September 21, 2007
Purdue Extension to sponsor walks to promote Hoosier fitness
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - As a way to encourage Indiana residents to get in shape and focus on the importance of healthy living, 39 counties will host Walks Across Indiana.The project, co-sponsored by Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service, is part of the INShape Indiana initiative.
"It is recommended that folks get 30 minutes of exercise daily, and walking is one of the best forms of exercise for people of all ages," said Karen Zotz, Purdue Extension's Consumer and Family Sciences program director. "It's a good way to spend time with family members, a spouse or friends."
Last year, participants in 26 counties covered nearly 5,000 miles - more than 9 million steps - and more participants are expected to cover more ground in 2007.
"We're doing this to promote healthy choices," Zotz said. "We want people to think about personal health and how their health affects their families."
In addition to the walks, many counties will provide information, including handouts, that will cover topics such as selecting proper walking shoes and portion control when eating. Some walks will include health fairs, blood pressure checks, prewalking warm-up information and pedometer give-a-ways.
"We are also providing information on nutrition because exercise alone is not enough," Zotz said.
Participating counties are partnering with county health departments and other local sponsors. In addition to Purdue Extension and the Indiana State Department of Health, statewide sponsors include Coca-Cola and Novartis.
More information on the walks is available by contacting Zotz at (765) 494-8252, kzotz@purdue.edu.
Counties hosting Walks Across Indiana, dates and local contact information are as follows:
* Bartholomew, Oct. 6, Kristi Price, (812) 379-1665
* Benton, Oct. 27, Linda Pitstick, (765) 884-0140
* Brown, Sept. 29, Barb Bowman, (812) 988-5495
* Clay, Oct. 6, Peggy Davis, (812) 448-9041
* Crawford, Oct. 6, Sharon Lawson, (812) 267-6596
* Daviess, Oct 5, Jennifer Stefancik, (812) 254-8668
* Dearborn, Oct. 6, Peg Ehlers, (812) 926-1189
* Decatur, Sept. 22, Atina Rozhon, (812) 663-8388
* Delaware, Oct. 6, Annette Pairsh, (765) 747-7732
* Dubois, Oct. 6, Jane Critchlow, (812) 482-1782
* Floyd, Oct. 27, Janet Steffens, (812) 948-5470
* Gibson, Oct. 6, Mary Duke, (812) 385-3491
* Grant, Oct. 7, Teresa Witkoske, (765) 651-2413
* Greene, Oct. 6, Polly Gettinger, (812) 659-2122
* Harrison, Sept. 29, Nancy Casada, (812) 738-4236
* Johnson, Sept. 29, Linda Souchon, (317) 736-3724
* Kosciusko, Oct.6, Joan Younce, (574) 372-2340
* Lake, Oct. 2, Corinne Powell, (219) 755-3240
* Lawrence, Oct. 6, Glenda DeFord, (812) 275-4623
* Marion, Oct. 5-11, Christina Ferroli, (317) 275-9305 ext. 255
* Marshall, Oct. 6, Karen Richey, (574) 935-8545
* Montgomery, Oct. 6, Kathryn Tate, (765) 364-6363
* Newton, Oct. 23, Deb Arseneau, (219) 285-8620
* Owen, Oct. 6, Peggy Davis, (812) 829-5020
* Pike, Oct. 6, Darlene Decker, (812) 354-6838
* Posey, Oct. 6, Genise Huey, (812) 838-1331
* Putnam, Oct. 6, Jackie Baumann, (765) 653-8411
* Ripley, Oct. 6, LouAnn Menchofer, (812) 689-6511
* Rush, Sept., Michelle Walls, (765) 932-5974
* St. Joseph, Oct. 5, Edie Sutton, (574) 235-9604
* Tippecanoe, Oct. 6, Laura Mueller, (765) 474-0793
* Tipton, Oct. 6, Terri Newcom, (765) 675-1177
* Vanderburgh, Oct. 6, Susan Plassmeier, (812) 435-5287
* Wabash, Oct. 6, Teresa Witkoske, (260) 563-0661 ext. 246
* Warren, Oct. 6, Jean Akers, (765) 762-3231
* Warrick, Oct. 5, Mary Lou Elbert, (812) 897-6101
* Wayne, Oct. 6, Georgia Wagner, (765) 973-9283
* Wells, Oct. 2-3, Judi Merkel, (260) 824-6412
* White, Oct. 6, Denise Schroeder, (219) 984-5115
Writer: Jennifer Stewart Cummins, (765) 494-6682, jsstewar@purdue.edu
Source: Karen Zotz, (765) 494-8252, kzotz@purdue.edu
Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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