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PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, April 27, 1999 - 17 Reflexology Te ------ * Massage Therapy ® Reiki ¢ Foot Care e Orthotics . Yiramins Wig \ Port Perry ais 85-8591 IR/O1 LUN SIDI FAN I VAY SPORTS WT Large... Port Perry's Todd Healey takes a - look at today' Ss world of sports "A fool and his money are soon parted" As the aging process and the learning curve meet at the pass, we tend to put our stock in life's "truths," things we have experienced to be so, things like "money was made round to go 'round,' and "you don't send a boy on a man's errand," and that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." But for my money, if you want real truth, play poker. You can learn more about a person's character in one hour at the round table than you could work- ing side-by-side for a year. Now, I am by no means an avid or heavy gambler, but I do enjoy sitting down at a low-stakes poker table now and again and in the last few years, I have become a rather unusual member of a long-standing poker group. I mean really long-standing. I mean, I got in because the guy I replaced died, long-standing. I refer to my presence at these games as "unusual" because I'm so much younger than the rest. In fact, at least once a game, as I'm in the process of raking in a pot, someone will be spouting off about how the younger generation lacks respect for their elders or that "I have shoes older than you." These guys have played every Friday night for nearly 30 years together, and though the frequency is now once a month or so, the talent and the concentration is still razor sharp. The first time I encountered these shysters was at a fishing camp on Georgian Bay. My neighbour, who belongs to this poker fraternity, brought me 'along with him on this yearly "boys" weekend. The initiation didn't take long; darkness had barely descended when the cards came out and the taunting cry of "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch," was bellowed. And I smoked 'em. It was like shooting fish in a barrel, taking candy from a baby, however you want to call it, I was on fire. I couldn't lose the entire weekend. Little did I know they were just setting the hook. After that weekend, I became a regular at their games and for the most part, I generally lose. As frustrating as this losing is for me, it's not the money (quarter ante) but rather my pride that feels the sting of loss. Through my years of poker experience, I have come to believe a basic truth about cards and that is if you learn tendencies and personalities of those you are playing against, the odds will be stacked in your favour and over time, you will win more often than you lose. Since I believe this tenet to be true, and since I also believe I have got all these guys figured out, I have to ask myself, how is it then that I habitually lose? And then one day it dawned on me: in my utter arrogance I forgot to recognize the fact that maybe all these guys had ME figured out. As ugly a prospect as that sounded, I have played enqugh times since my great revelation to be forced to admit that this may be so. Now when my neighbour leans over the fence and asks if I want to play poker this coming Friday night, I say to myself, "yeah sure, right after I jam bamboo shoots behind my fingernails and pee on an electric fence." But I go. I go because deep down, I believe that I am smarter than they are and because of this, I can't help but to win. And this illustrates the final truth about poker: "a fool and his money are soon parted." - PRACTICE: After a long winter off, members of the Scugog Angels' ball teams took to the Water St. diamonds last Sunday (April 25) for a practice session. Regular practices begin next week, start- CHRIS HALL / PORT PERRY STAR ing at noon on Saturday. Besides a few running, catching and throwing drills, team officals let some of the players take a few practice cuts in the warm afternoon sunshine. Races will be held June 12, July 24, and Sept. 4 M.V.P. Trading to sponsor OSCARR series at Mosport this summer Mosport Speedway is proud to announce M.V.P. Trading as the sponsor of all three Ontario Stock Car Asphalt Auto Racing (0.S.C.A.A.R.) Super Late Model events June 12, July 24 and Sept. 4, Titled the "M.V.P. III," O.S.C.A.A.R. drivers will compete for a three-race total point fund of $10,000. This series within a series will take place at Mosport Speedway's rounds of the 12 race 1999 O.S.C.A.A.R. season. Teams must attend all three rounds to be eligible to share in the M.V.P. III point fund. "M.V.P. Trading is really excited about getting involved with what we feel is the most exciting racing series in the province at this time," said Rob Roche, president of M.V.P. Trading. "We also believe this could be the start of an annual tradition for O.S.C.A.A.R. Super Late Model teams." These cars (Super Late Models) have been overlooked the past few years and after all, they are the fastest stock cars in the province, perhaps all of Canada. Myles Brandt, Mosport's Executive Raceway Director, looks forward to the M.V.P. III with antic- ipation. "I'd like to thank Rob and M.V.P. Trading for the opportunity to host the M.V.P. III. Mosport Speedway has a long association with Super Late Models. Our fans have always supported the series and look for- ward to each visit." The M.V.P. III will surely create great excitement among O.S.C.A.A.R. teams and fans. The car count should be tremendous and who knows what legendary short track names it may entice to compete. O.S.C.A.A.R. vice-president Mike Bricknell echoes the excite- ment of both M.V.P. Trading and Mosport Speedway stating "O.S.C.A.AR. is thrilled about the addition of the M.V.P. III $10,000 point fund. We're grateful to Rob and M.V.P. Trading for providing his continued support to the growth of Super Late Model racing in Ontario. To date 28 O.S.C.A.A.R. teams are gearing up for our 10th anniversary season. The M.V.P. 111 series within our series gives Super Late Model fans even more to look forward to in 1999." M.V.P. Trading is a wholesale distribution company in Ontario, with their head office in Ajax, and a second warehouse located in Guelph. Currently celebrating their 10th anniversary, M.V.P. Trading supplies confectionary, sports nov- elties and sportscards to the retail trade. M.V.P. Trading president Rob Roche also owns and operates Skinny's Collectibles. A retail outlet that opened in Ajax in 1998 spe- cializing in autographed memora- bilia, NASCAR collectibles and licensed sports goods. Skinny's Collectibles phone number is (905) 426-4963. Special delivery Big Brothers' organization The Ontario United Riders Group will be coming into town on Wednesday, April 28 with a very special delivery for the Big Brothers of Oshawa-Whitby and the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of North Durham. In a ceremony held at the Legion Hall, Wes Parker of the Ontario United Riders Group will be pre- senting a boy's mountain bike to the Big Brothers of Oshawa- Whitby and a girl's mountain bike to the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of North Durham. The Ontario United Riders Group 1s well known for their phi- lanthropy in the area of children, often collecting toys for the chil- dren's Christmas drives while enjoying their love of the open road and a motorcycle. "We want to see the kids enjoy the exercise, fun, and responsibility of bike ownership. The Ontario United Turn to Page 18 es BA. a Co --