4th of July Tennis at Ackerman Park

By Nick Batlle

The ECTA Tournament that began May 19 finished with a bang at Ackerman Park on July 4.

With its floats and music, the Central Street parade has traditionally been the hot spot in Evanston on the Fourth of July.  But the parade isn't the only event in the area drawing large crowds.

The Evanston Community Tennis Association (ECTA) held the finals of their annual tournament on July 4, providing players of different ages and skill levels the opportunity to compete with none other than the big parade as a setting.

The tournament, which started on May 19, is open to anyone who is a member of the ECTA.  There are a variety of different brackets, from the typical men's and women's singles competitions to brackets featuring parents and their children as doubles partners.

All participants paid an entry fee, ranging from $40 for adults to $15 for players 18 and under. The tournament format was single elimination, the winner taking 2 out of 3 sets. Players were required to bring their own cans of United States Tennis Association-approved balls.  Matches were played according to USTA rules, and directly following the end of the match the winner was required to contact tournament director Richard Marberry.

The location of the matches prior to the semifinals was determined by the individual competitors.  In case of a dispute, Lovelace Park was considered neutral ground. Northwestern University's Vandie Christie Tennis Center hosted the semifinals.

In the Men's Open Singles bracket, Ken Ore defeated Mark Oryskevich in two sets, 6-4, 6-0.  On the women's side, Elizabeth Mendoza came out on top, beating Deborah Cassel 6-2, 6-2.

The Men's Open Doubles final was closer.  Ken Ore and Joseph Zabat took the first set after winning the tiebreak, but the duo of Michael Chabraja and Doug Garley came back strong in the second and third sets to win the title 6-7, 6-3, 6-1.  As for the women, Sara Marberry and Cathy Omundson defeated Karen Cunningham and Stephanie Weisenberger 6-2, 6-2.

Contestants were allowed to compete in three events, and Ore proved strong throughout.  On top of finishing first in the Men's Open Singles and second in the Men's Open Doubles, he won the Mixed Open Doubles bracket with partner Rose Jennifer, defeating Elizabeth Cunningham and Joseph Zabat 7-6(1), 2-6, 6-0.

As for everyone else...
Men's 40 Singles
Mark Oryskevich def. Reynaldo Nano    6-1, 6-2
Men's 60 Singles
Richard Day def. Roger Allen 7-6,    7-6(1)
Husband-Wife Doubles
Lynette Nano / Reynaldo Nano def.   William Finestone / Tammi Finestone     0-6, 7-6(2), 6-3
Men's 40 Doubles
Paul Rolfes / Evan Westerfield def.     James David / Matt Wood 6-2, 6-1
Parent-Child Doubles
Jordan Schnoll / Ethan Schnoll def.    Alan Zunamon / Luke Zunamon 6-0,    6-2
Men's Intermediate Singles
Ben Wood def. George Wright 6-4, 6-2
Women's Intermediate Singles
Yana Kareva def. Cheryl Footlik 6-2,    6-0
Men's Intermediate Doubles
Rocco Tucci / Doug Wallach def.    Richard Levee / Sal Sheikh 6-4, 6-3
Mixed Junior Doubles (18 & under)
Jane Hohman / Ethan Schnoll def.  Oliver Wood / Ben Wood 6-2, 6-1
Century Doubles
Greg Korak / Tom Rebarchak def.    Roger Curry / William Finestone 1-6,    6-2, 6-1

Preparations Make a Difference

Fishing opportunities are at their peak this time of year, which is also vacation time for many families. I thought I would try to provide some information to help you spend more time catching fish on your vacation and less time "drowning bait," as they say.

After fishing professional tournaments for more than 20 years, I have learned how to arrive at a lake I have either never seen before or only fished once a year and still catch my limit of fish.  The secret is preparation.

Most people plan in advance for a vacation by making reservations for lodging; preparing the vehicle for the trip; and probably even planning some sightseeing. So why not plan on catching fish?

