Nashua musician Jen Spaziani sets the rhythm for live music from five members of the Guitar Strummers, a Mike Loce Music of Merrimack program, at the Serving Up Support Pickleball Tournament & Social that recently was sponsored by G.M. Roth Design Remodeling of Nashua at Merrimack's Wasserman Park for the benefit of the United Way of Greater Nashua. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

MERRIMACK – The thwack-thwack of yellow wiffle balls resounding through 14 pickleball courts integrated into seven tennis courts at Merrimack’s Wasserman Park generated sweat, laughs and handshakes during the debut of the Serving Up Support Pickleball Tournament & Social, a fundraiser for United Way of Greater Nashua sponsored on Oct. 17 by G.M.Roth Design Remodeling of Nashua.

“My friend Linda Lyman from Amherst, who plays pickleball all the time, told me, ‘You gotta come, it’s so much fun.'” said Mary Trombley of Amherst, “That was two years ago and I’ve never stopped.”

Pickleball history online indicates with some variations that in the summer of 1965 a mismatched set of sports equipment was used to entertain a family’s youngsters in the state of Washington. Wiffle balls were added. The family dog: “Pickles.” A ball lobbed and lost to the dog was declared, “Pickles ball.” Or, so the story goes.

The Serving Up Support Pickleball Tournament & Social at Wasserman Park, 116 Naticook Road, was facilitated by James Galisano, program coordinator for Merrimack Parks and Recreation. A round robin format brought new players together throughout a series of doubles contests.

The rounds of games culminating in team victories drew 33 competitors with a wide range of skills. Pizza, chocolates, coffee, bottled water and snacks provided nibbles.

The team from the sponsor presenting the inaugural Serving Up Support Pickleball Tournament & Social hosted on Oct. 17 to benefit the United Way of Greater Nashua represents G.M. Roth Design Remodeling, an award-winning Nashua enterprise with a portfolio of impressive projects mastered since its founding in 1986.The the competitors included these employees, foreground from left, Emily Resendes of Methuen, Mass., Jessica Love of Merrimack, and Taylor Barry of Nashua, seen here with associates, background from left, Scott Salem of Leominster, Mass., Heath Coxall of Gardner Mass., and Liam Leary of Nashua, and Joseph Christmas of Londonderry. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

A white canopy shaded band members from Mike Loce Music, a popular Merrimack source for public performances, group lessons and private music education for all ages. The concert from members of his “Guitar Strummers” program included Mike Loce (guitar), Jen Spaziani of Nashua (drums), and three more musicians from Merrimack — Dave Anderson (guitar), Stephen Hardy (guitar) and Jose Gonzalez (bass).

Ten donated raffle baskets, each of at least $50 in value, enticed ticket buyers to take some chances. Contributors included Texas Roadhouse, Harbor Freight, Jomari’s Hair Salon in Nashua and other supporters. Merrimack’s Allison Pikora, a United Way volunteer, sold massive amounts of tickets with several helpers.

The event organizer was Dan Bueno of Nashua, a Nashua Pickleball club member and avid player. He was assisted by a crew of volunteers in tracking the progress of the competition through a minimum of five rounds of play to award First, Second and Third Place prizes.

Bueno announced the tournament’s winning teams and presented prepaid cards of $100, $75 and $50 representing Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.

First Place Team: Joe Rush of Nashua and Matt Chabot of Hollis. Second Place Team: Matt Giokas of Windham and James Prieto of Nashua. Third Place Team: Emile Desrochers of Brookline and Jackie Hacket of Nashua.

Pickleball tournament contender Mary Trombley of Amherst and her son, Simon Trombley, a soccer player in high school and college and her cheering section for the day, attended the recent event at Wasserman Park in Merrimack to add their support of the United Way of Greater Nashua during the Serving Up Support Pickleball Tournament & Social competition that drew 33 athletes to the benefit sponsored by G. M. Roth Design Remodeling in Nashua. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Bueno thanked everyone for their volunteerism, donations of goods or services and the sponsorship of G.M. Roth Design Remodeling for its part in making pickleball history at the debut of Serving Up Support Pickleball Tournament & Social to benefit the United Way of Greater Nashua.

Bueno especially credited Paula Moran, a board member and volunteer for the United Way of Greater Nashua, for recruiting him to run the tournament.

“Pickleball is a fun, social game and a great way to get some exercise and make new friends,” Bueno added. “We had a great turnout and I’m sure this event will grow in the future.”

More information on the United Way of Greater Nashua benefit that was the Serving Up Support Pickleball Tournament & Social event can be had online at unitedwaynashua.org.

Celebrating their victories at the debut of the Serving Up Support Pickleball Tournament & Social presented Oct. 17 at Merrimack's Wasserman Park by G.M. Roth Design Remodeling as a benefit for the United Way of Greater Nashua are the winning team members, from left, First Place Team — Joe Rush of Nashua and Matt Chabot of Hollis. Second Place Team — Matt Giokas of Windham and James Prieto of Nashua. Third Place Team — Emile Desrochers of Brookline and Jackie Hackett of Nashua. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Hot into the action during the recent Serving Up Support Pickleball Tournament & Social is Liam Leary of Nashua, one of 33 competitors in the inaugural pickleball competition at Wasserman Park presented to benefit the United Way of Greater Nashua by G.M. Roth Design Remodeling in Nashua where Leary serves as a project manager. Courtesy photo by Carolyn Cline

Seven tennis courts at Wasserman Park in Merrimack are also marked for use as 14 regulation size pickleball courts, some seen here in use during a recent pickleball tournament fundraiser for the United Way of Greater Nashua. Courtesy photo by Carolyn Cline