a final curtain

Sarasota's Lawn Bowling Club, formed back in 1927 from remnants of Sarasota's early Scottish pioneers, years later would become an established and noted international sporting club situated along Sarasota's historic downtown bayfront. Today, still existing and active after 95 years, originally with 3 greens and nearly an acre of club property, the City of Sarasota has asked the club to pack-it-up, and move along. 

Soon, with a massive new undertaking, the city along with a private entity, will be developing an overall existing 53 acres of this same bayfront for a newly named public park, The Bay.

 

On Friday, prior to the Club's soon-to-be dismantling, I bowled my final "ends" in a tied game of "jitney", appropriately ending with a torrential downpour.

 

The national, 'U.S. Open' of lawn bowls was held not so long ago in Sarasota and for two consecutive years, 2016-2017, at Sarasota's historic lawn bowling club. International dignitaries along with players representing 17 different countries oversaw the 5 days of tournament play.

Today, due to the recent pandemic, and concurrently with conflicting bans on travel for our seasonal international members, our overall Club's membership has fallen drastically, from about 260 overall active players to a small group of die-hard locals.

 

 

 

Two club notables I was truly lucky to have played along side of - who also became close friends; 

One in particular, was Geoff Old, a retired professional rugby player of New Zealand's national team, the "All Blacks".  Because of the pandemic, Geoff moved back to New Zealand two years ago, and continues to compete there in 'Bowls' on a national level. 

 

 

 

And of special note - a former national champion, my mentor, instructor and best bud, and many times my 'triples' partner, Miss Geraldine Smith.  Sadly, 'Gerry' passed away this past month at the age of 100.  Soon, she will be up for nomination into the Bowls USA's, National 'Hall of Fame'.

 

 

Gerry Smith at 94, always engaged, elegant, and up until then, still playing competitively.

 

 

Recently, after cleaning out old cabinets and club file drawers, looking back, this group photo was found of local members of Sarasota's Lawn Bowling Club during one of it's great heydays.  A real cast of characters (looks to be early 1960's). 

Now it appears, after 95 years, it is our Club's final call, "last bowls" at this early, Sarasota historic site.

 

(note) As of August 29th, with a newly signed agreement with the City of Sarasota, and from a large donation provided by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, the Sarasota Lawn Bowling Club will be moving to a new, smaller scaled facility, hopefully to be completed by late 2023. The City of Sarasota has committed to adding the lawn bowling club to it's ongoing revamped property of the city owned, Bobby Jones Golf Course. 

hunting season

Large turkey buzzard.  (nuisance permit required)

 

 

Nice 7 foot gator. 

 

 

This year "Florida's gator hunting season runs, August 15th to November 1st.  Hunters now have the option to spend more time each day harvesting gators if they choose. The state announced in May that gators could be hunted 24 hours a day instead of restricted to 17.  Hunters now have been given additional hours of daylight."   South Florida Sun Sentinel, August 20th 2022.

portending the height of hurricane season

A very common South American epiphite, the annual flowering Flaming Torch, sometimes referred to as Florida's "hurricane bromeliad", signals our peak storm season. Deep green leaves of this bromeliad have a sharp toothed edge, with a rosette pattern that forms a water-cup - a happy home for tons of mosquito larvae and the occasional frog. The noted flowering inflorescene is torch-like with little to no scent. Overall, an intense reminder for all to be aware.

"To Mary ........

For Mary .....

 

a half day (almost full)

Took the motorbike out east, and decided to stop at a friend's studio. I once worked for this young man's father.

A hundred or more mile loop, maybe longer - while stopping for ribs, beans and some fried okra. Surprised later, when I came home to my wife's home-cooked tuna fish casserole, around 4:00, still sitting warm, atop the stove top.

A Chuck Close portrait of Chuck's then artist buddy - my old employer, John Chamberlain - framed, while lounging at Duncan Chamberlain's out-east studio.

sorely needed

"In the past year, the CDC has recorded a 28 percent increase in the use of the Baker Act in Florida - the involuntary admission of patients to psychiatric facilities as a result of being a threat to themselves or others."   Sarasota Magazine, Allison Forsyth, June 22, 2021

Sorely needed;  Sarasota Memorial’s New Behavioral Healthcare Pavilion. A 96,000-square-foot, 82-bed facility to be completed by the fall of 2023.

revisiting old biker joints

"A sunny place for shady people" - over the years the motto for Will's Honky Tonk. Years ago, Will sold the place, name and all, moved his biker bar down the road and aptly renamed it, Stragglers.  I prefer "stranglers".