Weekly Update, February 10, from President Kate

Hi all,

We’re all coming off of the “highs” of the amazing Cancer Awareness Tennis Tournament Event.  I don’t have an official number yet as all the bills are not in and posted.  But, I have received word that we highly expect the number to be over…drum roll please…$3,000!!!  That is just amazing.  When you see Penny Jacobsen and Nancy Restum in the park please share your thanks for chairing this amazing event.

Palm Creek Tennis Tournament – Feb 21-24

Penny Mason and Connie Emerson, the chairs for the Palm Creek Tennis Tournament, have asked me to remind all levels of players to sign up for the tournament on Feb. 21 - 24.  We hope to have three divisions based on skill level, so there is no excuse not to participate.  That means all levels, including our 2.5 players!  What do you have to lose??? It only costs $5 to enter, it’s a lot of fun, and no matter the outcome you can write it off as a wonderful learning experience.  Deadline for sign up is Sunday, Feb. 17.

The championship matches for each division of players will be played at 11:30 and 2:00 on Sunday the 24th.  Following the championships, approx. 4:00 p.m., we will have a sandwich dinner for all tennis club members and guests (not just tournament participants) at a cost of $3.00 each to be paid prior to eating.  A signup sheet for dinner will be on the tennis board. 

So far we have 5 mens teams, 9 ladies teams and 9 mixed.  But, we want to fill our courts so help us get 12 teams in each category.  Entry forms are located on the tennis club bulletin board on the side facing the tennis pavillion.  If you would like an electronic copy, email me and I will forward it to you.

Tennis Racquet Stringing

If you're playing in the tournament, and even if you aren’t, you might want to get that racquet restrung.  One of the causes of tennis elbow is a racquet that has not been restrung when it needed to be.  So, give Palm Creek Tennis Club member Mike Murray a call x 7488 and get it taken care of.  Mike gets most racquets strung the same day and for the extremely reasonable price of $20 unless you want something special.

Entertainment Chair Set-up

A huge thank you to everyone who showed up to help.  As it turned out the chairs were already on the floor from the Sunday church service so most of the set-up was done before 3pm.  But it was great to have a huge group of volunteers!

Our next date is a Bingo take down on Monday evening February 25^th.  I will remind you again in the 2/22 weekly update, but it would be great if you could mark your calendars right now to be at the Ballroom at 9PM ready to help.

Desert Cactus League – Wednesday at 1pm

This Wednesday two of our Palm Creek Men’s teams will be playing home games here at Palm Creek.  Courts 1-4 will be the site of these matches.  The matches are scheduled to start at 1pm.  It would be great to have some of our members to come out to the courts to cheer on the Palm Creek Men’s teams!!  And, the weather should be getting warmer by Wednesday so BYOB and a snack to share and lets have an unplanned happy hour after the matches.   The visiting teams will be the Robson Net Results and Mission Royale.  Let’s cheer on our guys but still show these visiting teams a little Palm Creek hospitality!!!

People Update

I recently received this email from Larry Heinz:

Hi Guys:

By now, I'm sure, you know that Carol passed away on Jan. 31st.  She had fought the cancer battle for nearly seven years with two operations, several fluid drains from her lungs and all too many Chemo treatments.  She maintained her good spirit and attitude to the end.  She made it as easy as possible on me and our daughter and son.  Although, she had reservations about giving up the fight, she did it with grace and dignity.  In the end she went to hospice with the attitude that it was best for us.  She knew what she wanted for her funeral and burial.  It was a beautiful service which honored her.  There were over 350 people at the service.  At the reception, following the service, I placed the pictures you had sent of the women's tennis players and the happy hour gang in the reception hall.  I wanted everyone to know of our dear friends from Palm Creek that we miss so much. 

As you know, Carol's great love was making friends, tennis, and helping her students.  We have set up a scholarship fund in her name at the College that she had worked.

As for me, I have my ups and downs.  Although, I knew there was going to be this sad ending, I still was not prepared for it.  My daughter and son have been great.  My plans are to get through most of the necessary paper work here in Colorado, then spend a couple of weeks with my daughter's family in Texas and then go to AZ to visit Palm Creek friends.

I wish to express my deep appreciation for your support and kindness to Carol and me during these trying years of Carol's illness.

      Thank you,
          Larry Heinze 

I also received Carol’s obituary right after I sent out last weeks update but that I thought some of you would still want to see it:

Carol Heinze

June 21, 1944 –January 31, 2013

Residence: Greeley
Age: 68

Carol Ann Heinze, 68, of Greeley, CO passed away January 31, 2013 in the care of Hospice of Northern Colorado at North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley. She was born June 21, 1944 in Ft. Collins, CO to Harold and Louise (Hunter) Stroh.

Carol grew up on the family farm northeast of Ft. Collins and graduated from Ft. Collins High School in 1962. She continued her education at Colorado State University. Two years into her studies at CSU, Carol and Larry Heinze were united in marriage in Ft. Collins on June 21, 1964. Because Larry was serving in the U.S. Air Force, Carol continued her education at various locations and universities over the next few years and completed her degree at the University of Northern Colorado. Carol was a stay at home mom while her children were young, then later worked for the American Cancer Society, Greeley Evans School District 6, and Aims Community College where she was an Admissions Counselor. She retired from Aims in 2004 which gave her more time for playing tennis, traveling and especially spending more time with her grandchildren. Carol and Larry also enjoyed traveling in their motor home and wintering in Arizona. Carol was a member of the Loveland Rotary Club, Greeley Tri Delta Alumnae Chapter, Greeley Republican Women, Tennis Association of Greeley, First Congregational United Church of Christ, and Aims Community College Foundation Board.

She is survived by her husband, Larry Heinze of Greeley; son, Brian Heinze and wife Julie of Evergreen, CO; daughter Lauren Gilhooly and husband Todd of San Antonio, TX; grandchildren, Keegan, Liam, and Todd Gilhooly all of San Antonio; brother, Tom Stroh of Evans, CO; and sister, Margaret Collart of Palo Alto, CA. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A celebration of Carol’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 2101 16^th Street in Greeley. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions will be used to for a scholarship in Carol’s memory and may be made to “Aims Community College Foundation” in care of Adamson Funeral Home, 2000 47^th Avenue, Greeley 80634. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.adamsonchapels.com.

Tennis Lessons

Yup, I just cannot say enough about the wonderful job Skip, Walt and Rhoda are doing on Tuesdays at 2pm.  Rhoda, although no longer a Palm Creek resident, has Park Management approval to come into the park as a tennis instructor as she is not getting paid.   We have to really appreciate that she is willing to give her time to our tennis club!!  Thanks Rhoda.

Hope to see you on the courts,

Kate