Author: Ron O'Blenis

The Litchfield Pickleball Association is looking for players that are Non Residents of Litchfield to join our outdoor Sawmill play group.

Note: Residents of Litchfield of all levels from beginner to advance players are welcome to join the LPA at any time. See the membership page for application.

Specifically we are seeking Competitive and Advance players of skill levels 3.0 to 4.5 to join our outdoor Sawmill play group.

If you are interested in joining us for a play session at our new outdoor courts to check if you would fit in with our existing Competitive and Advanced play groups, please respond to the email below for additional information.

Email is [email protected]

We will be scheduling several play sessions at our new outdoor courts to enable you to come and check out if you would fit in with our existing Advanced and Competitive play groups. If it seems like a fit on both sides you will be invited to join the membership of LPA.

As the courts are just being opened on April 14 it will likely be a week or so before we can arrange invitational sessions. We will plan to have sessions in the morning and evening times to accommodate various schedules.

Once the schedules are arranged, those that respond to the email above will receive an email from the LPA with available play times to which you will be able to respond and confirm when we will be able to meet and play.

To assist with determining if you are an competitive or advance player, below is the definition of the LPA play groups.

• Sessions of Play are grouped by the following categories
  • Recreational play is intended for players seeking exercise, fun and social interaction.  Overly aggressive play, including overhead smash shots, is restricted from this group. New players should plan to begin playing in this group and join Competitive or Advanced groups as improvement of their skills warrant. Be patient with new players as we all have to start sometime. If you are a more experienced player playing with someone who is just starting out, use the session as an opportunity to help the new player and also practice your shot placement and skills. While not encouraged, players capable of playing in the Competitive or Advanced groups may play in the Recreational group but must play in a manner that respects and is consistent with the overall level of the Recreational players.
  • Competitive sessions are for individuals who have increased in the skill levels. This group is focused more on playing to win. It is intended to include players that have acquired a good knowledge of the rules, can use both forehand and backhand strokes, can move effectively on the court, are able to play well at the kitchen line, and can use drop shots with some consistency.
  • Advanced sessions are intended for those players who are able to: execute accurate drive, third shot drop, and dink shots; effectively initiate and maintain dinking sequences; take pace off the ball to reset to dinking; run down lob shots; and sustain fast kitchen line rallies.  Advanced players will have a full knowledge of rules. Aggressive play is to be expected as Advanced players play to win. Members are requested to not sign up for Advanced sessions unless they feel they meet the criteria. If players are uncertain if they should play in the Advanced group it is suggested that they observe an Advance group to determine if they feel confident in signing up to play with the Advanced group.

As added information the following chart is provided to further clarify the tradition ranking number system such 3.0 to 4.5 referenced above.

Pickleball_Rating_System

Thanks for considering joining the LPA

 

Spring is in the air (along with some snow), so it is time to think out side pickleball play.

The nets will be installed April 14 Monday – weather permitting.

I have set up the Sawmill SUG for signup!!

Looking forward to many playing on our wonderful courts!!

WANT TO JOIN THE FUN AT SAWMILL??  Membership applications are being accepted for Residents. Note you must be a Litchfield Resident OR LPA member to play at our new courts – Join the fun!!

NOTE: Residents can sign up for Talent and Sawmill groups. Non-Resident can join Sawmill only.

Applications available here.

 

The LPA is hosting a Winter Event at Talent Hall for all LPA members including those that are members of our Sawmill only membership group. The event will be on Saturday February 22, 2025 beginning at 5:30.

We will have the food catered from Rigatonnis. As you may remember we used them for our spring event and received positive feedback. We plan to have gluten free and vegetarian selections.

Each member may bring 1 quest. Children or grandkids of members are also welcome.

To add some entertainment, after dinner we will be playing BINGO. I know you think this is for old people (which most of us are) but my grandkids had a great time at a similar event where it was played. And yes we will have prizes of gift cards and the grand prize will be a free membership for next year’s dues.

