Autumn 2021

Autumn Newsletter

The Racquet Club on Park Hill, Inc

A Great Summer of Friday Night Feasting at the Club

The summer of 2021 at Yonkers’ historic Racquet Club on Park Hill was a vibrant one, as the social schedule returned almost to normal, despite the pandemic. The surge in new members, first seen in summer 2020, has continued all this year, especially in tennis players from the Hastings Tennis Club and in families with young children who preferred to enjoy local activities rather than to travel.

The Social Committee, led by Directors Justine Henry and Patty Gamba, did a great job in recruiting host families for this year’s Friday night barbecues, which resumed after the club’s need to resort mostly to food trucks in summer 2020. Our volunteer-driven club thanks the following for hosting this year’s barbecues between early July and September, with attendance for each occasion ranging between 40 and 70 members and their guests:

•   Julia and Zack Eldridge, a brand-new family, for running the Friday, July 9th, barbecue;

•   Lynne and John Twomey, for doing the July 16th BBQ featuring pulled-pork;

•   Matt Krawiec and Karin White, for running the July 23rd party, which featured the beef braciola of finest

  filet and cheese-stuffed eggplant;

•   July 30th: the Three Little Pigs food truck came;

•   Justine Henry and Patty Gamba, for organizing the August 6th party featuring pork loins;

•   Tami Vu and Todd Geremia, for hosting the August 13th barbecue featuring roasted bratwurst and

  roasted corn on the cob;

•   Rosemary and Jim Beirne, for their world-famous cedar-plank salmon feast on Friday, August 20th;

•   Kate Waters and Lynette Phillips, for running their popular annual chicken, beef and veggie kabob party

  on Friday, August 27th; and

•   Patty Gamba, for hosting the Labor Day (Sunday, September 5th) BBQ featuring Patty’s matchless

  marinated grilled chicken.

  
  

  Special thanks are due to the club’s several terrific volunteer grillers this summer, notably: Todd Geremia, Ingrid Krawiec, Anthony D’Alessio, and George and Rowan Tucker. Thanks, too, to all the families and individuals who contributed crucially to the barbecues by filling out each banquet table with the many essential side dishes (mostly home-made) like pastas, savory and vegetable dishes, and salads, as well as many outstanding desserts.

  
  

Club’s Observance of Twentieth Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks

On Saturday, September 11th, 2021, at 11:30 am, around 25-30 members of the club gathered in beautiful weather on the upper deck of the pool to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the worst act of domestic terrorism that this country has ever suffered. Club member Jose Alvarado, representing the Westchester County Board of Legislators, expressed heartfelt remembrance for the nearly 3000 people from 90 nations who perished on September 11th, 2001, in the infamous attacks by al-Qaeda hijackers on the commercial jetliners that destroyed the twin trade towers in Manhattan; that severely damaged the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC; and that crashed into a field near Shanksville in rural Pennsylvania when passengers fought back and prevented the destruction, presumably, of either the Capitol or the White House in Washington, DC.

Former club president Jim Beirne then delivered remarks on the importance of maintaining and strengthening unity amid diversity among the American people, if they are to continue to safeguard their democracy, and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Long-time club member Joe Harbeson closed the gathering with a thoughtful prayer.

Park Hill Players (PHP) Theater Group

The widespread Covid-19 vaccinations in the New York City metropolitan region allowed resumption of rehearsals this summer by the club’s Park Hill Players theater group of the Neil Simon comedic farce “Rumors,” under the leadership of Jim Beirne. Attendees at the four week-end performances this fall had a rollicking good time, enjoying the skillful acting of the cast – Jim Beirne, Kenneth Carpenter, Brad Crownover, Chris Gallin, Matthew Gervais, Lauretta Kahn, Kirsten Ann Barbera, Mary Kay Moment, John Michael Tracy, Gabriella Voigt- Cinquemani and Karin White -- who spent many hours this summer perfecting their lines and most of whom are also members of the Racquet Club, as is the director of the play, Ann Lawday. Kudos go also to Karin White, who led on the set design and construction and to George Tucker, who was director of technical operations during the performances.

Upcoming Events on the Club Social Calendar

Oktoberfest Party. On Saturday, October 16th, the club is holding its annual Oktoberfest party for adult members 21 and over. Those wishing to attend can so inform organizers on the evite web site.

Halloween Haunted House Party. At the end of this month, Matt and Chrissy Gervais plan to host and organize their first Halloween Haunted House Party (HHHP) at the club. They say that, based on past experience, it should be a fun-and-scary affair, since they have been putting the show on at their home for some years and decided it would be great to share it with a wider community at the club this Halloween.

