Issue link: https://imageup.uberflip.com/i/1236849
FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | MAY 2020 55 Early last month, during the time when the Four Seasons Table Tennis Club was still active but with a strict quota of players, I thought of a frivolous new game called Corona-pong. The rules of this game are essentially the same as regular table tennis, except in lieu of the usual high-fives, fist bumps, back-slaps and air-kisses (well, not really!) that signify post-match sportsmanship, you now must resort to elbow bumps, knee touches, and other "don't get too close to me" types of gestures. Then when the coronavirus became a pandemic, things got real serious, real fast. Now that all Four Seasons table tennis activity has been reduced to air-pong in front of our bathroom mirrors, it's a great time to reflect on what a terrific club we have, and all the competitive appreciation and camaraderie that exists amongst our members. During these challenging times, this is most evident in many of the positive and supportive emails and text messages that continue to flow back and forth, along with the grateful "hellos" that are exchanged as we remain at least six feet apart during daytime walks through the community. Before social distancing became a way of life, I had the chance to attend the 2020 USATT Table Tennis Olympic Trials at Santa Monica College. Being the shameless ping-pong groupie that I am, walking into that room to experience some of the best table tennis players in the world competing for a spot on the US Olympic team was simply magical. Unfortunately, those who made the team will have to wait until 2021 to compete. In closing, on behalf of the FSTTC, I would like to extend my gratitude to Cindy and the management staff at Four Seasons for continuing to work behind the scenes to keep us informed about all that we must do in this community to keep us engaged, safe, and healthy as we remain confined to our living rooms. Those of us who love this game of table tennis are far more comfortable with the quick moves and lightning-fast reflexes that keep our retired bodies and minds active rather than sitting around the house watching soap operas and eating Girl Scout cookies all day! The Four Seasons Table Tennis Club will rise again! ~ Bob Rubenstein, brube88@gmail.com Ping Pong Just in case: Check with your club contact to confirm meeting place, date, and time.