CRYSTAL FALLS — Crystal Falls has now joined many other communities who are offering pickleball as a recreational option to residents and visitors. The first teaching clinic took place recently at the Forest Park Schools playground area. Sixteen beginners attended, with clinicians Ev and Karin Sandell and Dennis Margoni on hand to coach and teach. Following play there was a drawing for an Gamma Atomic pickleball paddle. Judy Minyard was the winner. Pickleball is a racquet sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis. It was invented in the mid-1960s and has become popular with adults and children. The sport has been promoted in the area by the Recreation Association of Iron County Inc. This is a nonprofit organization that receives no tax dollars. All revenues come from donations and a golf fundraiser. The mission is to provide low-cost, year-round activities in Iron County. West Iron County has a very active group that plays five days a week, at Nelson Field during the summer and inside the Windsor Center during the winter. Margoni, an accomplished tennis player and former coach from Iron River, is the driving force behind this movement. All are welcomed to participate and the cost is free, including the use of the balls, paddles and courts. The schedule in Crystal Falls for June, July and August is 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday behind Forest Park School. In West Iron the schedule for Nelson Field is 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to noon Saturday; and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. If it rains, play is canceled for Crystal Falls but moves to the Windsor Center gym for Iron River. For information on RAIC, call 906-265-2348. For more about Crystal Falls pickleball, call 906-875-3371 or email silerdell@sbcglobal.net. For information about play in Iron River, call 906-265-2348 or email margonid2@gmail.com.

CRYSTAL FALLS — Crystal Falls has now joined many other communities who are offering pickleball as a recreational option to residents and visitors.

The first teaching clinic took place recently at the Forest Park Schools playground area. Sixteen beginners attended, with clinicians Ev and Karin Sandell and Dennis Margoni on hand to coach and teach.

Following play there was a drawing for an Gamma Atomic pickleball paddle. Judy Minyard was the winner.

Pickleball is a racquet sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis. It was invented in the mid-1960s and has become popular with adults and children.

The sport has been promoted in the area by the Recreation Association of Iron County Inc. This is a nonprofit organization that receives no tax dollars. All revenues come from donations and a golf fundraiser. The mission is to provide low-cost, year-round activities in Iron County.

West Iron County has a very active group that plays five days a week, at Nelson Field during the summer and inside the Windsor Center during the winter.

Margoni, an accomplished tennis player and former coach from Iron River, is the driving force behind this movement. All are welcomed to participate and the cost is free, including the use of the balls, paddles and courts.

The schedule in Crystal Falls for June, July and August is 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday behind Forest Park School.

In West Iron the schedule for Nelson Field is 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 10 a.m. to noon Saturday; and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

If it rains, play is canceled for Crystal Falls but moves to the Windsor Center gym for Iron River.

For information on RAIC, call 906-265-2348.

For more about Crystal Falls pickleball, call 906-875-3371 or email silerdell@sbcglobal.net.

For information about play in Iron River, call 906-265-2348 or email margonid2@gmail.com.