Sun City – Tall Oaks Tennis Club (TOTC) celebrated a successful tennis season at the team banquet held at the Randall Oaks Golf Club. The guests arrived not in tennis clothes but in Mardi Gras attire.
Guests showed up with feathered, elegant, Mardi Gras masks. There was a Mardi Gras King in costume, cape and all. And what Mardi Gras party would be complete without the Jester.
Corinne Malpede said, “The event was very well done. It looks like New Orleans! It is a first-class job by the committee. The place cards are wonderful.”
Tennis Club members donned Mardi Gras attire for their annual party. (Photo by Christine Such/Sun Day)
Diane Flanagan has chaired this end of season event for 10 years.
“I have a regiment. It was easy this year following our welcome back theme from the beginning of the season,” she said.
Flanagan’s creative planning included the place cards, which were tennis balls with tiny Mardi Gras Feathered masks.
“It was easy finding the masks on the internet and they fit the tennis balls perfect!” said Flanagan.
The room was filled with laughter and the players gathered together for pictures and conversation.
Linda Stuart, new to Sun City and new to the club, said, “The tennis club is great. Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. I was able to join groups easily and I love the club’s events.”
Sharon Little is a veteran at the tennis club and the club’s banquets.
“This is my 13th banquet. The faces change. Some players have left, but we see new faces which are so nice to see. And more importantly, the fellowship continues with the new people moving in. It’s a great thing,” she said.
The President of the TOTC, Esther Skeggs, remarked, “It takes a village, a lot of people work hard to make an event like this happen. It’s wonderful that we have the people that do such a wonderful job.”
The dance floor filled up fast after dinner.
Pat Cox said, “They got the people dancing. They played our songs.”
Arleen Terdina remarked, “Players who did not attend don’t know what they missed. The decorations were fantastic as usual and it was a good time with great people.”
Lori Martiny praised the committee with many others voicing her compliments, “The committee who planned this is very creative and did a phenomenal job.” She added, “The venue was great and the food was fantastic.”
