Fair warning! This old bird, formerly known as the Resident Shrink and Shrink in Exile of this rag, now the proofreader, intends to again make her annual pilgrimage to the Sierra County seat to see “her vets.” Although not a real vet herself, she did accompany her husband, John Johnsen, United States Military Academy ’56, around Army posts for 20 years but definitely not on his two tours in Viet Nam. For many years she has served that West Point class as a terminal illness and grief counselor, a role that is currently very active. There she is known as the “USMA ‘56 Hug Queen”.From his military family, the Johnsen’s son, John Wm. Johnsen, Lance Corporal, USMC (1958-1985) died in an accident at his base, El Toro Marine Air Station, CA. Another son, Erik M. Johnsen, retired from the USAF with 20 years active duty as a pilot and now serves as the test pilot in the simulator training for C-5 pilots at Travis AFB. Mary’s father served in both

The last ball in at Wimbledon, the final point won, belonged to the top seeded and #1 ranked player, 20 year old Carlos Alcaraz from Spain. The king of Spain, Felipe VI, was in the royal box watching. In another seating area the young son of 36 year old, seven time winner, Novak Djokovic watched his father play the five set match and lose. But it was an amazing battle with both combatants falling and rolling on the grass but rising again to keep going.This match showed that these players, ranked one and two in the world, are supreme athletes with the amazing stamina and agility that got them to the top. Alcaraz leads the young stars coming along who are challenging the familiar Federer, Nadal and Djokovic. The future will also have Jannik Sinner from Italy and Holger Rune of Denmark center stage. It was tennis at its best! 128 men competed with 127 losing along the way. They lost but they are still the most proficient at this very demanding sport.The numbers were the same with 128 wome

The grass courts at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club are showing the wear and tear of the pounding of feet as the top tennis players in the world pursue the title and the pay check that comes with it, along with a rather nice trophy and bragging rights. The endorsements monies that follow are apt to be much larger than the prize money.Most of these players started playing before age ten so have mastered their skills with several hours a day striking the balls, plus hours in developing strong muscles and flexibility. The Downieville Tennis and Education Association focus was not that serious, rather stressing social and ethical points with having fun a major target. It is true though that three of the Downieville High School Warriors did go from the one court program on to play college tennis.The 18 grass courts at Wimbledon featured 128 first round singles matches with 11 of the 16 USA women and 4 of the 13 men out. In the 2nd round of 32, 4 women won as did 4 of the men. I

With the first day of the 2023 tennis championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, London on July 2nd, the tournament is now well underway. The Lawn means the matches are played on grass so this tournament is the Grand Slam featured one on grass as historically was the U.S. Open but that, as is the Australian championships, is now a hard court venue. The French championship is played on clay. Now the grass courts are green and in wonderful condition but by the day of the finals the wear caused by the points, games, sets, matches played will leave bare areas especially by where the serve starts play.So, if you are not familiar with the game despite the nice court there on Upper Main Street, this may act as a primer for you so you may better enjoy watching what some people can do with a racquet and fast moving balls. The first point played is called by the chair umpire “fifteen” and if the other player wins the next point the score is “fifte

Mark Malone, 2nd Lt, USA at West Point, NYMark Daniel Malone of the State of the State of California (and Downieville) has been commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army of the United States having graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in International Affairs from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York on May the 27th, 2023. There to participate as spectators at the graduation events, parades, concerts, meals, tours and such were his parents and sister, Dan and Patricia and Katie, of Downieville and Antioch.Looking back, yes Mark ran track, played soccer, baseball, football, and tennis in high school and other fitness endeavors as a candidate at the United States Military Academy Preparatory School at West Point. Then, as a cadet he participated on a top notch Sandhurst team placing 2nd in 2019 and 1st in 2021. The Sandhurst competition is a grueling fight of combat related tests against other US teams and those from other countries.Looking at the pictu

Mark Malone at West Point Military AcademyThe Malone family was often spotted on Upper Main as they walked by the tennis court heading to town. They were coming from their Klingelhofer built house up river and short of the Hospital Bridge. Patricia and Dan had jobs in the Bay Area but enjoyed the Downieville setting whenever possible. Katie and Mark were grade school kids when the family was first spotted by the tennis pro who hoped they would also appear on the court. That pro then enjoyed following the family news over the years, especially as young Mark was admitted as a member of the Class of 2023 at the United States Military Academy at West Point. That was logical since the pro’s husband and grandson were USMA graduates.Mark Malone graduated from the De La Salle High School in Concord on his way to West Point. That he was an Eagle Scout was a positive achievement along with a high academic standing helping the challenge of gaining entry. The primary Academy admission pro