‘Jimmy Dunne Says’

The Palisadian-Post presents an homage to Will Rogers’ column, “Will Rogers Says,” with a column by Palisadian Jimmy Dunne—on life in the “greatest town in America.”

Holding Court for a Moment in Time

Labor Day.

A stunning day at the beach.

So many folks at Bel-Air Bay Club were snuggled up courtside to the paddle tennis courts—glued to the drama of the Mixed Doubles Club Championships.

I was off to the side, kind of rocking and cuddling a treasure of my life, my grandson Whit.

Even though Whit only knows how to say “balls” and “score!” and “momma” and a couple more goodies, I was explaining the importance of what he was watching.

A Labor Day tradition for 85 years.

The revered club championship matches—right here on this very court. Creating generations of memories.

Watching the finals—some were young parents, some holding their babies, many having lunch and sipping on a cold beer or summer drink.

Everybody cheering on somebody in this club’s mini-me “Wimbledon.” 

I misspoke. Bigger than Wimbledon. 

Only the prize is just a little different. Forever bragging rights, a pic in the club newsletter—and a couple of drink tokens.

…………..

Next to the ice machine against the wall, I spotted in the back of the crowd—a woman sitting by herself in her early 90s. 

Patty Burns.   

Always right at her side, her walker that she needs to get around these days. 

I’ve known Patty for a long, long time. 

Everybody loved her husband George, an absolute gem of a man—before he passed away about 15 years ago.

Bel-Air Bay Club has always been the lifelong second home of best friends for Patty and George. Now, with her hubby and the love of her life gone, it gets harder with each passing year. 

And less and less and less of her “besties” are still alive.

…………..

My eyes weren’t drawn to the players. They were to her.

I was imagining what she was seeing on that court.

Not just another club’s championships.

On the court was her daughter, Suzy, and her grandson, Chase. 

Competing against a spectacularly talented and competitive Merrie Mac Bleeker and Tim Gerlach.

But I could see in Patty’s eyes that she was watching something else.

Something wonderful that was playing in her mind.

Kind of Patty’s own movie version of “Somewhere in Time.”

Her eyes said the noise and chatter of the courts just disappeared … she drifted back in time to the late ’70s—with George and her four fabulous kids.

Probably imagining how she ran the old-fashioned “Fourth of July” Day at the club. The crazy “Cake Eating Contests.” And the sing-a-longs with the Tommy Dorsey knock-off large “dance bands.”

Or running the “South Sea Island” party with the humungous plastic pool dug right in the sand.

The music of the day. The cocktails. The happy. The simplicity …

All with the “Belles of the Ball,” her pals Dallas Price, Marion Niles, Gail Didden, Sharon Browning, Dottie Henkle and so many other cherished pals.

Maybe Patty was taken back exactly 40 years ago to the day … 

Winning with Bob Bennett in Mixed Doubles and then again with Rick Beckendorf. And winning the Ladies’ Legends with Price to a dazzled crowd of fans and pals.

Or maybe Patty was flashing back to some of Suzy’s many club championships. Or the “Husband & Wife” Championship Suzy won with her hubby Jeff, who Patty knows is the greatest son-in-law ever. Or Singles and Doubles titles her grandson Chase has captured on this hallowed court.

…………..

With the match on the line, Chase made the “gentlemanly” call—giving a key point to their opponents.

I could see in Patty’s eyes what that meant to her. So much more than winning anything at all.

With the crowd cheering wildly, Chase and Suzy took the crown.

There Patty sat. Didn’t even clap. Just watched everyone else.

She took a deep breath to hold it all in.

Holding in maybe the greatest memory, winning the Women’s Doubles with her daughter Suzy—three decades ago.

And here was Patty, watching her daughter having the same moment with her son.

The athletic director took the pictures on the court and handed out the awards.

But here’s what I know.

No one won more, felt more or lived more than Patty that day.

Patty won.

Life.

I suppose if you’re fortunate enough to still be above ground in your 80s and 90s, the prize is … emotionally cashing in.

Knowing you did good. Knowing you put a smile on the world.

Knowing you “held court” for a moment in time—with your head up. 

And knowing, more than anything, you were loved, and they loved you back.

Cheers to you, Patty Burns.

How the world loves you back.

Jimmy Dunne is a modern-day Renaissance Man; a hit songwriter (28 million hit records), screenwriter/producer of hit television series, award-winning author, an entrepreneur—and a Palisadian “Citizen of the Year.” You can reach him at j@jimmydunne.com or jimmydunne.substack.com.