• 

• 

Lorraine Layton Speaks: Hi!  Stan:   Here is a picture of how things change over 60 years.  Stan speaks: “You Guys” LOOK SUPER; NOW and 60 Years Ago!!!

Lorraine speaks:  After 12 seasons of shuffling out of Ocala Florida and for the last four of those years, we were the only two attending tournaments and continuing to encourage that club to stay members of the Northern District.  Finally, our efforts failed and being part of that club, was no longer an option if we wanted to continue to shuffle competitively.  So, a move to  a more active club, was our goal.  Tavares, was the choice, with Walt Stoddard ( Mr. Shuffle) at the helm, he thought everyone in life, should be shufflers.  His passing in 2010, was a big loss to that club. We continued to strive forward under the leadership of Ed Jesperson, who was a great manager of courts, but found it difficult to do administrative chores. With encouragement to take the leadership, I (Lorraine) offered to help in any way, so he would have the honor he deserved as President.  Ed did a fine job for two seasons, but his health became too much to continue at that position.  Since , I had taken on Sec./Treasurer. of the club, while Ed was at the Helm, I thought I  might be able to continue to keep this club in good working order. As President of the Tavares Club for the past 4 year’s, we have increased our membership  from approx. 35 members to over 60.  Quoting a recent member who joined  “You do things in this club”  We host 4 State and Northern District tournament per season.  We also have an in-club event on 4 different months, during the winter months.  Plus, we host two open tournaments to any shuffler, who is a club member in all of Florida. All of our tournament are sponsored, with the hard work of all members.

Of course, Ivan and I as partners in life, are partners in anything we do for the game of Shuffleboard. Our future in shuffleboard holds some exciting events.  Saskatchewan is hosting the Canadian Inter Provincial Tournament in Moose Jaw,  July 2017, we are hoping to be a part of that event. We are also hoping to be a part of the Canadian International Team, that will compete  in  Brazil , also in July 2017. Looking well into the future, High River Alberta will be hosting the International Event in 2018.  Our western Canadian provinces will be very busy over the next couple of year’s.

A bit of family history.  We have 4 children 2 boys, 2 girls.  10 Grandchildren. 6 Great Grandchildren.  We raised all of our children in the home we have lived in for the past 56 years.  We have wintered in Florida for the past 21 years.  Our summers for the past 13 years are deeply involved in Lawn Bowling in Saskatoon, Sask. Canada.

Have a great Christmas and Happy New Year.   Perhaps if you two are in Florida over the holidays you might want to wander up to Tavares and play in our open tournament  Dec. 30.2016.  10 a.m. start time.  CLICK: https://theshuffler.net/2016/12/15/tavares-celebrates-summer-in-the-winter-dec-30th-2016/

Take Care   Lorraine and Ivan. (Layton)

PRESENTING IVAN & LORRAINE LAYTON

CANADIAN MEN’S AND WOMEN’S TEAMS!

Hi! Stan: Here we go with what we believe will be of interest to your readers!! Not all readers will appreciate just how cold a winter in Saskatchewan can be!! We offer this observation to ensure that you understand just how appealing “a winter of sun and warmth” can be.

Shuffleboard in Saskatchewan is limited to Table Shuffleboard often played in hotels or bars. The variety in Florida has enhanced the enjoyment of our retirement and our “on court successes” have resulted in Ivan and I becoming “pros”!!

As most Western Canadian Snowbirds winter in Arizona or Texas, it was our intention to “follow the sun” to one or the other when we retired.

Ivan was employed for 35 year’s as a City of Saskatoon Firefighter and 29 years as a part time farmer. Lorraine had a career as a Purchasing Agent. Upon Lorraine’s retirement, 3 years after Ivan’s, they said “Let’s Do It”!! Let’s make our dream of a “traveling vacation in the sun” come true.

We set out in the fall of 95, following nature’s colorful display. We headed east through Canada and the U.S., ending up in Ocala, Florida– for what we thought would be a good look around as we probably will not make that trip again. Introduced to Shuffle board in Dec. of 95 and having raised a family of 4 children, that were sports minded, “we were hooked”. When the fall of 96 came along, we packed up and headed south and as we were younger retirees, the extra distance from home to Florida was never a problem. Shuffling was our major thought as we headed south and Florida offered the competition and fellowship we enjoyed. We began to play Northern District Tournament in Jan 97. Shuffling at the International level was something we were totally unaware of, that is until we met Paul Archambault during a tournament in the Northern District in 1999. He was very encouraging and convinced that we should apply for the Canadian Team. Remembering Paul’s advice, we were unexpectedly and pleasantly surprised to be chosen to play in Clearwater 2002. (Thank-you Paul).Our memories and experiences of that week will always be with us. The wonderful sport of Shuffleboard has enriched our lives to heights we never dreamed of.

En route to Halifax, we plan stops in ON, WI, OH, PA, and MEto visit “shufflers and friends”. We would like to wish every shuffler and visitor from far and wide a safe journey to Dartmouth/Halifax. The province of Nova Scotia is one the great treasures of our country and we look forward to visiting it again.

See you all in June. Lorraine and Ivan Layton