20 The <strong>World</strong> News® <strong>October</strong> <strong>2009</strong>
Colorado Rockies,Part Two.See page 38.Section 2Vol. 23, No. 4 • <strong>October</strong> <strong>2009</strong>Members <strong>of</strong> Aloha Productions demonstrate native Hawaiian and Polynesian dances.O<strong>On</strong> Friday, Aug. 22, it all started undercloudy skies and somewhat cooling temperatureswith thunderheads <strong>of</strong>f in <strong>the</strong>distance in <strong>the</strong> same direction <strong>the</strong> windwas blowing. According to <strong>the</strong> Americanflag flying at Circle Square Commons,those black clouds were not going to be athreat to <strong>the</strong> evening’s festivities.Antonio Crews, Events Manager, madean announcement before <strong>the</strong> band startedplaying that in case <strong>of</strong> inclement wea<strong>the</strong>reverything would move inside <strong>the</strong> CircleSquare Cultural Center. The band startedplaying, folks were pattern, line and ballroomdancing until <strong>the</strong> evening’s entertainmenthad a preview <strong>of</strong> what was tocome later in <strong>the</strong> evening.A young lady wearing a grass skirt andIsland Festivalspouting long hair demonstrated <strong>the</strong> huladance and <strong>the</strong>n two o<strong>the</strong>r dancers joinedher in a Tahitian dance while a young femalespectator inched her way closer forbetter viewing. It looked like this littletoddler would start dancing herself if <strong>the</strong>demonstration continued.Dancing continued as some spectatorssought relief from hunger-pains and<strong>the</strong> crowd continued to grow. There wasa vendor selling island foods as well asfoods being sold by Mr. B’s.Then it happened, those clouds thatwere <strong>of</strong>f in <strong>the</strong> distance moved in against<strong>the</strong> ground winds and <strong>the</strong> heavens letloose. Folks scrambled to seek shelter believingit was just a cloudburst and <strong>the</strong>rains would end as abruptly as it started.By Bo b Wo o d sWo r l d Ne w s Wr i t e rAntonio quickly made <strong>the</strong> announcementthat <strong>the</strong> festivities were moving into<strong>the</strong> Circle Square Cultural Center. It wasvery obvious <strong>the</strong> downpour was not goingto stop in a matter <strong>of</strong> minutes.After a short period, <strong>the</strong> band anddancers were in place and <strong>the</strong> fun and excitementcontinued. Dancing music continuedbefore <strong>the</strong> floorshow began. AlohaProductions, from Orlando provided <strong>the</strong>music and entertainment. Beautiful claddancers in native Hawaiian and Polynesiandress provided many au<strong>the</strong>nticdances dressed in grass skirts and coconutshell tops.Men from <strong>the</strong> group also performedmany dances found throughout <strong>the</strong> SouthPacific.Community PatrolFundraiser a SuccessTThe New Pretenders “Memory Lane”show on Friday, Sept. 11 was a great success.We had a sell-out crowd <strong>of</strong> well over400 people. The evening started out withice cream sundaes for everyone and wasfollowed by a moment <strong>of</strong> silence for Sept.11. Then The New Pretenders gave <strong>the</strong>irusual fantastic performance.Many in <strong>the</strong> audience were seeing TheNew Pretenders for <strong>the</strong> first time andcan’t wait to see <strong>the</strong>m again. The eveningBy Ga r y Ro d o f fPhoto by Bob Woods<strong>On</strong> Saturday, Aug. 23, <strong>the</strong> island festivalcontinued. Gail Keicher taught <strong>the</strong>Salsa. The evening continued with Latinmusic being played to <strong>the</strong> enjoyment <strong>of</strong>those attending <strong>the</strong> festivities.When <strong>the</strong> Latin band took a break, <strong>the</strong>Flamenco Dancers took to <strong>the</strong> floor performingfor <strong>the</strong> audience. This group <strong>of</strong>dancers from Flamenco Del Sol, an Orlando-baseddance group, are internationallyknown performing in both North andSouth America as well as many Caribbeanislands. The group regularly performs atUniversal Studios and Sea <strong>World</strong>.Both