About 100 people celebrated Tuesday night in the festively decorated party room at The Wild Game, raising $3,700 for Evergreen Christian Outreach.

EPC social director Kathy Kincannon put together a stellar event, organizing live and silent auctions, managing the very successful premiere of a toy drive, dealing with location and catering details, and even putting together a lovely flower arrangement.

“Jerry Beth (Owen) was extremely helpful,” Kathy said. She and Kathy worked together to get the artwork for the silent auction, and Jerry Beth helped set up and work the party.

“I was very pleased, at the last minute, to get Dale from Echo to come to our party,” Kathy said. “I think he added a lot to educating everybody on where our donations go to, and what they go for.”

Dale Flanders, EChO executive director, shared his gratitude for the widespread community support shown to his organization. “I mean, this is a pickleball club!” he said in amazement.

Kathy secured the presence of a new EPC supporter. “I was so happy to get David Martin, CEO of the Light Lounge, to join our Christmas gala. He brought a lot to the party—hoping that he will sponsor one of the tournaments next year.”

Jeri Herskovits, EPC treasurer, handled party finances as always, but also was drafted fill part of VP John Dunlop’s usual emcee role. Kathy’s husband, Jamie, stepped in also, calling raffle winners to the stage to pick up their prizes.

Let’s not forget dessert, with five bakers entering into a friendly cupcake competition. EPC-er Chris Abbott was declared the winner for her chocolate cupcake with a raspberry layer.

“The raspberry layer was a jam made by monks from an abbey in Spencer, Mass.,” she said. “They're called Trappist Preserves. The original recipe called for making a raspberry layer from scratch but the jam makes it easier. I thought I bombed on the frosting; normally it's a little thicker. I was actually embarrassed on the drive over to the event because I didn't think they stacked up. I'm glad people liked them. It was a wonderful surprise and a wonderful event.”

Lots more party photos below, after more news.

New Wulf schedules released

According to the Thanksgiving week schedule now posted, pickleball will be restricted to only two courts at Wulf next Monday and Tuesday, due to EPRD camp. However, on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, pickleball will have all four courts in the morning and an open play slot for all abilities from 5:30 to 6:45 that evening. The schedule for the first three weeks of December also has been issued. It looks a lot like the current schedule.

Register now for Jan. 4 EPRD pickleball tournament

Player slots in the Icebreaker 2025 pickleball tournament at Wulf gym on Saturday, Jan. 4, are starting to fill in. “The max number of teams is currently set for 16, but if we fill up we can look at adding more,” EPRD recreation supervisor Jeff Sweet said.

The tournament is for Advanced/Upper Intermediate-level players. Register as a two-player team—male, female or mixed. There is a place on the form to enter both players’ names.

Cost is $40 per team, with a three-game guarantee.

EPRD builds us a shed

Monte Poague, EPC director of facilities and maintenance, is the keeper of the combination at the spiffy new shed on the south side of the Marshdale courts. So far, the shed contains squeegees and some of Mick Pearce’s tournament paraphernalia.

Outside the shed is a large waterproof tub, donated by Todd Landrum, for misplaced items. So far at least, it’s well utilized..