Mercersburg—More about this town, its fun to walk across campus and then down Seminary street ;. the buildings are very old and this is the birthplace of President James Buchanan, his house still stands on the main street in town. Buchanan’s cabin the place where he was born stands down the road from Fowle Hall, we pass it on the way to the tennis courts every morning.
The civil war is very much a part of this town and still lives; there are civil war era houses everywhere. Mercersburg was raided all the time by Confederate soldiers during the war. Gen. Stuart and his cavalry passed through town on Oct 10, 1862 during the first Chambersburg raid.
During the Gettysburg Campaign confederate raiders including Mosby's and McNeil's Rangers sacked the town. On July 5, 1863, more than 700 wounded Confederates, captured by Union cavalry in Maryland were brought here and put up in makeshift hospitals on campus and two of those buildings still stand. On July 29, 1864 General McCausland's cavalry fought a skirmish with a detachment of the 6th U.S. cavalry in the town square. After driving them from town, the Confederates paused to loot before moving on to burn Chambersburg . I have to say that late last night walking across the campus was creepy. Probably the ghosts of the confederates…
There are adults attending the camp from all over, one guy Burt is from Holland , theres a guy from Miami and bunch of people from New Jersey .
We had a long day. We worked straight from 8-am to 4pm…we had an hour off for lunch in Ford Hall. You should see this dining hall…you walk in to a long line of beautiful oak tables. For cafeteria food, it’s fantastic except for the desert nazi who for the past two days has said to me, “Hey buddy, one desert.” I’m a growing boy and need all the pudding I can get. Anyway, I don’t think I have ever had a meal in a fancier place.
The people we taught were eager to learn and were really neat. They are all wealthy professionals. The level of play is much higher than in west, these people can play and are serious about tennis.
Today Mr. Brennan in his lecture talked about tennis and how its more than a game, it’s a social outlet and people can network with one another. He talked about his family and how proud he is of them and how tennis has helped in their lives. His son is the tennis coach of Ohio State and also has a tennis camp. Mr. B. then talked about the forehand how important it is get the racquet back early. He says keep the left hand on the throat of the racquet and that it’s a vital part of the backhand as well. Mr. B stood at the net and Riley fed him balls, Mr. B. says its important for students to see the demo and imitate it…the demos were flawless, after the talk the adults were rearing to go!
The clay is tricky if you’re not used to it. I ran for a ball cross court and started sliding and almost turned my ankle. A few minutes later I saw Sanderson go down, it was like a big tree falling. He was trying to slide cross court and then tried to change directions to adjust to the ball. His ankle is purple and swollen to the size of a tennis ball. I stuck around after 4 and hit with the adult campers, all of them are so good that I got some great practice in. I’m so tired now that I can’t believe it. All of the counselors here are so friendly and all of them are just as passionate about the game.
The landscape here is so beautiful. To the west of the courts, beyond the windscreens is a corn field that stretches for miles to the foothills, its lush and green and has a country feel. When I’m out picking up tennis balls it feels like home, I look west and wonder what they’re doing in Idaho . I always hear the sound of plopping tennis balls and morning doves, in the distance I can smell the old tannery.
The civil war is very much a part of this town and still lives; there are civil war era houses everywhere. Mercersburg was raided all the time by Confederate soldiers during the war. Gen. Stuart and his cavalry passed through town on Oct 10, 1862 during the first Chambersburg raid.
During the Gettysburg Campaign confederate raiders including Mosby's and McNeil's Rangers sacked the town. On July 5, 1863, more than 700 wounded Confederates, captured by Union cavalry in Maryland were brought here and put up in makeshift hospitals on campus and two of those buildings still stand. On July 29, 1864 General McCausland's cavalry fought a skirmish with a detachment of the 6th U.S. cavalry in the town square. After driving them from town, the Confederates paused to loot before moving on to burn Chambersburg . I have to say that late last night walking across the campus was creepy. Probably the ghosts of the confederates…
There are adults attending the camp from all over, one guy Burt is from Holland , theres a guy from Miami and bunch of people from New Jersey .
We had a long day. We worked straight from 8-am to 4pm…we had an hour off for lunch in Ford Hall. You should see this dining hall…you walk in to a long line of beautiful oak tables. For cafeteria food, it’s fantastic except for the desert nazi who for the past two days has said to me, “Hey buddy, one desert.” I’m a growing boy and need all the pudding I can get. Anyway, I don’t think I have ever had a meal in a fancier place.
The people we taught were eager to learn and were really neat. They are all wealthy professionals. The level of play is much higher than in west, these people can play and are serious about tennis.
Today Mr. Brennan in his lecture talked about tennis and how its more than a game, it’s a social outlet and people can network with one another. He talked about his family and how proud he is of them and how tennis has helped in their lives. His son is the tennis coach of Ohio State and also has a tennis camp. Mr. B. then talked about the forehand how important it is get the racquet back early. He says keep the left hand on the throat of the racquet and that it’s a vital part of the backhand as well. Mr. B stood at the net and Riley fed him balls, Mr. B. says its important for students to see the demo and imitate it…the demos were flawless, after the talk the adults were rearing to go!
The clay is tricky if you’re not used to it. I ran for a ball cross court and started sliding and almost turned my ankle. A few minutes later I saw Sanderson go down, it was like a big tree falling. He was trying to slide cross court and then tried to change directions to adjust to the ball. His ankle is purple and swollen to the size of a tennis ball. I stuck around after 4 and hit with the adult campers, all of them are so good that I got some great practice in. I’m so tired now that I can’t believe it. All of the counselors here are so friendly and all of them are just as passionate about the game.
The landscape here is so beautiful. To the west of the courts, beyond the windscreens is a corn field that stretches for miles to the foothills, its lush and green and has a country feel. When I’m out picking up tennis balls it feels like home, I look west and wonder what they’re doing in Idaho . I always hear the sound of plopping tennis balls and morning doves, in the distance I can smell the old tannery.
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