End of an era: Connie Summerow (center), who retired as the facility supervisor at Houseman Recreation Center, was recently honored at a banquet. She was joined by coworkers, from left, Schamina Allen, Joyce Moore, Shioban Siegle and Mike McGovern. TOM WARING / TIMES PHOTO
The Houseman Recreation Center-based Philly Tar Heels 16-and-under basketball team celebrated its city championship at a recent banquet and awards ceremony.
The undefeated Tar Heels also used the occasion to honor retiring recreation leader Connie Summerow.
The championship players are Hugzer Sygney, Most Valuable Player Elmange Watson, Jahmir Taylor, Alex Rodriguez, Mohammad Samara, Isaiah Watson, James Bishop, Shakur Jones, Quintin Graves, Idris Sheppard and Dwine Walls. Their motto was, “One Team, One Goal, No Excuses.” They received medallions and rings.
The team is coached by Ed Drayton and assistants Micah Maxton and Lamar Drayton.
The banquet, held June 7 at the A-Lounge in Feltonville, featured dinner, drinks, cakes, music, dancing and tributes to Summerow, whose last day as Houseman facility supervisor was June 14.
The Tar Heels and Summerow’s Department of Recreation colleagues roasted her, joking about her iron-fisted ways, but adding that she did it in a loving and caring way. They agreed they will miss the woman affectionately known as “Miss Connie.” She received a championship medallion and a plaque from “The Houseman Family.”
Summerow said she’ll be available to help the Houseman staff in any way they need. She joked that she will run for mayor to guarantee that Houseman, located at Summerdale and Godfrey avenues, gets some much-needed play equipment and improvements to the outdoor basketball courts. ••
