Taking our minds off Covid for an evening, albeit for just as serious a topic, was one of many reasons to have tuned in to Rick Barton’s thoughtful Zoom presentation last week. Based on his most recent book “Peace Works,” Rick expanded on his 30 years experience in conflict management and refugee efforts around the world. Although cabin and cottage interiors were the prevalent screen backgrounds, comments and questions came from members all over, including Mike Fotos in West Hartford and Betsy Bass at Sugarloaf. Zoom doesn’t give an opportunity for a merchandise table but you can contact Rick or Bill Barton to see if any copies are left, or order through your local bookstore (a shout out to Sherman’s).

This was the big week for tennis. In the annual JPVIS tournament (the one that gets winners’ names on the boards forever in the Community House), eight teams competed for Men’s Doubles, with Charlie and Robert Barton besting Rick and Bill Barton in the finals. The Mixed Doubles competition attracted 10 teams with a final between Lizzie Lewis and Matt Zimmer against Robert Barton and Ren Barton, with the Bartons prevailing. Jose McComiskey and Anne Lee were the consolation round winners in the Women’s Doubles. At press time matches in other categories were still to be played.

The annual Tennis Exhibition, preceded by Berries and Cream, turned out over 40 spectators, much to the appreciation of our tennis pros. After six years of exhibition play the teams of Susan and Dave and Dave’s New Hampshire friends Blake Wyman and Jeff Davis had a record of split wins, 3-3. Dave and Susan won the first set, Blake and Jeff the second, which set up for an exciting 10-point tiebreaker with our host team winning 14-12.

Holly Barnes wants to thank the many neighbors who stopped by for a porch visit with her father, Art, during his two-week stay recently. He was able to make the trip east with help from son-in-law Jeff Wolfeld and enjoyed his time at the Barnes Cottage with Holly and four of his grandchildren. Everyone had quarantined beforehand, making it a “semi-normal” vacation.

It’s the middle of August, the time when we start asking “How much longer will you be here?” Wonder if folks will be staying on, either working or zooming school from family cottages, until it gets too cold or the water turns off. The latter for us. How about you? Working or studying until the water meter gets yanked? Let me know for our next issue: annedooley@mindspring.com