ZSC, Inc.
5209 8th Street
Zephyrhills, Florida 33542
ZEPHYRHILLS SHUFFLEBOARD CLUB
COMMENTARY/OPINIONS
Everybody wants to talk about points, yet there is much confusion about the subject.
What kinds of points are there? Who can earn them? How are they earned? What does it all mean?
Glenn Monroe has written a very good article to clarify it all. Check it out by clicking here.
Tournament Volunteers.....
If you are like me (and most tournament shuffleboard players), you have a few expectations when you arrive at a venue to play a tournament.
Among those expectations are:
1.Hot coffee,
2.Donuts,
3.Someone to take my registration,
4.Clean, well supplied lunchroom,
5.Clean, well supplied restrooms,
6.Clean courts,
7.Chalk,
8.Erasers,
9.Seat pads,
10.Pencils, sharpened,
11.Waxed and seasoned discs,
12.Discs on the court at the start of the day,
13.Someone to sweep the court if I request it,
14.Someone to bead the court if I request it,
15.Someone to wax discs before each match and whenever else I request it,
16.Someone to resupply restrooms and lunchrooms as needed,
17.Bottled water,
18.Maybe some ice cream or candy bar,
19.Someone to pick up the trash I have left behind,
20.Someone to collect and dispose all of the trash at the end of the day,
21.Someone to prepare the discs, lunchroom and restrooms for the next day’s use,
22.Someone to turn out the lights and lock the doors when I have finished playing, whatever time that may be.
Because we ask so much of our volunteers, their numbers have been dwindling for some time now. For that reason no one provides referees anymore, except for the F.S.A. Masters, and many clubs no longer wax the discs before every match as required by F.S.A. rules. The numbers are now so low that the volunteers who arrive at the courts at 7:00 a.m. to prepare for the tournament are, most likely, the same ones waiting until 7:00 p.m. or later to perform the closing chores. They are also the same ones who are there for the third day of play if necessary.
Over the past several years, I have seen many enthusiastic volunteers burn out because of all we ask of them and especially because of the hours we expect from them. The time is fast approaching when we will have to consider what our tournaments would be like if we no longer have any volunteers to perform all of the vital tasks associated with a major tournament.
What I am trying to say is that we need to show consideration for our volunteers. Thank them for their service whenever possible. When it is getting late into the evening and you are still playing, remember that the volunteers are no longer there for you. They are there because of you. If there is anything that you could do during the day to expedite your play and ease their burden, I would ask that you please do so.
Glenn Monroe... Florida State Tournament Director. 2014 03 29.
MEMORIAL GIFTS - HAVE YOU CONSIDERED YOUR CLUB?
We all love to play the great game of Shuffleboard at our local Club; many of us help to get sponsors for tournaments or in some cases to help pay the everyday bills that all clubs face. We all feel we can relax when the Club is in good shape financially but yet we know that there are major improvements that we would all like to see take place. Maybe it’s covering the courts or insulating the existing roof; maybe even air conditioning the playing area but that’s way out because we don’t have that kind of money. You know every year we lose some members; some have money but probably never give a thought to a major contribution to the Club at their death. Now’s a good time to think that over; you could really make a difference!
Earl
MEMORIAL GIFTS
This is an interesting article written by Earl and something that I have been thinking about for some time.
Many of us never heard of or played shuffleboard until we retired to Florida and were introduced to the game at a local MHP.
I believe I can speak for many of our ZSC members, that shuffleboard consumes many, many hours of our retirement years. Some members play this great game every single day. It is now a huge part of our lives and provides us with physical exercise, an outlet for those who love competition and a great source to meet new friends. Shuffleboard and ZSC provides us all with countless hours of great inexpensive entertainment.
We are blessed at ZSC that Bob Perkins made an unbelievable gesture by purchasing our courts and then donating the facility to our members. Bob wanted to be sure that shuffleboard would always be in Zephyrhills for us to enjoy.
As Earl mentioned, there will always be a need for improvements and maintenance at the club. Many ideas have surfaced recently; some with large price tags, others with minimal costs. Regardless, all improvements cost money. The Club is financially sound at this time but because we are unable to get a (home owners type) insurance policy, we are self- insured and need a fair reserve to make repairs if we ever suffer major storm damage.
Our current membership dues structure and sponsorship fees cover our taxes, utility bills, liability insurance, lawn maintenance, janitorial service and everyday operating expenses.
To consider any major renovation to our facility though would probably require a member donations fund drive like that conducted in 2008. Many ZSC members continue to make donations to our Club each year.
Earl mentions that maybe we should consider a contribution to ZSC at death. I agree and believe this would be a great way to give back to a sport that has given us so much enjoyment. Current or after death contributions will assure that future members would be able to enjoy shuffleboard for many years, as we have.
Chuck Moulton, Treasurer
Minutes of General Membership Meeting of ZSC, INC.
