This could be the start of something good

Clear Lakers urged to support state plan by walking on Friday

  Louie Covillo’s message is simple-- come out and walk on Friday.  Covillo is the local chairperson for Iowa’s Start Somewhere Walk, scheduled to take place at noon Friday, Oct. 7. 
    In Clear Lake, walks are planned at City Park and Opportunity Village as part of the goal of making Iowa the healthiest state in the nation within five years.  Iowa Governor

Terry Branstad announced the walks last month as the symbolic kickoff to his Healthiest State Initiative.  As of Sept. 30, more than 1,000 walks have been scheduled throughout Iowa at noon on Friday, Oct. 7, including at least one in all 99 counties of the state.
    “It’s an easy thing to do-- especially on a beautiful day,” said Covillo, who said he’ll be at City Park at noon Friday.  “But if you can’t walk somewhere at noon, do it at another time during the day.  It hopefully will be the start of something good.”
    Covillo said he has been pleased to represent Fareway Stores to get the word out about the walks.  The Governor enlisted the help of Fareway Stores’ personnel, along with those from Hy-Vee, to promote the walks in their communities since the grocery chains are located in many communities. 
    “The Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce has agreed to send out email reminders to members, the schools are planning walks and I’ll get the message out downtown.  So hopefully we’ll have a great turnout,” said Covillo. 
    And while it’s great people get out to walk, he reminds them to sign up on the www.startsomewherewalk.com website so that the state can track the success of the effort.
    “We still have a ways to go to reach our goal of 250,000,” says Doug Reichardt, chair of the Start Somewhere Walks, “but we’re seeing tremendous momentum building.”
    Walk organizers are trying to best a walk world record now claimed by the nation of Canada. - Read More Via e-Edition