CLINCHER 2024 HONOR FLIGHT FUNDRAISER

WHO WERE THESE EXTRAORDINARY SOULS WHO DONATED TO THIS GREAT CAUSE??
Here's Chicagoan Paul Hoecker at the Clincher event! He, and all of you, exhibited the fun of the morning while contributing to Villages Honor Flight! From our D4 family: Paul, along with Jim Geeze and his wife Lisa, and Bruce Bush are members of Villages Honor Flight volunteering their time to this great organization. Guardians pay for their own flights to DC. We hope one day to fill the plane! . . . .

2024 3rd Annual Clincher Games!

It was a beautiful morning at Soaring Eagle Sports Complex- We were very happy Andrew Esposito gave us the OK to have the fields! Thank you Andrew! While we did have access to both fields, we decided we could use one field as the other was a bit bright in the outfield- not saying any would hit this 16" ball out there but- we wished all to have fun, and be safe! Besides, we just play short inning games and indeed, it was a large crowd that gathered to enjoy the challenge of hitting that ball:)) The start was a tad chilly but Nick's fresh ground & brewed coffee warmed us all up! This is just one tradition of the 9AM gathering you all enjoyed- and more followed....
Nick and I brought 6 Donut King donuts from Leesburg to the 1st Clincher- they went FAST!!! Schraders offered to help us out the following year by bringing the donuts, they now continue the tradition!
COFFEE, JUICES & DONUT KING!!
Jersey Bob enjoyed the morning start- socializing & enjoying the coffee & Donut King goodies! It was his 1st time attending, and won't be his last he shared!
Bob, left, & Debbie, above, Donut King gave them a price break and added an extra dozen to the order- to help our cause!! Thank you Donut King, 708 US-27, in Leesburg! TEN dozen donuts went fast again!
We extend our thanks to our D4 gals for hanging out during the event signing you in, pinning you, and keeping an eye on the $box! Thank you: Lorraine Hartmann, Lisa Geeze, Debbie Schrader, and MaryLou Horanzy....
UPON ARRIVING YOU ALL SIGNED IN & RECEIVED YOUR THANK YOU FROM ....NICK & I....
It was a helpful way to keep track of who attened & the amounts you donated to have an accurate tally of our HF donations!
Thank you Joe & Barb Hambright for attending again this year and sharing your heartfelt thanks to all! Pictured right, is Barb with Irv Porter- Irv is a Clincher Hall of Fame Inductee from Chicago, now a Villager:) and member of Honor Flight. He was very helpful at the event taking pictures with me of you all batting this 16" softball!
5 TEAMS WERE FORMED- JACKIE FRITTS LINED PLAYERS UP & THE GAMES BEGAN!
These were not serious games. They were 5 innings. When the 5th team came up, players from previous teams joined in the fun! Thanks again Patty Norland for being the scorekeeper in the dirt! Next year, we promise to get you a bigger stick!!
One exclusion this year- and I am not sure why- we girls didn't get to bat! one exception was Jackie Fritts she played in a game- she has played in Ladies division softball; this year she divided up the teams. Next year we are going back to the old tradition! We girls- and even some guys, who don't wish to play in a short inning game, can step up to the plate and try hitting this softball- for the sheer fun of it! We will have designated runners if requested, and hopefully get to second base- the spot where the coolers are postioned- they are filled with our favorite libations. The libations are provided as our thank you for playing and your own bonus for yourself, or your runner getting to second base:)! and to hydrate!Here was a few of us girls batting in the 2023 Clincher! Look out guys! We are coming back!!
Just a few of the smiling faces ....
The cool feature of this event was the increased number attending this year- I have heard that years ago, there was a banquet at the end of the year honoring the stellar players and teams of the year- an awards type event- well, this is becoming just that- A year end event for the D4 family however, honoring our VETS ! Significant others came out who typically do not attend the regular season games. They have shared with me that the banquets of the past were not much fun, boring as a matter of fact! Well- this brought them out AND they had as much fun watching as their boys did trying to hit this 16" softball! Besides, I began presenting awards a few years back at the end of each season recognizing all you stellar players- so yes, this is a much better way to end our softball year!
CLINCHER WAS A FUN TIME AND INCLUDED AN OFFERING OF GOODIES!
FYI~ THEY NOT ONLY DONATED THEIR HELP, BROUGHT SNACKS, THEY GAVE A VERY NICE DONATION!
The winners of the door prizes! Jesse Fritts & MaryBeth Tenne won the hats. Sandy Kleffman won the throw! congrats!
Kathy Loving Is part of a girl's group, Lemon Drops, from Village of Citrus Grove- Kathy is, Jay's wife from D4. She had reached out early in the year offering she, and her gal pals to help with our event. In the past years, as it got larger, I did need help with the food tables... Each year attendees bring offerings of food to the event - keeping up the food tables needed addressed. I accepted! They were a surprise added element to this year's Clincher- thank you Kathy & your Lemon Drops!
THE TRADITION OF CHICKEN SALAD SLIDERS & CHILI CONTINUED!!
MaryLou Horanzy, Frank's wife- she began bringing her yumlishish chicken salad sliders from the 1st time we began Clincher! MaryLou not only nails the sliders, she can nail a clincher softball! This year, she added to the event's needs by being part of the welcome group at the sign up table by pinning all with that special thank you softball pin!
Anne White! Joe's wife rocks it with her chili! This is the 2nd year she brought her crock pots filled with her awesome chili! There was not a bowl that remained!
THE D4 FAMILY GATHERS FOR A GREAT CAUSE WHILE HAVING A WONDERFUL TIME TOGETHER! ... REMEMBER TO CLICK ON EACH PANEL TO ENLARGE

  • a gathering of great souls!