It will be a three-day romp: on Friday-Sunday, October 29th, 30th and 31st. Matt and Chrissy are formally redesignating the clubhouse as “The Ravenhurst Nightmare Clinic Haunted House and Night Market” for the occasion. Tickets can be bought at the door, but to promote social distancing, Matt and Chrissy urge would-be attendees to buy their tickets online at www.theywhoarenotthere.com. Arrangements have been made for food to be provided by the Night Market and the Tiki Food Truck, no tickets required.

The Club’s Most Exciting Tennis Season in Many Years

MITL and WCTL Competition. The club was happy that so many outstanding tennis players who joined last fall, both women and men, came back this year, and more have joined this fall. As a result, the caliber of play in our intramural and inter-club matches has risen dramatically. The ladies this year were champs of the MITL [Metropolitan Interleague Tennis League] C-2 Division, while the men took third place in both the A (Smooth) and B (Glossy) Divisions of the tough WCTL [Westchester County Tennis League] in Open Season play – placing in the upper range of teams in both divisions.

So the Park Hill men have become one of the best Open Season teams in the county at the A and B levels. In the July and August Senior Circuit competition (involving players 50 and over), men’s team coach Tom (“Westy”) Westmoreland said of the results of the Park Hill men’s team (for which the Park Hill ladies also sometimes play): Park Hill ended up in second place, trailing only Amackassin, which had barely defeated our club in the head-to-head competition.

Thanks, to Patty Gamba, Patty Cecere, Claire Miko and Paul Meissner for hosting the annual Breakfast at Wimbledon party on Sunday, July 11th, in the lounge; for running the club’s competitive and fun intramural tournaments and round-robins; and for getting the foods and beverages for the players for each tournament.

Labor Day Fun Tournament: A record number of teams signed up for this occasion and were having a great time before, late in the morning, rains rolled in and washed out the tourney. Therefore, as Patty joked: “We couldn’t finish, so everyone was a winner!”

Men’s Competitive Singles Tournament: Peter Scher defeated William Schmid, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, in three hard-fought sets. (See photo of Peter and William after the match.)

Men’s Competitive Doubles Tournament: Todd Geremia and Peter Scher defeated Mark “Shevy” Shevrin and Michael Plaut in the finals.

Mixed Doubles Competitive Tournament: This tournament is not completed yet. In one semi-final, Amy Hamlin and Peter Scher defeated Jiyon Lee and Robert Buckner. In the other semi-final, Patty Gamba and Tom Westmoreland will play Tara Ware and Michael Plaut.

Summer Clinics with Ola and the Other Coaches: Thanks, as ever, to our excellent tennis pro, Ola Proca White, for another season of valuable clinics for both veterans and less-experienced players, as well as to the other coaches – Vito Galatioto, Alexa Goldberg and Mike Portanova – who joined us last summer. Besides our incomparable super/houseman, Roger Herrera, the club thanks Todd Geremia and Ingrid Krawiec for the diligent care and maintenance of the tennis courts on week ends all summer long.

Appreciation also goes to Steve Spiegler for his many hours (and years) of assistance in court maintenance and organization of week-day morning play; to Todd, Bob Gopalan and Boris Baev, for volunteering to repair the courts on Labor Day week end when damage from Tropical Storm Ida nearly washed out the fun tournament; and to Jay Murrin for helping Westy all summer with collecting names for the Thursday afternoon clinics with Ola.

Mike Portanova says he will continue to be available to give coaching lessons this fall until the courts shut down due to inclement weather. Members interested in taking lessons with Mike should feel free to reach out to him.

The Club’s 7.0 Mixed Doubles Team: For the first time, the club organized a series of eight “Sunday Social” matches against the players from the Tennis Club of Hastings. The combined ratings of each mixed-doubles team are to equal 7.0, in order to qualify to take part.

Enjoyable Games and Sports in the Backyard

Thanks to George Tucker for taking the lead this summer in procuring and setting up the sports and game equipment that members could enjoy in the backyard, where Roger has worked hard to keep the grass mowed evenly and the surrounding bushes and shrubs cut neatly back. The equipment made possible volleyball, badminton, croquet, Kadima (also known as “beach paddle ball”), cornhole and Slammo (also known as “spike ball”).

Bowling League

The 2020-21 winter bowling league held an awards dinner on Friday, June 25th at the club. Prize money was distributed to the top teams, and the top bowlers were recognized for individual averages, high games, high series, and most improved bowler.

The club’s next six-month (2021-2022) bowling season begins on Tuesday, November 2nd. League president Jon Wallen says the last two Tuesdays of October will be for practice bowling, to help the five team captains select their members. Bowlers should note that the club will follow New York State recommended vaccine or mask requirements this season.

