Sunlight strikes the bright leaves of a maple tree as they rattle in the wind above people passing by on a sidewalk in South Park in 2010. Autumn is an ideal time to enjoy the great outdoors in Kansas. by Mike Yoder
Autumn is the ideal time of year to enjoy the great outdoors in Lawrence. Not only is it colorful with hues of red, orange and yellow, but the temperatures are more comfortable.
If you need motivation, well, there’s plenty of opportunities to pick from. There are bicycle rides, runs, walks and golf tournaments, along with health fairs and educational classes.
There’s even Walktober!
It’s a national walking program that’s been fine-tuned by Lawrence health education specialists for our community. Last year 700 residents participated, and organizers hope more will join this year.
Aynsley Anderson, community education coordinator for Lawrence Memorial Hospital and an organizer, said people can participate individually or as a team and the goal is to increase their walking during October. The goal is for everyone to walk at least 2 hours and 30 minutes a week, which is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Participants can keep track of their miles on paper or on a local “Get Moving” website. Those who reach their goal will receive a small prize. In addition, they will get e-mails three times a week that contain fitness, health and nutrition tips plus recipes.
Participants will receive orientation packets that include 31 one-mile walks in the Douglas County area.
Orientation classes for the program will take place at the hospital, 325 Maine:
• Sept. 13 — 6 p.m.-7 p.m.
• Sept. 17 — 9 a.m.-10 a.m.
• Sept. 22 — noon-1 p.m.
If you can’t make an orientation session, call Anderson at 785-505-3066 or Janelle Martin, of Douglas County Community Health Improvement Partnership, at 785-505-3070. The deadline to sign up is Sept. 26.
Anderson said the Fall is a great time to get out and exercise and even socialize. It’s good for all aspects of health—physical and mental.
“Hopefully, there’s something that appeals to everybody, so everybody will have the opportunity to get out and do something that they enjoy and that’s educational and helpful,” she said.
Taylin Hein, Lawrence Memorial Hospital medical technologist, withdraws blood from Roberta Malburg, of Linwood, for a cholesterol screening during the Healthy Hearts Fair earlier this year. LMH's annual Health Fair will be Sept. 24. by Karrey Britt
OTHER EVENTS ON TAP:
• Sept. 9 — Penny Jones Golf Tournament, a fundraiser for the LMH Endowment Assn., 8 a.m., Alvamar Golf and Country Club. Contact: 785-505-3317 or www.lmhendowment.org.
• Sept. 17-18 — MS Bike Ride Kansas City. It’s a bicycle ride that starts in Topeka or Olathe and meets in Lawrence’s South Park, where there will be an all-day festival. There are three distances to choose from. Contact: 913-432-3926 or msmidamerica.org.
• Sept. 23 — American Heart Association’s Women’s Golf Outing, 3:30 p.m., Eagle Bend Golf Course. It’s a training and teaching session on six holes. Contact: Kirsten Flory at 785-749-6803 or kirsten.flory@kucu.org.
• Sept. 24 — LMH Health Fair, 7:30 a.m.-11 a.m., 325 Maine. Free health screenings and exhibits. Contact: 785-749-5800 or www.lmh.org.
• Sept. 24 — Light The Night Walk, a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Buford M. Watson Jr. Park, Seventh and Tennessee streets. Festival starts at 6 p.m. and the walk begins at 7:45 p.m. Contact: 913-262-1515, www.lightthenight.org/mid.
• Sept. 24 — Family Health and Fitness Day, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Hy-Vee, 3504 Clinton Parkway. Event will include exhibits by other organizations and an obstacle course for kids.
• Sept. 28 — Children’s Health and Safety Event in Eudora, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., Eudora Family Care, 600 E. 20th St. Contact: 785-749-5800 or www.lmh.org.
Trestle Wrencik, 2, delights in picking an apple out of a tree with the help of his grandmother Vicky Logan, Kansas City, Mo., at the Vertacnik Orchard during the Kaw Valley Farm Tour in 2010. At left is Trestle’s grandfather Jay Logan. by Mike Yoder
• Oct. 1-2, Kaw Valley Farm Tour, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. It’s $10 per carload for both days with about 25 farms on the tour. Contact: 785-843-7058 or www.KawValleyFarmTour.org.
