Page 84 - April 2015 Life In Naples Magazine

MMURIRLAEY’S

M urray Hendel has left Gulf Shore Blvd THE 1.3 MILE PRIVATE SIDEWALK BETWEEN THE GULF OF MEXICO AND THE CONDOMINIUMS LOCATED ON GULF
and he has left behind “Murray’s Mile.” SHORE BLVD NORTH, FROM THE CONDOMINIUM HORIZON HOUSE NORTH TO LE PARC WAS DEDICATED ON
Mr. Hendel is moving to Bentley Village
after over 27 years on Gulf Shore. He walked the FEBRUARY 19TH AS THE MURRAY MILE . IT IS TO HONOR A TRULY DEDICATED RESIDENT AND THE MOST EFFECTIVE
beach behind his Park Shore high-rise condo. The VOLUNTEER LEADER EVER MURRAY HENDEL. PAULINE AND MURRAY WILL BE MOVING TO BENTLEY VILLAGE.THE
beach walk nearly a mile long was where you could WALKWAY WILL NOT BE THE SAME WITHOUT MURRAY GREETING ALL, NEARLY EVERYDAY...FOR YEARS.
find Murray walking almost everyday. During
his daily walks politicians often joined him. They Collier Citizens Council (CCC) is a civic group Murray co-founded with members
would seek Hendel’s council on issues, be they local, throughout the County. The CCC brings concerned minds from both the city and
State or National. Not only politicians would seek county to examine various programs and ideas that are brought foward for their
his advice, but leaders in industry and commerce input. Murray also was very involved in trying to bring the Chicago Cubs to Naples
would search for time on the walks with Murray for spring training. Mr. Hendel may have left the city to move to the county but
to ask their questions and receive his valued advice. Mayor John Sorey still considers him an honorary city citizen. He maybe living in
the county, but the work he did in the city and the big footprints he left on “Murray’s
Murray served on many boards in both the Mile” will last for decades. We will not miss Murray because he will always be here.
city and county. The County Tourist Development
Council which Murray served on for more than
a decade will surely miss his straightforward
advice that usually was spot on. The Gulf Shore
Association of Condominiums where for thirteen
years Murray showed off his great leadership
skills as one of its founders and for seven years
as its president will miss his valuable council. The

The ‘Clay In May’
One Giant Leap For Tennis In Southwest Florida!

C ommunist parades, medieval pole festivals, an enormous tennis tournament; it must
be May.And in this season ending month here at Cambier Park in downtown Naples
we speak tournament tennis; and we speak it fluently. That’s because arguably the
biggest tennis tournament around is about to start. With annual participation of over 500
entrants, spanning the entire month of May, this truly is a category 5 storm of an event.

With its unique format of self-match scheduling and month-long play, the entire local
tennis community comes together for this festival of tennis. Both the players and spectators
truly create an electric atmosphere.

On June 21st, 1969 man first set foot on the moon. But two months before this occurred;
there was the start of something momentous in Naples, Florida. The very first ‘Clay In May’
(as the tournament is now referred to) was begun. For 45 years players have been competing
for the title of City Champion in this richest of traditions in local tennis. Historically, it was
one small step for a tennis center; but one giant leap for tennis in Southwest Florida.

So come on downtown to the Arthur Allen Tennis Center in Cambier Park. This
year’s entry deadline will be Friday, April 24th, so whether as a player or spectator you can
experience tennis excitement and history this May!

84 Life in Naples | April 2015