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Saratoga Sampler
Afternoon of tennis honors tennis coach
By Mary Ann Cook
IN HONOR OF VAN HOOKS: Brookside Tennis Club held an afternoon of tennis on Jan. 7, in honor of Van Hooks, longtime tennis coach at the club. Hooks, who died Dec. 12, was especially devoted to the junior tennis program, said Sally McElravey.
He made a tremendous impact on the lives of untold numbers of youngsters here, said McElravey. He taught children from preschoolers through college age, instilling the entire discipline of tennis training--proper diet, exercise, focus and team play.
On weekends Hooks would take his charges to tournaments. His dedication was nonstop. Several of his students went on to earn tennis scholarships, including Kristen Clevenger.
The Brookside commemorative event started with tennis play, continued with reminiscing, and ended with a potluck dinner. A party for Hooks a year ago, when he was ailing, drew scores of former students and friends.
He also taught for a while at AVAC and Dunnet clubs, then came back to Brookside. Eric Gottlieb, one of his former students, was the facilitator, and Sue Ryan and McElravey helped coordinate the tribute.
TO HOST A BEEFEATER: The Pecks--Betty, Willys and daughter Anna Rainville--hosted a Beefeater for dinner one recent Saturday. No, not a quality bottle of gin, but a bona fide bobby for the Tower. To their table came a member of the force that acts as guide/docent/security for the Tower of London.
This particular Beefeater is the father of a friend of Anna. No, he didn't wear his brilliant red and black uniform, but he was stately.
In other Peck news, Betty hosted the Kindergarten Forum on Twelfth Night with Nancy Mellon of New Hampshire and England the presenter.
Mellon is an authority on the art of storytelling in general and an advocate of storytelling as therapy, in particular. For troubled children she can devise stories to help in healing. Such stories help both the individual child and the classroom.
Her books are titled Storytelling: the Art of Healing and Storytelling: the Art of the Imagination. Kindergarten teachers heard her on Saturday; on Sunday her audience was made up of grandmothers, and Mellon's topic was the importance of grandmother stories.
NONE TOO EARLY: It's months away--Sept. 15 is the tentative date, but planning for Celebrate Saratoga! is already under way. Kristin Davis has volunteered for chairing duties again this year. "She's so proficient it's bound to be better each year."
So says Chamber Director Abby Krimotat. The Davis decision is fortunate for the Village, having an experienced hand to head up the doings. Davis is proprietor of The Front Window at Azule Crossing. The Chamber will hold a retreat this month to set the direction for Celebrate Saratoga! 2001.
A laser show, offered last year, may be repeated. The number of bands will have to be limited because of the electrical demands. But one thing's for sure: the children's program, called Kids Fun Zone, will be bigger than ever. There will be more games and a larger Bounce House.
As Celebrate Saratoga! has evolved, families with young children come early on; singles and adults come later in the evening, so that the entire 32,000 plus that the event racked up last year don't all throng Big Basin at once. The doings are from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.
TO WARM THE COCKLES: Here's a thought for those nippy Sunday afternoons. Picchetti Winery holds jazz sessions from 1 to 4 p.m. with different jazz groups. Hot soup is offered up, too, which hits the spot if you've been hiking in the area.
Since the winery is part of the MidPeninsula Regional Open Space District, hiking trails are handy. The winery leases the tasting room and surrounding areas from the MROSD.
In other hiking news, an explorer hike of 3 to 5 miles, will be at Sierra Azule on Jan. 17. The group meets in Los Gatos at the Park and Ride Lot across from Bakers Square to carpool. A Monte Bello Amphibian Amble of 4 to 5 miles will take place on Jan. 13.
HISTORY LESSON: Marlene Duffin spoke on "Pericles and What We Can Learn about Leadership from History" at the Saratoga Lions Club. The city state of Athens, she reminded listeners, was felled first by plague, then by blame, ego and controlled thought.
Service club leaders can help protect the United States from a similar fate by setting positive examples and teaching others how to lead in an exemplary fashion so that this country's own Golden Age can continue. Duffin is co-chair of the Lions District Leadership Committee.
GOOD LUCK: To bring good luck and celebrate the Year of the Snake, Hakone will hold a Japanese Mochi Pounding on Jan. 28, in the Cultural Exchange Center. Mochi is a sweet rice cake, and the pounding is to shape it. An American potluck will follow. For reservations: Art Okuno at 408.867.4297, or Helen Metcalf at 408.867.9349.
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Saratoga, California Since 1955
