May 29, 2025
I was surprised today at the pickleball courts. A crew was working on the safety netting. I had thought they were all done despite the fact the nets had a big opening between the new nets and the fence. ~Stew
REINDEER GAMES DECEMBER 6, 2025
Team One Division
Fill-ins for 2.0 - 2.9
Bill LaFave and Gidget 3.5 +
Darrel Parker and Heather Bzdell 3.0 -3.5
Dennis Hulbert and Tracy Adamson 3.5 +
Team Two Division
Mark Powell and Carol McGehee 2.0 - 2.9
Jeff and Sharon Marine 3.5 +
Randy Johnson and Cindy Rainey 3.0 - 3.5
John Lebedz and Berta Campea 3.5 +
Team Three Division
John and Julie Bajza 3.0 - 3.5
Ed Voelker and Carla Merritt 3.0 - 3.5
Alan Coleman and Cindy Thornton 3.5 +
John Hill and Sheri Carlson 3.0 -3.5
December 6, 2025
They don’t look like reindeer but these AZT Pickleball Club players certainly moved fast around the Asante Heritage Courts in the December 2025 Reindeer Games.
First softball to reach the court with the new nets up. Happened on Thursday, May 15 at 11:00 AM. No one was playing. The last game ended about ten minutes earlier.
The ball went between the second and third poles closer to the second pole. The ball went under the netting. I took a photo of Joe Campea retrieving the ball in court two where it bounced after landing.
Stew
Battle of the Paddle March 15, 2025
Spring 2025 AZT BATTLE OF THE PADDLE TOURNAMENT FINAL SCORES
TOTAL POINTS
Arizona Traditions Pickleball 77
CantaMia 65
Heritage 52
Corte Bella 51
Sundance 49
Thanks to the AZT Pickleball Club tournament organizers:
Alan Coleman, Carrie Healey, and Mar Barri
Volunteers and Subs:
Gina Procaccino, Carol McGehee, Peri Bergh, Myles Bergh, John Bajza, Sally Massen, and Alan Coleman
Roster:
Randy Johnson, Bob Robinson, Larry Hodinsky, John Labedz, Steve Mutzel, Carla Merrit, Karla Mutzel, Beth Abdella, Julie Bajza, Sharon Marine, Jeff Marine, Mar Barri, Brian Parkes, Chuck Brooks, Dave Lopushinsky, Bill LaFave, Mike Turrene, Sue Pare, Sheri Carlson, Janel Hoffman, Stew Cohen, Wanda Lowe, and Floyd Tyler.
Debbie Worley's Going Away Party, May 27, 2025
Ice Cream Social June 20, 2025
Walking the Trail with Ron
By Stew Cohen
Eighty-seven-year-old Ron Pershing has found a unique way of exercising at Arizona Traditions. Ron is a long time pickleball player. He’s one of the older players here, and you’ll notice he wears the designated colors of the day. On Wednesday when his photo was taken, the color of the day was green. I found him walking around the AZT Softball Field. Ron is very dedicated to exercise. He can be found walking along the perimeter track. He’s an inspiration for all of us.
Who knew our group of AZT pickleball players is color coordinated? For the Fourth of July, we came to play dressed in red, white, and blue. All we needed were fireworks and patriotic music. What will they wear for Halloween?
In keeping with the holiday spirit, the Reindeer Games brought pickleball players from Arizona Traditions, Asante, and Corte Bella to Asante Heritage for a “social tournament.” Teams competed on December 6. The last time AZT Pickleball Club players came to Asante Heritage, an AZT Pickleball Club team played in the Battle of the Paddle and won the event over several other AAM community teams. This time the event was more social but still had an intensity the players enjoyed. Club Treasurer, Carrie Healy said, “a few of our teams went undefeated during the event; Mark Powell and Carol McGehee, Carla Merritt and Ed Voelker, and another team.” According to Reindeer Games pickleball player Mark Powell of AZT, “the other 6 and 0 team in his group was Darrell Parker and his partner, Heather Bzdell. John and Julie Bajza went 5 and 1.” The Pickleball Club’s spokesman, Chuck Brooks said, “One of the teams (which is a group of four teams) placed third and another placed fourth.” Thanks to Dave Tuttle for taking a group photo for the AZT Pickleball Club.