Rick Herrick>

508-693-8065

(herricklr@verizon.net)

Tall, statuesque with steady ground strokes and terrific angles, Margaret Berzins is the most improved women’s player at the East Chop Tennis Club. Despite these impressive credentials, she was unable to defeat the Granny who has somehow, miraculously, made all of her gray hair disappear. I guess it helps to look the age of your opponents. In any event, Lyn Herrick defeated Margaret in the women’s singles finals 6-4, 6-3.

Fifty years ago there was a similar story. At fifteen, in pigtails with a Jack Kramer wooden racquet, Lyn won the women’s singles August tournament for the first time. She repeated that feat 24 times in the intervening years — a record that will surely stand for many years to come.

In the women’s doubles, the crowd marveled at the steady, effective play of two of our senior women players. Jane Coe and Liz Huss have been there before — many, many times. Because they were playing on opposing sides of the net, one unfortunately had to go away empty-handed. In a close, exciting match, Jane Coe and her niece, Grace Simpkins, defeated Liz Huss and Lyn Herrick 6-1, 1-6, 6-4.

At noon, lunch was served. Thanks to the hard work of Kim Patterson, Laurie Howick and their capable crew, the luncheon was a huge success. Unfortunately, due to weather, the men’s final matches were postponed.

On Sunday, East Chop said goodbye to Kit Sanders at a packed Union Chapel. Her grandchildren stole the show. In moving tributes to their grandmother, Kelly Gereski, Jamie Pizzirusso, and Katie Bryan in very special and different ways thanked Kit for providing them with such a warm Vineyard home. They remembered her as a gifted photographer, athlete, and a dedicated Vineyard volunteer. Son Bruce Sanders spoke eloquently about the special relationship Kit shared with her husband, Chuck, and told funny stories about his mother, a natural ham. A reception followed at the East Chop Beach Club. It was a wonderful celebration of the life of a grand lady, a woman who inspired us all in her later years as she fought debilitating disease with grace and charm.

On a lighter note, my brother Beau aced the 185 yard par three at the Edgartown Golf Club at a recent Tuesday Men’s Day. His joy was delayed, however. He thought he had hit a good shot, but when he arrived at the green he couldn’t find his ball. Thinking he had lost it in the tall grass in front of Trapp’s Pond, he had to drop another ball. Lying three, he completed the hole, only to find his original ball was already there. There’s a moral to this story. It helps to play with partners who are not nearsighted.

Speaking of golf, Carol Traenkle, Dave Kranz, and Wendy and Bob Reagan teamed up at Mink Meadows for the Rally for the Cure benefit for breast cancer. Our East Choppers won. In addition, Carol was closest to the hole on seven, and longest drive on ten. It was a perfect Vineyard day for the outing day in which everyone there was a winner.

Finally, a sunset concert will be held this evening at the East Chop Lighthouse at 7 p.m. to honor Della Hardman. Della was an artist, educator, and writer who came to the Vineyard at the age of three. She became a year-round member of our community in 1986 until her death in 2005. The Spirituals Choir led by Jim Thomas will be performing along with noted dancer Christina Montoya. Lighthouse tours will be given throughout the event. Bring a chair if you want to sit, but come. You won’t want to miss it!