Walk away from Alzheimers

WebMD website reports that University of Pittsburgh radiologist Cyrus Raji, PhD conducted a study that showed walking can reduce the risk of Alheimers. In a November 29, 1020 article, "Walking May Cut Alzheimers Risk", reporter Charlene Laino said:

Walking a little over three-fourths of a mile a day may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease, researchers report.

Among people who already have mild cognitive impairment (MCI), walking a similar amount may slow the brain degeneration and memory loss associated with the condition, says Cyrus Raji, PhD, a radiologist at the University of Pittsburgh.

"In cognitively normal adults, walking 6 miles a week instead of being sedentary was associated with a 50% reduction in Alzheimer's risk over 13 years," he tells WebMD.

"In people with MCI, walking just 5 miles a week reduced brain atrophy and cognitive decline -- by more than 50%," Raji says.

Tater Tours 2011

The Mackinaw Bridge Walk, the Washtenaw Wanderers year 'round Ann Arbor walk, and the Historic Pathwalkers Capitol City Lansing walk are features of Head Tater Mary Ptacek's 2011 Tater Tours "Mackinak Bridge Walk and More" tour originating in Baltimore and running Sept. 1-9, 2011

Tater Tours 2011 schedule includes six reasonably priced, bus-trip, walking tours of the US featuring American Volkssport Association sanctioned walks on the following dates:
Feb 15 - 27: Florida, Alabama and More
May 14 - 18: New York City and More
June 14 - June 30: AVA Convention and More
Sept 1 - 9: Mackinaw Bridge Walk and More
Sept 17 - 28: Colorado and Utah
Oct 7 - 10: Finger Lakes Region

For more information, contact:
Mary Ptacek (Head Tater)
Tater Tours
2748 Canarsy Ct.
Henderson, Nevada 89052
(702) 260-7333
mtptacek@msn.com

Resources:
Tater Tours: http://lizrose.biz/tatertours/
Mackinak Bridge Walk & More: http://lizrose.biz/tatertours/walkingtrip4.htm

Kids' pedometers from GeoPalz, Inc.

Kid-friendly pedometers from GeoPalz, Inc. are available in several design series including: Rock, Sports, Fantasy, Edgy, Cutesy, and more! Pictured above is the Skelanimals series. The following information about the pedometers and a GeoPalz, Inc. kids' website called Walk to Win was included in the Dec. 10, 2010 Scientific American article by Larry Greenemeier, " SciAm's 2010 Gadget Guide

KIDS PEDOMETER: GeoPalz, Inc., in July introduced a lineup of pedometers designed to appeal to children (thanks to some cool designs), plus a Web site that can be used to track each child's progress. The site awards points to GeoPalz users that can be traded for prizes. Basically, it turns exercise (walking or running, in particular) into a game, one that's healthier than hours spent in front of a television or computer. Cost: $20

Walk Howell High School halls

Walk the halls at Howell High School, 1200 W. Grand River Avenue, Howell, MI 48843. Parking in the rear, on M-59 entry to school parking lots. Walkers are welcome at Howell High School Monday through Thursday from 6-8 p.m. There is no walking on non-student-attendance days and holidays -- check the Howell Community Schools district calendar at: http://www.howellschools.com/calendar_events.cfm . 


For more information call Debbie at the HHS at 517 545 1452.)

Dec. 11 meeting CANCELLED

The Dec. 11 meeting of the Walk Howell Michigan walking club at Barnard Center is cancelled. The group will meet next at 9 a.m. January 8, 2011 at Barnard Center, 415 N. Barnard St., Howell, MI 48843.

Mikula says, "Let's move!"

Howell Area Parks and Recreation Director Deb Mikula sent this message to our readers:

"The physical and emotional health of an entire generation and the economic health and security of our nation is at stake." First Lady Michelle Obama at the Let's Move! launch

Over the past three decades, childhood obesity rates in America have tripled, and today, nearly one in three children in America are overweight or obese. One third of all children born in 2000 or later will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lives; many others will face chronic obesity-related health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and asthma.

We can solve the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation so that children born today will reach adulthood at a healthy weight if we all work together. Through the Let's Move! campaign-a comprehensive, collaborative, and community-oriented initiative that addresses all of the various factors that lead to childhood obesity-we are engaging every sector of society that impacts the health of children to provide schools, families and communities the simple tools they need to help kids be more active, eat better, and get healthy.

