Bike Faribault County!

 

A chilly morning in late May didn't stop 35 cyclists from participating in the First Annual Bike Faribault County Day event. The Active Living Coalitions in both Wells and Blue Earth partnered to plan and coordinate the event, which was intended to celebrate successes, such as working with MnDOT to pave extended shoulders on Highway 109 to allow for smoother biking and connecting communities throughout the county.

 

 Chelsea Sonnek, lead coordinator of the 2015 event, was excited about the county-wide participation, “One of the highlights from the event was seeing the representation from each community throughout the county!” 

 

 

The towns included along the bike tour were Blue Earth, Winnebago, Easton, Delavan, and Wells. Participants were able to customize their bike ride, choosing they to complete the whole bike tour (12.5 miles) or creating their own ride by selecting their own starting and ending points. Participants were encouraged to stop in communities along the ride, with event coordinators encouraging riders to explore restaurants, parks, wildlife areas, and historic sights. There were also refreshments and registration in each town. The Broken Shop cyclist repair shop of Blue Earth was also on hand to assist riders with any bike repairs during the event.

 

“Everyone who commented to me said that they enjoyed the route and the ride!” Dar Holmseth, Community Ed Director for Blue Earth Area Schools.

 

Check out the press coverage from KEYC-TV on the Bike Faribault County Day event: http://www.keyc.com/story/29197432/faribault-county-holds-organized-bike-event

Butterfield Community Comes Together For Hands Around the Lake Event!

242 community members hit the open trails at the Butterfield Hands Around the Lake Event. The event promotes walking and biking and encourages community members to walk the beautiful trail around Butterfield Lake. The Butterfield Active Living Coalition provided education to participants on pedestrian safety and safe walking and biking. One of the goals for this years event was to have enough community members participating to hold hands and circle the entire lake!

 

Madelia Community Helps Local Restaurant Choose Healthy Drink Options!

La Plaza Fiesta in Madelia, owned by local, Krystal Hernandez, partnered with FMW SHIP and the Madelia: Rethink Your Drink Project to introduce a new healthier drink options to the menu.  Staff at La Plaza Fiesta

 

 

created three fruit-infused water recipes and held a contest with customers to help them decide which flavors should be added to the menu. Throughout the month of July, customers could sample three different fruit-infused water flavors - Cucumber Mint, Berry Blast and Citrus Kiss. Both Berry Blast and Citrus Kiss were favorites among voting customers, so both flavors were added to the menu beginning in August. Patrons can now enjoy  healthy, naturally-sweetened water for less than the price of a soda!

 

“We are excited to try the fruit-infused waters and see how people like it. We think it will be a great partnership to have with SHIP and will help Madelia stay healthy.”-Krystal Hernandez, La Plaza Fiesta owner.