An American Salute to Pétanque

Here are the original pictures from the Petanque 100 Album.

American pétanque can really be proud. As far as I know - from looking at other blogs and federation websites - we were the only country outside France where a concerted effort took place to celebrate and bring folks together. Especially new players or those who had simply forgotten about petanque.

Some of the Alliance Française chapters were super creative: cakes, posters, and even T-shirts with the "100" logo were prepared for the occasion.

"Chapeau bas aux boulistes Américains !"


Slideshow (3:45 min - with truly American music ;-)
Make sure to look in the top left corner to see the locations.

An American Salute to Pétanque

Here are the original pictures from the Petanque 100 Album.

American pétanque can really be proud. As far as I know - from looking at other blogs and federation websites - we were the only country outside France where a concerted effort took place to celebrate and bring folks together. Especially new players or those who had simply forgotten about petanque.

Some of the Alliance Française chapters were super creative: cakes, posters, and even T-shirts with the "100" logo were prepared for the occasion.

"Chapeau bas aux boulistes Américains !"


Slideshow (3:45 min - with truly American music ;-)
Make sure to look in the top left corner to see the locations.

Petanque 100 - slideshow

And here's the photo album & slide show.
( 3:10 min, with sound)

The actor/players were dressed in early 1900 garb and played with nail studded boules. The gentleman on the right with the beautiful hairdo played Jules Le Noir.
The whole "pieds tanqués" part was played, and followed by a game of the "old guard" against today's champions, Quintais, Suchaud, Loy, Lacroix, etc..
Then a couple of speeches and a a very nice traditional dance.
Then the bar opened, to everyone's delight -- it was quite hot.
The time for me to present our "American Salute to Pétanque Album" and mingle.

An unforgettable day!

I have more pics and close-ups on my camera (which has resurfaced!!) and will add them on asap. But I couldn't wait to share what I already have...

During the slideshow, you can pause, stop, FF, FR & quit at any time by moving your mouse to the bottom of the screen.

Petanque 100 - slideshow

And here's the photo album & slide show.
( 3:10 min, with sound)

The actor/players were dressed in early 1900 garb and played with nail studded boules. The gentleman on the right with the beautiful hairdo played Jules Le Noir.
The whole "pieds tanqués" part was played, and followed by a game of the "old guard" against today's champions, Quintais, Suchaud, Loy, Lacroix, etc..
Then a couple of speeches and a a very nice traditional dance.
Then the bar opened, to everyone's delight -- it was quite hot.
The time for me to present our "American Salute to Pétanque Album" and mingle.

An unforgettable day!

I have more pics and close-ups on my camera (which has resurfaced!!) and will add them on asap. But I couldn't wait to share what I already have...

During the slideshow, you can pause, stop, FF, FR & quit at any time by moving your mouse to the bottom of the screen.

Petanque 100 song - Live

I'm editing the footage of the Centenary celebration last Friday.
Let's start with the opening song.
Isabelle Zuber who wrote and performed the lively melody, is an accomplished player herself who won numerous titles in her Alsace hometown.

The photographer who gets whisked away in the background is my dear friend Jac Verheul, aka "JacPetanque" editor of the Dutch pétanque magazine, and a walking encyclopedia of the game.

Petanque 100 song - Live

I'm editing the footage of the Centenary celebration last Friday.
Let's start with the opening song.
Isabelle Zuber who wrote and performed the lively melody, is an accomplished player herself who won numerous titles in her Alsace hometown.

The photographer who gets whisked away in the background is my dear friend Jac Verheul, aka "JacPetanque" editor of the Dutch pétanque magazine, and a walking encyclopedia of the game.

An American Salute to Pétanque

La Ciotat - July 13

An unforgettable day with all the right ingredients.

Martine Pilate, grand-niece of the Pitiot Brothers, was thrilled by the album we presented. Here she is with her husband Robert.

The next day Martine sent us this note that says it better:

Mon Cher Philippe,
Nous avons été très heureux de pouvoir passer un moment ensemble ce 13 juillet.
Je te remercie bien sincèrement de cet album de photos "An American Salute to Petanque". Ce document m'a beaucoup émue et il aura sa place d'honneur.
Je voudrais non seulement te remercier mais aussi remercier tous les joueurs, enfants, hommes et femmes, présents dans cet ouvrage. D'où que puissent se trouver Ernest, Joseph et ma mère (qui étaient si fiers de ce jeu devenu sport et art de vivre), je suis certaine qu'ils ont été, tout autant que moi, sensibles à cette reconnaissance qui prouve que l'amitié, l'élan et l'enthousiasme sont les meilleurs ciments entre les hommes.
Encore merci.
Avec mon amitié
Martine

... this album has touched me deeply and it will receive a place of honor. I would like to thank not only you but all the players, children, men and women who contributed to this presentation. Wherever Ernest, Joseph and my mother (who were so proud of this game turned sport and "art of living") may be, I am convinced that they, as much as myself, have been touched by this recognition that proves that friendship, passion and enthusiasm are thé elements that bind humankind...


