Octorara townlively.com
JULY 17, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXXIV • NO 20
Playing pickleball in Parkesburg BY FRANCINE FULTON
A
s pickleball becomes increasingly popular throughout the United States, the sport, which combines elements of tennis, badminton and pingpong, is also a hit among residents of Parkesburg. A group of pickleball players, led by local dentist Amy Wilde, offers organized play on weekday mornings and evenings at the tennis courts located in Parkesburg’s Minch Park, 111 West St. The Parkesburg Pickleball group got organized after playing informally on the park’s tennis courts for several years. “We put some pickleball lines in and some of us were playing pickup (games),” said Wilde, who has been playing pickleball for 15 years. “It started picking up, more and more people found out about it, and it go so big, we got organized.” The group plays on Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 to
11 a.m. and in the evenings on Mondays through Thursdays. “We play evenings from 5:30 to 9 or 9:30 p.m. now that we have lights,” said Wilde, noting that beginner lessons are scheduled for select evenings. “We will have organized play and I will take one or two nets and do the lessons while they are playing.” She said that many people prefer pickleball over tennis, including senior citizens. Parkesburg Pickleball’s oldest player is 82. “The court is a lot smaller, and the net is a little bit lower,” Wilde explained. “So, there is not as much running (as tennis). It’s a lot more getting up to the pickleball line and finessing the ball. It’s about position over power.” “Tennis is a lot of taking your (racket) back, and for (pickleball) you want to keep your paddle in front of you,” she added. “You don’t want to be doing a lot of big swings.” Games are usually played to 11 points. “There is a two-bounce See Pickleball pg 2
BY FRANCINE FULTON
“It came about just because so many people communicate on social media. ... My thought was if people actually met and knew other people, they might be kinder and also find their people,” said Kathi Rendall when explaining how the Parkesburg Coffee Klatch Meetups began. “Through the process, I learned that people are
very hungry for in-face meetings.” Coffee Klatch Meetups began in March and are held every other week at Parkesburg-area businesses. The most recent event took place at Poured Out Café on July 3. The next Coffee Klatch gathering will be held on Wednesday, July 17, at 11 a.m. at Gabe’s Pizza Place, 428 W. First Ave., Parkesburg. There are no fees to
Get creative Students encouraged to enter art contest BY FRANCINE FULTON
Youths who reside in Chester County are invited to take part in a student art competition being presented by the Chester County’s Sheriff ’s Office. As part of the contest, themed “Law Enforcement in the Community,” students in kindergarten through grade 12 are invited to create an original piece of art to show their appreciation for law enforcement. According to the rules of the first-time competition, students may use pencil, ink, markers,
colored pencils or paint to create their work. The three winners, which will be determined by a panel of judges from the department, will receive a certificate of recognition, a photo with Chester County sheriff Kevin D. Dykes and a tour of his office, as well as a gift basket filled with art supplies. The idea for the contest came from Noah Stribrny, who was named command staff liaison of the sheriff’s office in May. As part of the newly created position, Stribrny’s job includes public outreach.
See Coffee Klatch pg 5 The group gathered on July 3 at Poured Out Café.
See Art contest pg 4
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Community invited to Coffee Klatch Meetups
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People of all ages gather to play organized pickleball games at the courts in Minch Park.