We encourage you all to take the Let's Move pledge to help solve childhood obesity and receive e-mail updates about this worthwhile and essential life-changing campaign at http://www.letsmove.gov/pledge.php

Walk Howell club meeting Nov. 13 at Barnard Center

Walk Howell Michigan walking group meets at 9 a.m. Saturday, November 13 at the Barnard Center, 415 N. Barnard Street, Howell MI 48855. We will plan programs and events, have a presentation about the 10,000 Steps program, and walk after the meeting on the Barnard track.

Leslie Science and Nature Center walk Oct. 17

On Sunday, October 17, the Washtenaw Wanderers will host their annual colorwalk at the Leslie Science and Nature Center, 1831 Traver Rd,  Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105, (734) 997-1553. The 10K (6.3 miles) route follows scenic nature trails for approximately 7K and is rated a 3 on a scale of 1-5 (1 being easiest). The 5K (3.1 miles) route is also quite scenic. Park on the lawn in the lower field and start your walk on the front porch of the "Leslie House" between the hours of 10am-1pm.  Walk Howell Michigan members will meet at the site at 10 a.m. Walk for free,  or for American Volkssport Association Credit Only ($3), or for this year's National Volkssport Month Patch ($7). New Walker packets will be available for Walk Howell Michigan members who wish to walk for AVA credit. For more information: http://www.ava.org/gen3/data/event_details.asp?eventid=86672S

Meet Saturday October 9, 2010 at Barnard Center

Walk Howell Michigan walking group meets at 9 a.m. Saturday, October 9 at the Barnard Center, 415 N. Barnard Street, Howell MI 48855. We will plan programs and events, have a presentation about the American Volkssport Association non-competitive walking program, and walk after the meeting on the Barnard track.

Hiking tour of Haven Hill, Highland Rec Area, Oct 9, 2010

From Rob Golda of Hiking Michigan: 

  This Saturday, October 9th, from 12pm-3pm, is our Fall HISTORY Hike at Haven Hill, in Highland Recreation area. If you only make one hike this year, this should be it. 

   This unique place has both a state historical designation and a state Natural area status. Most of the different forest environments in the state of Michigan are represented here. Haven Hill also has the remains of the once grandiose Edsel Ford estate. This combination of history and nature combined in one setting is a very special one.

   Along with the Haven Hill Project team, we will be leading the group up to the top of Haven Hill where we will examine the Ford Lodge and Carriage house. We have some enlargements of the Lodge floor plan so we can explore in better detail. From the top of the hill, we will also explore the Dog Kennels & Toboggan run, before we head down to the Pool, Tennis Court and Fountain area.

   From the Fountain, hikers will have the option to return to the Picnic area or continue on to this very special part of the hike, and explore for the first time, the Historic Ford Nature Area. This section of the estate was the private nature trails and features that the Ford family used and shared with their guests.

   So join us for some beautiful Fall colors while we explore the Ford estate on Haven Hill at Highland Recreation area. See You all there.

Happy Trails,

Rob Golda

HIKING MICHIGAN

"OUTDOORS FOR EVERYONE"

Office/Studio: 586 446-7656

rgolda@hikingmichigan.com

WEB SITE:  http://www.hikingmichigan.com

FLICKR:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/outdoorsforeveryone/?saved=1

FACEBOOK:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rochester-MI/HIKING-MICHIGAN/284929873737?ref=mf

WORDPRESS BLOG:  http://hikingmichigan.wordpress.com/

Go get more info for the HISTORY Hike at Haven Hill:

http://www.hikingmichigan.com/PDFinfo/HistoryHike.pdf

Check out the Havne Hill Project web sitel:

http://www.havenhillproject.org

A New web site we are sponsoring, and is just being developed:

A place to find ALL the Parks in S. E. Michigan.

GO GET OUTDOORS:  http://www.gogetoutdoors.com

Wednesday Walk

Hi All -

Please join us for our last outdoor walk at the Page Athletic Field Track this Wednesday 10/6 at 7 PM. We are having a meeting on 10/9 at 9 AM and we will hopefully discuss where to move our walking to, hopefully indoors, for the winter. Come on out & enjoy the changing leaves and some nice weather before the snow flies!

