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GCHA Calendar

Finally, thank you for the privilege of being able to be on the GCHA Board and serving as it’s President this past year. I am deeply grateful for the support and hard work that the Board members have given/done over the past year. Bob Burkitt, Jack Dean, Bob Hiance, David Kent , Jim Krailler and Mike Reilly deserve special recognition for their extraordinary volunteer service to GCHA.

Lastly, but most importantly, thank you GCHA members for making our association the best in the USA. Let’s keep the standards high.

George Lehocky,
President – GCHA Board

This year's get-together will be held on Monday October 13th at Paul Baker's Fitness Club @ Waycross. The club is conveniently located just minutes from the I-275 Hamilton Avenue exit, at 1990 Waycross Road, Cincinnati, OH 45240, 513-742-1700. Courts will be available from 4:00 to 7:00 pm, with the meeting set to begin around 7:30 pm. The new GCHA Board will be introduced, along with an opportunity for member input on activities, tournaments, leagues, etc.

If you are interested in serving on the GCHA Board, or nominating someone to participate, we are accepting nominations and self-nominations for participation on the Board. Just fill out the on-line feedback form with the appropriate information.

Take this opportunity to play some handball, renew your membership and spend the evening with your handball buddies. GCHA merchandise will also be available for purchase. Food and drinks will be provided by GCHA.

Times are tough! What does a $25.00 annual GCHA membership get you? As you prepare to join or rejoin the GCHA for 2003 / 2004, ponder these items of value to you. I think you will conclude that GCHA membership is a bargain.

1. Organized association/camaraderie with those that love the game of handball.
2. Access to a great website, gcha.org, that is chock full of information at your fingertips and links to many other sites, i.e. USHA, Toledo, Cleveland, etc.
3. Three GCHA sponsored tournaments per year. Two indoor; one outdoor.
   a. The Caples 3 Wall outdoor tournament.
   b. The Queen City Shootout.
   c. The Pete Mather Handicap Doubles Tourney.
4. One in-door and one out-door doubles league.
5. Schedule of tournaments throughout the world.
6. Handball equipment purchases, e.g. balls/gloves at discount prices.
7. Annual GCHA/Reds game outing.
8. Annual Golf Outing.
9. Publication/mailing of the SHORTLINE 4 times per year.
10. Roster/Directory of GCHA members and other handball players/playing locations.
11. Location/contacts at playing sights.
12. Thanksgiving and New Year Day’s social events.
13. Special event sponsorship/coordination, e.g. Ireland trip.
14. Care and maintenance of Veteran’s Parks three, 3-wall courts.
15. Membership Exchange Service on gcha.org. Inform/trade/sell.
16. Annual Meeting to play, socialize and participate in the governance of GCHA.
17. Networking opportunities for business/job search.
18. A voice in the selection of Ohio Hall of Fame members.

As you can see, the value of GCHA membership is a bargain. Spread the word. Become a new member or re-join for 03/04 by mailing a check for $25.00, made payable to GCHA to:

Jim Krailler
6171 Tulane Road
Cincinnati, OH 45212-1327

Or, you can start or renew membership electronically by completing the on-line membership form, and follow up by mailing the check. (Why not do it now, while it's fresh on your mind! The link above opens a new window with the form.) An option on this year's form is to specify how you'd like to receive the ShortLine. With rising costs, you can save GCHA the expense of printing and postage if you read the on-line version of the ShortLine.

Fall Handball Doubles at The Athletic Club @ Waycross
by Paul Baker

It’s time to come back inside and Waycross is dusting the courts and preparing for the famous Fall/Winter Friday Night Doubles. Last year we had plenty of good competitive play and a blast drinking and socializing after the matches.

Last year was such a success, we are not changing a thing. So pick a partner that can carry you and sign up now. There will be two levels of play (A/B). Two league sessions (Fall/Winter). Play is on Friday evenings between 4:30PM and 7:30PM. We can accommodate 16 teams. Sign up early, don’t get shut out. Sign up by calling the Athletic Club @ Waycross, 742-1700 or Paul Baker at 252-6137.

If you don’t have a partner by the Fall Party, this will be a good evening to look for one. We'll also pass around a sign up sheet at the Fall Party. League play begins on Friday, October 31.

See ya on the courts.

Paul and Beth Baker did it again – for the 17th time?!

Great weather, Green Crest Golf Course hospitality, and a luscious, green course greeted the 18 foursomes that participated in the 17th annual GCHA golf outing on Friday, September 12, 2003.

Jim Simon’s and Sam Peter’s foursomes finished tied with a score of minus 10. Upon a technical review of individual hole scores, Simon’s team was declared the winner. Jim Brooker won closest-to-the-pin hole and Bill Stoffregen won for longest-drive on one hole. Jack Dean brought in a “ringer” on his team, and he was both a closest-to-the-pin and longest-drive winner. I’m jealous.

Of note, the only ladies foursome of Ms’s Baker, Wessling, Dupps, and Rosselet did not finish last but the “BUZZ” around the course was that the last-place team was a group headed by a GCHA player with cowboy boots.

Montgomery Inn furnished the food which was consumed voraciously by the players and guests. And, Jack Prather did his usually great job in hustling for the skins game and the lottery.

Congratulations and thank you once again, Paul and Beth Baker, on a very successful 17th GCHA Golf Outing – the best ever!

2002 / 2003 GCHA
Financial Report
by David Kent

We also spent $8,100 in the following areas: memberships & shortline mailings ($1,300), equipment purchases from USHA ($2,300), tournaments & leagues ($3,600), supplies & postage ($500), and donations ($400).

Financial balance has been a function of a strong membership campaign (a record of 126) and tournament sponsor contributions. You should also be aware that we are holding $7,000 in funds earmarked for repairs and/or capital expenditures at the 3-wall courts in Veteran’s Park.

In conclusion, I’d like to thank all our members for making this a successful year and I look forward to being your Treasurer again next year. See you at the Fall Meeting.