DI News Wednesday Walking Club strolls into wellness, new friendships

A group of Daniel Island residents has discovered the most effective way to get on a path to wellness. It’s best to take it all in strides. They are part of The Daniel Island News Wednesday morning walking club, an initiative launched last January as part of the paper’s first ever “Live A Better Life: Focus on Wellness” campaign.

Residents were invited to join in at any time throughout the year for the three mile walk or run that starts at Pierce Park Pavilion and winds along the trails to Governors Park and back. Usually at least one or two staff members from The Daniel Island News are there to lead the pack. The group’s numbers have ranged from just one to 15 depending on the time of year.

Kemper and Nicki Campbell moved to the island several months ago from Columbus, Ohio, and are currently building a new home in Smythe Park. They saw the walking club as a great way to get involved in their new community, while taking steps to stay fit and healthy.

“We decided to join in,” said Kemper. “We like exercise and we like the people we’ve met, so it seemed like a nice thing to do!”

“You get to exercise, talk and enjoy the scenery of our beautiful island,” added Nicki. “I don’t understand why more people aren’t in it!”

“I started walking with the group last February,” said Lynda Jucha, formerly of Pittsburgh. “It’s great, and it’s been a good way to meet people and get some exercise. I like to do things that improve your mind, your body, or just help somebody else.”

“It just makes my day go better,” said fellow walker Jack Slapcinsky, who has lived on Daniel Island for about 12 years. “I need to exercise to keep my mind clear! I enjoy the company of course, but socialization is very important when you get to be a certain age…. I like to talk politics with these guys!”

The conversation amongst walkers is certainly one of the big draws for many of the group’s members. Whether it’s the day’s political news, family stories, how to handle household repairs, or just getting good recommendations for restaurants, the group enjoys interacting and learning from each other.

“I don’t know that we always agree on everything,” said Kemper. “But it doesn’t seem to matter!”

“The conversation goes a lot of places,” added Joan Chardkoff, who moved to Daniel Island from Monroe, Louisiana. “It’s ‘What are you doing for the holidays? Did you have a good Thanksgiving? And a lot about our families, like ‘What brought you here?’ One commonality for sure is that we’re all just happy to be here!”

According to many of the participants, one of the most important benefits of taking part in the Wednesday morning walks has been the establishment of new friendships. Several group members now get together outside of their walking time to enjoy get-togethers and activities on the island, as well as in the greater Charleston area.

Anita Koszyk, and her husband, Andy, moved to the island this past year from the midwest. Both now have several close friends as a result of taking part in the Wednesday walks.

“I like this hour just to talk about everything,” said Anita. “…We talk about our grandchildren, and our developing move, two of them have built a house. We’re all from the midwest, and we just have a lot in common - our age, and our husbands get along, which is great!”

“We went crabbing!” added Nicki, when asked about some of the activities she and her husband have enjoyed outside of the walk with their new friends. “We didn’t catch anything, but that wasn’t the important part! We’ve done dinners, and cocktails, too.”

Daniel Island News Sales Associate Ronda Schilling has taken part in almost all of the weekly walks over the past year and has enjoyed seeing the benefits the initiative has brought for participants.

“I am not sure what I was expecting when we started the Wednesday morning walk/runs, but it certainly has turned into something that I look forward to,” said Ronda. “There were only a few times that no one showed up, usually due to iffy weather. It is interesting that we’ve had people that have lived here for years and others that are new to the island. It’s been fun watching them all get to know each other and find out that they are doing things together outside of our Wednesday morning exercise. I’ve met some great people and enjoy talking with them each week.”

Those who have come to appreciate and look forward to their time on the trails admit it wasn’t a tough sell, especially when it comes to enjoying the local landscape.

“The first walk, we saw five or six egrets,” said Andy. “And I saw a couple of bald eagles over near the tennis center one day!”

“People come here by choice, especially at our age, when you’re retired,” added Joan. “There is a lot to do here (on Daniel Island). Look how beautiful it is! What’s not to love? You just have to take the time to enjoy how pretty it is.”

Newcomers are welcome to join the Wednesday morning walk or run at any time. The group meets at 8:30 a.m. in the parking lot at Pierce Park Pavilion and usually returns within the hour.