member club of the American
Volkssport Association
written by former club
secretary Rita Perry in 1995
In the 1950s some people in
Southern Germany wanted to create an alternative to competitive races for
individuals and families. They set up Volksmarches (people walks) where
everyone was a winner. The walks spread and within a few years Volkssporting
became established and an international program was put in place which now
involves 14 countries.
The American Volkssport
Association (AVA) was founded in 1979 as a coordinating body for events in the
USA. It coined the phrase, " A different kind of walk". Designed
walks are available in every state along with recognition for accomplishment.
In 1987 the lonia County
Memorial Hospital's Wellness Program formed the Historic Pathwalkers and held
lonia' s first Volksmarch on October 11 of that year with over 200
participants. The oldest participant was a 73-year-old man from Sterling
Heights, Michigan, and he continued to walk in our events until his death in
1994.
The Monday night Wining
Walkers were organized as a sub-group of the Pathwalkers. Another event was
held October 9,1988 and again October 8, 1989. A man flew in from St. Louis,
Missouri for the 1988 event and a fellow visiting in Kentwood brought his host
to the 1989 walk. Walks were held October 14, 1990 and May 18, 1991.
At that time, the Historic
Pathwalkers became inactive, however, the Willing Walkers continued their
weekly walks and encouraged community participation. During a 1992 meeting of a
group working on a promotional brochure for lonia, Ruth Hewitt urged the group to
consider a year-round volksmarch. Her suggestion was adopted and the Historic
Pathwalkers were reactivated in the spring of 1993.
The people who worked on the
reactivation of the club in 1993 were Jean Schnieder and John Pierce with the
help of Harold and Anna Hartman. A weekend event was held on May 15 & 16,
1993, and a year -round event was started that year. A seasonal bike event,
April to October 31, was started and the year-round event continued in 1994. A
guided night walk " A Walk with Santa" was held on December 19, 1994.
Nineteen people walked, including two from lower Michigan, two from Holland,
Michigan and one from Cedar Springs, Michigan.
1995 saw the continuation of
the year-round walk, the seasonal bike event in lonia and a new seasonal walking
event, April I to November 1, in Lansing, Michigan, sponsored by the Historic
Pathwalkers. Several weekend events were planned for 1995; three in Ionia,
Michigan, one in Portland, Michigan and one in Bloomingdale, Michigan.
Addendum: Between 1995 and 2003 the Historic Pathwalkers set
up 11 year 'round and seasonal walks. In addition, several scheduled events
were held each year.