As a Kirkland resident and president of the Seattle Petanque Club, I would like to thank our local business, The French Bakery (Frederic Courteau & Co.) for generously sponsoring our annual Petanque Tournament, which was held Aug. 23 in Bellevue Downtown Park. Although the biggest sport in France (after soccer) with more than 13 million players “from 8 to 98,” petanque (or “boules”) remains a minority sport in the US. So we are pleased to have a local business support the spread of the French National sport here on the Eastside. Frederic used to play the game with us, but now is so busy with his bakery and stores, that he can only help keep the sport going as a sponsor. With sponsorship, we were able to hold a major summer tournament that attracted teams from petanque clubs in Portland, Lake Oswego and Walla Walla. Thanks, Frederic!.

John Hunt, Kirkland