PLEASE NOTE: To help with the planning for the event, we have established a SUG slot for Saturday Feb 22. Please sign- up on SUG and include the number of people that will be joining you. Please add a note on how many adults and kids in your party to help with final menu planning.

FOR SAWMILL ONLY MEMBERS there is a sign up under the Sawmill SUG group.AND FINALLY, if you can help set up at 4:30 please add note in the comment section of your sign up.

Look forward to seeing you all at the party!!!!

The LPA Board

 

Based on the recent increase in membership for play at our Sawmill Outdoor Courts, the Board has determined that membership will now only be accepted from applicants that are residents of Litchfield.

Note that residents are able to apply for Talent/Sawmill or Sawmill only groups.

As noted in the previous directives on the subject, this change in will not affect current or future status of any current non-resident members.

And, as we have received several emails on the subject of when are the renewal date for dues, it is noted that Sawmill renewal dues are June 1 and Talent Hall/Sawmill renewal dues are November 1.

 

 

The LPA is hosting a lunch time Pizza Party at the Sawmill Park Pickleball Courts on Saturday, June 1.

We are inviting all members to come for a day of fun play and celebration of our wonderful pickleball venue. LPA Board members and volunteers will be providing pizza and salad, along with drinks and some dessert items. Serving will begin at 11:30

Members may bring as many quests as you would like at no cost. This is a great way to introduce kids, grandkids and friends to the game of pickleball. Play on the courts will be open to all and folks will be available to teach the basics of the game to beginners.

Play can begin as early as anyone would like. We plan to begin serving @ 11:30.

EVENT SIGN UP:
To help with the planning for the event, we have established a SUG slot for Saturday June 1. Please sign- up on SUG and include the number of people that will be joining you. Please add a note on how many adults and kids in your party to help with final menu planning.

VOLUNTEERS:
We will need volunteers to help with set up and clean up. We plan to move tables and chairs from Talent Hall, I have set up a SUG sign up for you to indicate you availability to help. Thank You.

Look forward to seeing you all on the courts!!!

If you are not a member consider joining the LPA (see the membership page for application) and come the Pizza Party and join the pickleball play

The LPA hosted a Pizza Party for members and guests on January 27. We had over 60 folks enjoy the free pizza and treats. The objective was to facilitate a session for all play levels to get together to meet and greet new and old friends.

As you can see there were many conversations happening. We expected that folks would soon finish up after partaking of the victuals, but we were pleased that everyone stayed and chatted for a long time – we even had to tell folks it was time to clean-up.

Future Plans

Many have said they enjoyed the fall cookout at Sawmill Park. We are planning a spring version – look for upcoming details.

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks to many who showed up for a great ribbon cutting day for the new Sawmill Courts. It was a marvelous start to many years ahead of wonderful play.

Cheryl Lang and I were honored to share the ribbon cutting with Judy Brennan and Chris Burns from the Recreation Commission.  Both Judy and Chris have put in countless hours to make today a reality. In their comments they noted that many folks and companies had contributed to make this happen. Specifically:

• The Litchfield Board of Selectman – for approving the use of the impact fees and the land for the project.
• The Recreation Commission for supporting the project from start to finish.
• Gregg Jeffery – Jeffery Land Surveying (Donated all work to town)
• BAG Land Consulting – Surveying and staking off the wetlands
• Continental Paving – Donated all site, pad work and paving to town

As a Litchfield resident I am amazed and appreciative of the efforts and generosity of all involved to not only made it happen, but to have created as one person remarked. “The best pickleball courts in NH!!”

And to LPA members, thanks for all the kind words today. The Board appreciates hearing from you all.

See you on the Courts!!

Ron O’Blenis                                                                                                                                                for the LPA Board

Well the opening of the new outdoor courts at Sawmill Park is on our door step.

The Recreation Commission has set the ribbon cutting for Friday June 16 at 9:00

I would like to invite LPA members to come to this great event. Cheryl Lang and I have been invited to participate. We will be there wearing our LPA T-Shirts. Hope to see you there dressed in the same.

Regards,

Ron

LPA