Held at Perkins Courts, Zephyrhills. Florida
11:30 AM Oct. 23, 2021
Attending:
Henry Strong John Houghtailing
Patt Bertram Frank Pogel III
Welcome by Henry
Roll Call with all present except Marlene Schneider and Chuck Moulton.
22 Members attended.
Minutes of the last General Meeting held were read and a motion to accept was made by Jerry Brandon and seconded by George Darwin.
Henry read the Treasurers’ report and reported a balance of $21,843.17. Steve made a motion to accept as read and Sue Dungey seconded it.
Henry reported we will have a Christmas party Dec. 18.
Henry reminded the members there was to be no shuffling Sunday mornings. Shuffling may continue after 12:00 pm.
Henry reported about the new protocol about Covid by the FSA and further stated as our club is incorporated we have to accept all people coming in or pay a $ 7500. Fine. One way we can regulate people is by taking their temperatures. If they should have a temperature reading of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, they would not be able to play.
Henry brought up the subject of protecting our club in years from now from being sold. He checked the deeds and papers for reports of Bob Perkins wishes to see if anything had been written and upon finding nothing would require a lawyer and added to the deed. It was thought by Chuck and some members that Bob had wanted it to be given to a charity if it could not continue to sustain itself.
John Houghtailing told us of the posted protocols on the bulletin board by the schedules.
John mentioned his and Gabby’s wishes to have the AM tournaments held in our club be named in Memory of Gary McGaffey. He is speaking to Gary’s widow concerning her wishes about doing something to memorialize Gary. Gary was a great supporter of the amateurs and helped them whenever he could.
The cost to play in tournaments and the division of such was approached and discussed.
Sponsors discussed.
Motion made to adjourn by Ross and Ron Ferry seconded it.
Meeting adjourned at 11:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted by: Ginny Chandler
Is your glass half empty or half full?
In the last 5 months we have seen changes in our lives that we could never have imagined. If someone spoke of a world where human contact was restricted, masks were required, and there was an unseen enemy causing illness and deaths we would probably have thought it was a script for a sci-fi movie rather than reality. It is human nature to complain about what we have lost, however we all need to keep things in perspective.
I believe that some good comes out of every situation and we need to view things differently. Families have become closer, many friends have reconnected and we have found a new appreciation for things we'd taken for granted. What was once insignificant has taken on much greater importance in our lives.
I think I speak for many ZSC members when I say we are very fortunate to have a club which provides us with a safe environment where we can enjoy the game we love. Wearing a mask and constant sanitizing can be an inconvenience but a small price to pay for the enjoyment of shuffling and being able to interact with friends while socially distancing. Though times can be stressful we need to be thankful for all we have and focus on the positive! We still have our health, families, and friends and the opportunity to enjoy the camaraderie that exists in the world of shuffleboard. Having lost so many fellow shufflers in recent years should serve as a reminder that our glass is more than half full!
Be kind, be respectful of others and do your share to make the world a better place by your actions!
Respectfully submitted - Pauline Murphy
WOW!!! WHAT A CLUB!
I say that to myself often, when I walk through the doors of the Zephyrhills Shuffleboard Club, but not generally out loud and I should!
Today, before we started, Marlene Schneider was washing the bleachers and because we had one extra player, she kept on washing but the amazing thing is, this isn’t uncommon. Chuck Moulton is always doing something; washing the ceiling, by hand, fixing a door with George’s (Darwin) help or if he even mentions he needs something, like the other day he said, "We need a sweep for that back door in the Pavilion" and George (yes, 95 year old George) piped right up, “I’ll pick one up”.
Frank Pogel is right in the middle of things, like fixing a potential tripping hazard, before someone gets hurt. John Houghtaling tinkers with the blocks so they will run as well as is possible.
Before some of us get up in the morning, Dave Stoops, Ron Ferry, Rae Schneider and John are busy sweeping courts so the rest of us can just play!
In we walk, masks in place, and there stands John with the thermometer to check and see if we are OK. He reminds us to sanitize our hands before signing in. We then sit at the socially spaced tables and chairs waiting to play.
On Mingles/Singles day, Diane Beaulier will be taking entry fees with maybe Betty Russell or Pil Marshall helping with the 50/50. While Dave goes and prepares the draw chips, usually 4 or 5 courts, Chuck handles any announcements that are appropriate; today he showed another side of our membership; Dick Lightner volunteered to pay for the contact free thermometer we use. Seems to me that “baby” costs about $80. But that too is not unusual for this Club. The winner of the 50/50 on M/S day might well tell the Club to keep it or those that win and are in the money may say the same thing.
You know you’ve got something good going when players from other cities join your Club so they can play. Two or three members make the trip from Lakeland most days as well as a couple of guys from Clearwater; one of them makes it almost every day. We pick up a new one from the Betmar Club or maybe another Club and before you know it, we have enough to play.
I want to apologize to all of those members I missed, I know I had to miss some, but thank you for all you do!
GREAT JOB BY A GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE!!
Earl Ball 8-14-2020
