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By Charlotte Chalker 

And in the beginning there was a group of futurists that dreamed of a unique club that would be a center for family activities both athletic and social. And they planned and they worked and they created the Lakewood Racquet Club. Their names being: Mickelson, Griffin, Stevens, Coburn, Burr King, Glass, Comfort and Hoyer. And it came into being on the Fourth of July in the year 1962.

And it occupied ten acres on which were built three tennis courts, one squash court, a fifty foot swimming pool, locker rooms and a social building. And they played and they were glad. And in that year there were families numbering seventy, the leader of all being Mickelson.

Then the people said "we want a "Bubble - Up" and thus it came to pass that in the year of 1963 there was a Bubble up and they were glad and celebrated with a winter Swim. And in those days Mickelson was leader as was Hess of the ladies.

In the year of 1964 Leader Griffin and Pilkey of the ladies and families numbering ninety-seven wished for a gymnasium and additional rooms. So it came to pass and they saw it was good. And they danced and played badminton and began swimming in teams.

And they were fruitful and multiplied and became a club of one hundred and twelve families in the year of 1965. Their leader of the families was Thomas, the Doctor, and Still of the ladies. And such were the racquets that more tennis courts were needed. And large were the swimmers so that the pool was too shallow. Thus it was that three more courts were built and the pool it became deep.

In those days there were many parties and events of many social natures for all who came. And their leader was Smithson in the year 1966 and Connelly led the ladies. And some were called to distant places and the number of families remaining were but one hundred and ten.

Then it was that they saw it was not beautiful. Leader Morey and of the ladies Thomas said let there be furnishings both in and out. And there were and it was good. And saith they also let there be landscaping so that all who come will know that this is a beautiful Club. And there was landscaping. And some said "we have need of a sun deck in the sun". And behold, there was also built a sun deck. And they were happy and it was beautiful.

Then it was the year 1968 in the year of Thompson and Shera of the ladies. The people said "make the rain to stop so that we can play tennis in the winter". And leader Thompson tried to make the rain stop but it continued to rain. So it was that a plan was made for a temple that would reach to the heavens and keep the rain from two courts and all the players therein. And it came to pass that it was built and the people rejoiced and played much tennis and the neighbors complained. And the ladies said "we wish for exchange" and so it was that they did exchange with clubs of other places. And in those days there were tournaments and all manner of activities.

Then the year became 1969 and the families had again become great, numbering one hundred and forty. The Leader of these many people was Hemion and West of the ladies. The clubhouse was made warm in winter. And once more there was landscaping and it was again more beautiful. And the people said "let us have a dinner that progresses". So it was that the first Progressive Dinner was held. And the people rejoiced and they were glad.

And the year became 1970 with Ingram being the leader of all and Humphrey of the ladies. And the people said "let there be planning so that we will continue to grow and do good" So it came to pass that the committee on planning was told to plan. Thus has it been these years of eight; and how it will be thereafter the almighty powers of the Commissioners of the County, the wisdom of the wisemen of the club, and the neighbors of complaining will determine forever more.

And so it was that the Master Plan was conceived of the committee, born of the membership and suffered by the Commissioners of Pierce and it was good And it began to grow into full being.

In the year 1971 Ingram was again the leader of the families and Edman of the ladies. And they said let us proceed with our plan. And so it was that the courts 9 and 10 were enclosed so that the wind and rain no longer went in and the noise no longer went out. And people came to see and the club continued to prosper.

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