Bocce Court Ready for Play!

L-R: Daniel Jittu, Richard LaBrie, Bob Lifeso, Bob Essner, Elliott Himelfarb, Stu Cassell, Anne Essner, Sue Lifeso

The Grand Opening of the LSPOA Bocce Court was scheduled for the afternoon of Sunday, December 15th, but “Founding Fathers” Bob Essner and Bob Lifeso (along with Richard LaBrie, whose design work and “toppings” research helped bring the concept into fruition) were hard at work that morning to make sure that the court surface was in ready-for-primetime condition.

Elliott Himelfarb, also on the scene, had added some extra crushed oyster shell topping to the court a week earlier, but there had been no rain since then and water was essential to making the topping pack properly.

What to do? The closest source of water is our own foot-washing shower, but the pump is solar-powered and the sky was overcast. There was doubt that there’d be enough pressure to get enough water onto the court. Everyone was pleasantly surprised when Bob Essner hooked up his hose sprayer and water began flowing! Following the “wet down,” the court was brushed with a seven-foot wide drag broom and then rolled with a 270-pound lawn roller. In the best “Tom Sawyer” tradition, each took a turn at helping to brush and roll – after exclaiming how much fun it was to be doing so! By 11:30 am, the court was pronounced “perfect.” All that was needed now was players.

Not to worry…Daniel Jittu, dressed in his lawn bowling whites (we knew there’d be at least one ringer!), was checking out the court when Bob and Anne Essner drove up to give the court a final check. Richard LaBrie arrived shortly thereafter, followed by Bob and Sue Lifeso and Stuart Cassell.  Elliott Himelfarb and Janet Minker brought up the rear – and then there was the unexpected arrival of Saul and Florence Putterman (our second “ringer” – Florence modestly described herself as a “sportswoman” and blew the competition away in a two-team all-women match-up!)

If you haven’t had the opportunity to try bocce, now’s the time to start. Equipment needs are simple: a set of bocce balls consists of two sets of four balls – each set a different color – and a small white ball (called the “jack”). It’s easy to find a good-quality set for under $50. The rules are simple (check out http://www.playaboule.com/How_to_play_bocce.aspx) or, even easier, contact someone who came to the Grand Opening. Anyone can become an expert in a short time. After that, it’s just “practice, practice, practice.”

See you on the court!

~ Anne Essner

Stu Cassell leans into the shot

An important part of any bocce game - the wine table

Elliott Himelfarb bowls while Richard LaBrie looks on

Richard's turn to roll the bocce ball

Anne Essner deligently measuring to see who gets the point

Sue Lifeso shows good form

The new bench provides ample room for bocce spectators

Saul and Florence Putterman

Florence has the magic touch

Saul lets one fly

Janet Minker uses the flick of the wrist technique

all eyes on the game

Anne's smooth delivery

Florence shows how its done

Bob, Saul and Elliott take a break

After several "hotly contested" matches, the weary players retired to the Pavilion to enjoy the Sunset Gathering. The next Sunset Gathering is scheduled for Sunday, January 5, 2014. Plan to come a little early and, who knows, maybe a new bocce tradition will begin.

Bob Garvin & Julie Magenheim arrive at the Sunset Gathering

Judy Fiala and Florence Putterman

Bob Lifeso and Saul Putterman