The album went around the audience, including Marco Foyot, who - upon seeing the Chicago pictures said: "I know that guy! (Joe of Michigan PC)".






The La Ciotat movie will follow shortly on this blog, as soon as I recover from the 5 hectic Bastille Day pétanque events in New York this weekend. Midwest Petanque Alliance already has some Brooklyn photos up on their blog.

An American Salute to Pétanque

La Ciotat - July 13

An unforgettable day with all the right ingredients.

Martine Pilate, grand-niece of the Pitiot Brothers, was thrilled by the album we presented. Here she is with her husband Robert.

The next day Martine sent us this note that says it better:

Mon Cher Philippe,
Nous avons été très heureux de pouvoir passer un moment ensemble ce 13 juillet.
Je te remercie bien sincèrement de cet album de photos "An American Salute to Petanque". Ce document m'a beaucoup émue et il aura sa place d'honneur.
Je voudrais non seulement te remercier mais aussi remercier tous les joueurs, enfants, hommes et femmes, présents dans cet ouvrage. D'où que puissent se trouver Ernest, Joseph et ma mère (qui étaient si fiers de ce jeu devenu sport et art de vivre), je suis certaine qu'ils ont été, tout autant que moi, sensibles à cette reconnaissance qui prouve que l'amitié, l'élan et l'enthousiasme sont les meilleurs ciments entre les hommes.
Encore merci.
Avec mon amitié
Martine

... this album has touched me deeply and it will receive a place of honor. I would like to thank not only you but all the players, children, men and women who contributed to this presentation. Wherever Ernest, Joseph and my mother (who were so proud of this game turned sport and "art of living") may be, I am convinced that they, as much as myself, have been touched by this recognition that proves that friendship, passion and enthusiasm are thé elements that bind humankind...


The album went around the audience, including Marco Foyot, who - upon seeing the Chicago pictures said: "I know that guy! (Joe of Michigan PC)".






The La Ciotat movie will follow shortly on this blog, as soon as I recover from the 5 hectic Bastille Day pétanque events in New York this weekend. Midwest Petanque Alliance already has some Brooklyn photos up on their blog.

Petanque 100 in San Francisco

The last Petanque 100 event on our list definitely broke the record!

Here's the photo album.

But first Christine's report:

The 100 years celebration of Petanque in the San Francisco Bay Area was a great success, with 90 people who came from all over the Bay Area : members of the Petanque clubs La Boule d'or, La Boule Joyeuse, Lamorinda, La Pétanque Marinière, Sacramento, members from the Berkeley, San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Santa Clara French Alliances, members from San Francisco Bay Accueil, and other French organizations.
And some passerby from the dog run place.
For this special occasion, we had the pleasure to have Mr Sun with us the whole day and Mr Fog and Mr Wind were nice enough to stay home.
Raymond Lerouge organized some games, with doublettes of club members, completed later by non-members, beginners or not. Janet Troussieux and Monique Martin from La Boule Joyeuse and Christine Lemor-Drake from Apple to Pomme offered the aperitif, Ricard, grenadine and amuse-gueules. A demonstration of Pointing and Shooting by Raymond was followed by 2 contests with trophies offered by the Boule d'or club.
This event was an idea from Philippe Boets, our generous sponsor (Petanque America), advertised by the San Francisco Alliance and Suzanne's Francophile list, and many players left with raffle prizes, of all kind of shapes, sizes and values. Thanks to Raymond and Pim who gave away their stuffed animals collection to make room in their house for their coming baby. For those who don't know, they just won the National Mixed Double Tournament last week-end. The biggest surprise was the delicious fruit tart baked by a member pastry chef, Jean-Claude Etallaz. Twenty seven people left their names to eventually become club members. Thank you to all the people who gave a hand during the day.
One to remember.

Anyone who has more pictures of this day, feel free to send them to us.

Petanque 100 in San Francisco

The last Petanque 100 event on our list definitely broke the record!

Here's the photo album.

