A View from the Hill September 24, 2025

Happy Wednesday!

Welcome to the first fall edition of:

A View from the Hill

Since today is National Punctuation Day, the ViewMaster emerged from his off-season redoubt to celebrate the punctuation that makes our words legible and gets our point across.  From the classic example of “Let’s eat, Grandma!” or “Let’s eat Grandma!” — it’s clear that punctuation saves lives.  As I looked around, I saw that although it is the fall, the club is abuzz with activity and it might be useful to share my View from the Hill. So here we go…

BACKYARD BOCCE:

Nancy and Chris Gallin are bringing Bocce back to Park Hill.  Bocce has been around for over 7,000 years, and contrary to popular belief, was invented by the Egyptians, not the Italians. Born in Egypt, it was adopted by the Greeks and then in 800 BC it was brought to Italy, where the Italians spread it to the entire empire (which was quite large at the time).  The modern form of Bocce that we enjoy today was developed and popularized by the Italian general Giuseppe Garibaldi in the mid-1800s.

Played by over 25 million Americans, it is ranked as the third most popular sport (behind soccer and golf), so it is time to bring this sport to the “Hill.”  On Sunday October 5th, at 1:00PM come to the backyard of the club to enjoy a game or two of Backyard Bocce.   A court will be built in the backyard, just as George Washington did in his backyard at Mount Vernon in the 1780s.  Join the long list of history’s most famous figures {Hippocrates, Emperor Augustus, Leonardo da Vinci, and Galileo Galilei} and become a Bocce player.

No equipment or skill required, teams will be organized, and games will be set up.  Expert instruction will be provided for what is actually a simple and fun game.  Check your inbox for an e-vite with more information.  Make sure you bring your competitive spirit—or just your curiosity—and roll with history —literally.

TENNIS:

Although the summer is over and fall has arrived, tennis continues on our fabulous Red Clay courts.  The finals of the Mixed Doubles Tournament will be played on Saturday October 4^th at 9:30AM.  Kate Greener & Tom Westmoreland (Westy) will face Sharon Ollivierre & Joel Sciascia for the title of Mixed Doubles champions after defeating Claire Miko & Bill Sanchez and Stella Y Yi-Burke & Jean Lambert in the semis.  Mark your calendars and come out and watch some great tennis from the porch.

Before that, don’t forget that the last Sunday Fun Round Robin is being played this weekend at 4:00PM on Sunday (well of course Sunday [Duh]).  No need to RSVP, just bring your racquet and your fun and enjoy a few hours of tennis with your fellow members.

FOOD & FOOTBALL POTLUCK BBQ:

Since Sunday September 28^th is National Drink Beer Day, the club will be having the last Potluck BBQ of the season, for Football Sunday.  Starting at 2:00PM we will be grilling outdoors but chilling indoors. Included will be a variety of proteins from hamburgers, specialty burgers, hot dogs, pork loins, to  salmon and more.  Of course, there will be the ever-present delicious Members’ Sides that always tickle the palate and please your tummies.  Come for the game, stay for the food and good company. Grab a cold one while you're at it and perhaps we can discuss why there needs to be a National Drink Beer Day — isn’t every day Drink Beer Day?

BOOK CLUB:

The PHRC book club will be having their next meeting on Monday, October 6^th, at 7:00PM.  The book that will be discussed is Empire Falls by Richard Russo.  Russo’s 2001 novel — the winner of the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction — follows the story of Miles Roby in a fictional, small blue-collar town in Maine.  It explores the people, places, and the past surrounding him, as manager of the Empire Grill diner.  No need to RSVP, but if you would like more info contact Claire Miko at clarabell711@aol.com. 

FALL BOWLING:

The Fall Bowling season is coming.  Be on the lookout for e-mails from our illustrious Bowling Master, Jon Wallen, for info on signing up.  It is just out of view, but it looks like it might be Tuesday October 7^th for picking teams and the following Tuesday (October 14^th) for the season to begin; the ViewMaster’s vision is a little blurry on this, so keep your focus on your inbox for clarity.

MEMBERS’ LOUNGE:

This Thursday is once again Thirsty Thursdays.  Come by and bid Anthony farewell and wish him  good luck on his next chapter before he moves away on Friday!   Unfortunately, due to staffing issues, the Lounge will NOT be open this Fridaybut will be open for football (and the Big Pot Luck BBQ) at 1:00PM. The weekly Lounge hours are Thursday 6:00PM to 10:00PM, Friday 6:00PM to 11:00PM and Sunday 1:00PM to 8:00PM.  With the fall and winter seasons, staffing sometimes becomes an issue.  Be on the lookout for e-mails with any changes to the Thursday, Friday, Sunday schedule if we have to go dark.

That is it for this first fall edition of A View from the Hill.  As mentioned before and in the famous words of Douglas MacArthur, “I shall return.”  Hope to see you around the club.

The ViewMaster

 PS:  You may note that in honor of National Punctuation Day, this edition includes all 14 standard punctuation marks in English.  You might think that “#” was missing, but in fact it is not a punctuation mark, it is a symbol (at least according to the Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition). You might have called it ‘pound’ or ‘hashtag’ (maybe depending on your generation) — little did you know, its official name is an ‘octothorpe’!