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Locals' horseshoeing spans three generations
Playing horseshoes is one activity that runs in the Przybysz family, as two brothers, their father and a father-in-law certainly enjoy throwing ringers in competitive play.
Paul Przybysz, 54, of Cheektowaga, his 83-year-old father-inlaw, Walter "Wally" Gardon, as well as Przybysz's two sons, Jason (29) and Scott (24), recently completed their third consecutive season playing together for the Getzville "Crows Nest" Horseshoe Club in Springville.
Paul Przybysz said he began playing recreationally at the former Indoor Horseshoe Palace in Hamburg in 1978. The four played at family gatherings and other social events, and soon sought a league to show off their pitching skills.
"We thought we were halfway decent players," Przybysz said. "We're all pretty much average pitchers in the league, but we have a good time with the rest of the guys. We wanted to give it a shot in the league a few years back."
The Crows Nest season started the second week of May and ended last Saturday, as the locals pitched against the Concord Horseshoe Club.
Gardon, a lifelong resident of Cheektowaga, who formerly worked for the town's Parks Department, said he started playing horseshoes around 10 years ago.
"A lot of people in the family played, so I took it up," Gardon told the Times. "We had fun at all the family doings and thought it would be neat to join an organized league."
Jason Przybysz coaches boys varsity basketball and baseball, as well as modified football, at Cleveland Hill High School.
Scott Przybysz is an assistant coach on the Golden Eagles' varsity baseball team.
Paul Przybysz stated the Crows Nest team's schedule spanned 16 weeks, taking place on Wednesday and Saturday evenings.
"It's a great group of guys to compete with," Paul said of the Getzville squad. "It's something we hope to keep doing for years to come."
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