More new players at Miller Park!

Barb

Driss

Driss and Thaddeus

MacNasia on the bench

Rains were intermittent

Al pointing

Veida (Vee) trying her hand

Danny discussing play with Kwesi

Last week's efforts at recruiting a few new players during our demonstration event at the Parisian Promenade in Greensboro are beginning to pay off.  Veida brought her three sons, Kwesi, MacNasia, and Thaddeus, over to Miller Park in Winston-Salem for Sunday play.

We were also pleased to have Driss and Sandy, just back from a visit to Amelia Island and Saturday play in Lincolnton, join us on Sunday.  In addition, Nelson brought a friend, Al, to play for the first time.

Throw in the return of Rom and Barb, who've been absent for a few weeks, and add the usual cast of characters-- Danny&Sue, Fred, Gail, Stump, Cheryl, Nelson, Rebekah, James, Shirley, and myself-- and you can see we had a nice crowd.  The rain shortened play a little bit, we waited through three downbursts before finally giving it up, but we had a good time anyway and hope to see better weather and comparable crowds next week.

Overflow crowd for Lincolnton Saturday play

Flowers courtesy of Driss Darhnaj

Sandwich lunch

Jane and Phil (Jean's cousin)

Driss

Philippe Trochard

Jean and Kathy

Rebekah

Sue Daniels

Based on the turnouts for the last two times we've played in Lincolnton, I'm beginning to consider adding another couple of courts.  The two we have now will only accommodate a dozen players at a time and we've exceeded that number recently.

I'm thinking of getting the turf scraped in the area near the existing courts in order to begin the process.  A little coarse gravel, maybe some weed barrier, and a little screenings or decomposed granite and we'd have room for maybe another dozen players.  Plus, I'd like to have a firmer surface than the somewhat-spongy one we now have in order to provide more variety to our playing conditions.

Just thinkin'.

Wednesday 6/4/14

With Nelson and James

Six (Bob and Shirley not pictured) for petanque on Wednesday morning at Miller Park (2500 Queen St, Winston-Salem, NC).  We were glad to have James as a walk-up player.  Hope he'll return soon.

Training Day

Driss with Sandy

Higher!!!

Like this!

Straight from last weekend's Memorial Day Select Doubles Open tournament win in Zanesfield, Ohio, Dharnaj Driss gave us some tips on play at our home in Lexington on Monday morning.

Parisian Promenade-- 2014

Proud Mom with budding prospects

Danny holding rake and pretending to work

At last, someone REALLY working

Kirk was "Trainer of the Day"

Ladies playing!

Ohio doubles Champion, Driss, with Rebekah

"Stump" taking charge

Interested party

Rick, Sue, Danny

Cheryl and Stump

Bob was a tireless trainer too

Unanimous choice for best prospect(s)-- Mac (and Thad)

The 2014 version of the Parisian Promenade at Tanger Bicentennial Gardens in Greensboro was a big success.  Thanks to Danny, Sue D, Sandy, Driss, Rick, Maggie, Kirk, Bo, Bob, Kristi, Cruz, Terry, Sue W, Stump, Cheryl, Rebekah, Nelson, Linnea, Mary Hazel, Rusty, Marcia, and Shirley for helping.

And to all the nice people at Tanger Bicentennial Gardens, especially Mebane and Ryan, for inviting us!

Gary

Return from Zanesfield

Part of Carolina Petanque's medal haul from Zanesfield

Leon and Judith

Bek

Shirley and I returned to Miller Park on Wednesday for morning play.  We were delighted to have our friend Sandy join us.  Also, Rebekah's parents, Leon and Judith, stopped by to watch their "baby" in action.

We played for several hours in the shade.  It's cool and comfortable in the mornings.