By Irene Fraties

This December issue of the newsletter is not only the last of the year 2011, but my last as editor. I've enjoyed getting to meet a number of you through the stories you've sent and in face to face meetings at a number of tournaments over the last two years.  Your kind words along the way have always been music to my ears.  Knowing that you enjoy receiving and reading this newsletter has been the best payback I could get for my efforts.

And thanks for all your contributions to the content of this newsletter.  Your stories about introducing pickleball and starting programs where there were none before are motivational.  Your stories about how you raise funds when no public funds are available are inspirational.  Your stories that talk about players ranging in age from young kids to 90 year olds are affirming.  And your stories about the fun and fellowship that people always enjoy when they're playing make me smile.  I'm leaving this position with renewed belief in the strength of the membership to accomplish challenging goals and in the tremendous potential for growth in this sport.

In this issue I'll introduce you to the new e-newsletter staff.  The three folks named here will be the prime members of the committee, but several of you have already expressed interest in being ongoing contributors, what we might call regional or special interest reporters.   That's great! Keep those ideas and stories coming!

You'll meet a second new member of the Board of Directors in this issue - the new Director of the Ambassador Program.   Our thanks to Doc Rampacek, the outgoing Director, for his service in that capacity.  And welcome to our newest volunteer on the Board, Christie Borne.

Just one more note of highlights in this issue.  In the spirit of keeping you informed about some of the work our Board members do, we have an article from David Jordan on some key activities of the Marketing and Sales Chair.  And thanks to Earl Hill, we have some fascinating accomplishments from the Ambassador Program.  And as an end of year reminder, the Jordans reiterate for us why we should encourage all our pickleball-playing friends to become members of the USAPA.

As always, we also have your stories, from the wonderful programs with youth that have been put into place in Ogden, Utah to an incredible 90-year old who still plays pickleball. Hope you enjoy the issue.

Keep pickling on!

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