MEMBER, FEDERATION OF PÉTANQUE USA AND F.I.P.J.P. - INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF PÉTANQUE AND THE PROVENÇAL GAME.
F.I.P.J.P. GOVERNS THE SPORT OF PÉTANQUE IN 79 COUNTRIES.

2008 Club Championships

[August 9, 2008] The tightly-wound John Lynch revved things up a few notches and stole the Oakhurst club championship.

Throughout the day his consistency in play and great mental toughness ultimately brought him the big trophy. Right behind John were Tish Harris in second place and Paul Bozinovski in third.

With temperatures approaching 100 degrees in Oakhurst, the games got hotter in tandem with the day's weather. Twenty two club members were competing in the event, each aiming for a trophy, and throughout the morning's qualification play which determined the players who would progress into either the Concours [championship] or Consolante [consolation] rounds, it was anyone's guess who would wind up in the ultimate rounds...nd it turned out to be John Lynch, Tish Harris, and Paul Bozinovsky filling out the champions top three.

Pulling up a close second and into the Consolation top three were winner Don Cohn (center), Mary Campbell-Mann (right), second, and Jan Heady (left), third. A relative newcomer to the club, Jan Heady, surprised everyone with her solid play, and great competitive spirit, and old-timer, charter member of Oakhurst Petanque Club, Mary Campbell- Mann also achieved a big comeback after not doing so well in the initial morning rounds.

The great OPC Food &Fun Committee, under the guidance of amazing chef Vicki Cohn, prepared a fabulous lunch of tri-tip and pulled pork with a large selection of salads, fruit and plenty of good things to drink.

Next up for the OPC gang: The Emile Furlan Memorial Invitational, one of our club members' favorite events. If you haven't spent a day in a Monet painting, then you haven't been to the Furlan. Held in a gorgeous walnut ranch in Knights Landing, California, with picnic lunches spread out between the rows of trees, and the petanque courts bordering a placidly beautiful lagoon...well, one can't experience a more perfect day.

One of the ultimate experiences of the Furlan Invitational is the giant dinner Simone Furlan and her chef pals put on for Saturday night at the Robbins, CA community hall. Music, great foods served over many courses, drinks and a chance to socialize combine to send participants' moods skyward.

Here in Oakhurst, we call "the Furlan" a "Don't Miss" event. And it's coming up the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend.

Do You Petanque?

If you have withheld your participation in petanque, perhaps you feel it's a game only for experts. And you'd be wrong! All levels of players can enjoy Petanque - and do! Come join us in the fun, healthy, and historical game (which dates back to the ancient Romans!)

Membership is $25 per calendar year and you can participate in the many gatherings - both gaming and social - and show off your cooking prowess as the club has many "potluck" social events throughout the year. But most important comes the healthful aspect of light exercise, laughing a lot, and being out in the fresh air year 'round!

Join Team Blue! Click Here for membership application

This is Freddie the cochonnet thief. Guard your cochonnets with your life! He's our newest club resident, a Stellers Jay...and News Flash: Freddie appears to be in love. He's been getting the attention of a potential wife (the little tart!). They both seem to enjoy unsalted whole peanuts as treats, so if you want to bring them a gift, feel free. It keeps their minds off the cochonnets!

Below is Digger. This ground squirrel "owns" our terrains and has very little fear of people. He, too, enjoys the peanuts, and always appreciates any handouts from club members.

Rare Plant at Petanque Club

According to www.calflora.org this plant has never been officially observed in Madera County, much less at Oakhurst's elevation.

The rare Orobanche.vallicola arose, literally, beneath a wild elderberry bush. Several local wildflower enthusiasts were astounded by the occurrence since Orobanche (Broomrape) is a parasite and, apparently, grows only from the roots of the elderberry, from which they obtain their nourishment.

These experts were further amazed that we have not one, but six of the plants growing around the base of the elderberry! Sometimes Orobanche main feeder roots extend up to six feet down into the soil to tap the host's root. The plant above-ground is a fuzzy, brownish plant with blossoms that change color with each day they are showing (see picture above right).

We're hoping it reappears this Spring. Further info: here, here, and and here.