Hidden jewel of a club celebrates its 125th birthday

By Lori McKay - The Weekly News
A club often referred to as "the hidden jewel of Dartmouth" is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.
St. George's Lawn Tennis Club was founded on St. George's Day, April 23, 1885, by a group of 20 friends who first met at the home of Major and Mrs. H.D. Creighton on Church Street.
Little did they know that initial gathering would leave such a legacy in Dartmouth.
The original club operated three lawn courts on Maitland Street, but in 1900, a new clubhouse was built in its present location on Saint George's Lane, at the intersection of Portland and Pleasant streets.
"It's a hidden treasure within those blocks," says member Bob Silverstein. "There are people in?Dartmouth who don't even know it exists and its been there for 110 years."
When Silverstein moved to Dartmouth two years ago he saw the tennis club's banner down at the ferry terminal and decided to look into it.
"This was a tremendous opportunity to meet people when I moved here from Toronto, to be part of a group of people that was very friendly, as well as get in shape doing something that I really enjoy," he said.
St. George's has five courts, with lights for night games, three coaches and always has a host on duty to greet newcomers and help people find someone to play with, if need be.
Past board president Ann Matthews says one of the key ingredients to St. George's success is that it offers something for all age groups and skill levels.
"We have members who are well into their 80s. And at our tournaments, you'll always see families playing together, which you don't always see with other sports," she said.
St. George's has always been known for its social activities, as well. The club hosts teas, corn boils, strawberry socials and bridge club. "It's a little bit of English culture added in," she said.
"We have Sunday afternoon tea, with sandwiches and sweets."
During the club's earlier days, the sound of quoits hitting the pins could be heard along with tennis balls being lobbed across the courts.
Quoits is an ancient game similar to horseshoes, where a two-pound donut-shaped brass ring was aimed at a pin 63 feet away, until a score of 21 was reached.
"It was always exciting," Matthews remembers about watching people play quoits when she was a child. "There were always a lot of people there ... they had lights on the quoit beds before they had lights on the tennis courts. It was all men that played on the four beds, up where the bleachers are now, and I can remember being so excited to be there and could hardly wait to get on the tennis courts with my mother or father."
Matthews said she practically grew up at the club.
"I've been involved since I was a baby," she laughed, noting that her grandfather, father, brother, husband and godfather have also been involved with the club. "I think I was almost 12 when I really started to play every day, and we just lived there as kids. Every day, all day, we would be at the tennis courts."
In recognition of St. George's 125th anniversary, the normal initiation fee for new adult, married couple and family memberships has been reduced from $113 to $1 per membership this year.
The club, which is the second oldest tennis club in?Canada, has about 400 members, but is always looking to increase its numbers.
"This is an historical year and we'd like to grow awareness," said Silverstein, who is looking after public relations for St. George's.
"We'd like to see more sponsorships, for tournaments and such, and more applications."
Anyone interested in finding out more, can visit www.stgeorgetennis.ca.
A special anniversary celebration will take place Aug. 7 at the club.
lmckay@hfxnews.ca