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HAPPY NEW YEAR, WELCOME 2017

MONTHLY MEETING

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

7:00 at Villa Courtyard & Brookdale Senior Living. Pre-meeting Eating a.k.a. The Walkers Wok – 5:15 at Pop’s

Branding Iron, 901 Pacific Blvd. SE.,.Albany. Please order when you arrive. This gives us time to arrive at the

meeting by 7pm. To walk before the meeting, meet at 5:00 pm at Brookdale Start Box.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Rozy – January 9, Jim – January 10, Janet E - January 13

ALBANY FITWALKERS NEWSLETTER

WALK ALBANY

Albany Fitwalkers, a member of the American Volkssporting Association, is a non-competitive group

meeting the second Tuesday of each month at Brookdale Villas Courtyard, 1929 Grand Prairie Rd. SE,

Willamette Room , Albany OR. Visitors are welcome. Yearly dues are $10.00.

WALKER WEBSITES FITWALKERS www.albanyfitwalkers.org OTSVA www.walkoregon.org AVA www.ava.org

JANUARY 2017

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Prez’s e-dress

donreed1946@yahoo.com

The Prez SeZ

Hi Folks! What a great Christmas party we had! I really liked the up stairs room that we used even though it was unexpected and a little warm up there. But it does have a little more atmosphere than our meeting room. We can ponder using it again next year. The new year is almost here. We have lots of challenges available this year in Oregon. The first quarter winter challenge, CRVC 20 Walk Challenge www.walking4fun.org , Central Willamete Valley 20 Walk Challenge www.AlbanyFitwalkers.org , I believe the Moss backs will be renewing their 9 walk challenge as well. Dates and info. on club web sites. Also: my annual challenge, a one oz. 2017 silver eagle coin issued by the United States Mint for whom ever walks the most Albany year round events next year. Don Reed, President Albany Fitwalkers

donreed1946@yahoo.com

Fun, Fitness and Friendship

Thank You to the wonderful Albany

Fitwalkers 2016 Officers for agreeing to

serve again in 2017.

Albany Fitwalkers Sunday Stroll Jan 29 -- Jefferson Town Walk 2 pm

5/10 km, 1B, Meet at Jefferson Thriftway Grocery

--------------------------------------------------------- Remember to send your “Tales from the Trails” to Sandy at cramerss2@aol.com by February 25.

---------------------------------------------------------

COME WORK WITH US

Have you signed up for a committee yet? 2017 Albany Fitwalkers Workers

Committees The more help the merrier

Membership – Don

Newsletter – Sandy, Julia, Bev

Year Rounds –Connie and Julia,

Historian – Sandra

Website and media – Karen W and Nancy,

Publicity – Everyone,

Thursday Walks – Julia, Dorothy & Bill

Sunday Strolls – Rozy, Karen W and Nancy

Walk Developers – Julia, Bev, Karens, Nancy,

OTSVA Rep – Karen Mc Bike/Pedestrian Commission – Help Wanted

Regional Trails, Lebanon BLT – Help Wanted

Albany Fitwalkers Newsletter Printed by

Albany Fitwalkers News 2017 Albany Fitwalkers Officers

President– Don, Vice President – Jan E.,

Co-secretaries – Bev and Connie,

Treasurer – Nancy H.

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Oregon Trails State Volkssporting Association

OregonTrails.org oregon.trail.state.volkssport@gmail.com

Walk Oregon

Challenges

H is the challenge for 2017: high schools,

hospitals, hotels and historic homes

Oregon challenges have their own logbooks

and are $8 each. You must pay the

sanctioning club for volkssport credit for each

event you stamp in the logbook. To get started

or for questions or details for any of these

books, contact Martha Korff at a local

volkssporting event or phone her: 503-728-

0400. You may also write: Martha Korff,

74890 Palm Creek Rd, Clatskanie, OR 97016

<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>

Two 2017 Special Challenge Programs By Julia

Both Challenges are for AVA credit and non-

credit/free walkers.

