Stanton residents return to school to improve health

STANTON — Even winter’s temperatures and icy streets couldn’t keep Stanton’s residents from exercising, thanks in part to members of an area organization.

Stanton Friends, a group of individuals planning for Stanton’s future, arranged to have the community school’s hallways available twice daily so walkers could log a few miles, regardless of the weather.

The program, which began Feb. 1, has been successful. Walkers keep a daily record of their distances and Jake Nimrod’s health class students tally the results. After last week, total distance exceeded 1,742 miles.

“We’ve had 86 individuals who have walked at least one mile,” Nimrod said last week, “and by now most walkers have averaged about 20 miles.”

He said the combined distance of the 86 walkers would reach from Stanton to Los Angeles, Bangor, Ma., or Seattle.

Walkers know the scenery hasn’t been the route to L.A. or Bangor or Seattle, but they are grateful they’ve been able to be warm, inside, and on padded carpet as they lap classrooms and glance at wall displays between the elementary and high school offices.

The Friends of Stanton organization was awarded up to $100,000 to begin and continue programs consistent with Iowa’s Healthy Communities Initiative Grant program. Their winter project was to provide the indoor walking program for individuals of any age. The full amount to be received will be determined by approval of proposed health and fitness programs established by the Stanton Friends organization. The funds are from the State of Iowa.

Barb Allen, one of the organizers, said the healthy program will be ongoing. She said walkers have reported their miles from walking not only at the school, but wherever they are walking, including on treadmills. Some work in teams, others keep individual records.

Allen is a team of one and had walked 74 miles by the end of week five. Yesterday was the start of week seven.

“It’s awesome how the community is taking advantage of the opportunity to use the school, and we thank Superintendent Judd Ashley, the school board and the custodians for making this work,” she said.

Individuals and teams participate, with some teams setting goals for the distance they plan to cover while doing laps inside at the school.

Each day, walkers complete forms which students tally. Data sheets are posted weekly.

Being on a team doesn’t mean all members walk together, or that they walk the same distances. People walk at times that fit their schedules and stamina. But most think the program has encouraged them to leave their homes and get out and walk, even if it’s icy outside.

Ron and Joann Williams, who sometimes spend time in Texas but are in the Stanton area to be near family while Ron deals with cancer, are among the walkers. Joann said they appreciate being able to walk where it’s warm and safe, especially for older people who aren’t out as much as those who go to jobs. She’s also appreciative of how it’s helped Ron in his efforts to rebuild stamina after two surgeries and chemo sessions. For him, it’s not how many miles he walks, but that he build endurance.

“When you are getting treatments for cancer, you’re weak and you’re not supposed to be around people much. His last chemo treatment was on Jan. 31 and since then his CT scans and blood work have said he’s cancer free, so he’s been glad to be out walking and seeing people again,” she said. “He’s a people person, and that (walking at the school) in itself has helped us see other people. It’s also helped him build his stamina, and mine, too.”

Ron Williams has been gradually increasing his tempo as he has walked, but when he’s resting on the bench, other walkers have heard his encouraging comments and friendly greetings. Right now, he’s injured a foot, so he’s waiting for that to heal before he gets back to lapping the classrooms.

The largest team, SWIGS, has 20 members. They have walked nearly 200 miles.

The Toe Jammers consists of nine members who have walked more than 85 miles. Other teams have names like Walking in the Warm and Problem Solvers.

Families walk, too. The Vanderholm family team has walked 62 miles.

Moms push their babies and toddlers in strollers, but even young children walk. Each person sets his or her own pace and style of walking.

Maddy Parsons, 8, has chosen to walk while her mom, custodian Stephanie Parsons, keeps cleaning classrooms until the walkers finish at 6:30 p.m. Maddy discovered she can read a book and walk at the same time.

Walkers know 11 laps around the course is roughly one mile. The morning and evening groups become acquainted fellow walkers, and there’s an unspoken commitment to walk, knowing others would expect to see the regulars there. Frequently friendly comments occur as walkers pass each other during laps.

Several walk two miles a night, but some, like committed walkers Carleen Bruning and Marilyn Wenberg, seldom leave without getting in three miles each. They began walking years ago during lunch breaks in Red Oak and now briskly pass others as they get their miles in without fear of slipping on icy walks.

Before long, participants will begin walking Stanton’s trail and adding those miles in the sunshine to the log, but for now, walkers can choose to use the school if they wish. Once they move to the trail, organizers will spread the word about how to keep records so students can continue tallying results.

The school began making its hallways available on Feb. 1 and will continue to do so until April 23. Doors open weekdays for walkers from 5:15-7 a.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Nimrod said there’s still time to sign up and become a participant. “Striding to Improve” forms are kept near the bulletin board at the end of the north hallway.