Grace Buerlen of Easton created the Easton Area Tennis League in
1979 with
23 singles
players and six (6) doubles teams. Loretta DeWalt & Reggie
Kunsman were Ann Brown's and Carol McCrea's predecessors. During their
tenure, the league blossomed to over 100 women; from 3 or 4 divisions to 10!
They dabbled in doubles as another summer league venture for one season but
it didn't find a following at the time.
Grace Buerlen
For their year-end festivities, Reggie would host the event at her home and
Loretta (who is quite the chef!) would do all of the cooking and would
transport her creations over to Reggie's house in laundry baskets! One
year, there was a snow storm and everyone had to park in a local church
parking lot and Reggie's husband became the "car pool" man.
Reggie's and Loretta's dedication to the
sport earned them the nick-name "Killer Bees" courtesy of the grounds crew
at Louise Moore Park. Why you ask? Apparently, these two women
would welcome the grounds crew in the morning from the courts and thus the
nick-name began!
Loretta DeWalt & Reggie
Kunsman
To date, Reggie's mom, Fran Buss, was the
oldest player to participate in the league...who will be next to hold that
honor? Fran was playing in the EATL singles at the tender young age of
7-0...you go girl!!
The trivia questions as we know them today at
our year-end party for door-prizes, were born during the many US Open bus
trips to and from Flushing to pass the time. In 1999, it was time for a
couple of fresh faces to helm the league but the friendships have endured.
Carol McCrea & Ann Brown
Carol McCrea and Ann Brown began their directorship in 1999 and by 2002 they
too were managing 10 divisions! Ann and Carol brought the year-end
party to it's present destination at Northwood Racquet and Fitness Club.
Because of this, they were able to introduce playing tennis at the "tennis
party!" And adding some fun tennis games too for prizes. They
also brought the league into the 21st century with the help of our Webmaster
(and league participant), Trish Schafer by introducing the league to its
first official website. When the website was launched, less than a
quarter of the ladies had access to email or even the Internet; in 2006, 99%
of the women are communicating electronically!
Trish Schafer, Deb Butz & Christine
Peterson
In 2006, the league changed hands and is
currently operating under the leadership of Trish Schafer, Deb Butz and
Christine Peterson. The league again experienced technological growth
as it was the first year the EATL registrations were accepted online...it was aces! We are looking forward to nurturing the league through the next generation
of positive changes and growth.
In
2007, Kathy Carbone, from Northwood
Racquet and Fitness Club, opened up a Round Robin to our members of the EATL
on Thursday mornings at the Club.
2008
marks the EATL's 30th anniversary! In addition, we've added a few more
exciting events and opportunities to play tennis and socialize with the
ladies of the league. In 2008, we introduced both the Spring Fling and
the Kick-Off Party/Placement Session. The Spring Fling was a nice way to
break up the doldrums of winter and our Kick-Off Party/Placement Session is
a twofold event. It gives new members an opportunity
to play some tennis and be evaluated for proper placement in the league;
existing members are welcome too...especially if they feel they were
misplaced in the previous season. It's a win...win! There is a
level of play for everyone and we are striving at every turn to ensure that
all of our members enjoy the season with a level of play that is just right
for them. The second goal of the Kick-Off Party is a fun time to meet more of
our members before the season begins, a reason to dust off our racquets and play!