First is OTSVA’s (AVA State Assn) 2017 Winter Walk to Win Contest which is open to

all people walking in Oregon from Jan. 1,

2017 through March 31,

2017. Information/log sheets for completion

are at http://walkoregon.org/club-news/. A

person completes a log sheet listing the AVA

Oregon events and year-rounds walked for

credit or for free but with a $1 donation. For

every 10 walks, a “chit” is made for the random

drawing in April. First prize will be $100 REI

gift card, 2nd

prize is $75 REI gift card and

3rd

prize is $50 REI gift card. The more “chits”

a walker has, the better chance to win. I was

fortunate to win the 2nd

prize last year with 2

chits and I suspect the 3rd

prize winner had

more chits.

An Other Oregon 2017 Challenge

Mid-Valley & Coastal Challenge Jan. 1,

2017, through Dec. 31, 2017.

The second Program,

was initiated by the

Albany Fitwalkers and

benefits the AVA clubs

in the Mid-Valley/Coast

(Fitwalkers,Cruisers,

Wanderers,

Mossbacks,Silverton

Walk Abouts and Coastal

Gems). Go to

albanyfitwalkers.org and

click on brochure for a

challenge form and

information.

This is a year-long Challenge. Walk at least 2

walks sponsored by each of these 6 clubs with

the remaining 8 being any of their other

walks. This Program is open to both credit/free

walkers. The drawing of the submitted

completed booklets will be held in January

2018. First prize is $60; 2nd

prize is 12 “walk

for free” coupons for these clubs’ walks for

AVA walkers; 3rd

prize is 6 such coupons.

So, start walking…

Mark Your Calendar

Rogue Valley Riches, May 12-14.

Seven walks available.

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Get out and

Walk Oregon

Over The Boarder Challenges

ESVA - WASHINGTON

2015 - 2017 WOMB TO TOMB

BIRTH-Hospitals, etc.

SCHOOL-K-12

VOWS-Church, City Hall, etc.

DEATH–Cemetery, Funeral Home, etc.

See www.esva.org for more information

2017 ESVA Winter Walking

Contest Jan 1-Mar 31,2017

Who: Paid Credit Walkers and Non-Credit (Free)

Walkers WHO make at least a $1.00 Donation.

ALL events must be in Washington ONLY.

What: Prizes awarded to winners of the drawing:

1st - $100.00 REI Gift Card

2nd - $75.00 REI Gift Card

3rd - $50.00 REI Gift Card

Why: To benefit the walking clubs of Washington

How: Walkers will be awarded one (1) chit for

entry in the drawing for every 10 Washington

events logged. Three (3) winners are selected in a

random drawing held at the May 6, 2017, ESVA

State Meeting. Winning Walker(s) need not be

present to win. A nominal recognition gift will be

presented to participants with the highest 3 totals.

BIGGER, YOUNGER BRAIN? As we age, the hippocampus- an area of our

brains key to memory- shrinks, leading to

memory problems and possibly dementia.

Research by Arthur F. Kramer of Northeastern

University, and others showed that when

previously sedentary men and women 50 to 80

years old walked around a track 40 minutes a

day 3 times a week for 6 months, their

hippocampi actually increased in size. A

control group that did not walk had smaller

hippocampi than when they started. AARP Bulletin, Sept. 2016

2017 Seabreeze Walking

Festival Ocean Shores

Feb 18-20, 2017

Driftwood at Ocean Shores

This fifth biennial

event, at the Lions

Club, offers 3

volksmarches along the beach, on the bayside, and

at Point Damon, a former state park. A bike ride

around the perimeter of town, with distances of 25

Km or 30 Km, are also available. Three more

walks occur on the North Beaches—Griffiths-

Priday State Park, Roosevelt Beach, and

Moclips. Complete the festival events in any order

you wish

THE SATURDAY NIGHT SOCIAL features an

Italian buffet and BYOB. See dinner details

at www.capitolvolkssportclub.org

Reservations must be received by Feb. 1.

LODGING. This is Presidents Day Weekend so

make your hotel reservations early. Details on the

club website or go to www.oceanshores.org to find

lodging.

LOCATION: Ocean Shores Lions Club, 832 Ocean

Shores Blvd NW, Ocean Shores, WA

START TIME: 8-1 Sat, Sun, Mon; FINISH: 5 pm

Sat, Sun; 3 pm Mon

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: I-5, Exit 104. West to

Ocean Shores through Aberdeen and

Hoquiam. From Hoquiam follow State Route 109

approx. 18 miles to State Route 115 and turn

left. Continue to Pt. Brown Ave (the entrance to

Ocean Shores) and turn left. Right at the traffic

circle, W. Chance a La Mer. Right at Ocean Shores

Blvd. Drive .1 mile. Lions Club is on the right.

