April, 2010, Cheer News & Views

DSO Sports News

By Marion Lisehora mlisehora@mchsi.com

A DSO Coordinators’ Meeting was held at Dover Park in Dover on March 6. Plans are being made for the Annual Games in over 2 dozen sports. Venues will be up and down the state, and the schedule for events is being worked out. Competitions will be held in September and October. This is a qualifying year. You must participate in the State’s Senior Olympics to qualify to go to Houston, TX, in 2011 to compete in the National Senior Games. Contact information for all of the DSO coordinators can be found at http://www.delawareseniorolympics.org/

DSO Membership: DSO is proud to announce its new Delaware Senior Olympics Membership Program. Annual membership will streamline the annual games entry process and eliminate the need to pay a registration fee to enter the games. Your membership will keep you in-touch and involved with the DSO, even if you are not able to participate. Your new membership card will also give you access to discounts from vendors, and free Members-Only events. Please keep an eye on the DSO website for updated lists of the vendors, clinics, and events. http://www.delawareseniorolympics.org/

The Polar Bear Plunge in Rehoboth, originally scheduled for the blizzard week-end of February 7, was held March 14. Money raised through the event supports Delaware Special Olympics. Many Senior Olympians took the plunge and were among the 2,323 bears of all ages that raised over $500,000. Another coastal storm had the ocean churned up, and the tide was very high, leaving very little beach for the plungers to gather on. With the ongoing reconstruction of the boardwalk, only a section just south of Rehoboth Avenue was used. Despite the adversities, Sunday afternoon had no rain, the ocean was 42 and the air was 48 – a good day for plunging! The organizers did a great job. To see hundreds of pictures of the event visit http://www.sode.org/

DSO Fundraiser: On March 17, from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m., UNO’s Restaurant in Dover donated a percentage of the day’s proceeds to Delaware Senior Olympics. Many members and friends of DSO came out to enjoy a meal and support DSO! DSO will be holding similar fundraisers at other restaurants both upstate and downstate in the coming months. Watch this column for more information.

Jo Johnson Won Medals in 60-64 cycling at the Arizona Senior Olympics during the first week-end in March. Jo won 2 golds in the 20k and 40k road races, after she took silvers in the 5k and 10k time trials the day before.

Eastern Shore Senior Games: Teams from the Senior Lo-Del Volleyball League are preparing for the ESSG Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, April 10, at Salisbury University. Seniors from Maryland, Delaware and Virginia’s Eastern Shore will be competing in aquatics, badminton, bowling, cycling, fitness testing, floor and foul shooting, golf, pickleball, pump and 5K run, table tennis, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.

Women’s Softball: Practices will start April 19 at Sports At The Beach in Georgetown, and the Senior Women’s Softball League games will start after Memorial Day. Teams are looking for new members, and new teams are also welcome. Players must be at least 50 years old to play, and a team must play in the 5 year age group of its youngest player. Age groups are 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, etc. Players may play down into a younger age group, but they may not play up into an older one. Contact one of these captains if you would like to play. Debbie Estes (Delaware Diamonds 50s) 644-7220; Maureen White (Alley Cats 50s) 226-8080; Sue Brooker (Slammin’ 60s) 644-4094. Marion Lisehora, 934-9512, is the coordinator.

Pickleball is a racquet sport that is becoming popular across the country. Judy Duerr has found places outdoors for seniors to play in the Lewes/Rehoboth area this spring. To find out more call Judy at 947-2261.

Jo Johnson (left) won golds in the 60-64 cycling 20k and 40k road races, after she took silvers in the cycling 5k and 10k time trials the day before at the Arizona Senior Olympics in March. Also pictured is Sharon Scofield of Arizona.

Treasurer Phil Klabunde and President Paul Gatti are shown having a conversation following the DSO coordinators’ meeting on March 6 at Dover Park.

Louise and Walt McGinniss: Louise missed plunging this year due to a recent hip replacement, but she made sure her husband plunged in her place! She says she’ll be back doing it again next year!

Three Generations: (L to R) Marion Lisehora, daughter Barbara Markelz and husband Mark, daughter Diane Milam, and granddaughters Carly and Jen Markelz plunged for the benefit of Delaware Special Olympics on March 14 in Rehoboth.