But first Christine's report:

The 100 years celebration of Petanque in the San Francisco Bay Area was a great success, with 90 people who came from all over the Bay Area : members of the Petanque clubs La Boule d'or, La Boule Joyeuse, Lamorinda, La Pétanque Marinière, Sacramento, members from the Berkeley, San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Santa Clara French Alliances, members from San Francisco Bay Accueil, and other French organizations.
And some passerby from the dog run place.
For this special occasion, we had the pleasure to have Mr Sun with us the whole day and Mr Fog and Mr Wind were nice enough to stay home.
Raymond Lerouge organized some games, with doublettes of club members, completed later by non-members, beginners or not. Janet Troussieux and Monique Martin from La Boule Joyeuse and Christine Lemor-Drake from Apple to Pomme offered the aperitif, Ricard, grenadine and amuse-gueules. A demonstration of Pointing and Shooting by Raymond was followed by 2 contests with trophies offered by the Boule d'or club.
This event was an idea from Philippe Boets, our generous sponsor (Petanque America), advertised by the San Francisco Alliance and Suzanne's Francophile list, and many players left with raffle prizes, of all kind of shapes, sizes and values. Thanks to Raymond and Pim who gave away their stuffed animals collection to make room in their house for their coming baby. For those who don't know, they just won the National Mixed Double Tournament last week-end. The biggest surprise was the delicious fruit tart baked by a member pastry chef, Jean-Claude Etallaz. Twenty seven people left their names to eventually become club members. Thank you to all the people who gave a hand during the day.
One to remember.

Anyone who has more pictures of this day, feel free to send them to us.

Petanque 100 in Chicago

It's been almost a month, so high time to share some photos from our own little centenary activities on June 3rd.


Now that we've got the hang of it, count on more albums to follow.

June 3rd - Buckingham Fountain

Petanque 100 in Chicago

It's been almost a month, so high time to share some photos from our own little centenary activities on June 3rd.


Now that we've got the hang of it, count on more albums to follow.

June 3rd - Buckingham Fountain

Petanque 100 in Dallas, TX

AF North Texas had 15 teams playing on a ballfield in Glencoe Park, with many more folks watching and enjoying the weather and their picnic.

Including a lot who youngsters had never played before.

Petanque 100 in Dallas, TX

AF North Texas had 15 teams playing on a ballfield in Glencoe Park, with many more folks watching and enjoying the weather and their picnic.

Including a lot who youngsters had never played before.

Petanque 100 in Portland, OR

Portland Petanque Club combined the Petanque 100 celebration with their annual Webfoot tournament.
25 players of which some played for 8 hours into the finals.

By the way, PPC is one of the very few clubs in the country that has a real clubhouse, with cooking facilities and an outdoor terrace!

Petanque 100 in Portland, OR

Portland Petanque Club combined the Petanque 100 celebration with their annual Webfoot tournament.
25 players of which some played for 8 hours into the finals.

By the way, PPC is one of the very few clubs in the country that has a real clubhouse, with cooking facilities and an outdoor terrace!

Petanque 100 in Irvine, CA

And so did Orange Accueil, a nonprofit that welcomes newly arrived French speaking families in Orange County. There are "Accueil" organizations in most larger metropolitan areas that have saved newcomers a lot of headaches in their new environment.

The group of friends of Orange Accueil regularly uses a pétanque terrain that was laid out twenty years ago by a French teacher (and avid player) at a school in Irvine. The exact location follows.
There were 9 triplets teams. With families in all around 60 people. Having a good time.
Thanks a lot to Véronique.

Photo album of the tournament

Petanque 100 in Irvine, CA

And so did Orange Accueil, a nonprofit that welcomes newly arrived French speaking families in Orange County. There are "Accueil" organizations in most larger metropolitan areas that have saved newcomers a lot of headaches in their new environment.

The group of friends of Orange Accueil regularly uses a pétanque terrain that was laid out twenty years ago by a French teacher (and avid player) at a school in Irvine. The exact location follows.
There were 9 triplets teams. With families in all around 60 people. Having a good time.
Thanks a lot to Véronique.

Photo album of the tournament

Petanque 100 in Richmond, VA

A cheerful report from Mark in VA!

In Richmond, Viriginia, Les Boulefrogs of Church Hill commemorated the 100th anniversary of Petanque with a public demonstration of the game and picnic at the City's annual "It Starts in Parks" celebration. The petanque area was one of the most popular areas during the day's activities. The club members introduced the game to many interested people of all ages and walks of life. Even the firemen-EMT's got "fired up" about petanque and just might start coming to some of the club's twice-weekly games!

Petanque 100 in Richmond, VA

A cheerful report from Mark in VA!

In Richmond, Viriginia, Les Boulefrogs of Church Hill commemorated the 100th anniversary of Petanque with a public demonstration of the game and picnic at the City's annual "It Starts in Parks" celebration. The petanque area was one of the most popular areas during the day's activities. The club members introduced the game to many interested people of all ages and walks of life. Even the firemen-EMT's got "fired up" about petanque and just might start coming to some of the club's twice-weekly games!