42 | LIFE IN SOLERA | APRIL 2025 |
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO PLAY PICKLEBALL? Anytime
there's more than one person at the court. People are playing
pickleball almost every day in Solera. On our regular days of Monday,
Wednesday and Saturday from 7:30 to 10:30 am, we have at least
three courts filled and often we are at full capacity, and have people
sitting on the benches and talking. So if you're interested in playing
pickleball, please watch a couple of YouTube videos to get the basics.
Then make sure you have a good pair of sturdy court shoes. When
you come for your first morning of play, someone will most likely
have a paddle you can borrow. Our group is very friendly and will
make sure that you learn the rules and skills needed to be successful
at our game.
One of those friendly people, who just recently joined our Pickleball
group, is Jeanine Chavis (above). She recently described to me her
path to becoming a Pickleball Paddler at Solera. Jeanine worked
at Kaiser Permanente in Fontana for 38 years retiring in 2022 as a
member of the management team for Family Medicine. Having lived
in East Highland for 19 years she moved here in December 2024. She
learned how to play pickleball in 2020. Having previous experience
as a racquetball player, Pickleball was a little bit of an adjustment,
(mainly to keep the ball in front of her). She immediately fell in love
with our sport and says everyone is friendly and welcoming. Also,
she feels having four people on the court helps a new player not to
worry about learning how to keep score right away. Two important
things she has learned are #1 "serve and stay" remember to let the
ball bounce once before returning serve; #2 don't step over or on the
kitchen line to hit hit the ball, unless it bounces first. Pickleball is a
fast growing sport for all ages, she added. Jeanine, also enjoys line
dancing, karaoke, and bunco … she is very happy to be in the Solera
family.
If you have any questions please call or text Sandy Stearn at (717)
542-0481 or myself George Dietz at (614) 940-9506. ~ George Dietz
PICKLEBALL
PADDLERS
Some of our
Pickleball
Paddlers
