Let’s catch up: Gala, election, more
At the Gala. From left, Gayle Spears, Jen Miller and Nancy Pudwill, everyone’s favorite pickleball addict. No offense, Timmy Mac.
It’s about time I brought you up to date on what’s been happening in the Evergreen pickleball scene this month. Let’s talk about EPC board of directors business first. Then we’ll get to the fun stuff, like the Holiday Gala raising $9,000 for EChO.
Record crowd turns out to elect four board members
About 25 people showed up Dec. 10 at Evergreen Library for the EPC annual All Members Meeting. They re-elected two board members and filedl two empty seats. It is true the candidates were unopposed, but they are all exceptionally well qualified for the jobs they’ll be doing and we truly are lucky they’re willing to serve.
Todd Landrum will take over as board secretary, a position he has coveted since he was a small child. It warms the heart to see him realize his dream. Valerie McVay may not have met such a long-time goal, but she will be selecting and promoting EPC-branded gear on our website.
Jeri Herskovits will, thankfully, remain as treasurer and Kathy Kincannon will start her first full term as social director. Kathy is the force behind our tournament refreshments and big events like the Holiday Gala and the Spring Fling.
This is your 2026 EPC board: Bob Kerr, president; John Dunlop, vice president; Jeri Herskovits, treasurer; Todd Landrum, secretary; Roger Miles, tournament director; Jim Hunsaker, website; Debbie Marshall, newsletter editor; Kathy Kincannon, social director; Valerie McVay, gear sales; Monte Poague, facilities and equipment; Travis Ervick, development and inter-club relations.
After the election vote, we moved on to a couple presentations of interest to the local pickleball community. Ashley Hermes and Mary Lidmila of Mountain Mama’s Sports Complex, destined for a site west of the Staples store in Conifer, presented their plans to offer some pickleball at the complex. Nick Mitchell of Club 45, which recently opened at Evergreen Parkway and Lewis Ridge Road (the bubble), also addressed EPC members.
The All Members Meeting was serious business, apparently.
Gala raises whopping amount for EChO
About a hundred people gathered at Mount Vernon Canyon Club Dec. 4 for the EPC Holiday Gala, sipping drinks, relishing appetizers and raising $9,000 for Evergreen Christian Outreach. The live auction was the big moneymaker, with EPC VP John Dunlop skillfully encouraging competitive bidding and, in a genius move, turning one dinner for eight into two.
So EChO executive director Dale Flanders will prepare two in-home dinners for eight instead of one and EChO will get $3,600 for its efforts to aid those in need. Kim and Kyel Hodenfield will host a dinner, as well as Chris and Julie Ann Courim.
Fundraising also included a ring toss for excellent bottles of donated wine, a silent auction, a raffle and event tickets.
Kathy Kincannon and a team including Jerry Beth Owen did an outstanding job of organizing the Gala. It really was a fun evening.
Kim and Kyel Hodenfield confer with chef Dale Flanders about the menu he’ll be preparing. Not yet, though, because Kim had a double knee replacement surgery the morning after the Gala. A lot of us are happy she won’t be wiping the floor with us while painfully hobbling around.
Chris Courim, left, and John Wells. Not much to say about these two that hasn’t already been said. All of it good, of course.
Josette Montgomery and Jerry Beth Owen set a high standard for fashion..
Jim Fletcher and Marcia Larson. Remember when we were all whispering very stealthily about whether they were an item?
Beth Schwecke chooses from the delectables entered in the dessert contest. Pat Theno took home the prize—a massage from EPCer Dawn Satchell—and our eternal gratitude for all the masterful treats she has shared with us over the years. The winning confection is pictured at near left.
Udo Hartung and his daughter-in-law were enjoying each other’s company.
Mo and Leanor need no introduction. OK, Mo Gohlke is on the left and Leanor Lessard’s name is spelled correctly, I promise. See the name tag?
Jim Hunsaker, whose son donated the wine for the ring toss, examines Jeri Herskovits’ choice of the only rose.
Kathy Kincannon applauds the winning bid as auctioneer John Dunlop wraps up another round.
Bob Kerr addresses the crowd.
Kentucky Bob for the win
EPC member “Kentucky” Bob Hudson pulled off something of a miracle earlier this month. He won a mixed doubles category at a national tournament with a partner he had never played with until a warmup match right before the tournament.
Bob, along with Eva Myers of Grandbury, Texas, took the gold medal in the 3.0 mixed doubles (70-74) at the U.S. Senior National Pickleball Tournament at Pictona in Holly Hill, Fla., Dec. 6. There were 1,005 registered athletes.
Eva and Bob, who met online, rallied back from 1-9, and 1-7 games in pool play to enter the medal bracket as the #1 seed. Staying true to form, they entered the gold medal game against the #2 seed down 0-4, 4-7, 8-8, 8-10, 10-12, 12-12—finally winning 15-12.
“It started sprinkling on the courts with the score tied 12-12,” Bob said. “All four players elected to finish the match.” After their win, the rain began in earnest and all outdoor courts were closed to play for the next 52 hours.
Bob splits time between Kentucky and Evergreen. Congratulations from your Evergreen pickleball buddies, Bob.
Eva Myers and Bob Hudson
Get your 2026 EPC membership at this link
Someone who shall not remain anonymous, Sharon Ricci, said she can never find the spot to renew her membership, This is it.
Everyone else who is just waiting around for the electricity to reappear might as well hit this link right now too. If you’re reading this, you are connected to the Internet, right?
The board will send out an email survey of members and newsletter subscribers in early 2026. Our next board meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 6, at 9:30 a.m. at Evergreen Library. We’ll be fine-tuning survey questions then. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Things are getting very glitchy with my trusty hot spot and my laptop needs to go to the car for another charge. So let’s wrap this up. Any errors may be attributed to my proofreader, who is actually getting really good at the job. Thanks, Donnie.
P.S. Monte Poague wants me to tell you that he took the “Competitive” and “Recreational” signs down at Marshdale for the winter season. That may have been over a week ago, but you know now.
