A record turnout of approximately 80 club members attended the EPC Annual Meeting

On Sunday, January 18, the Edmonds Petanque Club held it Annual Meeting, featuring Board elections and a delicious luncheon. In the Board election, Jeanna Holtz, Jack McHenry, Melanie Milnes, and Ron Stires ran for the three open seats. Jack, Jeanna, and Ron were elected to serve for the coming two years. After years of important service to the club, David Rockwell had decided not to run for re-election, marking a milestone in the history of the club.

David Rockwell took a moment to reflect on his years of leadership on the Board

Highlights of the meeting included a prize raffle in which members holding the winning tickets came away with prizes as varied as bottles of fine French champagne from the cellars of Jacques Maussenet, a brand new set of petanque boules, the latest Rick Steves publication On the Hippie Trail, and numerous club caps. Treasurer Ro Verdeja walked members through the club’s yearly financial report. Michelle Martin spoke about membership, which at the time of the meeting stood at 131. Bill Laprade summarized the petanque highlights of 2025, including the EPC triumph in the Cross Sound Cup, and Doug Lockhart spoke about the competitions planned for 2026, featuring the new Crosstown Classic in October, which will match teams from the EPC and Seattle Petanque in a contest for the bragging rights on the east side of the Sound.

Ro and Ramiro performed two numbers after lunch

After the business meeting, a buffet burrito bowl lunch was catered by Qdoba Catering and proved yummy. The meeting closed with entertainment by Ro and his friend Ramiro who performed two Spanish language songs celebrating love, change, and courage — qualities all of us look for in petanque and in life. Before concluding the meeting, members were invited to pose questions for the Board about any topics on their minds. These touched on court etiquette, opportunites for connection beyond the courts, and suggestions for petanque-related travel beyond Edmonds. Thanks to everyone for their attendance and especially to the volunteers who worked to make the meeting possible.

Michelle Martin appreciates everything about the EPC.

Image and photographs by Ron LaRue and Howard Heflin