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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 30, 2019)
Wednesday, October 30, 2019 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon 5 Sisters pickleball players find a way to play Correspondent The expanding national popularity of pickleball has created a 650 percent increase in the number of players over the last six years, accord- ing to the USA Pickleball Association. Currently that number stands at 3.1 mil- lion and is growing rapidly year-over-year. The game of pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It is played on a court the size of a badminton court, with a low net similar to tennis. The paddle looks like an over- sized ping pong paddle and is used to hit a whiffle ball. It was invented in 1965 by three dads as a way to entertain their children during summer vacation. The West Coast (WA, OR, CA) is home to the larg- est number of <core= play- ers (play eight or more times a year). Sisters is home to a dedicated group that has been playing consistently, year- round, for the last three years. Of all the areas in Central Oregon, Sisters has the few- est courts and no public courts. The dedicated Sisters Country Pickleball Club (SCPC), the <club without courts,= has been working over the past year to change that. After knocking on a number of doors, Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD) has welcomed them with open arms to become one of their committees. The club made a proposal to SPRD and the Sisters School District regard- ing making one of the ten- nis courts at the elementary school into four permanent pickleball courts, available to the public as well as for instruction for physical edu- cation classes. <A group of motivated pickleball advocates and the Sisters Park & Recreation District have come together from Sisters Country to pro- mote the construction of public courts to benefit our schools and community. We are a strong, positive team who plan to spread the joy of pickleball. Our community will benefit by staying active, building community, making new friends, and having fun,= explained avid pickleballer Lori Chase, one of the propo- nents for courts. The steering committee for SCPC includes: Clark Brody, president; Bruce Carpenter, vice president; Robin Lewis Kane, secretary; Vivian Bousquet, treasurer; Lori Chase, advisor Tollgate; Bill Benson, advisor Black Butte; and Riley McHugh, advisor Sage Meadow. SCPC will provide the money for repairing, resurfac- ing, and putting into place the four courts. There will be no cost to the school district, and they will maintain ownership of the courts. A group of motivated pickleball advocates and the Sisters Park & Recreation District have come together ... to promote the construction of public courts... — Lori Chase Club president Brody told The Nugget, <We want to con- tribute something our com- munity will benefit from. Not just elders, but everyone. We want to work with the school kids, too. Pickleball provides real positives for people. It is a fun, healthy way to stay active while meeting new people.= The SCPC is beginning fundraising efforts as one of the vendors at the Sisters Fika Sparks will fly! PHOTO PROVIDED Cheri Wilson, in front, and Cindy Lowe enjoy playing pickleball at Tollgate. Coffeehouse Craft Bazaar and Wine Tasting occurring Friday, November 8, 2 to 8 p.m. Wine tasting will run from 5 to 7 p.m. Featured artists who have donated their handiwork for the fun- draising effort include: Bob Bousquet, wooden wine bot- tle stoppers and boxes; Kate Kopec, designer bags; Steve Mathews, art cards; Lori Chase, wool mittens and hats; Jane Kempvanee, earrings See PICKLEBALL on page 31 $3 OFF 40 LB. BAG OF BLACK OIL SUNFLOWER SEED! “Your Local Welding Shop” CCB# 87640 We do repair work and fabrication in steel, aluminum, copper & other metals. Offer expires 11-6-19 PHOTO HOTO BY ALEX EX J JORDAN ORDAN By Sue Stafford 102 East Main Ave. 541-549-4151 541-549-9280 | 207 W. Sisters Park Dr. | PonderosaForge.com Join us for a Your passport to a world of fine cuisine... SPOOKTACULAR S MEXICO Wednesday, November 13, at 3 p.m. Enjoy a demo of tasty food, play trivia, and win prizes! RSVP to 541-549-5634 by Th ursday of the prior week. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Your Travel Itinerary ay for the Second-Wednesd : ur To Happy-Hour Sweden ... December 11 Thursday, October 31 3:30-4:30 p.m. Luxury Senior Assisted & Independent Living Trick-or-Treating with ghastly goodies and drinks! Come for free lunch and a tour! Enter to win a Halloween treat basket! 541-549-5634 411 E. Carpenter Ln., Sisters www.Th eLodgeInSisters.com Your presence at each dinner earns you $250 credit as a future Seasons resident.* Attend three consecutive dinners and double your credit; bring a friend and triple it! *Must be 62 years or older and move in before 12-31-19. Free to everyone, invite a friend!