The University of Tennessee Extension Smith County partnered with the Smith County Health Department to offer Walk Across Tennessee in Smith County again in 2023. Walk Across Tennessee is a program that persuades and motivates people of all ages to make that most important change . . . to get started exercising.
Teams of eight worked towards the goal of walking, biking, swimming, etc. “across Tennessee” from Bristol to Memphis. Ten teams “walked” the distance of Tennessee, a little over 500 miles! This eight-week program concluded on May 28th.
Thank you to our wonderful Walk Across Tennessee program sponsors: DTC, Smith County Drug Center, Citizens Bank, Sanderson Funeral Home, Riverview Regional Medical Center, Hackett’s Discount Drugs, Wilson Bank and Trust, Smith County Drug Prevention Coalition, and Smith County Health Department. Because of our sponsors’ donations, each participant received a Walk Across Tennessee t-shirt. The Smith County Health Department sponsored first and second place winners’ prizes, and DTC also sponsored various prizes.
The teams for this year’s Walk Across Tennessee program were: Night Owls, The Young and the Breathless, Holy Walkamolies, Walking on Sunshine, The Golden Girls, Not Fast But Furious, Walking 9 to 5, Smith County Drug Center, Walking Warriors, and Step Squad.
Our third place team, The Young and The Breathless, finished with 2,069.81 miles! Members included Courtney Maynard, Brittany Watson, Nick Campbell, Megan Campbell, Angel Williams, Leigh Petty, Carol Smith, and Chandra Gillian. Our second place team, Holy Walkamolies, completed a total of 3,703.975 miles! Members included Rachel Kemp, Jodi Gammon, Peggy Manning, Monica Mowdy, Joe Mowdy, Victoria Hughes, Nicole Harriman, and Josh Kemp. Our first place team, Night Owls, crossed the finish line with a total of 4,102.9 miles! Members included Jeanette Doggett, Pat Bush, Myrna Huffines, Janice Fox, Lisa Price, Ernie Price, Becky Cookston, and Leanne Hesson.
Congratulations to all the teams for completing this eight-week journey! You all made a huge accomplishment!
This year’s awards are as follows:
· First, second, and third place teams
· Courtney Maynard for being Most Outstanding Team Captain
· Most Improved Team to The Golden Girls (Marilyn Shumake, Faye Bussell, Teresa Gentry, Tracey Johnson, Theresa Gross, Yvonne Gorney, Jan Johnson, and Jenny Givens)
· Most Creative Team Name to Walking on Sunshine (Katelyn Woodard, Michelle Flynt, Jorja Flynt, Brynlee Payne, Beth Payne, Stephanie Walters, Marilyn Woodard, and Stephanie McQuarter)
If you are interested in competing in the Walk Across Tennessee program next year, please contact Mary Parker Draper at the UT Extension office at 615-735-2900.
Goo Bites
1/2 block chocolate bark
1 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 cup mini marshmallows
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Melt chocolate bark and peanut butter in microwave, stirring every 30 seconds. Remove when melted. Add marshmallows and chopped pecans, if desired. Spread mixture over wax paper in tray. Refrigerate until firm. Submitted by Carolyn Russell, Grant FCE Club.
