Wouldn't it be great to have someone read you a great story while you are taking an invigorating walk? You'd flex your body and your mind at the same time. To encourage this healthy habit, on July 17th, Knox County is launching the Walk and Read Club to encourage citizens to take up this two-for-one habit walking and listening to audio books.
To help encourage participants, we've lined up celebrity Trailblazer who will blog on the Club's website about the books they are reading and the trails and greenways where they're walking beginning July 17th. Our Trailblazers for this six-week program are Denae D'Arcy (WATE), Jim Dickson (YMCA), Ben Epperson (Knox County Health Department), Kim Hansard (Star 102.1), Missy Kane (ETP-TV), Chrissy Keuper (WUOT) and Kristi Nelson (Knoxville News Sentinel).
The program starts with a kick-off event at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 17th in front of the stage at Market Square. There you can sign up for the club, and pick up a starter kit: free pedometer, water bottle, a map of Knox County parks and greenways and a few other goodies. All you really need to participate in the Club is a Knox County library card (if you want to download audio books), a pair of walking shoes and an mp3 player or portable CD player.
Imagine listening to The Arabian Nights while you walk along the trails at Bigfoot or Melton Hill Park. Maybe you'd prefer to listen to the romance stories of Debbie Macomber while exploring the Seven Islands Wildlife Refuge. Or, perhaps you'll choose Malcolm Gladwell's non-fiction to accompany you along the Ten Mile Creek Greenway or the trails of I.C. King Park . Or you might prefer podcasts, short stories, or some of the Historical Knoxville News presentations.
Whatever you choose to "read" and wherever you choose to walk, the Walk and Read Club has just one requirement, put in 150 minutes each week for six weeks, beginning July 17th. The Club recommendation is 30 minutes a day, five days a week to help establish a healthy lifestyle. Club members will be able to log their progress on the Walk and Read Club website, where they will also be able to follow the progress of the program's celebrity Trailblazers. At the end of the program, those who complete it will qualify for a drawing for a Gatlinburg Getaway and other great prizes.
Everyone who completes the six week program will be entered for a drawing to win a Gatlinburg Getaway: a an overnight stay at the Hilton Garden Express, dinner for four at the Hard Rock Cafe and admission for four to all Ripley's attractions including the Aquarium of the Smokies! Other prizes include a pair of walking shoes from the Runner's Market and a $25 gift certificate from McKay's.
To ensure that technology isn't an obstacle for anyone, the Knox County Public Library has scheduled the following two tutorial sessions to help people learn how to download audio books:
Wednesday, July 14 at 12:15-12:45 at Lawson McGhee
Wednesday, July 21 at 12:15-12:45 at Bearden Branch
Library staff will also be on hand at the July 17 th launch to help people with issues they may have with downloading.
The Walk and Read Club is a partnership of the Knox County Public Library, the Knox County Health Department, Knox County Parks and Recreation and the Knox County Mayor's Office.