Empress Ruth's 80th birthday surprise!

Empress Ruth, our role model for lively dedication and kindly disposition, celebrated her 80th birthday with family last week.

Empress Ruth celebrates!

A day or two after the Big Day, Empress Judy conspired to lure the Birthday Girl to her home for a surprise get-together with her Emerald Empire family.  As Empress Judy, Consort Bob, and Empress Ruth chatted on the Rosseth Royal Porch that spring-like February evening, the Empresses paraded, greeting cards in hand, from the neighboring home of Empress Kathy.  Ruth blew out the candle on her "cake"--actually a small round of brie, her favorite--and we toasted to her health and happiness.

Empresses Gail, Nancy, Brenda, Pat, Jeanne (back row); Empresses Judy, Kathy, Ruth, Nancy, Sue (front row).

Emerald Vs. Harbour Towne, redux

On February 7, the Empresses took on Harbour Towne in a home court rematch.  We mixed it up a little, so there's no telling exactly which team triumphed.  However, we had a lot of fun, and it looks like we'll be getting together to play again throughout the year.  Thank goodness some of the Empresses had leftovers from their Superbowl parties.  They made for swell post-play refreshments, as the snack bar closed for the evening.

Rendezvous for tennis friends, old and new

Fifteen Empresses met for a lovely luncheon at Famous Subs and Pizza on a Friday afternoon in January.   Empress Nancy coordinated the rendezvous, bringing together current and former female players of the Emerald Empire.  Some knew each other well, others were just getting acquainted.

Sharing pictures and stories, the group enjoyed memories of the good ol' days when there were dozens of doubles players.  The current crop of Empresses is smaller in number but equally as enthusiastic. A "get-acquainted bingo" game encouraged everyone to learn more about each other.  This revealed that no one there hits left-handed!

In honor of the event, Empress Gail created a tennis themed centerpiece.

Empress Gail created a centerpiece--or should we say "masterpiece"?

The gathering was so much fun that the Empresses resolved that it should be followed by another one soon, with the hope that the next event will include those who were unable to attend on this particular day.

"'Twas the day before Christmas...."

Four players appeared for Saturday morning mixed doubles on Christmas Eve Day 2011.  (Lucky Bob: the sole man on the court with three Empresses.) 

'Twas the day before Christmas

And there on the courts

Were four hardy souls

Engaged in their sport.

Though the weather was chill, 

Competition was hot:

They all knew the thrill

Of making that shot.

Is Empress Sue dreaming of a white Christmas?  A new racquet under the tree?  Or a beach at Hilton Head?

The players' red and green cars and attire, side by side, added a happy holiday air to the mostly empty parking lot.  Three Empresses pause before dashing away, all, to hang their stockings by the chimney with care.

And so 2011, the Year of the quick and nimble Rabbit, came to an end.  On to 2012, the Year of the Dragon.  Let us hope that, on the Courts of the Emerald Empire, it is not the Year of the Draggin'.