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About Polk County itemizer observer. (Dallas, Or) 1992-current | View Entire Issue (July 20, 2016)
Polk County Sports 10A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • July 20, 2016 Polk Pedalers hit Montana By Wayne Sitkei For The Itemizer-Observer The Polk County bicycle club, named the Polk Ped- alers, is an adventurous group. In June, nine riders ped- aled a whole week in the middle of some of Mon- tana’s most beautiful val- leys. Each day was a ride about 60 miles long. Some of the riders cycled every mile while others rode the morning until lunch time. How about a lunch in a s m a l l Mo n t a n a t ow n ? Noxon, Mont. is such a place, where the local sa- loon is the only open venue, which happens to make great burgers. These Montana watering holes display walls covered with local news, trophy mounts and old photos, like the 1947 photo of Uncle Bill’s fishing trip to Crystal Lake. Looking at the ceiling you’ll see hundreds of one dollar bills tacked there. “We knew we were in the heart of Montana when you see elk, bear, cougar and moose mounts on every wall,” club vice president Wayne Sitkei said. WAYNE SITKEI/ for the Itemizer-Observer Nine riders from the Polk Pedalers club traveled to Montana in June. Local fare was the plan all along. By eating at mom and pop restaurants and sleeping at small motels, the true feel of Montana was present. It couldn’t have been better. The highlight ride was an old railroad converted to a bi- cycle path called the Hi- awatha trail. It treats you with a pair of mile long tunnels and 250-foot-high trestles through the conti- nental divide of the Bitte- root mountains. Giving some tips If you’re interest is piqued in riding with a fun group that caters to all level of rid- ers, contact this bike club. You can email or call the club president Dick Dye at dyegrannies@gmail.com or 503-338-9419. Dallas boys basketball coach Trent Schwartz (right) gives tips to play- ers during Dallas’ bas- ketball camp on Friday afternoon. The three-day camp held at Dallas High School focused on im- proving fundamental skills. A camp aimed at younger players was held July 13 through Fri- day in the mornings. Dallas will host volley- ball and soccer camps in August. For more infor- mation: www.sites.google.com/a /dsd2.org/dallas-high- school-athletics/. LUKAS EGGEN/ Itemizer-Observer Curtis: Hopes to become golf pro Continued from Page 9A She began to warm up to the idea that perhaps a cou- ple hours on the golf course could be fun and that, if she was good, it could offer scholarship opportunities for college. “I told him I’m going to learn how to play,” she said. “It was a little bit of a joke at first, but I fell in love with it.” She picked up the sport quickly — something she credits her athleticism for. “ I ’v e a l w a y s p l a y e d sports,” she said. “There have been times I’ve been playing four at one time. I was really big into softball until my eighth-grade year, so my hand-eye coordina- tion was really good, so even when I started and had a bad swing, I was able to hit it.” She’s made great strides in her play, and the good mo- ments more than make up for the frustrating ones. “How rewarding it is to play,” Curtis said. “You’re going to have bad shots, but once you hit a good one, it’s a great feeling.” While Curtis doesn’t plan on stopping her playing ca- reer anytime soon, she also hopes golf leads to another avenue: becoming a golf pro- fessional. “I want to become a teacher and reach out to ladies who want to learn the game, or older ladies who want to learn, but not from a man,” she said. “Golf can be kind of a sexist sport. I think it’s great to get more girls out playing, and almost all the golf pros right now are guys.” Her style will be how she plays — to keep people hav- ing a good time no matter what and to use the sport she loves to help others. “There’s been a lot of pros who are so serious that it makes you feel bad when you’re not playing well,” Cur- tis said. “This is a crazy hard sport. It’s harder to hit some- thing on the ground than moving. I want to be wel- coming and friendly while we’re playing.” Larry: Wanted to become a dentist Continued from Page 9A “In the 17 years, I’ve never had a retail store,” Pe- terson said. “I’ve been out here for five or six years, but we’d have people say we tried to find you, but couldn’t. (My wife) and I kept thinking we should open a store and finally said let’s just go for it.” His retail store held its grand opening on Friday and features handmade longboards, skateboards, clothing and supplies. “There really isn’t a whole lot between Eugene and Port- land in terms of skate shops,” Peterson said. “We can help give some of the local kids some options and show what we have and what we make in a better setting.” With his first official store finally opening its doors, Pe- terson is ready for the next chapter in his business. “Dentists can make a lot of money,” Peterson said, smiling. “But I know I wouldn’t have as much fun. Really, the sky’s the limit with what we can make. If they can dream it, we can probably build it.”