Questions? Contact Bonnie

Tucker, bonniedale@comcast.net

WALK WASHINGTON

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AVA : America's Walking Club

The Mission of AVA is to promote and organize

noncompetitive physical fitness activities that encourage

lifelong fun, fitness, and friendship for all ages and abilities.

www.ava.org President Dennis Michele NC, Vice President Holly Pelking CA, Secretary Sam Korff OR, Treasurer Lawrence Lehman MO, Executive Director Henry Rosales TX NW Regional Dir. Nancy Wittenberg

And You Are AVA

Get involved. Offer ideas, help, support, and energy.

IVV ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Magnificent Milestones

Events

Mary Reed 150

Congratulations

Way to Walk !! Shop and raise crucial funds for the AVA:www.goodsearch.com/login?return_path=%2Finvitefriends. And https://smile.amazon.com/

Purchase your 2017

Centurion book. $15

first book, $10 for

second book purchased

for same year. You must be a National

Associate Member to participate in the

program. So join today.

Let's prepare for our next Convention. Click here for

more info and to visit the official 20th Biennial Convention website.

2017 YREs Start now AVA Special Programs

Starting January 1, 2017

Ice Cream Parlors Begins Jan 1, 2017, with Dec 31, 2019 to purchase books and Dec 31, 2020 to turn them in. Ice cream parlors have been essential in America's social and cultural history. Participants enjoy a sense of nostalgia as

they recall being teenagers and meeting friends after school at the local ice cream parlor, sitting in their favorite booth or at the counter to have ice cream, frappes, floats, or sodas. Adults will remember their parents or grandparents taking them for ice cream and can now take their own children or grandchildren. Reminisce or make new memories as you go by their local ice cream parlor or venture to new locations. Qualifiers are 20 different AVA sanctioned events that pass an ice cream parlor. Chains such as Dairy Queen, Friendly's or Shaklee's qualify, but can only be used once. A colorful, 3" x 4" fully embroidered patch of a 3-scoop decadent banana split sundae on a shiny metal table under a typical ice cream parlor awning. The cost of the book is $10. Books can be purchased from Mary Frink, Walk 'n Mass Volkssport Club, 38 Carter St #205, Everett, MA 02149. For more informaiton contact 617-387-1577 or mfwalks2010@verizon.net.

Underground Railroad Starts Jan 1, 2017, book sales continue until Dec 31, 2019. Participation and redemption of this book ends Dec 31, 2020. The Underground Railroad is an

important part of American history. This program helps recognize the bravery of those who rode it to freedom. Prior to 1860, America captured and enslaved about four million Black people from Africa. America was built on this enslaved labor, performing the difficult labor of the plantations across the South and slave-traders saw an opportunity to make a great deal of money buying and selling slaves. From the beginning, slaves tried to escape from the owners but attempting to escape or helping someone to escape was dangerous and could end in severe punishment or death. The Underground Railroad is the name for the secret

American Volkssporting Association

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route fugitives took to escape to freedom. It was not a real railroad, but rather a series of safe hiding places called "stations', those who helped the fugitives travel to one station were called "railroad workers" and those who helped the fugitives get food and places to sleep were known as "station masters". Qualifiers are 15 different events where a museum, historical site or historical marker has been viewed. The 3.5" x 4" patch depicts a picture of an authentic auction block that was used during the slavery days. According to US History the Underground Railroad spanned 29 states. The cost of the book is $10, purchased from Frances Taylor, Derby City Walkers, 7836 Royalty Ave, Apt B, Louisville, KY 40222. For more information contact 502-494-3594 or frant98@bellsouth.net.

Most programs allow participants up to 12 months

after the official end date to complete any Special

Program. Completed books are to be returned to

the point of contact or club hosting the program to

receive recognition and awards.

