News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Sharon Ling and Shannon Rackowski enjoy the many activities SPRD provides for seniors in Sisters.
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 programs offered through Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD).
SPRD is usually associated, aptly enough, with programs for youth - from its skate park to its basketball tournaments. But the organization 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, enthusiastic 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 connecting 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 destination.
"We sing, we tell jokes," Rackowski said. "It's a really fun time."
Rackowski has also organized talks on health issues, tapping local practitioners of both conventional Western medicine and alternative modalities, which Ling says have been very beneficial for seniors, who sometimes are not aware of the services and practices that are available in Sisters Country to help them maintain and enhance their health and well-being.
SPRD opens its facility at the west end of the Sisters High School parking lot each Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m. for senior activities through SAGE (Senior Activities, Gatherings & Experiences). The group offers activities ranging from board-games to crafts. Expanding SAGE access is a key goal for SPRD.
"We really want to open our SAGE room every day for our seniors," Rackowski said.
SPRD's senior programs include: Stretch & Flex; Walk with Ease; Indoor Walking; Dancing to the Oldies; Pickle Ball; Seniors Self Defense and more. For more information or to sign up for SPRD programs, visit the recently revamped website at www.sistersrecreation.com or call 541-549-2091.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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