Michelle

Wednesday Walk

Hi All -

Please join us at the Page Athletic Field Track behind the Howell Parks & Rec Center at 415 N. Barnard St, this Wednesday, 9/29 @ 7 PM. Hope to lots of people there.

Michelle

Saturday Walk

Hi Walkers -

We will be walking tomorrow morning, Saturday 9/18 @ 10 AM at the Page Athletic Field track behind the Howell Parks & Rec Center at 415 N. Barnard St.

Hope many of you can join us! New faces always welcome!

Michelle

Join our Facebook Page!

Please join our facebook page!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Walk-Howell-Michigan/154442511241581

Stefan Szumko announces two AVA special events

Washtenaw Wanderers President Stefan Szumko says:


Greetings Walking Fans! Now that walking season is here, we'd like to invite you to two delightful walks:

On Saturday, September 25, we'll be joining the Oktoberfest Celebration at the Saline Harvest of the Arts Festival in downtown Saline.  Walk either a 5K or 10K route and work up an appetite for authentic German food and a thirst for authentic German bier.   Enjoy music, arts, children's activities and more.  Start your walk between 9am-noon and finish by 3pm.  Meet at the Saline Farmer's Market on S. Ann Arbor St. which is a half block south of Michigan Ave.  You can walk for free or for AVA Credit only ($3). We'll also have B-Awards from previous events on sale for various prices ($5 or less - we still have some Fairydoor Fridge Magnets, while supplies last).  For more information - http://www.ava.org/gen3/data/event_details.asp?eventid=87163.

On Sunday, October 17, join us for our annual Colorwalk starting at the Leslie Science and Nature Center in Ann Arbor.  The 10K route follows scenic nature trails for approximately 7K and is rated a 3 on a scale of 1-5 (1 being easiest)!  The 5K route is also quite scenic.  Jogging strollers are perfect for the youngsters.  Wheelchairs will have difficulty on both routes.  Park on the lawn in the lower field and start your walk on the front porch of the "Leslie House" between the hours of 10am-1pm.  Walk for free, for AVA Credit Only ($3) or for this year's National Volkssport Month Patch ($7).  http://www.ava.org/gen3/data/event_details.asp?eventid=86672.

Two of our Year-Round Events (YREs) will not be renewed for 2011 - Oakwoods Metropark and Dundee.  So head on out and walk those for AVA Credit by the end of the year.  We are, however, picking up five new YREs in 2011 - Brighton, Northville, Plymouth, Adrian, and Tecumseh.  Visit the AVA website and click on the "Find Walking Events" in the left-side navigation bar to find out details for all these events.

We are looking forward to meeting you on the trail.  Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, concerns, queries, or confessions!

Stefan Szumko
     Master Educator, Leslie Science & Nature Center
           (www.lesliesnc.org)
     President, Washtenaw Wanderers Volkssporting Club
           (www.washtenaw-wanderers.blogspot.com)
     MAEOEgram Editor, Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education
           (www.michiganenvironmentaled.org/)

"Go to nature; take the facts into your own hands; look, and see for yourself." -- Louis Agassiz
"Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time." -- Steven Wright

Wednesday Walk

Hi - I hope to see lots of people out at the Page Athletic Field track behind the Rec Center on Barnard St in Howell on Wednesday, September 15th at 7 PM. We'd love to meet you! Come join us!

Join Walk Howell Michigan Club!

Today the first meeting of the Walk Howell Michigan Club was exciting and productive. We invite anyone interested in developing a walking program for health and happiness to attend future club meetings at the Barnard Community Center, 415 N. Barnard, Howell MI 48843. Below find our meeting schedule for the next three months. Also please join us for walks every Wednesday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m. to be held throughout the month of September at the Page Field track behind the Barnard Community Center

Meeting schedule at Barnard Community Center:

• 9 a.m. Saturday October 9, 2010, Topic: pedometers and expert on pedometer use, also American Volkssport Association volksmarching presentation (Linda Theil and/or veteran volksmarcher Pat Korlach) Plan longer walk (volksmarch?) for end of Oct. or after November meeting, establish seminar/expo 2011 committee
• 9 a.m. Saturday November 13, 2010, Topic: 10,000 Steps http://www.thewalkingsite.com/10000steps.html program presention by Michelle Buyaki
• 9 a.m. Saturday December 11, 2010

Walking schedule, free and open to all who wish to participate at Barnard Community Center, Page Field track (behind Barnard Community Center):

