Shuffleboard Club member still going strong at 90
Ellie West is a beloved member of the Leisure World Shuffleboard Club, and age has nothing to do with it. She’s a good and reliable player, chips in whenever needed, has served on the board for five years, and sends out a special sunshine newsletter that contains reminders, upcoming dates, member names and birthdays and, most importantly, jokes. West said one day she was sitting at the computer and got the idea of a communication to members. She just started sending it and “it seems to work nicely,” West added. People look forward to receiving the email and West also sends out well wishes to members who are sick or need help or special attention.
West is going into her 29th year in the same unit in Leisure World. She admitted, “I never expected to be here that long but God must have a plan.” When asked what had changed, she answered, “the addition of patios.” She also admitted she didn’t want to move here but a business associate came and West recalls, “she was the most persnickety person I ever met. If she liked it, it must be ok.” West checked out shuffleboard when she first moved in but she said that group was nothing like the gang today. She stated they were not at all welcoming. West decided to give the club another try just before COVID-19 and then it was shut down for close to two years. She attributes the growth and friendliness of the club to former president Kay Mount. West loves the social activities and says most of her friends belong to the club.
A former elementary school teacher who joined the Army and took advantage of the GI bill to get her education and first home, West has one daughter who lives in Arizona. West works out in the pool every day, creating her own routine of 45 minutes of water jogging and tailor-made arm and leg exercises. She keeps her brain going by reading mysteries and tackling crossword puzzles. When asked what she missed most pre-retirement, without hesitation she said hiking. West climbed Mt. Whitney on her 60th birthday, scaled the back side of El Capitan in Yosemite, got to the top of Mt. Katadin in Maine and has reached high summits in the lakes region of England, Switzerland, Austria and many national parks here at home.
May 15 Thursday afternoon league results: Team Jack edged out Team Kay 7-5. Team Jack all-game winners were Steve Edrich and Zoe Pickell. Team Kay’s all-game winner was Eileen Kotecki. Team Lynne soundly beat Team Anita 9-3. Team Lynne’s all-game winners were Lynne Haines, John Mount and Diana Smith. Team Anita had no all-game winners.
May 16 Friday morning league results: Team Sally surpassed Team Carol 8-2. Allgame winners for Team Sally were Randi Allen, Anita Giroud and Lynne Haines. Team Carol had no all-game winners. Team Patti snuck by Team Shel 7-5. All-game winners for Team Patti were Steve Edrich, Sal LaScala and Rod Osgood. Milly Larson earned that recognition for Team Shel.
May 20 Tuesday evening league results: Team Harold upset Team Sue 8-4. Team Harold’s all-game winners were Sandy Derouin, sub Sally Fowler and Stephanie Reagan. Team Sue’s Roger Bennett was the all-game winner. Team Karen defeated Team Bob 9-3. Karen Mendon, Helene Neun, sub Patty Peterson and Lori Probert were all-game winners for Team Karen. Lynn Baidack was the all-game winner for Team Bob.
—Barbara Gardner
