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Newsletter March 1, 2006
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We now have our own web domain! Our new web address is: The new domain comes courtesy of Michigan Public Health Institute. They would like to have our site continue to be accessible, even when lots of people try to view the newsletter all in the same hour. Geocities was locking our previous site because we were exceeding the data transfer limit. So, easier URL to remember, better access and no ads on the side! Thanks, MPHI! Nancy, Jeff and Chelane test-walked the Plymouth route on February 18th. The temp was in the low teens and the wind made it feel much colder than that. We would have stayed home, except that the AVA submission window was quickly coming to a close, so we needed to get the directions and map finalized. So, we bundled up in layer upon layer and walked. It was actually fairly comfortable when we were out of the wind or it was at our backs. Chelane's water bottle was only mostly frozen through, but not completely so :-) . So, the route is going to be 11K and it will start at Bode's (pronounced Bo-dee's) Corned Beef House at 280 N. Main in Plymouth. It will qualify for US Presidents (large Abe Lincoln exhibit), Riverwalk America (Middle Rouge River), and Railroad Heritage (Station 885 restaurant). Speaking of Special Programs, AVA has approved some new ones to start July 1, 2006. They are: American Authors and Literary Landmarks: walk in 15 qualifying events that are associated with an American author or literary landmark. This could include cemetaries where the author is buried and home they lived in or wrote in. Spirit of Walking Cemetery Stroll: Participants must walk past or through 40 cemeteries using either year-round or regular events. The Wineries and Breweries program was declined by AVA. The Mason and Birmingham walks will qualify for the Cemetery Stroll. If you think your route will qualify for either of these two new programs, let me know. Jeff gave us a donation of $250. THANK YOU! He says he would like to see us develop more walks, eventually leading to some program of our own. We brainstormed a little bit in Plymouth and thought maybe we could work up a Michigan Challenge. We thought it could involve 5 walks in each of 4 different categories, like maybe Great Lakes, Michigan Rivers, County Courthouses, Inland Lakes, State Parks, Michigan Colleges and so on. Anyway, the idea is still in the brainstorm stage, so let me know if you have comments and we'll discuss this further at our next group walk in Mason. If you would like to explore how Washington state does their challenges, go to: http://www.walkingwithecw.org/wsc/ Toward the goal of putting in more walks, I ordered us a measuring wheel to measure off those walks that head away from the roads. Less than $80 all told, Meter Man series 79, 24" diameter wheel, manual counter goes up to 10,000 meters. It will come in handy when we test walk all the new routes and events we want to do. Here's how our walks stack up for the Special Programs so far . . . Colleges: East Lansing, Ann Arbor US Presidents: Ann Arbor, Plymouth (pending authorization) Riverwalk America: Grand Ledge (Grand River), East Lansing (Red Cedar River), Jackson (Grand River), Ann Arbor (Huron River), Plymouth (Middle Rouge River), Birmingham (River Rouge) Railroad Heritage: Mason, Ann Arbor, Plymouth, maybe the rest, too! Walking Europe in the US: Birmingham, Plymouth Our Great Lakes Weekend during Labor Day weekend 2006 has a few seats still available. If you are interested in going with us, you need to get your registration in. Let me know about your accomplishments, especially if you have some interesting travel stories to pass on! See you in Mason on March 11! Chelane |
Sat, Mar 11, GLA Group Walk Sat, Apr 2: Event, Columbia City, IN Sat, Apr 15, HP Group Walk& club meeting, location TBA Sat, Apr 22, GLA Group Walk, Birmingham, 10 am Sun, May 7: Event, Ann Arbor Sun,
May 21: Sat, June 3: GLA Group Walk, Ann Arbor, 10am Sat, June 17: GLA Group Walk, Plymouth, 10 am Sat, July 8: GLA Group Walk, East Lansing, 10 am Sat, Aug 12: GLA Group Walk, Charlotte, 10 am Sat, Aug 27: Event, CMU Fri, Sep 1: GLA Group Walk, Grand Ledge, 6 pm. Sat - Mon, Sep 2 - 4, Trip to UP to do Marquette, Whitefish Point and Mackinac Bridge |
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Directions to Mason group walk. From 127 take Kipp Rd. exit and head east on Kipp Rd. At 2nd light, turn left onto Jefferson St. Go into town, Kean's will be on the left. Parking available behind store. From I-96, take exit 110 and go south on Okemos Rd. Follow Okemos Rd. all the way into downtown Mason. Kean's is on the right past the 2nd stop light at Ash St. Parking lot on Ash behind Kean's. |
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Dues, Donations & Orders go to: Joan Ritter
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