• 7 p.m. every Wednesday until October 9 meeting
• 10 a.m. every Saturday until October 9 meeting 

Howell Parks & Rec announces walking club meeting Sept. 11

Deb Mikula, director of Howell Parks & Rec announced today:


Our new Walk Howell Michigan walking club based at Barnard Community Center, is open to all   walkers. The first monthly meeting will be held in the small meeting room at Barnard Community Center at 9:00am, Saturday, September 11. Walkers will record laps walked on the quarter-mile track at Page Athletic Field directly behind Barnard Community Center - on Roosevelt Street between Lake and North streets and/or any of six, two-mile walks originating from the Barnard Community Center. The club will also plan a walking seminar and discuss other walking and healthy living opportunities. Keep up to date on club activities at Walk Howell Michigan: http://walkhowellmichigan.blogspot.com/

This is a FREE event. Prizes will be raffled off!

Call today to register today 517/546-0693 ext. 0  or register online at: www.howellrecreation.org

National Get Outdoors Day, Saturday June 12!

From Rob Golda at Hiking Michigan:

This Saturday, 6/12/10, we will be participating in the first annual National GET OUTDOORS Day at Greenfield Village. The US Forest Service is sponsoring this event, and there will be many local organizations and parks represented in booths at the pavilion in the Village. We will be dusting off our display items and setting up outside the Pavilion, with Free stuff and info. The park has allowed us access to the island, so after the main festivities, we will be leading a private hike there. Everyone meets at the Pavilion at 1 p.m. and we head to the Island bridge from there. Allow yourself the afternoon for this event. The renovations at Greenfield Village and the hike and programs taking place for GET OUTDOORS are worth the entire day's attentions. There are some great places to eat at the Village and much to see. Hope to see you all there. Happy Trails,

Rob Golda

HIKING MICHIGAN

"OUTDOORS FOR EVERYONE"

rgolda@hikingmichigan.com

Office/Studio: 586 446-7656

WEB SITE:  http://www.hikingmichigan.com

FLICKR:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/outdoorsforeveryone/?saved=1

FACEBOOK:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rochester-MI/HIKING-MICHIGAN/284929873737?ref=mf

WORDPRESS BLOG:  http://hikingmichigan.wordpress.com/

Download more details for the GET OUTDOORS Event here:

http://www.hikingmichigan.com/PDFinfo/GreenfieldVillage.pdf

You can get even more info, a Map, and more Village details at the Link provided here:

http://www.thehenryford.org/events/nationalGetOutdoorsDay.aspx

The Haven Hill Project team will be in our booth, connecting the following weeks HISTORY Hike at the Edsel Ford estate at Highland Recreation area.(6/19/10) Get some further details and info on that here:

http://www.havenhillproject.org

Walk Howell update

Walk Howell had our last scheduled walk today with a two mile loop south and west of the Barnard/Roosevelt streets track. We held a drawing for a $25 gift certificate for a class at the Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority from among all the walkers who participated in Walk Howell/Walk Michigan and Dale Noel of Howell was the winner.


Other walking opportunities:

• Marie Hanvey reports that Marion Twp. will celebrate Heritage Days with music, steam engine show, car show and more at the township hall, 2877 W. Coon Lake Road, on June 12 and 13. The township maintains a Marion Park walking trail #1 starting at one-quarter-mile south of Coon Lake Road on Triangle Lake Road, and plans to begin work on trail #2 this summer.
• Michelle Buyaki reports she and George and guests enjoyed the outdoor exhibit of glass artist Dale Chihuly at Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids. The gardens feature miles of nature trails; the Chihuly exhibit runs through September 30, 2010.
• The Historic Pathwalkers American Volkssport Association Michigan affiliate will host a group walk of its Grand Rapids walk at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 12 beginning at the Big Boy Restaurant at 407 Pearl Street. For information about volksmarching see the American Volkssport Association website.

We would like to continue our healthy walking habit throughout the summer, and possibly form a seasonal or year-'round walking club. If you are interested in, or know of anyone who would like to participate in a walking club, send your email address to linda.theil@gmail.com.

