Sky Island Pickleball Club Hosts National Tourney Sept.26
Pickleball Grabs Hold of Sierra Vista
By R.J. Cohn
It’s no longer a trendy, hodgepodge activity with a funny name. America’s fastest-growing sport has mushroomed into a worldwide phenomenon, encompassing nearly 20 million players. It has taken Sierra Vista by storm.
Pickleball’s near-seismic growth and popularity in the Hummingbird Capital has been so overwhelming that it spawned a 200-plus member club which has hosted five major pickleball tournaments in the past six years.
Similar to the hula hoop craze that captivated the American landscape in the 1950s, pickleball has exploded through the community with such an embracing, addictive force that almost everyone and their neighbor is suddenly playing pickleball and loving every moment of it.
And regardless of age, players can’t wait to hit the courts at the Oscar Yrun Community Center and slap the little green wiffleball for all its worth.
Tammy Lao and Mary Jostes tap paddles after a pickleball volley.
PHOTO BY MONIQUE VARGAS
Thanks to the emergence of the nonprofit Sky Island Pickleball Club, now with nearly 210 members since it began in 2019, the sport has become more than just a sport in Sierra Vista.
It has become as close to an extended family as it gets.
What’s triggering a game that looks like part-badminton, part-ping pong rolled into tennis and racquetball on a court half the size of a tennis court? “What’s so great about pickleball is you don’t have to kill yourself playing it,” said club president Mike Whetzel. “In tennis, you’re constantly running, you’re bending, you’re reaching, and you’re trying to react to a powerful serve. With pickleball, it’s the playability at any level, age and athleticism that makes it so attractive and fun. You don’t have to be a John McEnroe to play. We have a member who’s 92 and having the time of his life playing pickleball."
But it’s the club’s family atmosphere that has almost made pickleball a huge part of members’ lives.
“We’re like a community more than a club,” said club member Deena Hudson. “We’re providing a healthy activity, friendship, social connections, occasional get-togethers, so in that context, we’ve become one big family.”
Photo to the left:
Sky Island Pickleball Club members posing for a photo before hitting the courts. Pictured from left to right are Julie Ramirez, Tammy Lao, Carolyn Regan, Mary Jostes, JoAnn Adams, Julie Power, Beth Amsdell, Susan Rabits, and Deena Hudson.
PHOTO BY MONIQUE VARGAS
What Sky Island Pickleball also provides is four major tournaments per year that have been bringing in pickleball players throughout Arizona to Sierra Vista, which has had a significant economic impact for the area. Whetzel said this year’s High Desert Classic VI tourney, scheduled for Sept 26-28 at the Oscar Yrun Community Center’s eight courts, is a national event and has been placed on the national pickleball website. He’s expecting about 300 players nationwide, up from last year’s 240. The deadline for the $40 pre-registration fee is Sept. 21.
Since the popularity of the sport has skyrocketed in Sierra Vista, there’s often wait-time at the courts at prime playing hours, which the both the city and the club are addressing.
“The city has allotted the basketball courts, which aren’t used much anymore, that are behind the eight pickleball courts, to be turned into more courts for us, about,” said Whetzel. “We’re absolutely thrilled how this is all coming together.”
But the project won’t come cheap. Whetzel said the price tag is around $225,000. While the city will contribute some funding, the club’s fundraising committee and grant writing team are pooling their efforts to raise the bulk of the cost.
It’s not just the tournaments or the addition of new courts that has Whetzel and Hudson excited about the future of pickleball in Sierra Vista. It’s how the community has embraced the sport as well as embracing each other.
“I’m teaching someone who’s 75 how to play, and he’s loving every second of it,” said Hudson, who also taught her two 40-year-old sons to play. “Whether you’re brand new at this or playing at an experienced level, everyone on the court is helpful and friendly. You can ask practically anyone for some tips or help, and you’ll most likely get it. That’s why this is like a family.”
Competitive and athletic most of his life, Whetzel turned to pickleball in his mid-50s.
“At this age, I can’t do what I used to do playing basketball, especially with all the jumping and running,” he said. “But with pickleball, I have a great time, a great workout, I’m meeting great people who enjoy doing what you’re doing. What’s not to like about this?”
