SAM CHECKS IN!! (SAM ALLEN, THAT IS)
By now most people are familiar with the names Les and Carol Phillips who are pioneering the ISA Inaugural in England. See their photo in the margin. They are true friends and so giving of their time, monies and energy to see that we all enjoy our trip to England. They have worked with TV, Radio, Newspapers and if the Queen shows up, it would not surprise me!! Should the Queen miss the event, we still plan to tour Buckingham Palace.
Sam Allen. 05 31 2004
**********************************************************

SHUFFLEBOARD INAUGURAL IN THE UK “HEATS UP”

Carol and Les Phillips, your UK hosts have sent this message along to Alf & Stan.

The Eastbourne newspaper has carried out an extensive promotion of the forthcoming Inaugural. Not only did the newspaper provide coverage of the game, Carol took the opportunity to record two radio interviews, one for the local station and the other, a live interview with Southern Radio of the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) which covers both the Surry and Sussex areas. The local Eastbourne Council is providing active support by promoting the event locally, including extensive coverage on their website and good coverage in the Best of Eastbourne events diary. Here is the press clipping which resulted from the newspaper interview: “THE DEVONSHIRE Park complex usually plays host to tennis-but this week the popular cruise ship game shuffleboard docked in Eastbourne. The International Shuffleboard Association is holding its first UK shuffleboard event in Eastbourne from September 10-12 and fans turned up early to give residents a taste. Originating in the UK during the 15th Century the game which bears closest resemblance to curling, became popular sporting activity for all ages in the USA and Canada. The International Shuffleboard Association is re-introducing the game to the UK — and anyone interested can have a go for free at the September event. Using 52 feet long roll out courts, the aim of the game is using a long cue, to push large discs from one end of the court to the other, landing the disc in the highest scoring box or knocking out your opponents’ discs. Carol Phillips of the International Shuffleboard Association said, ‘With Eastbourne’s popularity amongst tourists and their excellent conference facilities we decided Eastbourne would be the perfect place to host the UK event. The Shuffleboard Inaugural UK event opens 9.00am to 1.00pm each day from September10-12 free of charge at the Devonshire Park Centre.” end of Press article.
Carol’s remarks to THE SHUFFLER: “We can hardly believe the trip is only three months away as the time has gone by so quickly since Sam Allen said to Les and I in March of 2003: “I know you can organise a Shuffleboard Homecoming!” We have yet to meet anyone and ask them if they know about the game of Shuffleboard and they say yes. As a result, we have got it quite off pat now to explain the game to them.” Regards: Carol and Les Philips.

THE SHUFFLER: Another very positive report from the UK. We thought that you Inauguralites (that is a word I just created to aptly describe those of you who attend these events) would like to hear from someone on this side of “the pond”!! Accordingly we contacted Sam Allen and invited him to give us some info!! We will go to press with this report and when Sam gets to us, we will add his remarks! A note re the pix on the left. The first was taken for the Newspaper article, see para. one above, Pat Melton, Les Phillips and Carol Phillips; the second pix is a photo op of one of the roll out courts with the building where play will take place in the background. Remember, if you think you would like to join this group of “travelling shufflers”, Inauguralites as I have named them, just send an email along to Sam Allen @ mrshuffle1@aol.com Do hope you enjoy and watch this SITE for more updates as the trip to the UK draws closer!! stan 2004 05 29
**********************************************************

WHY DO YOU PLAY SHUFFLEBOARD?

I suppose you’re asked that question a lot!! I know I am. Think about it! Most of us are retired so we don’t have to do it. Is it for fun? For money? For competition? To achieve something? For the camaraderie? To travel and see the sites or new places? To have something to do? I bet each of these, EXCEPT making money would appear on most players lists. Most of the answers probably go like this: It gives me something enjoyable to do with my friends! For many of us it’s the competition, it takes us back to our childhood with the bats and the balls, footballs, skates and sticks~~where someone wins and someone doesn’t. Those days were fun to us and fun is something we want to be part of shuffleboard, or else why play?? Remember we don’t have to! We can’t quite have the fun they are having competing for the Stanley Cup or the NBA Finals!! Most of us wouldn’t survive!! And our fans don’t have quite the fun watching us either. However; every one of us is capable of putting a little more fun into the game, needs to do exactly that! If we do not, we will not be able to attract new players, an essential component to keep the sport going. Watching Shuffleboard can be boring unless you happen to hit a court where Stan Williamson is raising hob and getting the crowd into the game, or Linda Woda is laughing or Earl Ball is talking to the blocks or Jacques Bergeron is upset with a shot, and talking about it in French!! (by the way Jacques, we all know what you’re saying, it’s the same in English). My point is: Have a good time! Laughing, excitement, determination, passion, fun are all infectious and that’s what will draw more people to the game. Remember, they don’t have to do any one thing either. They will do what is the most fun. Just watch a golf match, golf is boring and yes, I have a right to say that, remember, I retired to play golf and not many would beat me at it either. In golf, if I knocked your three-foot putt away to give myself a chance to win, it wouldn’t be acceptable, but in shuffleboard you expect it and you’d knock mine away also. That is just an acceptable part of this great game!! Earl 05 30 2004
**********************************************************