• Oct. 2 — Head for The Cure, a benefit for brain cancer research, 8 a.m., South Park, 12th and Massachusetts streets. Contact: www.headforthecure.org.
• Oct. 9 — Nash Dash 5K, 10K & Bash, a benefit for the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, 8:30 a.m., 600 block of Massachusetts. Contact: wwwbertnashdashbash.org.
• Oct. 12 — First WorkWell Lawrence Symposium, 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Holiday Inn Lawrence, 200 McDonald Drive. Contact: workwelllawrence.org.
• Oct. 14 — Homegrown Lawrence Festival begins at 6 p.m. at Abe and Jake’s Landing, 8 E. Sixth St. There will be local food and music along with presentations. The event is a benefit for Lawrence Farm to School.
• Oct 29 — Stepping Out Against Breast Cancer dance, a fundraiser for the LMH Breast and Oncology Centers, 8 p.m.-11:55 p.m., Crown Toyota Pavilion, 3430 Iowa. Contact: 785-505-3315 or www.lmhendowment.org.
• Oct. 29 — WOW Run 5K, a benefit for Women Build, a Habitat for Humanity affiliate, 8 a.m., Body Boutique, 2330 Yale Road. Contact: 785-749-2424, wowrun.weebly.com.
Runners race down Seventh street during the 10K race that was part of the Bert Nash Dash & Bash last year in downtown Lawrence. Aside from featuring 5K and 10K races, live music, food and children’s activities were part of the free public party. This year's second annual event will be Oct. 9. by John Young
ARE THERE MORE?
If you know of an event, please post it in the comments below. We'll add it to a resource list that we'll post later.
Comments
merrill (anonymous) says…
Good one Karrey.
If homes have room may I suggest an Elliptical Trainer take up some space. When it is too hot or too cold these devices are excellent for the cardio vascular,knees and hips. Place it in front of a window, put on the favorite music then get with it.
kbritt (Karrey Britt) replies…
Thanks Merrill. I know my doctor recommended an elliptical for those dreary, cold days when I'm stuck inside.
Jayhawker07 (anonymous) says…
THE KNIGHTS
DANCE SCHEDULE
Singles & Couples
ALWAYS OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC
2011 Dates
Sept. 3rd KC Outlaws
Sept. 10th Wild Hayride
Sept. 16th Krazy Kats
Sept. 17th Little Joe & The Wisemen
Sept. 30th KC Outlaws
Oct. 1st Arnie Johnson
Oct. 7th Stranger Creek Band
Oct. 8th Little Joe & The Wisemen
Oct. 15th Wild Hayride
Oct. 22nd KC Outlaws
Oct. 28th Krazy Kats
Oct. 29th Arnie Johnson
Nov. 5th Arnie Johnson
Nov. 12th Little Joe & The Wisemen
Nov. 18th Krazy Kats
Nov. 19th KC Outlaws
Nov. 26th Wild Hayride
Dec. 3rd Arnie Johnson
Dec. 10th KC Outlaws
Dec. 16th Stranger Creek Band
Dec. 17th Little Joe & The Wisemen
Dec. 31st To be announced - Taking requests
Doors open @ 7pm and band @ 8pm
Welcome to the
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS CLUB
2206 E. 23rd Street
785-842-2699 Council1372@Sunflower.com
charliebryan (Charlie Bryan) says…
Great post, Karrey. Thanks for compiling this list of healthy activities for our community.
merrill (anonymous) says…
Bike or Drive - That's How She Rolls
Sarah Shipley admits she owns a car, but if she can, she will walk, ride her bike or take a bus.
Which is a fine thing, considering she’s a bicycle and pedestrian advocate who works for such groups as BikeWalkKC and the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation.
Shipley is also a communications consultant who works out of her home in Waldo. She, her husband and two small children moved here from the Washington, D.C., area two years ago.
Q. How do you decide whether to take your car, a bus, your bike or your feet?
Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/09/04/...
http://www.kansascity.com/2011/09/04/...