EPC Members Donate 24 Ukrainian Paddles in 24 Hours, Let's Add 6 More
Fred Schlitcting and his father in Schwalbach, Germany
Last week we reported Diane and Dale Jeffries playing at a sport club in Germany and meeting families of Ukrainian refugees learning to play pickleball. She took notice.
“Gotta tell you that when I saw/met some of the refugees, I almost burst into tears. Just felt like grabbing all of them and hugging them (but thought better of it.) I’m sure they’d appreciate empathy but not pity. With the language barrier, it’s difficult to connect. But pickleball sure seemed to provide a common, universal way of relating and having fun. Something they sorely need right now,” Diane said.
And what Fred Schlicting, the pickleball pro at the TGS sport club, told Diane they needed right now were paddles and balls for all the new players.
So we asked if you’d donate $35 for an EPC Paddletek® Club paddle with “Sláva Ukrayíni! (Glory to Ukraine) printed on the face.
Within 24 hours we had 24 paddles and balls donated. But we set a goal of 30, so we’re looking for 6 more donations.
Funny how a silly game can bring people together to make a difference for others who want to join in the fun, to laugh again.
We stand with Ukraine.
Time to Get Your Dink On: Register Now for EPC Spring Dinkeroo 2022
Registration is open for our first member tournament of the season. Dinkeroo is a fun, friendly, competitive tournament open to EPC members of all skill levels. Groups of eight will play a round robin based on dinking. Every shot, including the serve, is from the No Volley Zone, or the kitchen line. The ball must bounce before you hit it and it must land in the opponent’s kitchen.
Watch how the game is played.
$10 registration fee for EPC members. If you haven’t paid your 2022 dues, add your EPC membership as you register for the tournament.
A couple things to remember:
Though you can sign up more than one person, everyone plays as an individual. It’s a round robin so there are no teams.
After you add your membership and registration to your cart, look at the upper right corner of the web page and click on Cart (2) to complete the transaction.
If you don’t plan to play but would like to be involved, we need volunteers on the courts. Let us know what you can do.
“Friday Pickle and Potluck” Gets Underway This Friday, May 13
One of the most fun things we do in the summer is “Friday Pickle and Potluck” at Marshdale. This Friday and every Friday through the summer open play starts at 4 pm. Everyone brings a dish to share and their favorite beverage (alcohol is allowed). Stay after play and enjoy the food, beverages and camaraderie under the pavilion.
EPC Board to Hold a Special Meeting Wednesday, May 18
A special meeting of the EPC Board of Directors has been called by Secretary John Dunlop to present and discuss proposals for Directors & Officers and Liability insurance. The meeting is open to members and will be held via Zoom
“Singles with Linda” is Not What You Think
If doubles doesn’t always do it for you, you might want to try “Singles with Linda.” No really, USA Pickleball Ambassador Linda Jacobsen wants to play singles. If that floats your boat you can email her and let her know you’re up for it. Or is it down with it? Either way, it promises to be a punishingly good time.
Become a Certified USA Pickleball Referee at No Cost
“Big Mike” Morian is USA Pickleball Great Plains Region director for referee management and training. He’s offering to come up to Evergreen to hold a clinic in referee certification at no cost to participants.
Here’s what’s entailed: The initial class is 5-6 hours of book review and referee expectations with a break for lunch. The next class is all on-court practice with Mike and possibly another trained referee.
To become a Level 1 referee, students must show proficiency in handling singles matches, stacking and using line judges. There are written tests to be passed and an eye exam to prove you can see. That’s a good thing.
If you’re interested contact Mike.