Remembering the heyday of tennis in Ashton
About 1960, Blanche Gaskins raised the money from citizens in the Ashton community to build tennis courts at the Ashton High School. A tennis club was formed, and in order to ensure
the success of the project, George Covert and Emma Hubbs were employed to give lessons. What a success it was.
Emma and George were wonderful teachers to both children and adults. They brought with them some fine young tennis players from Dixon to help. During the first summer, 126 young people took lessons, and 147 signed up the second year.
A good number of adults took lessons also, as evidenced by the numbers who participated in the club tournaments. Some of the adults already knew how to play since they had taken tennis as a physical education class in college.
For several years, the tennis courts were busy. Then, as happens too often, interest lagged, and the courts fell into disuse.
We remember Emma and George with respect and affection, and wish Emma well.
