Summer of Love Pickleball Mixer a hit

Tom Kasper, David Novikoff, Rich Nadler and David Zapatka carry Cleopatra (JoAnn Zapatka) on her throne to her next match as Mike Mann keeps her cool by fanning her with pickleball paddle fronds!

Tom Kasper, David Novikoff, Rich Nadler and David Zapatka carry Cleopatra (JoAnn Zapatka) on her throne to her next match as Mike Mann keeps her cool by fanning her with pickleball paddle fronds!

Sun Lakes Pickleball Club at IronOaks third Summer of Love Mixer was a hit and a hoot! This year’s theme was Famous Couples. Random pairs created such couples as Cleopatra and Anthony, Adam and Eve, Samson and Delilah, Beavis and Butthead, Puss and Boots, Sonny and Cher and many, many more.

This mixer was all about being in character while playing pickleball. There were songs, hoots, hollers, constant laughter and good times for everyone. Winners at this mixer were not the pickleball players who won the most matches but instead the woman and man who most characterized their famous person throughout the day.

Winning first place and a bottle of wine in the Women’s Division was JoAnn Zapatka, the perfect Cleopatra inside and out, beginning to end.

Winning first place and a bottle of wine in the Men’s Division was David Novikoff who played the part of Samson to perfection. The highlight of the day was Samson successfully lifting two pickleballs over his head after veins bulged throughout his body with effort. But with his hair cut short and attempting to lift three pickleballs over his head, it took the strength of partner Delilah (Bobbie Reed) to pull him through.

Many thanks to Mixer organizer Greg Mather, hospitality chairs Bev Krueger and Nancy Bowerman and all their volunteers. It was a beautiful day filled with beautiful people.