign-ups are below.  Peace.

C3 Sports:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0B4BA5AA28AB9-57222355-c3pickleball

The Centre:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0B4BA5AA28AB9-57222356-nvsc

Randy Hoffman

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