You just know it's going to be a great day when you wake up and the birds are chirping and the sky is Carolina blue.

It becomes an awesome day when you spend the afternoon with 40 kids playing tennis in the Southern Pines Recreation Department's "Kids Carnival." The rec department, along with the Moore Tennis Association, put the event together, including free tennis rackets and lunch for all the participants.

On hand to help with the carnival were Ryan Peterson, a tennis instructor from the Lawn and Tennis Club, and Bruce Adams, the pro at the Seven Lakes Country Club Tennis Center. Along with all the other volunteers on hand it was just a great event and a great way to spend the day.

The Seven Lakes Country Club Tennis Center will be hosting its "Kids Carnival" on Saturday, April 14, and 40 kids will have the same opportunity to have some real good, clean fun. For more information, call the tennis center at (910) 673-1096.

The local adult tennis leagues are in full swing with lots of great tennis at all the local clubs. Today we will report on the Senior Leagues, so let's get to the videotape.

Ladies 4.0: Jan Cantley's and Susan Foster's team from The Pinehurst Club jumped out to an early lead in its division, just ahead of Harriet Shooter's from Dark Branch Racquet and Swim Club, followed by Mollie Slate's team out of The National Club.

Ladies 3.5: Clair Kuhn from The National Club and her ladies are in first place with two big wins. In second place is Cynthia Wicker's team from Carolina Trace, followed by Caren Broadwell's team from the Pinehurst club and Linda Duncan and her team, also from the Pinehurst club.

Ladies 3.0: Jumping out to a strong lead is Cindy Celey's team from the Pinehurst club, followed by Mary Sheridan's ladies, also of the Pinehurst club. Right behind them are two teams from Seven Lakes, Joyce Charles' and Barb Campbell's, followed by Janet Baker's ladies from Lawn and Tennis.

Men's 3.0: Jim Polakof's team from the Lawn and Tennis Club takes the early-league lead from Don Pollard's team out of Beacon Ridge Country Club.

Other men's divisions have not started their league play, but once they do I will keep you posted on their progress. There is also a large Adult League and I'll keep you filled in on what is happening in that league once its action starts to heat up.

A note to all the captains: Please send me your results so they may be shared with the local tennis community.

As you can see, the leagues are off and running. All is well with the tennis world.

Until next time -- see ya on the courts!!

Barbara Horan's email is horan@earthlink.net