'The Ojai' tradition continues
By Misty Volaski

For 103 years, the people of Ojai have put in an extraordinary effort to organize the Ojai Tennis Tournament - one of the oldest amateur tennis tournaments in the country. And it doesn't seem as though they, have any intention of stopping any time soon.

"It's a tremendous amount of work," said tennis tournament club director, Gerry Roe. "But I look forward to it every year. The people are just wonderful."

Volunteers worked to put on several events for the weekend, such as the tea tent, which is as old as the tournament itself.
"There's an extensive notebook on tea tent procedures," said this year's tea tent chairman Barbara Pops. From the damask linens to the silver service to the flower arrangement courtesy of the Ojai Garden Club, the tea tent is all about tradition and gentility. And the 100 volunteers help to keep the tea flowing seemlessly. "Peggy Russell was my co-chairman this year. She was a wonderful help." said Pops. "Vivian Perrett, Sue Etchart, Brenda Farr and Barbara Haggerty each ran the tent for a day. It went really well."

The spectators and players alike sang the praises of the tea tent, the tournament and Ojai in general. Approximately 1800 cups of tea were served, "and I can't even imagine how many cookies were served! Pounds and pounds!" said Pops.
The tea, which is served each afternoon of the tournament, was served hot in fine china cups.

That was followed Thursday evening by the Ojai Rotary West's barbecue on the lower Libbey courts. Volunteers from the Ojai Rotary West and the Nordhoff High School Rotarian Interact Club served up chicken, tri-tip, beans and more to more than 300 people.

"It went very smoothly this year. It seems like we served lots more this year," said volunteer Lonnie Clevenger. "But everything went really well. I think everyone had a good time."
That included about 150 youths, who participated in Wilson's tennis demonstration and prize giveaway, to the tunes of Brian Giffin's band.

"I think everyone had a wonderful time this year," said Roe. "The tennis was wonderful this year in particular, maybe because of the prize money in the open categories. But I think everyone had a lot of fun."

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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