Happenings Around the Club
August 2007
(Click
thumbnail pictures above for larger views.)
Ping and Pong’s Interview Al and MTM after the conclusion of the 2007
End of Summer Camp Program
Ping: Al, can you tell us about the summer camp program...
Al: Glad to. It was a great and challenging experience for our club
volunteers who put on the program. Basically, we offered middle school children
the opportunity to play and get instructions in table tennis. The program was
for 13 weeks at three locations; Countryside, Long Center and Ross Norton Rec.
Centers. At each location we had 50 participants. We split them up into 2 groups
of 25 for 1 hour each of table tennis play and training. The program concluded
with a tournament at Ross Norton between the top 10 players from each rec.
center. North Greenwood had 10 players who participated in the tournament but
was not included in the 13 week program because I could not find any volunteers
for that facility.
Pong: Al, what were the overall results of the program.
Al: I really enjoyed working with the kids. Most of them were just
interested in playing table tennis but at each location we had some kids who
were interested in learning to play better and looked forward to each weekly
session. I saw some kids that could become great players if we provide programs
that address their needs.
Ping: Al, What programs are in the mill?
Al: We will continue with play/train time at each rec, center by being
part of the cities After School Program and continuing with the Dr. Dan Rapper
Tournaments. We hope to get the players who participated in the End of Camp
Tournament to play in Rapper Tournaments. Kids need to play with kids if we want
them to stick with our sport.
Pong: MTM, you look like you are having a lot of fun in the tournament
picture. How did the program go for you?
MTM: About time you got to me! I’ve been biting my tongue listening to
the rosy picture Al has been giving about the program.
Ping to Pong: Boy I think we got a scoop here. Maybe we will make the
late night news
Ping: I’m surprised at your comment MTM. Generally you are so meek and
mild and never speak out. You mean it was really a bust?
MTM: No it was not a bust. All the things that Al said are true but he
left out “the rest of the story”.
Pong: Please, pray tell sweet and gentle person, what is “the rest of
the story”?
MTM: Do you know what its like to try to train 150 “little darlings”
per week for 13 weeks? All that NOISE! All that untiring energy! All the
questions! I’m too old for this! sob sob sob sob
Ping: Easy MTM, take some tissues. Please go on. Tell us some of the
horror stories; get it out of you system!
MTM: Thank you, you are so kind.
Pong: We would like to caution the reader that the following is an
un-edited report of what was told to us by MTM. It may not be fit for children.
In addition, Ping and Pong do not endorse nor are involved with any of these
programs and disclaim any responsibility under article F.S.53.66.999 of the
Florida state penal code.
MTM: First, it wasn’t always “middle school” kids. At Ross Norton
we had “elementary age sweethearts” that could not even hit a ball with a
paddle yet alone see over the table. He, that $#@&^ Al, invented “basket
pong” to keep them entertained. MTM teaching basket pong; the horror of it
all. If it wasn’t for Richard Moreau and John and Mary Mason our Ross Norton
volunteers, I would never have gotten through that period.
AL: But….
Ping: Quiet you brute, let MTM go on
MTM: Then there was the time at Countryside that it was so hot outside
that we had 50 noisy kids for 2 hours w/o a break. That day we had a record
number of broken table tennis balls and damaged rubber.
MTM continued: For 13 weeks do you know how many times I had to tell “them”,
don’t bang on the tables, don’t break the ball, and don’t peel the rubber
from the paddle. &%$^ Al told me its just nervous energy and not done on
purpose but if I could have enforce the rules my way none of it would have
happened. I’m the one who has to explain to our donors where the money goes, I
have to get our paddles repaired and tell Mario Carrion “ got some more
paddles for you” To top it all we even had to disassemble one table because
the legs got bent. Ask “him” about that. &^%$ AL let me do all the dirty
work. If it wasn’t for Ray Look and Ken Cunny that table would still be out of
commission.
Then there was the time %^$#& AL had “family business” and I had to
do the Long Center all my self. That was the night I started the drinking an am
unable to stop.
At the Long Center ^&%$ Al had Karen Clark do all the programs that had
ribbon awards. He overworked everyone.
And I have a witness to all these happenings. Vivanna Gonzalez, our Jr Coach,
never missed any of the 13 weeks. All the kids really related to her and that
kept many of the better players interested. Vivianna is our best club asset for
the program. If it wasn’t for her I would never have survived and I was afraid
of losing her because of %$#^& Al. “He” tried to take her cell phone
away from her and had her bringing in special Venezuela treats for him which she
had to cook! I would not be surprised if Felix brought up child abuse charges
against “him” and I’ll be the star witness.
I could go on and on but what good is my lamenting. “He” said that I can’t
quit, that this is a life time job, which as my hearing loss comes with age
things will get better. HELP, I’ve fallen and “he” won’t let me get up!
Ping: Any comments &^%$ Al
&^%$ Al: We receive and I believe we will continue to receive the
financial support we need for our junior programs. Everyone is behind the
programs and believes as I do that we should continue. But and it’s a big BUT,
we need additional volunteers so we can give more one-on-one training through
one-on-one playing. At this point in time MTM, Karen Clark and John and Mary
Mason are burned out and said they will not do this again next year. I hope they
have short memories and will rethink about not continuing as volunteers. I wish
to thank all those who helped with the tournament, without you all, we could not
have kept 42 kids involved in table tennis activities for 6 hours: (Ray Look,
Sam & Ava Chau, Ed Roberts, Vivianna Gonzalez, Mario Carrion, Nahed
Williams, John & Mary Mason, Bill Wolf, Dominick Schiavo). . Feedback from
the Rec. Centers is all the kids had a blast. Check the pictures attached. The
bottom line is we need all of you to “Be More Then A Member” and help get
these 42 new ping-pong players to become active table tennis players.