Julie Power following through with a return.
PHOTO BY MONIQUE VARGAS
Corporal Scott Borgstadt with a Better Bucks Booklet
Better Bucks and Better Work Programs Changing Lives for the Better
By R.J. Cohn
The little booklet that offers $1 coupons resembling money that can be used at businesses like Fry’s Foods Store, McDonalds, Culver’s and Goodwill has not only been a lifeline for needy families and the homeless in Sierra Vista.
For many, the vouchers – along with a work program paying cash-on-the-barrelhead for day labor – has helped change their lives in a direction most felt was impossible to attain.
Launched in 2021, Better Bucks of Sierra Vista has been one of the most successful assistance programs on the street since the city-sponsored program rolled out following the weekend of Art in the Park.
Aimed at assisting the homeless and persons in need with vouchers for essential items instead of money they might use to buy drugs or alcohol, Better Bucks has made astounding inroads since it began. Sierra Vista Police Dept. Cpl. Scott Borgstadt has seen the number of Better Bucks used in participating stores soar from 281 in 2021 to 58,222 through May 2025.
“Right from the start, I knew this was going to be a huge success for Sierra Vista,” said Borgstadt, who was tasked by the city to research the feasibility of a Better Bucks program similar to one in Flagstaff. After eight months of researching it, Borgstadt was convinced that the program was a game changer.
So was the city.
“City council loved the idea and saw it as a win/win for everyone,” he said. “We were on our way to something I felt would really catch on here in a big way.” Borgstadt was right on the money.
After filing for a nonprofit 501(c)(3) status, forming a board of directors and flush with $15,000 from donations and some city funds needed to repay merchants for redeemed vouchers, Borgstadt set up a booth at Art in the Park with 300 booklets.
“We sold out in less than two hours,” he said. “The next day we collected orders and sold more than 300 booklets. People were genuinely excited and on board with Better Bucks from the get-go because they saw what a positive program this was going to be. Businesses that wanted in on this also loved it. What was not to like?”
Like anything new, Borgstadt said it took a little while for the general population to fully understand the program and feel comfortable about it. The $6 booklet of five $1 vouchers purchased at SVPD, City Hall, Sierra Vista Public and the Sierra Vista Food Co-Op also has a listing of recovery service providers like Lori’s Place and Hope, Inc.
“After six months, it took off,” he said. “We now have two churches purchasing $100 worth of booklets at a time. Another just bought $500. Individuals are also buying blocks of them and giving them to people in need, along with the Cochise County Health Department. Police officers are also handing them out. Everyone is so on board with this, which is truly gratifying.”
One year after Better Bucks hit the streets, a spinoff called Better Work, which would provide cash for day labor jobs that entailed cleaning up homeless camps, was close to rolling out.
“The city loved the idea, but we needed money,” said Borgstadt. “Two weeks later, we heard that the Department of Housing was offering a $54,000 work grant program if the city could match it with funding or an in-kind donation. We applied, received it, and it’s been a tremendous success.”
Since it began, Borgstadt said homeless participants have collected 66,580 pounds of trash from homeless camps on city property in a wash near State Route 90 and Tree Top as well as on state trust land between 7th Street and Busby Drive.
“It not only offers the homeless a chance to work and get paid, but for some it’s been a chance to turn their lives around and get off the street,” said Borgstadt. “We’ve seen some great success stories. We helped one man get a full-time job with a contractor. He got his own apartment, and he's been doing so well that we decided to add him to our board of directors. He gives us insight we would ever have without his input.”
A former homeless woman who was part of Better Work holds down a 40-hour week job as a landscaper.
“Sometimes you give people a little support and help, and they get their lives going,” said Borgstadt. “These programs have given them a step up to change and improve their lives.”
Better Bucks has recently partnered with Sierra Vista Unified School District #68 to ensure children of struggling families are getting the meals they need by soliciting donations that are given to the school district each month.
