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| Los Angeles Daily News Article About of "Miles of Heart: The Story of the Dan DeAngelo Invitational Hearts Tournament" |
A little tournament of hearts almost 40 years ago remains an annual
tradition for a group of boyhood friends from Woodland Hills - and
it's now the subject of a new book written by one of its devout
players.
"Miles of Heart: The Story of the Dan DeAngelo Invitational Heart
Tournament" was written by Wynn A. "Biff" Sherman, who now lives
in Calabasas. It chronicles 38 years of the annual summer reunion,
when the men play a hearts tourney and have a little fun.
While based on true events, Sherman decided to novelize the story
and change the names of some of the characters.
The character of DeAngelo is based on Dan DeSantis, who started
the friendly competition in 1970 when the men ranged from 15 to 19
years old. There were eight players back then and seven of them
remain with the group today.
In 1977, four additional players were added.
What started as an evening of playing cards expanded to weekends
at destinations such as Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe (two places
where the group has convened several times) as well as Cabo San
Lucas and a cruise from Long Beach to Ensenada.
Through marriages, divorces, remarriages, business failures and
financial successes, the men have remained faithful to the
tournament. DeSantis, who is known as The Chairman among the
players, still organizes the event.
"The tournament really is just a few hours now. The rest of the time
we just enjoy ourselves," Sherman said.
Their wives do not attend the hearts tournaments - with one
exception. For the 20th anniversary of the tournament, the men
decided to go Kauai.
"We thought, `We can't go to Kauai without our wives,' so our wives
and families joined us that year," Sherman said.
The group decided that the wives could join them every 20 years, so
the spouses will attend the 40th tournament in 2009.
They enjoy some high jinks on their weekends together, but nothing
too bad. "They're more sophomoric, like something from `Animal
House,"' Sherman said.
Sherman said he decided to write about the hearts tournament
because it's unique in a transient society to keep something going
for almost four decades.
He added that it's funny how the group has changed over the years.
"The official substance (at the tournament) has evolved from
Michelob and marijuana to Rogaine and Viagra," he said with a
chuckle.
Sherman and several participants in the annual hearts tournament
will be at a book signing from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Barnes &
Noble, 4735 Commons Way, Calabasas.
tradition for a group of boyhood friends from Woodland Hills - and
it's now the subject of a new book written by one of its devout
players.
"Miles of Heart: The Story of the Dan DeAngelo Invitational Heart
Tournament" was written by Wynn A. "Biff" Sherman, who now lives
in Calabasas. It chronicles 38 years of the annual summer reunion,
when the men play a hearts tourney and have a little fun.
While based on true events, Sherman decided to novelize the story
and change the names of some of the characters.
The character of DeAngelo is based on Dan DeSantis, who started
the friendly competition in 1970 when the men ranged from 15 to 19
years old. There were eight players back then and seven of them
remain with the group today.
In 1977, four additional players were added.
What started as an evening of playing cards expanded to weekends
at destinations such as Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe (two places
where the group has convened several times) as well as Cabo San
Lucas and a cruise from Long Beach to Ensenada.
Through marriages, divorces, remarriages, business failures and
financial successes, the men have remained faithful to the
tournament. DeSantis, who is known as The Chairman among the
players, still organizes the event.
"The tournament really is just a few hours now. The rest of the time
we just enjoy ourselves," Sherman said.
Their wives do not attend the hearts tournaments - with one
exception. For the 20th anniversary of the tournament, the men
decided to go Kauai.
"We thought, `We can't go to Kauai without our wives,' so our wives
and families joined us that year," Sherman said.
The group decided that the wives could join them every 20 years, so
the spouses will attend the 40th tournament in 2009.
They enjoy some high jinks on their weekends together, but nothing
too bad. "They're more sophomoric, like something from `Animal
House,"' Sherman said.
Sherman said he decided to write about the hearts tournament
because it's unique in a transient society to keep something going
for almost four decades.
He added that it's funny how the group has changed over the years.
"The official substance (at the tournament) has evolved from
Michelob and marijuana to Rogaine and Viagra," he said with a
chuckle.
Sherman and several participants in the annual hearts tournament
will be at a book signing from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Barnes &
Noble, 4735 Commons Way, Calabasas.
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| Reader Comments |
| “You certainly have interesting characters to follow. Many of the anecdotes were quite funny and you have a knack for storytelling” |
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“This story provides a candid
and humorous look at the
American male set against the
backdrop of growing up in
Sherman does an excellent job
at painting a detailed and
interesting picture, as he
follows a group of young men
on their annual weekend
vacation that is organized
around the card game hearts.
While many stories are
whimsical and outright hilarious,
the author doesn't shy away
from talking about the real
issues these men have to
deal… This book is a very easy
read that anyone would
thoroughly enjoy.”
and humorous look at the
American male set against the
backdrop of growing up in
Sherman does an excellent job
at painting a detailed and
interesting picture, as he
follows a group of young men
on their annual weekend
vacation that is organized
around the card game hearts.
While many stories are
whimsical and outright hilarious,
the author doesn't shy away
from talking about the real
issues these men have to
deal… This book is a very easy
read that anyone would
thoroughly enjoy.”
| Reader Review |
| with such continued excitement and devotion to a cause… proves that friendship can withstand the test of time and the effects of aging” longevity can still exist today |
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| Wynn Sherman |
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| Card-playing buddies |
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