NEWSLINE STORY

published November – December 2016

 

Pitching Horseshoes in Paradise

by John and Daisy Franko, NHPA Members

 

In July of this year, we flew from here in Ohio to the Big Island of Hawaii along with our friends, Dale and Elaine Chiles.

 

Before going, I went to the NHPA website to see if there were any horseshoe clubs there.  I emailed Carol Costa who is the 4th Vice President of the Hawaii State Horseshoe Pitchers Assn. to see if they were having any tournaments in which we could participate.  Nothing was scheduled but she graciously invited us to meet the Big Island Horseshoe Pitchers Club at the Onekahakaha Beach Park in Hilo.  She promised us food and entertainment.

Hawaii July August 2016 135

Hawaii July August 2016 117

 

A True Hawaiian Welcome!

Upon our arrival, Carol and the club greeted us.

 

A doubles tournament was organized and John and I competed with other couples.  Luckily, we were able to win each match.

 

The club provided a spread of delicious food.  We didn’t go away hungry.

 

 

Entertainment!

We were so impressed with the band made up of their club members.  Carol played the ukulele, her husband, Richard, played the guitar.  One gentleman was playing a base fiddle made with a five-gallon bucket. They sang as well as played the instruments.

 

Hawaii July August 2016 107<< Big Island Horseshoe Club Band

 

Serenaded by a Very Special Man!

We were so pleased to meet 90 year-old Uncle David Calles who is a member of the club.  He is a very gentle, sweet man who was very active pitching horseshoes in his prime.  The Park where we pitched is named after him.

 

He asked the band to play a special Hawaiian song for John and me.  We videoed it and can play it again and again.  Uncle David sang along with the band and really put his whole heart into it.  He has a beautiful voice.

 

Hawaii July August 2016 101     Hawaii July August 2016 137

 

^^ Daisy, Uncle David, and John

 

Hawaii July August 2016 129

^^ John & Daisy with Carol & Her Husband Richard.

 

We had a wonderful time making new friends and are so appreciative of the hospitality shown to us by Carol and the Club.  Thanks so much for making our time with you so enjoyable.  Our time spent with you definitely made the list of highlights of this trip.

 

 

Hawaii July August 2016 473

 

Carol told us where to find the Kona Horseshoe Club.  We stopped by the courts and pitched several games with a few of the members who were there.

 

Thanks Hawaii for sharing the game of horseshoes with us.

Thanks to Carol Costa and the Club!