Walk Warm at high school gives friends occasion to chat

By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
COLUMBIANA -- Friends for more than 30 years, Columbiana residents Ardeth Konkle and Jane Windram meet at Columbiana High School at least three afternoons a week to walk -- and talk.
The friends are among area adults who participate in the Columbiana school's Walk Warm program.
Konkle and Windram spend about a half-hour walking laps through the high school halls for exercise and to catch up on the latest news.
Even amid the bustle of Christmas gift-wrapping, decorating and cookie baking, the women take time out to walk.
"It goes fast," Windram said. "We talk a lot."
Superintendent Patricia Hura started the program last year when she became superintendent, turning the hallways of Columbiana High School into an indoor walking track after school.
She said it gives adults a chance for free regular exercise during the winter months, and school officials a chance to open the district to the community other than for sporting events.
Walkers shed their coats in the lobby and walk in a large circle through the two new sections of the high school.
Details
Hura said about a dozen adults are regulars. However, attendance at any one time has been as high as 30.
Weekdays during the school year, the halls are open at 3 p.m. -- after both South Side Middle School and the high school students have left for the day -- until 5:30 p.m.
During basketball season, which began a few weeks ago, walkers must finish by 5 p.m.
"We appreciate the school district doing this," Konkle said. "We really need to say that."
The women said they also walk on the district's new all-weather, rubberized track near the high school.
They enjoy being able to keep up the routine during the winter months in a warm, dry environment.
They said they enjoy the time together and can tell that the regular exercise is improving their health.
"It really does make us feel good," Konkle said.
"We can tell when we don't do it," Windram added.