MRPA Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk Tour package Sept. 3-6, 2010

The Michigan Recreation & Park Association is sponsoring a tour package for the 53rd annual Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Walk to be held on Labor Day, September 6, 2010. The tour package features a four-day/three night stay on Mackinac Island at the Mission Point Resort beginning Friday, September 3 evening, and culminating in the annual Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk and brunch on Monday Sept. 6, 2010 morning. The fee is $449 per adult/dbl. occupancy. The tour package includes:

• 4 day/3 night stay at Mission Point Resort
• Free parking at Arnold's Boat Dock
• Continental Breakfast Saturday and Monday mornings
• Full course dinner Saturday evening
• Sunday brunch at Grand Hotel
• Brunch at Audies' following the bridge walk
• Round trip boat ticket
• Free tour of historic Fort Mackinac
• Horse-drawn taxi from the dock to the resort
• Round trip luggage transfers
• Souvinir t-shirt

A deposit of $200 is required with your reservation.
Full payment is due by July 16, 2010.
Register online for the MRPA Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk Trip. (Payment is due in full, by credit card, if you choose this option.)
Or download a MRPA Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk Trip registration form.

Participants who wish to stay an additional night at Mission Point may do so for $99 by making arrangements directly with Mission Point Resort.

Howell Parks & Rec Director Mikula invites walkers to Earth Day celebration April 24, 2010

Howell Parks and Recreation Director Deborah Mikula said:

April is the time to celebrate Spring and recognize the importance of a healthy environment.   We are proud to support the 40th anniversary of "Earth Day" this year by joining the Howell High School Environmental Club in downtown Howell on Saturday, April 24th for the annual earth day celebration. 

A variety of local groups will have informational booths and activities, and vendors will be selling Earth-friendly products.  The Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority will have a booth where we'll be handing out seedlings, seed packets and other goodies to those that stop by.

The great part about this event - it is totally free and very family oriented.  So make plans to join us from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. on April 24th on State Street and at the Livingston County Courthouse for this great event.

Thank you to Joanna Miller, the advisor for the Howell High School Environmental Club for again hosting this event and engaging us in the celebration each year.

Deborah E. Mikula, Director

Trails around Howell

Lakeview Cemetery, Barnard Rd. Howell MI, Photo by L. Theil

Walking trails in Howell, Michigan

Try out these trails and walkways around Howell: 

• Genoa Township Walking Trail, 2911 Dorr Road, Brighton, MI 48816
• Howell Nature Center Main Trail, 1005 Triangle Lake Road, Howell, MI  48843
• McPherson Park Drive Walking Trail,  Howell Armory-725 Isbell St., Howell, MI 48843
• Marion Park #1-Walking Trail, starting at ¼ mile S. of Coon Lake Road on Triangle Lake Road (Trail #2 being planned in summer 2010)
• West Street Park Walking Trail, West Street and Factory Street in Howell, MI
• Howell City Park, Barnard Street and Thompson Street in Howell, MI
• Page Field Walking Trail and Lakeview Cemetery (across the street), 415 N. Barnard, Howell, MI  48843
• Crosstown Trail, starting at Jonna’s Market in Howell, MI at the corner of Michigan Ave. and M-59

Walk Fit 8 a.m. Tuesdays & Fridays

Howell walkers George and Michelle B. enjoy Walk Fit at the Hartland Senior Center, 9525 Highland Road, Howell MI. The class includes one hour of vigorous walking every Tuesday and Friday at 8 a.m. for a modest $1 drop-in fee per class. The class walks inside in inclement weather.

2010 Walk Howell begins May 5 at Page Field

Announcement of 2010 Walk Michigan/Walk Howell program
from Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority:

The Walk Michigan Program, sponsored by Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority and Michigan Recreation and Park Association, is a series of non-competitive walks promoting walking as a form of fitness. There is no cost and prizes will be raffled off at each walk. Walkers meet at 9 am at the track on Page Field (415 N. Barnard St.), across from the boat launch beginning Wednesday, May 5 and running for six weeks every Wednesday until June 9. Walkers can get started by walking the track and then would depart for a different two mile route every week, ending up back at the track where walkers can walk more laps if desired. People who arrive early can sign in and begin walking until everyone is ready to start the walk, or you can sign in, get a weekly map, take off and return at your leisure. Come and bring your family, friends and pets as you enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise. Walks are guided by Linda Theil co-author of the book “A Walk through Time” seven walking tours of Howell. For information, contact: Beth A. Schrader, Enrichment Director, Howell Area Parks and Recreation Authority 517 546 0693, extentsion 7707, email bschrader@howellrecreation.org or visit Howell Recreation.org