“You’ll Be Hooked”

A Visit with Silveridge Billiards

By Dale Dauten

Spend some time with members of the billiards club and you’re certain of one thing, their overriding goal is to enjoy the game and each other. That became clear when I asked whether either the men’s or women’s team played competitively against other parks:

One member of the women’s team said, “We’ve been approached to play in leagues, and we even visited one of the other parks, but we turned it down. The competition took the fun out of it.”

As for the men, while they do participate in league play; however, when I asked Dave Loukes and Rodger Benson, “Are you guys any good?”, they answered in unison, “NO!” with a laugh.

Both groups, men and women, have one message: Give it a try and you’ll be hooked. Eleonore LeBlanc went so far as to say, “It’s no pressure. It’s all fun. In 26 years, it’s the best thing I’ve done.”

Billiards versus Pool

Before we go any further, we should clear up any confusion about “billiards” versus “pool.” “Billiards is the general term, and “pool” is one form of “pocket billiards.” So all pool is billiards but not all billiards is pool. The most common version of pool is “8-ball,” with seven solid colored balls, seven striped, the black 8-ball and the white cue ball.

In the photo, you see Anne Bothwell lining up a shot while Eleonore LeBlanc looks on. You can also see that the room looks like new after the storm damage was repaired — the carpet is new, the woodwork was refinished and the tables were releveled. (Dave Loukes, President of the men’s group, praised fellow billiards players at sister park, The Resort: “They went out of their way to help us out and we want to thank them.”)

NEWCOMERS WELCOME

The Silveridge players are proud of the billiards room, calling it the best of any park they’ve visited, and it pains them that it isn’t busier. As Dave put it, “We’re underutilized.” And with a smile, added, “We’ve been known to drag people in.”

While some of the folks at Silveridge learned to play as kids, many only took it up once coming to the park. Eleonore recalled having started when she walked by the Billiards Room one day and spotted a friend who said “Come on in,” and taught her the game as they chatted. Indeed, Anne says, “I tell the ladies to come in and we’ll teach them — and they’ll beat their husbands.”

Left to right:

Eleonore LeBlanc, Ontario, Social Convener

Eleanor Copeland, Alberta, Past President

Jan Wetter, British Columbia, Vice-President

Barbara Cook, Minnesota, Past Secretary/Treasurer

Anne Bothwell, Alberta, President

Whichever side of the gender divide you’re on, joining in is easy. For the women’s group, membership is $5 per season and while newcomers are always welcome, they have open practice times at 10:30AM on Mondays and 1PM on Wednesday, with a pairs tournament on Thursdays at 1PM. All equipment is provided.

As for the men, everything is provided. Revenue is obtained from the Monday in-house tournament sign-up fee ($1 per player), pool cue locker rentals ($6/year) and sale of billiard supplies. Funds also come from the Renters Association and Silveridge that help cover the cost of major purchases – most recently two sets of snooker balls.

Newcomers are welcome any time, but especially for the in-house open play on Mondays at 1PM. (You are invited to contact Dave or club VP, Rodger Benson, with any inquiries.) Anyone who signs up for the Monday tournament at least once is automatically enrolled as a member of the Men’s Billiards club. There’s also the opportunity for league play as the men are members of two leagues that play against other parks.

The room is open every day, from when the building is unlocked till 10PM.

Dave Loukes, New Brunswick, President (left), and Rodger Benson, North Dakota, Vice-President

STATUS UPDATE ON HDTV/INTERNET & THE CLUBHOUSE

HDTV/INTERNET

George Igualt, head of The Resort’s management company, was all smiles when we asked him for an update on the HDTV and Internet. “It’s up and it’s stable, and it’s everywhere in both parks,” he told us, adding, “There’s still some work to be done, but it will only make the internet even faster.”

We got additional details from Tim Furlong, the man who’s been leading the work at both parks and who echoed George’s assessment: “We can provide TV and Internet to both parks, park-wide. We still have a lot of work to do, but it’s mostly cosmetic, and now that the systems are stable, we can up the speed.”

Tim asked us to pass along this message: “There are some really good people in the park, ones so nice they don’t want to complain. I worry that there could be some of those people who don’t want to tell us about any problems they’re having. If there’s anyone who needs our help, please let us know – we can get to requests in a day or two.”

He added, “We still have plenty of green pedestals to bury, so expect the park to look cleaner and better as we get those in the ground.”

RECONSTRUCTION OF THE CLUBHOUSE

Work continues on the clubhouse repairs. George reports that while some infrastructure work had caused delays, those are being cleared up, and progress continues. Next is the redoing of the office areas, and that will include installing new, updated counters at the Front Desk and Activities, featuring new quartz countertops. Meanwhile, the latest good news is that all new flooring is in.

Letter From Sue

Do you remember your children or grandchildren singing “This Little Light of Mine” ” in Sunday School? Those memories are precious and even more precious are our Silveridge volunteers who put into action the words of that song learned long ago. This year more than ever you have truly let your light shine! We had many obstacles to overcome and more than ever our volunteers have made it happen in words, deeds and actions! Without your commitment and passion and love for our commu-nity, our activities would have been greatly diminished. We started out slow but we finished with a bang!

Kudos to all of you who kept it going forward; to all the time, energy amd passion you put into the task that was before you. Whether it was being a Club Leader, washing dishes in the kitchen, leading a SIG Group, beautifying the ballroom with your decorating talent, or whatever your volunteering skill; you did it with professionalism and with a smile! Thank you to those of you who are new to volunteering and are replac-ing volunteers who are taking on new goals or moving on to different opportunities. Thank you to those volun-teers who have served for years and thank you to the “newbies”. The way you learn is by doing and we have wonderful mentors to guide the way. It was uplifting to hear from the Young, Middle and “Oldies but Good-ies” residents at the Welcome Back/Appreciation Luncheon. What a hoot to hear about the early years when there were no Activities except for what the people came up with on their own!

A few personal thank yous: To Jerry Colling our head cook who bring us delicious meals cooked with love (and some gluten free!) and Tracy Gagnier, our head volunteer coordinator. To Sharon, my friend and assistant who serves you with a smile and has been a blessing to me during the year. Were we ever grateful to have William back to do our set–ups and cleaning! And to all those strong individuals who helped with tables and chairs. We all learned the meaning of “many hands make light work!” To Mom who loves me uncondi-tionally. The journey this year was made brighter with the prayer support of my “Balcony Friends.” These friends uplifted the entire Silveridge Community.

I am grateful for Jeff for being my sounding board and standing beside me through better or worse. (we cele-brate 50 years this summer!) It is with appreciation that I honor all our volunteers with recognition, food and entertainment at our Volunteer Appreciation Party. Thank you for letting your light shine. Now it is your turn to let the spotlight shine on you!!!