To the Editor:

I write to add an important dimension that I believe is missing from Ms. Bartold's article in the November 13 issue of MyhometownBronxville.com:  the community that Bronxville Paddle has built over the decades of its existence, a community that extends far beyond just those who play, whether as permit-holders or fee-paying guests.

The positive ripple effect of Bronxville Paddle extends deep into the larger community of Bronxville, a community that became important partners with us in building and supporting a vibrant athletic and social platform (no pun intended).

Let's start with the Bronxville merchants--Lange's, Park Place Bagels, Slave to the Grind, A&P, and so many others. The best bagels in New York State, mouth-watering chili, the ultimate coffee, and so much more provided not only sustenance on the days when dozens of us would be at the courts for 8 or 10 hours at a time; it was "Bronxville comfort," sometimes delivered by the staff of these merchants whom we came to know by name, or more often by volunteers who would rise a few hours earlier to meet their family commitments to make time to do the needed runs.

Oh, right--the volunteers. Taking nothing away from my husband, Kevin Dillon, Lynn Joyce, Lizzy Byrne, Nell Davis, Bob Warner, and the ever-faithful Nancy Hubert, but beyond "the committee" were countless people--new paddle players and seasoned; old and young; Bronxville residents or otherwise; non-paddle-playing spectators, family, and friends--all of these made Bronxville Paddle.

It has never been--and never could be--about a committee. It's about people who give when they can, what they can, in the way they can--on their own time and for the most part, on their own dime. That's Bronxville Paddle.

And for those of us who have no children, or who are empty nesters, or even those with a bunch of kids--all of us found community at the Bronxville paddle courts. We have gathered at McGrath's to support one another in sorrow, at Pete's, The Station House, Scalini's, Sammy's Downtown, Underhills Crossing (to name a few) to celebrate engagements or nurse the wounds of a heartbreaking loss on the courts. And we fill the meters wherever we go (often hoping there are a few extra quarters buried in the bottom of our paddle bags).

And because it truly always "takes a village," periodically we have reached out to our friends at the Bronxville Field Club when we needed an extra court or two, or to ask that we host an end-of-the-year celebration (at our individual expense) in their magnificent dining room--the piano and fireplace, bonuses.

Then there's Bronxville Adult Education, where we've been fortunate to have an experienced paddle instructor available at modest cost. Many of our friends new to the game leverage this inexpensive opportunity to learn and improve. Historically (though unfortunately not this year) it was Super Scrambles when we all went out to try to recruit these new players. Paddle isn't an easy game (if you play it right) but many of the newcomers continue to stay at it, playing whenever they can, taking lessons and bearing the losses that are all part of "getting it." They are valued members of our paddle community.

I could go on…

I hope someone can bring people together to have a conversation about how we can keep Bronxville Paddle alive and well--welcoming anyone, villager or otherwise, willing to pay the modest fee, and give the gift of paddle to new generations who, I know, will come to love paddle as much as this middle-ager who for almost 40 years believed tennis was the sport.

Eileen M. Dillon
Wife of Kevin Dillon, Former President of Bronxville Paddle Committee
Bronxville, NY
November 19, 2013

Editor's note:  MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements in letters to the editor, and the opinions do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff. Its objective in publishing letters to the editor is to give air to diverse thoughts and opinions of residents in the community.