Start by deciding what you'll be fishing for (walleye, bass, bluegill, etc.), because each will be different to catch. There is an old adage that "80 percent of the fish are in 20 percent of the lake," and that is truer than most believe. During the summer each species will inhabit certain parts of the lake, depending on water temperature, food sources and protective cover. Knowing where these places are eliminates 80 percent of the lake in a lot of cases. Knowing what the particular species is feeding on is also important and a sure way to improve your chances of catching what you're looking for. Here is how to find all this out.

Make a few phone calls, starting a couple of weeks before you leave. Call a local bait shop on the lake you'll be fishing and ask, "What's biting?" and "Where are they catching the fish?" They will be happy to provide the information, and if you make the same call again a week later, compare the responses.  If nothing has changed, you'll know pretty much where to fish; if it changes, look at a lake map and see if you can tell whether the fish are moving shallower or deeper by where they're being caught. This should help you spend less time looking for fish and more time catching them.

Until next time, good fishing and keep a tight line.
-- Dick Peach
hookedonfishing@comcast.net

ETHS Athletes Raking in the Dough

By Nick Batlle

Around February of every school year, parents start nagging their kids about getting a summer job.

Two months later a sense of urgency kicks in, as the students frantically run around asking their friends if they know any place that's hiring.

When finals are over and the job search comes to a close, the following Monday students are off to the beach, park or golf course to earn a little spending money.  Some of the most popular summer jobs for ETHS athletes relate directly to the sports they play during the school year.

"'All of the money in the world don't make it painless,'" said Drew Kolisz, quoting hip hop artist Lupe Fiasco.  This is Kolisz's second summer caddying at the Evanston Golf Club, and despite the physical stress of working long hours in the hot sun carrying around two golf bags six miles, the cash at the end of the day makes it all worthwhile.

"You get paid in cash every day, and there are no taxes taken out.  If you are tired and don't want to work one day, you don't have to," said Kolisz.

For swimmers, spending long days getting a suntan as a lifeguard is a dream job.  With the responsibility that comes with being a lifeguard, there aren't many jobs for students that pay better.

For softball stud Monica McCarthy, when the opportunity arose for her to get paid coaching a 10 & Under team in Deerfield, there was no hesitation. For her, there's more to the job than the money.

"It's really gratifying to see your kids execute after you've been telling them something over and over," said McCarthy.

Gus Anderson played baseball at Evanston as a freshman and sophomore. After saying goodbye to playing the game that he had been a part of for so long, he was enthusiastic about working as both an umpire for the Evanston Baseball/Softball Association, and as a food vender at Wrigley Field.

"I love baseball, and I especially love playing it," said Anderson.  "It's just as fun being around it all the time for work and getting paid for it."

Perhaps one of the most traditional jobs for students in Evanston, however, is playing sports and other games with little kids as a camp counselor. 

Ryan Ollie played soccer and volleyball at ETHS, making his job at the Northwestern Wildcat Sports Camp a blast.

"When I was a kid I went there and had a great time," said Ollie.  "I play sports all the time, so it was really the best job for me.  I play sports with the kids, go to the beach, and get paid for it," he said.
Whether it's part time, full time, in the water, or on the fairway, nothing is sweeter than a little summer spending money.

One Teammate Missing

Members of the Evanston Township High School football team honor their teammate, Darryl Shannon Pickett, killed by a handgun on June 28, as they march in the Fourth of July parade. Some team members carried Mr. Pickett's jersey; others bore a sign reading "Stop Handgun Violence."

Thanks for a Terrific 2007  Season

The Evanston RoundTable Lions, composed of third- and fourth-grade  girls, won both the regular season and the playoff championship.

 

Evanston Loves A Parade

... from setting out the chairs

 

 

 

 

... to making others aware ...

 

 

 

... marching to the beat of a few different drummers ...

 

 

 

... of the band that has come to town ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

... until he is red, white and blue in the face.