evenings were very well attended.Plenty <strong>of</strong> food was on hand with vendorsfeaturing Caribbean dishes. If you missedthis event, you missed a great time.ended with <strong>the</strong> singing <strong>of</strong> “God BlessAmerica.” Everyone in attendance thoroughlyenjoyed <strong>the</strong> show.The show was hosted by <strong>the</strong> <strong>On</strong> <strong>Top</strong> Of<strong>the</strong> <strong>World</strong> Community Patrol as a fundraiserfor <strong>the</strong> Marion County Sheriff’sOffice Foundation, Inc. Over $2,400 wasraised for <strong>the</strong> Foundation which will helpsupport <strong>the</strong> programs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> over 1,500volunteers <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sheriff’s Office suchas our own Community Patrol and CERTteams.NNo, it has nothing to do with pickles,but it does have a lot to do with a ball.And <strong>the</strong> reason most <strong>of</strong> us here at <strong>On</strong> <strong>Top</strong><strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>World</strong> aren’t very familiar with <strong>the</strong>sport is because only now are pickleballcourts being built. They are under constructionbehind <strong>the</strong> Health & RecreationBuilding, and when finished, will giveplayers and wannabe players access to sixbrand spanking new pickleball venues.Okay, where does “pickleball” comefrom? No, <strong>the</strong> Chinese didn’t invent it—it’s named after a dog! The game itselfwas <strong>the</strong> brainchild <strong>of</strong> Washington CongressmanJoel Pritchard and businessmanBill Bell. Pickles were Pritchard’sdogs, who would retrieve <strong>the</strong> ball—ergo,Pickles’ ball! This all happened back in<strong>the</strong> summer <strong>of</strong> 1965, when <strong>the</strong> two menturned a badminton set into a sport that’snow sweeping <strong>the</strong> country, particularly insenior communities.Pickleball allows players to choose justhow much exercise <strong>the</strong>y want to get out<strong>of</strong> it—play fast and hard or simply play atPhoto by Ray CechSite <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> new six pickleball courts.Pickleball…FunnyName for a Fun GameBy Ray Ce c hWo r l d Ne w s Wr i t e ra level that suits your physical conditioning.The ball doesn’t move as fast as inracquetball, or as slow as a shuttlecockin badminton. It seems like it’s right inbetween,making it a perfect activity foryou and me (as well as our grandkids). Itdoesn’t take a lot to learn pickleball, usuallyno more than 20 minutes and you’regood-to-go.Here at <strong>On</strong> <strong>Top</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>World</strong>, <strong>the</strong> sixnew courts will give everyone an opportunityto come out and get active, make newfriends and take advantage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> reasonwe live here. Come on out and play!Right now, pickleball is played on tenniscourts one and two every Sunday at5:30 p.m. The new dedicated pickleballcourts should be ready for play sometimein <strong>October</strong> when fans <strong>of</strong> this excitingsport will be able to play any time, anyday.For more information or to sign up,call Tom Seitz at 390-3112, or Gordy Phillipsat 854-7981.Photo By Ralph BaileyMarion County Sheriff’s Office Foundation president CharlieSpivack, Lennie and Gary Rod<strong>of</strong>f after giving Charlie <strong>the</strong> proceeds<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sept. 11 New Pretenders and Ice Cream Social.SSuper Bingo will be held in <strong>the</strong> Health& Recreation Ballroom on Wednesday,Nov. 11, from 6:15 to 9 p.m. Cards willbe sold at 5 p.m.; no cards will be soldafter 6 p.m.There will be 17 $50 games and three$250 games. The cost is $5 for threecards.Super BingoBy Lo l ly Fo o sNo guests are permitted. Proper <strong>On</strong><strong>Top</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>World</strong> I.D. is required to participate.Any questions are to be directed toMort Meretsky at 237-5112 or Lolly Foosat 861-2165.See you <strong>the</strong>re!
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