EPC President to Introduce Pickleball to EPRD Board of Directors Tuesday
At the Aug. 23 EPRD board meeting at Buchanan Rec Center, Bob Taber will make a 20 minute presentation on the growth of pickleball, EPC’s activities and the need for additional courts in Evergreen. The meeting, which starts at 5 pm, is open to the public via Zoom or live in person.
Anticipate That Marshdale Courts Will Be Closed One Day This Week for a Film Shoot
It didn’t take long for film production companies to scout the most photogenic pickleball courts in Colorado and discover Marshdale.
A film company from Denver has put a hold with EPRD on all Marshdale Courts for Wednesday through Friday this week for a one-day shoot. They’ll let us know which day sometime Monday. When we know we’ll let you know.
Register Now for CPR/AED Training Friday, Noon- 3 pm
Still time to sign up for Evergreen Fire Rescue’s CPR/AED certification class on Friday, Aug. 26, noon - 3 pm in the Training Room at EFR headquarters station in Bergen Park.
However, there’s been a. change in how the $25 fee for American Red Cross certification is paid. Participants must pay the fee at the start of class Friday. If you registered through the EPC Gear page and paid by credit card, the fee has been refunded.
About half of the 16 slots available are still open. Make your reservations with Jim Hunsaker.
Evergreen Players Invade Palisade Pickleball Courts
June Flinn reports, “For the 2nd year, Bruce and I took a group of campers who happen to be pickleball players to Grand Mesa for a campout. I contacted the (USA Pickleball) Ambassador of the Palisade Pickleball Club, and it was the same person I spoke to last year. She remembered me and asked us to bring our group on Tuesday and Thursday to play on their courts. She and a group met us at the gate on Tuesday, explained the local rules and asked that we mix in with their group so we did! It was really fun and she just called to invite us back next year.
“Their ambassador is Wanda Robinson and she is also a certified referee. Her husband Pete is her assistant. Wanda asked that if you do put something in our newsletter that I send it to her. She wants to present it to the city council to show that pickleball does their part to get the tourists there!”
So here you go Wanda. Hope we can help you get dedicated courts for our visit next summer.
Looking to Cut Your Own Firewood?
Dave and Laura Figuli have offered access to their property up Blue Creek Road off Hwy. 73 for pickleball players to cut their own firewood. For exact location, access and some assistance in locating, cutting and loading contact Dave.
Hot August Night Social and EPC Tailgate Party Pics
Jerry Beth Owen on the Tailgate Party: “The weather turned out perfectly. I counted 56 people. The pulled pork was smokey and delicious. The chicken skewers were pretty good as well. There was a great variety of side dishes: potato salad, baked beans, tabouli salad, watermelon, a zucchini casserole, veggies trays, hummus, cheese, crackers and salami, macaroni salad, chips and dip, guacamole, cupcakes, cake, cookies and fudge.
The challenge courts were busy. Katherine won on the doubles court. Jane won on the singles court. Sally and Tamra won on the two games of musical chairs pickleball. There were also many games on all of the courts.
The party was a great success!
New members Kirk and Valerie, Mary Ellen and Greg had fun getting to know everyone. Photo bomb by Julie.
I Give It an 85. You Can Really Swing to It.
We got a note from musician Ed Bruneau: “Just released a new pickleball song which I wrote and produced. Would love you to share it with your members. Hope you like it!”
Titled “A Dinkin’ Problem” it’s a fun, western swing ditty. “Whose serve? What’s the score? Are you one or two?”
The Week’s Tip from Hiwan Pickleball Pro Tom Karas: Back to Basics
Get those paddles up and ready for anything.
Paddle Up
Being ready for any shot means keeping your paddle up. Why? Because you won’t have time to raise it when a quick volley comes at you. Many of us think we are keeping our paddle up more often than we actually are. As I have taken candid photos of play, I have a hard time finding good examples of players waiting with paddle up.
Having your paddle up means you are alert and ready for anything. It also gives your opponents a target whether they realize it or not. You might be surprised how many shots are unconsciously directed at a raised paddle. It’s such a tease.
Ready for Anything
When you are in the ready position, you are facing the net with your paddle up and out in front of you. Your weight is evenly distributed and on the balls of your feet, so your heels barely touch the ground. Bent knees and weight on the front of your feet help you spring into action when you need to move up or shuffle sideways.
From the ready position you can quickly rotate your paddle face to block a shot, reach up or extend your arm sideways, bend low to pick up a shot near your feet, or pivot to change the angle of your shot. It will be difficult for your opponent to get a ball past you.
Eye on the Ball Says It All
You may think it’s just a whiffle ball, but those yellow rounds meet very specific requirements. The ball must have a certain hardness and a certain bounce. There must be between 26 and 40 holes spaced appropriately. The balls with larger holes are customarily used for indoor play but any approved ball is acceptable for outdoor play.
Now that you know a little about those balls, take a closer look. Watch that ball come all the way into your paddle. Focus on seeing one of the holes. Watch the ball hit your opponent’s paddle and come off it toward you. A sure way to swing and miss is to take your eye off the ball. Besides inviting an error, taking your eye off the ball to look where you want to aim it signals to your opponents where they should expect the return shot. Don’t give them that edge. (Reprinted with the permission of Beverly Keil)
Focusing on these three basics is a surefire way to improve your game. Try it, you’ll like it!