“It’s amazing how the Better Bucks concept has evolved into two other programs,” said Borgstadt. “Sierra Vista is the only municipality in Arizona that has three programs like this. That’s really something.”
By Larry Scott
ICU in the sky!
“We serve people during what may be the worst time of their lives. We truly care - and we connect with family members. Later, we wonder - and hope - for a good outcome. In time, sometimes, people share - and we know. That can be a good feeling!” -
Sarah Baumann, CFRN
“It can be hard, but we give the patient 100 percent. And then, we must turn the page and get our minds ready for the next call - whatever it is. That patient also gets 100 percent.” - Rose Jones, Flight Nurse
- - - - -
In August, Arizona Lifeline celebrated its 30th anniversary in Cochise County. While I’ve seen their helicopters fly over many times, I never had the opportunity to meet the people. Finally, it’s happening. And, naturally, I wonder what sort of people they are…
My first contacts are Shane Clark, Program Director, and Greg Featherston, Business Development/Outreach Manager - himself, a former Flight Paramedic. Definitely a great source of information, and the sort of guys I love to connect with personally.
Greg and I met several times with on-duty crews based in Saint David and Douglas. I learned a flight crew consists of three members: Pilot, Flight Nurse and Flight Paramedic. There are also aircraft maintenance technicians.
Members are highly skilled in caring for patients suffering from severe illnesses and traumatic accidents. In extreme cases, they perform emergency surgical procedures normally done by a trauma team at a big-city hospital.
The helicopter brings advanced skills to our communities that might otherwise not be available. It’s an ongoing process. “While our team is highly trained, the process never ends.” Greg explained. “The company we work for spends tens of thousands a year in continuing education and skills training. Pilots often have a military background. But this is not an entry-level job. As one pilot noted, “It can be fairly difficult because we are often awakened in the middle of the night to fly with night- vision goggles - something not a lot of people do.”
Typically, the Saint David team is requested daily from hospitals, medical clinics, or on- scene emergency responders. Safety is really big. Most of the time, here in Cochise County, the weather is fine, and it’s safe to fly. Or the weather is such that we don’t fly. But there are times when it’s a judgment call. Is it safe - or not?
Destination hospitals vary according to the patient’s needs. Perhaps he or she has suffered head injuries and needs a neurosurgeon. Or a trauma surgeon, or cardiothoracic surgery. And there’s ‘bed availability.’ Hospitals stay full these days, typically 95 percent to 100 percent capacity. So there’s always a team in the background locating the right doctor - and an accepting bed.
While treating and transporting patients is their primary mission, community interaction is ongoing. Members are regularly involved, conducting training at medical facilities, fire department and EMS providers.
In early April, I attended a training simulation exercise at St. David High School football field, in which law enforcement, fire department and ambulance crews worked together, responding to a staged catastrophic auto accident and the attendant chaos. The event went well, with teams working together smoothly. Of course, everyone was fascinated by the helicopter and crew. And a clear message to students as to what can happen with substance abuse and carelessness.
In Dan’s story, (sidebar) he describes his personal experience with the ARIZONA LIFELINE team several years ago. While the outcome was positive, he became aware of what we might call ‘grim reality.’
Air ambulance is a mind-boggling expensive reality. My on-line searches suggest a typical medical helicopter costs millions of dollars. Ongoing maintenance and operating costs are high. There are highly-trained teams, with ongoing schooling. And, of course, the operating facilities.
Bottom line: Typical cost of service seems astronomical for most of us. Unfortunately, many patients are unaware of their financial responsibilities related to air ambulance transports. And the call for Air Ambulance is usually made by medical staff who judge it necessary to save a life.
ARIZONA LIFELINE is our local air-ambulance service provider and also a participating provider in the AirMedCare Network. Dan’s membership in the AirMedCare Network ensured he and his wife had zero out-of-pocket flight expenses.
The AirMedCare Network extends across 38 states with aircraft located in over 320 locations. Membership provides coverage for everyone that resides in the household for $99 a year. Senior household plans are available for $79 per year.
For more information contact our local Membership Sales Manager:
Nancy E. J. Tucker at 928-294-9023 or AMCNRep.com/nancy-tucker