Go take a hike!

When Margie Stateler says "Go take a hike," she means it. Stateler is the activities director at 50 North. In this role, she organizes and leads the weekly guided treks for a group called the 50 North Hikers. Tuesday morning's outing at Emory Adams Park attracted about a dozen walkers. Anyone who is a member of the senior center is welcome to attend and bring along a friend. The hikers meet for an hour every Tuesday morning, weather permitting, to hike at one of Hancock County's parks. In a nod to COVID-19, participants now wear masks (which can be removed after the hike begins), have their temperature taken and fill out a questionnaire before starting. Stateler started the group soon after joining the 50 North staff in 2015. "When I got to 50 North, I knew that there were quite a few people that loved the out of doors. And they said, 'Hey, why don't you start a hiking group?'" she recalled. She put a little notice out about the idea, wondering if anybody would show up. "And the first hike that we had, I think we had 16 to 18 people show up. And we did it out at Litzenberg Memorial Woods." A few of those people are still active in the group, she noted. "But it's a fluid situation because, you know, people have health issues. I've had people move. I've had people pass away," Stateler said. "What's been so great about the whole situation is the neat people that I've got to meet." She said the group attracts people from all walks of life. Cassie May is a retired nurse from Findlay and Suzanne Conn, of Fostoria, is a retired mail carrier. The two women became friends about eight years ago when they both attended a 50 North-sponsored trip to New York. Prior to the shutdown for coronavirus, both women took exercises classes at 50 North. But they are new to the hiking group, having started when sessions resumed about a month ago. Since then, they've walked at Riverbend Recreation Area, Emory Adams and the Slippery Elm Trail in North Baltimore. "We enjoy it," said May. "We come out and chit-chat and just kind of relax," Conn added. Walkers of all speeds are welcome. Stateler keeps an eye on the weather, then sends out an email on Monday afternoon letting everyone know about the next morning's destination. Jeanne McCaffrey is also a new hiker, "because I guess for a little bit of variety with walking rather than just around the block," she explained. The Findlay woman said she uses the fitness center at 50 North, especially when the weather is not good for walking outside. She also liked walking at the University of Findlay Koehler Center prior to the pandemic. She said she's looking forward to using the indoor track once the agency's new fitness center is finished. Janet and Jerry Reichert said they joined the group when the virus put an end to their travel plans for this summer. "We were doing quite a bit of international travel. Well, that ended," said Janet. "We had to find other activities. So this has been great." Janet retired after 40½ years teaching, including 28 years as a kindergarten teacher at St. Michael the Archangel School. Jerry is a CPA. It was during one of these hikes that someone asked if they'd ever been to the nature preserve in Bradner. That was the start of their quest to visit all 97 preserves in Ohio. So far, the couple has visited 50. Stateler said the group has been hiking the area parks since its beginnings. "I have to say that my previous boss, Tim (Brugeman), he's the person that gave me the love of the parks. And so that was something that I knew very well and I felt very comfortable with," she said. Brugeman was the former director of the Hancock Park District. Stateler retired in 2014 as the park district's marketing manager. Stateler said she'd like to take the group cross-country skiing at Riverbend. So far, however, there hasn't been enough snow. The whole goal, said Stateler, is to enjoy some time together outside: "Like I said, if you're with me, you're going to have fun." For more information on the hiking group, visit 50north.org Wolf: 419-427-8419 jeanniewolf@thecourier.com