Hello Subscriber First Name!This is the time of the year when we tend to look back over the past twelve months and try to figure out whether we got anything worthwhile accomplished. (I think we did!) As usual, the year sort of sped by – they don’t seem to be going any slower these days. Is it because each succeeding year represents a smaller percentage of our total lifetime or what? At any rate, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have joined us, and to urge any of you who have not yet become members to do so. We need your support! Our numbers help us to gain traction with not only the USTA, but also with potential sponsors, and give us even more talent to draw upon. As I’ve travelled around to tournaments, and met many of you who I didn’t know before, the more I realize what a band of brothers we are. We share so many common experiences, and even if we’ve never met before, we always have common friends, doubles partners, and teammates. We really are the poster boys for the USTA in the way we embody their old “Sport for a Lifetime” slogan. We’re healthier, more engaged, and leading richer lives than many of our more sedentary contemporaries. Although we may not have the eye appeal of those amazing players on the ATP and WTA tours, actually I think our games are more relevant to the majority of tennis players. We win with tactics, savvy, and guile, which in many ways is more interesting than watching two youngsters mindlessly beat the crap out of the ball. Our game rewards being present and centered and adaptable – all of which work pretty well off the court too. So we invite your input – how can we better serve the senior tennis community? We love to hear your stories, many of which you can already read on our website. Have you noticed how diverse our website has become? We love to get your suggestions – “Send us a Message.” And we’d like to invigorate our Forum with topics you’d like to weigh in on. Before the end of the year, I’ll give you a summary of some of our accomplishments in 2019. I think you’ll be impressed – I was when I saw them all listed in one place. But most of all, I want to thank the members of our Board who have contributed mightily to everything we’ve done. At zero compensation. Mas Kimball, Steve Duffel, Jerry Thomas, Ed Trost, and Larry Turville have all dedicated a lot of time and energy to enabling this organization to take wing. With your support, we can fly higher. It is with much gratitude and high spirits that I wish all of you a truly joyous holiday season! Jimmy Parker
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