Winter hike attracts more than 300

  • By Kyle Valentini
  • February 13, 2012
  • 306
                        
Summary: More than 300 hikers came out to Historic Schoenbrunn Village for the third annual Healthy Tusc Winter Hike. The free event included ham and bean soup and cornbread and the opportunity to win door prizes. The event was co-sponsored by the United Way. Temperatures in the low 20’s and high winds did not stop the highly motivated from participating in the third annual Healthy Tusc Winter Hike at Historic Schoenbrunn Village on Sat. Feb. 11. Just the right amount of snow blanketed the village making it the perfect setting for an invigorating hike. The United Way co-sponsored the free event. The Healthy Tusc Taskforce was formed in June 2009 by a group of concerned health and wellness providers to respond to the increasing prevalence of obesity in Tuscarawas County. With 29% of residents meeting the qualifications for obesity, the winter hike aims to motivate people to make physical activity a part of their daily routines. According to healthy Tusc, an alarming 39% of local third graders are obese. Hikers could use the upper, historic trail as well as the lower trails. “Last year attendees really enjoyed the more rustic lower trails so we have decided to make them available again this year,” said Pam Dummermuth, Coordinator of Community Health and Wellness at Union Hospital and member of the Healthy Tusc Taskforce. Members of 4-H served as volunteers on the lower trails. The schoolhouse was open and a fire in the fireplace was a welcome delight for hikers coming in from the cold. Historic Schoenbrunn Village, typically closed for the season, had staff and volunteers on hand to showcase the state memorial. “It’s a great time to see the village,” said staff member Michelle Hallman. “The museum and gift shop are open for hikers to enjoy when they get back.” “Exercise used to be a part of people’s daily lives. We had physical jobs and we were farmers. Technology, unfortunately has taken exercise out of our lives and we have become more sedentary,” said Barbara Burns, Director of WIC at the Tuscarawas County Health Department and Healthy Tusc Taskforce Chairperson. “The leanest state in the nation is Colorado, so winter is not an excuse not to exercise,” said Burns. “There are parts of Colorado that have snow all year round. By sponsoring events like this we hope to inspire people to include exercise in their daily lives. It’s been great to see people who have come to the hikes in the past and I have seen new faces here today as well.” The Healthy Tusc Taskforce’s mission is to increase opportunities for physical activity, increase access to healthy and nutritious food options while limiting access to unhealthy food options and influence policy that impacts obesity in the region. Hikers were treated to ham and bean soup with cornbread after the hike. “The soup is Barbara Burns’ recipe,” said Vickie Ionno, New Philadelphia Health Commissioner and Healthy Tusc Taskforce member. “She makes the most delicious soup. It’s an old family recipe and we are fortunate to have her share it with us at the winter hikes.” Tuscarawas County Commissioner Chris Abbuhl was in charge of stirring the soup. “As a member of the Healthy Tusc Taskforce I do what I can to help. Today I was in charge of building the fire in the schoolhouse and tending to the soup,” said Abbuhl. “This is the first time we have come to the winter hike,” said Holly Tulip of Dover who was hiking with her husband and son. “We have hiked at Schoenbrunn before but it is so beautiful with the snow.” Linda Agar of New Philadelphia brought Flat Stanley, a paper cutout from the popular 1964 book. “My granddaughter Whitney sent him all the way from North Carolina and I brought him so we could take his picture at the hike. I have to send him back to her first grade class,” said Agar. More than 300 hikers participated in the annual event that included door prizes donated form local businesses. “Despite the cold weather we had some true diehards who had the right gear to stay the course,” said Dummermuth. “The KSU Tusc walking and hiking club had members come and they were excited for the opportunity.” “We are starting to see changes in Tuscarawas County,” said Burns. “More schools are adding wellness programs for kids. What they need to do is make physical activity a part of their curriculum so it can be done every day.”


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