  A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT Hello Picklers, It is happening. We are moving through COVID and starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I hope that many of you have been able to get vaccinated. Someday soon, we should be able to have a full schedule going again at the high school. Until then, here is an update on what the PTPC board has been working on. 1. We had Good Man Sanitation bring the Porta Potty back to the high school. We are still sharing the cost of this service with the tennis players. 2. Board members are meeting with Jefferson County Parks and Recreation to advise them on finalizing their plans for resurfacing the courthouse tennis court and turning the space into 2 pickleball only courts. Jefferson County will fund the entire project and it should begin sometime in the spring. 3. Board members met with Port Townsend Parks and Rec to find out what they plan to do with the area around the MV court perimeter. The City did a great job removing the berm but it did leave a strip of dirt that leads to mud and sand being tracked onto the court. We gave them the suggestion of filling the area with gravel, but they said that wouldn’t work due to their lawn mowers. They seeded the area with grass seed and assured us that they would watch over the grass growth and also keep the courts clean. PLEASE AVOID WALKING ON THE PERIMETER UNTIL THE GRASS COMES IN. 4. The future for playing pickleball at the YMCA is on hold until the City of Port Townsend determines if the YMCA will be operating the MV pool. If it is decided that the YMCA will manage the pool, it may put PTPC in a better position to have Y staff available to run our indoor program. We will keep you updated with any new developments. 5. It sounds as though players are enjoying returning to play at the high school. Even though the mask guidelines are still in place, the better court surface has been drawing people back to play there.Thank you for continuing to keep the noise down, for being cognizant of the tennis play as you enter and exit the gate, and for only playing on 2 diagonal courts. That is the news for now. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to play pickleball during these COVID times. I hope that many of you have been able to get out and play often this winter. Tip of the month- Hit the overhead smash at the feet of the closest opponent. Be well, stay healthy. Mary Interview with Pro Pickleball Player "Julie Manuel  2019 Minto US Open Championships Women’s Doubles, 5.0, 19-49, Semi-Final Match. (Photo sent in by Julie Manuel) Pickleball has become a popular sport among young and old. The game allows anyone with a knee, hip replacement to a pacemaker to be able to get out and enjoy an easy or a competitive game of pickleball. Meet Julie Manuel, a Pro Pickleball player you can watch in the 2019 Minto US Open Championships Women’s Doubles, 5.0, 19-49, Semi-Final Match. If the commentator had not revealed that Julie was out on the courts playing with a pacemaker at a high level of pickleball, I would have never guessed. The match on the link below is Julie and her partner Beth Merchant playing against Anna Leigh Waters and Stacie Townsend. Impressive and inspirational, Julie gives us all hope that whatever any one of us may be battling, we too can be overcomers. Read the interview here. https://www.pickleballchannel.com/2019/05/womens-doubles-5-0-19-49-semi-from-the-2019-minto-us-open/  The American Heart Association is an informative foundation that celebrates a Healthy Heart month every year in February. Read more.  Coach and Pro pickleball player "Simone Jardim" with 4 of her students go over the advanced third shot strategies and when to run up to the kitchen. Watch here.  Top Ten most common intermediate pickleball mistakes and how to fix them. Click here.  Dr. Berg discussing the benefits of drinking lemon water. Click here.  Meet Craig Walls and Susan Green PTPC Club Members In the above photo Craig and Susan participated in the first annual Bainbridge Island Founders tournament. (Photo sent in by Susan Green) Craig Walls and Susan Green met 8 years ago in San Diego where each grew up. Early on they discovered that they both wanted to experience living in a different part of the country after spending their entire lives in Southern California. They spent time online exploring different areas in the PNW, and shortly after retirement they took a leap of faith and moved to Washington. They picked Port Townsend after driving through it on a road trip the year before. Susan said the decision was easy. “It’s a charming town on the water and has three grocery stores." Craig was attracted to the waterways and mountains in the area, as well as the woodworking community. They’ve been in PT for 3 1/2 years. C&S both left large families in San Diego and enjoy going back as often as possible.They went to SD for several months this winter and plan to make it an annual event. Shortly after arriving in PT, C&S met Patti Rowdabaugh who introduced them to pickleball. They were hooked immediately and have thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie and exercise that this great game offers. C&S both like to garden, hike, golf and explore all that the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Craig is also into woodworking while Susan experiments with painting and various other crafts. Craig and Susan think Port Townsend is a wonderfully welcoming community. They especially value the friendships they’ve made through pickleball. Craig serves as Treasurer on the Board and Susan serves on the Strategic Planning Committee. These two are always smiling on and off the courts. When you see Craig or Susan, give them a big thank you for what they do for our club.  Photo taken at the top of Hurricane Ridge Port Angeles WA.  We sure have dedicated and enthusastic pickleball players. No snow or cold temperatures stop them from having fun! Hal gave us the thumbs up that the Club's new water squeegee works like a champ. These photos were taken at the High School courts on snow day. Pictured in photos are Club members Kim Rafferty and Bob Wheeler. (Photos taken by Hal Leskinen)   Look at these happy ladies, all bundled up and ready for some pickleball. This is what the game does, puts a big smile on your face and forms wonderful friendships. Left to right: VP Patti Rowdabaugh, Gail Oldroyd, Robin Fling and Sharlene Shiroma. (photo sent in by Patti)   
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