Latest Karaoke Event on Labor Day Week End

Few social events at the club are livelier than its twice-a-year karaoke parties. Even those who do not wish to take the stage usually have a very good time joining in from their seats, singing along with those holding the mikes to produce a boisterous and jovial atmosphere. Everyone loves joining in.

Thanks to co-organizers Patty Gamba and Tom Westmoreland for a great karaoke party! On this Labor Day week end, Sunday, September 5th, the club saw a new host, Ike Mazzullo, a professional karaoke party organizer, who usually comes with his wife Joanne, and is also a very good singer.

The Closing of the Pool

There is a slightly melancholy feel in the air early each September when the pool closes down, signaling the approach of the end of summer, as our young lifeguards return to school. Thanks again to the efforts of the hard-working Pool Committee: Robert Moment, Karin White, Pam Opdyke, Chrissy Gervais, Gabriella Cinquemani, Ingrid Krawiec and Liam Krawiec. Also, thanks go to our fine lifeguards again for a job well done: Gianna D’Alessio, Kristen Dillard, Aileen Farrelly, Sean Farrelly, AnnMarie Kuriako, Griffin O’Keefe, Juliana Sebben and Luke Sebben.

Special appreciation is again due to Andrea Velazquez, who runs the popular PHRC pool exercise program for us every summer, like this year’s Aqua Floating Fitness program and the Hydro-Revolution exercises. Andrea also trains many of the club’s lifeguards each summer, supplying us with quality lifeguards, some of whom include her own children. As one well-informed and appreciative club member put it about Andrea’s contributions: “Her involvement with the club goes back many years, and she is a very important resource for the pool and the club in general.” Thanks, Andrea!

Bar Committee

The club again thanks the Bar Committee – Patty Gamba, Justine Henry and Patty Schumann – for their diligent efforts in running the bar, and to our excellent bartenders, Vinnie and Sean. Thanks also to Pat O’Hanlon, who volunteers to deliver the beer to the club, and to Greg Nolen, who volunteers to deliver the wine and liquor. Also, the bar for the first time has a Keurig machine and is able to serve coffees and teas (hot or cold) and hot chocolate.

Book Club

The PHRC book club meets once every four to six weeks in the lounge to discuss a book recommended by a member. Anyone interested in joining the group can contact Claire Miko at clarabell711@aol.com.

Member News

New Members. The club is very happy to welcome the following new members, who have joined over the past 31⁄2 months: Carolina Amaral; Tara Ware; Jiyon Lee; Blake Guzman, daughter of Guy and Carlin; Mark Fleischner; Martin Weinstein; Lucas, Mary and Nina Rodriquez; Lauren Rodriquez and Robert Solieri; Farrah Seeburg and Christopher Stevens; and Jason and Loren McConnell.

Remembrances

Becky Caroline (Voigt) Holmes: Club members Gabriella Voigt-Cinquemani and her husband Salvatore Cinquemani of Yonkers were saddened last month to inform friends and family of the passing of Gaby’s beloved mother, Becky Caroline (Voigt) Holmes, at 72, in Lake Park, Iowa. Gaby wrote that her mother was a respected office administrator at her husband’s company; served her community as a long-time Girl Scout leader and devoted Sunday school teacher; excelled at ceramics and other arts and crafts, which she also taught; and loved gardening, knitting, cooking, canning, and pursuing ancestry studies while building her family tree.

Jim Percoski: Long-time club member Jim Percoski, 69, passed away in early October after a long illness. Some of Jim’s proud athletic distinctions included being the club’s past men’s tennis singles and doubles champion. Another of Jim’s athletic accomplishments (as seen on the trophy wall in the bowling alley) is that he was one of the club’s best bowlers ever, having had the second- and third-highest bowling scores recorded in league play. Jim also served on the Board in various capacities. Most importantly, as one current member said, Jim was a consummate gentleman, very much liked and respected by all club members who knew him over the decades.

Yonkers Film Festival (YoFiFest)

The annual world-famous Yonkers Film Festival (YoFiFest) – run energetically each fall by the redoubtable husband-and-wife team of (club members) Patty Schumann and Dave Steck – is only a few weeks away from returning this year, post-pandemic, as a hybrid event with both (1) in-person screenings and events at Yonkers’s attractive Riverfront Library and (2) online Simulscreens in their Virtual Theater. The two-week affair will be “a fully vaccinated-only event.” Masks will be required, except when guests are eating and drinking or are participating in photo-ops. The festival will be held from Friday, November 5th, through Sunday, November 21st. The opening week end kicks off with the popular Red Carpet Reception. Information about the festival can be found at YoFiFest.com. Club members will receive a 20% discount with code PHRC21.