Wednesday, February 18, 2015 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
SPRD programs create a lively time for seniors
By Jim Cornelius
News Editor
Seniors in Sisters are
engaged with each other and
the riches the region has to
offer to a greater degree than
ever before — thanks to pro-
grams offered through Sisters
Park & Recreation District
(SPRD).
SPRD is usually associ-
ated, aptly enough, with pro-
grams for youth — from its
skate park to its basketball
tournaments. But the orga-
nization increasingly caters
to a broad demographic —
including older citizens like
Sharon Ling.
“I’m a widow, by myself,”
Ling told The Nugget. “I
guess most of my friends are
widows, sorry to say. It gets
us together.”
A nurse for 43 years, Ling
remains an active, enthusias-
tic person who likes to help
folks. She coordinates meals
for seniors on Tuesdays at
Sisters Community Church
through a Central Oregon
Council on Aging program.
“I have connections with
the seniors,” she said. “Let’s
just say I’m the young blood
there.”
And she encourages the
seniors she encounters to take
advantage of the programs
offered at SPRD.
“I just nudge them a little
bit,” Ling said.
The senior programs are
created and conducted under
the direction of Shannon
Rackowski.
“We’re just so glad she
came to Sisters,” Ling says.
Rackowski teaches several
exercise classes for seniors
that are specifically geared
to meet their needs, such as
improving balance and con-
necting cognitive exercise
with movement.
These are “exercises we
can do,” Ling says — and it’s
fun as well as mentally and
physically stimulating.
“As they get stronger
physically, emotionally, you
can see their body language
change,” Rackowski said.
“It’s such a pleasure for me to
see their reactions.”
Rackowski also leads
excursions for seniors to
local destinations. For many
seniors who either do not
drive or limit their driving,
these excursions open up
Central Oregon for them to
explore.
“She’s offered excursions
that are affordable for us —
because you have to think
of the cost when you’re on a
fixed income,” Ling said.
The excursions have
included trips to Faith, Hope
and Charity Vineyards; The
High Desert Museum; a
movie trip; and an excursion
to view spectacular displays
of Christmas lights at Eagle
Crest.
Rackowski drives SPRD’s
15-person van — and the ride
can be as much fun as the
photo by Jim Cornelius
Sharon Ling and Shannon rackowski enjoy the many activities Sprd
provides for seniors in Sisters.
destination.
SAGE (Senior Activities,
“We sing, we tell jokes,” Gatherings & Experiences).
Rackowski said. “It’s a really The group offers activities
fun time.”
ranging from board-games
Rackowski has also orga- to crafts. Expanding SAGE
nized talks on health issues, access is a key goal for
tapping local practitioners of SPRD.
both conventional Western
“We really want to open
medicine and alternative our SAGE room every day
modalities, which Ling says for our seniors,” Rackowski
have been very beneficial for said.
seniors, who sometimes are
SPRD’s senior programs
not aware of the services and include: Stretch & Flex; Walk
practices that are available in with Ease; Indoor Walking;
Sisters Country to help them Dancing to the Oldies; Pickle
maintain and enhance their Ball; Seniors Self Defense
health and well-being.
and more. For more informa-
SPRD opens its facility tion or to sign up for SPRD
at the west end of the Sisters programs, visit the recently
High School parking lot each revamped website at www.
Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m. sistersrecreation.com or call
for senior activities through 541-549-2091.
Bikeway
open house
in Camp
Sherman
The Oregon Parks and
Recreation Department will
hold a public open house to
share information about the
Metolius River Loops Scenic
Bikeway.
The open house will
be from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.
Tuesday, February 24 at the
Camp Sherman Community
Hall, 13025 Camp Sherman
Rd. (Forest Service Road
1419), in Camp Sherman.
The open house will
feature an overview of the
Bikeway Program and the
Metolius Loops Bikeway sign
installation plan with the final
Bikeway sign plan on display.
The bikeway sign plan
has been revised to respond
to comments and suggestions
made by the public at a meet-
ing held a year ago in Camp
Sherman. This open house is
held because of a request to
update the Camp Sherman
community.
People are welcome to
arrive any time during the
open house. Representatives
from the state Parks and
Recreation Department and
the U.S. Forest Service,
Deschutes National Forest,
will be there to answer
questions.
Please Connect Your Ray’s All Access
Rewards Program Account
to Furry Friends Foundation
It’s FREE and we get 1% back on your purchases. .
It’s an easy and great way to donate!
Shop locally, donate locally!
Thank you for your support.
With your Access Rewards account
information in hand (the number is
on the back of your card), you can
call, email or visit Ray’s to connect
to Furry Friends Foundation.
• Call 541-412-0005
• Email AllAccess@ckmarket.com
• Visit the Ray’s Customer Service
Counter and ask to connect your
account number to Furry Friends for the
All Access Community Rewards Program.
www.FurryFriendsFoundation.org
21
Sisters Pet Food Bank • Spay/Neuter Sponsorships • Emergency Medical Assistance