AVA Special Programs Ending 2016 ALTERNATIVE CAPITALS [2014-2016]

CITIES IN SONG [2014-2016]

HONORING THE FLAG [2014-2016]

LAKES AND RESERVOIRS [2014-2016]

TREKKING WITH THE TREES [2014-2016]

WATER TOWERS [2014-2016]

YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE [2014-2016]

Willamette Wanderers 2017 YREs

The new Year-Round Event in Dallas is 5/10Km, 1A,

routes. Starting point is Pressed Coffee & Wine Bar, 788

Main in downtown Dallas (great food and service).

Correction in both the 2017 Starting Point & Pathfinder.

The walk box is in the lounge at Pressed Coffee & Wine

Bar. It is on the floor behind the bookcase on the right

near the restroom. Both routes go through downtown and

nearby older residential areas, the Delbert Hunter

Arboretum and Botanic Garden, and the Rickreall Creek

Trail. The 10Km goes further along the Creek Trail to

newer residential areas and over a new 2016 bridge from

the Aquatic Center to the Dog Park and the Dallas

hospital area.

OTHER WALKS: The 3 walks from the Salem

Hospital continue as does the Independence and

Monmouth walks. McMinnville 5Km route, updated,

includes newer art installations. Keizer 10Km is revised

since the beautiful fir trees at Salem River Road Park,

with a visible osprey nest, was destroyed. The West

Salem walk is retired. A new Salem walk is

scheduled for later in 2017.

Nothing Chocolate ...nothing gained

Albany Historic - 6/10 km, 1A. Go through 3

Parks and a boardwalk. It also goes through 3

historic districts, with many historic homes; plus along revitalized water front. Also passes the Amtrak

Station and along newly constructed walkways. . Starts at Pops Branding Iron

Albany Southeast Parks - 5/6/10 km, 1A. Revised walk to new areas through parks and quiet residential neighborhoods. The walk also goes along a bike path, a lake and a canal with many types of ducks and other birds. Start at Brookdale Villa Courtyard. Albany Talking Waters - 5/10 km, 1B. Walk

includes the nationally recognized Talking Water Gardens (a 50-acre man-made wetlands park), Waverly Lake Park and the two Swan Lakes in a

residential neighborhood, all connected by Cox Creek. The walk begins at Waverly Park about 1/2 mile from the Holiday Inn Express, but register at the hotel. Albany Timber Linn - 5/10 km, 1A. New walk

goes to Timber Linn Park with Veterans Memorial, Amphitheatre, dog park, fairgrounds and newer residential areas. Start at Holliday Inn Express. Brownsville Historic - 5/10/13 km, 2B. Historic

Brownsville, settled in 1846. Go through Pioneer Park and the charming downtown streets where "Stand By Me" was filmed. Visit the Linn County Museum and the Moyer House while there. 3 km option to Pioneer cemetery. Start at Brownsville Gas and Mini-Mart. Jefferson Town - 5/10 km, 1B. Walk in small

friendly town known as the Mint Capital of the World and the Frog Jumping Capital of Oregon. The walk goes through residential neighborhoods, up a gravel road to a pioneer cemetery that overlooks farm fields. Start at Jefferson Thriftway Grocery Store.

SEASONALS 4/01/17 – 9/30/17

Albany Wellness Trail Seasonal - 5/10 km, 2B, Welcome to Calapooia Country. Two 5Km loops take you through a college campus and the trees of the Central Willamette Valley, where the local Native Americans thrived along the river named after them. Note: Parts of this trail are damp in early spring. Hiking shoes recommended. Be wary of wet area at

foot bridge. Foot bridge being rebuild. Start at Java Network.

Millersburg Seasonal Bike - Helmet required.

26 km, 1B. Register at Holiday Inn Express. Enjoy country roads with little traffic.

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COME WALK

WITH US

Albany Fitwalkers

THURSDAY WALKS

Carpool to YREs

Walk from 10:00am to 12:30pm See weekly e-mail or contact Julia at pjwesterberg@comcast.net, or 541-967-3001;Thurs 541-979-0139 RSVP: By Tues evening. Carpooling from Salem can be arranged.Schedule subject to change.

Jan 5 -- Corvallis: Parks & Campus

Jan 12 -- Springfield (non-AVA walk - downtown walk)

Jan 19 -- Salem: Governor’s Mansion

Jan 26 -- Tualatin (non-AVA walk -- Artwalk/Ice Age Trail; modified Hedges Creek Walk)

Albany Fitwalkers Sunday Stroll

Jan 29 -- Jefferson Town Walk 2 pm 5/10 km, 1B,

Meet at Jefferson Thriftway Grocery 103 Old Pacific Hwy, Jefferson OR 97352.

