NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Winchester Recreation & Community Education
Spring 2000

Special people are everywhere. They are the ones who care passionately about certain things. They jump through hoops, devote
hours of their time, and dedicate themselves to projects. Many others benefit from their actions. You probably know someone like
this.

Winchester, which is home to some of the finest, soft-surface tennis courts around, is lucky enough to count Don Ellis among the
residents. Don is a first-rate tennis player as many who have challenged him will acknowledge. In the early summer evenings, you
can often find him playing a match or two with friends.

More significantly, the tennis community knows Don as the "Keeper of the Courts." He constructed a sand box for children of
tennis-playing parents and then enclosed it for safety. He has beautified the area with flowers, planted bushes, installed benches,
mended fences, painted backboards, and rebuilt brick walls. All this happened while 15 courts were being kept in impeccable
condition. Whatever needed doing at the Packer Courts, Don made it happen. For some years, he volunteered his time, while the
Town of Winchester took care of the courts. About 10 years ago, the Recreation Dept. became responsible for the Packer courts
and hired Don Ellis to maintain them.

What a wonderful job he has done. Only someone with a passion for tennis and perfection could have accomplished what he has.
Day after day, from Spring until late Fall, we would find Don early in the morning preparing the courts for play. When the floods
came a few years ago and washed away large sections of the playing surface, Don and Michael DelloRusso put them back
together. Winchester's courts are well known for being in excellent condition, which is due largely to his efforts. Ask any tennis
player you meet in Winchester.

Each winter when it was time to talk about another year of tennis, we held our breath, hoping Don would say " Sure, I'll be back."
We knew that one day he'd be ready to relax and hand over the job. Well, this is the year. Someone new will be in charge of court
maintenance this spring. And what about Don Ellis? Well, Don is still a first-rate tennis player, and those of you who challenge him
this summer should know he may have a little more time to practice the game he loves so much. So, watch out.

From all of the tennis community, the Recreation Dept., and the entire Town of Winchester:

Thanks, Don, you've given so much.