Dry trying not to ‘skip’ a beat
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On Sunday, May 26, with his 46th season as director of the Lakemont (formerly Mansion) Park Summer Basketball League soon to begin, Skip Dry was being taken by ambulance to UPMC Altoona.
"I didn't want to go," Dry said. "My wife (Diane) forced me."
He would remain there 19 days, with a variety of ailments. It started with pneumonia, which led to sepsis and kidney failure that triggered AFib.
Family and friends were quickly summoned.
"When he first went in the hospital, he wasn't the old chipper Skipper he usually is," Joe Keller, one of Dry's closest friends, said.
Suddenly, the nuances of Lakemont -- the assignment of referees, the constant fretting over the weather forecast, the night-by-night complaints and requests -- didn't seem too important.
"I've had more blood taken out than I thought I had in my body," Dry said, saying he's dealt with a "battery of doctors."
Thankfully, he's getting better. Dry was released on June 13. He's doing rehab, and about a week later, he appeared in a golf cart at Lakemont to reacclimate.
"It feels good to be out there and feels really good to see the guys I've been associated with for 25 years," he said.
Clark Adelman has been working closely with Dry with many years, handling the schedule, refereeing and providing friendly and technical guidance.
"Clark has been outstanding," Dry said, "and all the referees have stepped up."
Adelman saw an immediate attitude shift among the Lakemont participants.
"Even the people who didn't like Skip were praying for him," Adelman said.
Mike Hofer, director of the Central Blair Recreation Commission (which oversees the Lakemont league), said everyone involved responded "because we didn't miss a beat."
"Clark filled in admirably in Skip's absence and, honestly, I don't know what we would have done with this league if Clark didn't step up," Hofer said.
Adelman said referees, out of their respect for Dry, were willing to work extra nights "even though it was 90 degrees."
Hofer also praised Diane Dry, who coordinates the legion of scorekeepers, "for everything that she has done over the years as well as the past month to keep things moving forward."
While he's enjoyed being back among his friends and peers, Dry isn't rushing a timetable.
He'd like to referee again this season, but that may only be in a three-man crew (Lakemont typically uses two) and even that's uncertain.
Dry, 75, has lost 17 pounds through this ordeal -- 37 counting the 20 he trimmed last year due to health concerns.
"Everything is better," he said. "I'm walking a lot better ... Right now, I just want to go out and get my strength back. I have to do what people tell me to keep my health. We'll see what happens."
Then he added, "After 46 years, it's something you just don't give up."
The popular summer basketball league has endured changes over its 56 years -- from an original eight teams to being NCAA-sanctioned, on and off, to seven divisions, now even including a junior high level -- but the constant has been Dry.
"For 45 years, the only reason the league has survived is because of Skip," Adelman said. "Because he's very authoritative, and he's not going to put up with stuff. You need somebody to keep order."
Keller said Dry's passion is more than being in charge.
"He also enjoyed working with the younger kids down at Northern Blair (Recreation Center)," Keller said. "He's obviously very passionate about basketball and sports in general, but he also has a good rapport with young kids and is a positive influence."
Through the last month, and though he's not sure how the rest of this season let alone next or the future will play out, Dry has felt the community's love.
"Super support," he said. "I'm not a religious man, but I definitely believe in prayers."
Rudel can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com.