Corvallis Cruisers Sunday Stroll

<<<<<<<<<< >>>>>>>>>>

Silver Striders Walks Albany Parks & Recrestion Program at the

Albany Senior Center Tues. and Thurs. 9:00. Guide Helen & Terry

hikingmac@yahoo.com

AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

Walk with

The Wanderers willwander.weebly.com

Meeting Wed., January 18, 5:30, Bldg. D Salem

Hospital, 890 Oak St, Salem. Park free in the lot

just east of Building D.

As of January 2017 our meetings are in the 2nd

floor classroom. Meetings last for about an hour

Salem Second Sunday Stroll Jan. 8 , 2 pm

Historic NE Salem 6/10 km, 1A Start: Salem Hospital, 890 Oak St SE

Court-Chemeketan Historic Residential District on

both routes. 10Km goes to Oregon State Hospital &

the lovely Englewood neighborhood near the

downtown area.

For More Salem Walks www.justwalksalem.com

Mosey with the Mossbacks www.mossbacks.org,Calendar

Reservations Required. Call (541) 747-6470.

Tues. Jan 3, 7:30am, Toledo YRE

Sat. Jan 10, 9am, Eugene YRE

Sat. Jan 14, 9am, Cottage Grove YRE

Sat. Jan 21, 9 am, Eugene YRE

Sat. Jan 28, 8:30, Albany YRE

Tues. Jan 31, 7am, Lincoln City YRE

Sat. Feb 4, 8am, Pre-Super Bowl Walk

Build Lebanon Trails Buildlebanontrails.com

6pm-7pm on the 1st Tuesday of every

month- Public Meeting at Lebanon

Community Hospital Meeting rooms at 525 N Santiam

Hwy, Lebanon, Oregon.

Saturday January 14, 2017, 9 am

Northside Community Trail Walk, 4 miles.

Start at Boulder Falls Conference Center

parking Lot, by Best Western Boulder Falls Inn

off of Route 20.

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DATES TO REMEMBER

AVA TRADITIONAL

EVENTS 2016

Other AVA Walks

Sun., Jan. 1 -- Portland, New Year’s Day Walk, CRVC sponsored. 5/10 km, 1A Sat. Feb 4 – Portland, Pre-Super Bowl Walk, 5/10 km, 1A Sat. Feb 11 – Portland, Heartbreaker Walk, 5 km, 1B, 11 km, 3C

hikingmac@yahoo.com

THURSDAY WALKS

Jan 5 -- Corvallis: Parks & Campus

Jan 12 -- Springfield (non-AVA walk - downtown walk)

Jan 19 -- Salem: Governor’s Mansion

Jan 26 -- Tualatin (non-AVA walk -- Artwalk/Ice Age Trail; modified Hedges Creek Walk)

NoN-AVA SATURDAY

WALKS

Build Lebanon Trails

Saturday January 14, 2017, 9 am

Northside Community Trail Walk, 4 miles.

Start at Boulder Falls Conference Center

parking Lot, by Best Western Boulder Falls Inn

off of Route 20.

SUNDAY WALKS

Corvallis Cruisers Sunday Stroll

First Sunday of the month

Willamette Wanderers Salem Second Sunday Stroll

Jan. 8 , 2 pm Historic NE Salem 6/10 km, 1A

Start: Salem Hospital, 890 Oak St SE

Albany Fitwalkers Sunday Stroll Jan 29 -- Jefferson Town Walk 2 pm

5/10 km, 1B, Meet at Jefferson Thriftway Grocery

FUTURE EVENTS

Coming in 2017 May 12-14 - Rogue Valley Riches, 7 walks

May 20 - The

Peony Walk June 7-9 AVA Convention 2017

Billings, MT

July 15, 2017 - Sweet Home Walk.

International

Federation of

Popular Sports

IVV World Cup Program

Come Join Us ALBANY FITWALKERS VOLKSSPORT CLUB

POST OFFICE BOX 1218

ALBANY OR 9732

www.albanyfitwalkers.org