Chillin’ for Children’s Family 5K to warm up

There’s no doubt that the 5K race is an extremely popular method of fundraising. After all, those who participate support a cause and get some good exercise. They’ll feel better all around.

The Arkansas Children’s Hospital Circle of Friends, a statewide network that coordinates fundraising and outreach activities around the state, is no stranger to the benefits of the 5K, and now its Magnolia chapter is getting in on the action with the inaugural Chillin’ for Children’s Family 5K, 9 a.m. Saturday.

“There have been other Circle of Friends chapters who have done this in the past,” says chapter chair and race organizer Jaime Chambliss. “It’s just something I thought would be a good thing to do.”

Magnolia is rich with runners, she says, referring to the Magnolia Blossom Festival’s 5K in May as a community highlight.

“We’re hoping to have another race in our town that’s big that we can do every year.”

Festivities will actually start the night before with a “carb-loading” pasta party at Asbury United Methodist Church, 1300 E. University St. Tickets are $15, $5 for children 12 and under.

The chip-timed race starts and ends at the church, and it’s open to all ages, with medals given for the top three in age divisions in 10-year increments. Registration is open through the morning of the race, and packet pickup opens that morning at 7:30.

The cost is $35, $15 for children 9 and under.

“[The money] goes directly to Arkansas Children’s Hospital,” Chambliss says. “If it were my child needing to go there, I would want the best treatment and the best doctors. I think it’s a good idea to support this great thing that we have in our state.”

For more information, call (870) 949-0793 or visitarkansasrunner.com.

Going into its second year is Freezin’ for a Reason, an event with a 10K, 5K and 2K that’s also a fundraiser for Circle of Friends. This one is in Conway at Conway High School West’s John McConnell Track and Field Stadium, 2300 Prince St.

The 5K and 10K races start at 9 a.m. with the 2K family run following at 10:45.

Registration in advance is $30 for the 10K, $25 for the other races, free for children under 14. Race day registration is $35.

Call (501) 472-7804 or visit freezinforareason.org.

Reel time

Do you know the Virginia reel from the patty-cake polka? You will after an evening at Historic Washington State Park’s Dancing With the Stars “Washington Style.”

This thrice-yearly program introduces participants not only to 19th-century dance steps but to the culture and history behind them. As activities go, it’s a perfect fit for this park devoted to exploring the past.

Organizer and dance caller Josh Williams explains that dances were community-oriented and a vital form of entertainment for people in an age before TV, radio and other types of media.

“The dances aren’t really necessarily based off an affection for the other person, a romantic affection,” he says. “It’s just a dance to enjoy your neighbors and friends and have a good time.”

Starting with the early 19th-century’s English- and French-inspired dances up to the more German-influenced polka and waltz, an evening of dancing at Washington includes the Virginia reel, Soldier’s Joy, Gie Gordon and quadrilles.

Those names don’t mean anything to you? They will.

Williams stresses that these are simple dances with simple steps, and the Washington Vintage Dancers will be on hand to help out.

“If you think you don’t know how to dance and you’re nervous about that, this is the class for you,” Williams says. “You’ll be a dancer after this evening.”

The event starts at 7 p.m. Saturday in the park’s WPA Gymnasium. Admission is $18 for couples, $10 for singles. They prefer you make reservations by noon Friday.

The program is open to all ages and if you have children, you’re encouraged to take them: They’re welcome to take part.

Just be sure to dress comfortably and wear comfortable shoes. “Don’t wear high heels,” Williams stresses. “Wear comfortable ones you can move around the room in and enjoy.

“There will be a lot of movement. It’s a great form of exercise. You will get a workout.”

For more information, call (870) 983-2684 or visit historicwashingtonstatepark.com.

Rhyme time

Hiking doesn’t have to only be about fresh air, sunshine and elevating the heart rate. What about stimulating the senses? What about getting back to basics and using the brain in a different way?

Cossatot River State Park in Howard County is hoping to help visitors do just that with its new program, the Hike-ku.

Interpreter Andy Senters came across the idea while going through the notes of another interpreter. “A lot of times interpreters will use the same ideas,” he explains. “A good idea is a good idea.”

Walking in the woods, reading and writing poetry go together naturally, Senters says, as anyone who has read William Wordsworth, Joyce Kilmer or any poet who found inspiration outdoors knows.

The park will try out the idea for the first time this weekend.

Participants will gather at the visitors center at 10 a.m. Sunday for a talk and some readings of nature-based poetry. Then they’ll set out on the Waterleaf Interpretive Trail, a short, easy path that is paved and American Disabilities Act accessible. Along the way, hikers will be encouraged to relax and take in their surroundings.

Afterward, Senters says, everyone will be encouraged to talk about what they saw and write a simple haiku or other form of poetry. He plans a completely free-form atmosphere, so participants can try their hand at being Wordsworth or Kilmer if they wish.

“We’ll give them time to absorb nature and then express themselves in some form.”

Participants are invited to take a favorite poetry book or writings of their own to share.

Participation is free. Call (870) 385-2201 or visit arkansasstateparks.com/cossatotriver.

ActiveStyle, Pages 24 on 01/20/2014

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