Some of the busy people recognized for inspiring others to get moving. Top: Amber Pfeil nominated two people who inspire the community by walking every day. (L-R) Pfeil and walkers Valita Bockovich and Carrie Newman. Above: Amanda Anderson, a 2015 Move It! award winner, paid it forward by giving credit to her son who helps keep her moving. Left: Nina Woerheide nominated her bike enthusiast cousin Adrian Hess.
It’s not too hard to get people moving in July when the temperatures are comfortable and the sun shines until late at night. But in the spring, people tend to slow down a bit and sometimes fall into the unhealthy habit of not moving. That is why the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic’s Moving Matters program, the Cook County Senior Center and the Cook County News- Herald joined forces to get community members thinking about the people who inspire others to move. We’re happy to share some information about the people who were nominated for the Move It! award for their efforts last May.
The awards were a bit of a family affair this year, with Nina Woerheide of Lutsen nominating her biking enthusiast cousin Adrian Hess. Watch for the energetic duo riding Cook County’s trails.
Amanda Anderson, who earned recognition in 2015 from her friend Ashley Green, was a nominator this year. Anderson submitted the name of her son, Toby, who helps get the whole family moving. Look for Amanda, Toby and the rest of the Anderson clan on one of their favorite hikes—Magnetic Rock on the Gunflint Trail.
Because the Move It! award judges had such a hard time selecting winners, it was agreed to shine the Move It! spotlight on all of them by sharing the names of the nominees and a little bit of information from the nominating form. Both nominators and nominees received gift certificates from their choice of the following: Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply, Lake Superior Trading Post, Cook County YMCA or Superior North Outdoor Center.
Congratulations to all of these community members for making all of us want to get moving!
. Victoria Marguitova
By Patrick Knight (Victoria’s husband)
I want to stay fit so I can stay alive longer and spend more time with her.
. Patty Johnson
By Amber Humphrey
As a supervisor she encourages her employees to take time for P.T. She helps her employees get moving during work. She encourages an active healthy life style at work and at home. At age 45 and a leader in her field she keeps up with young adults in thei 20s during fieldwork and during fire incident situations. She is an inspiration to all women, friends, and her girls to be healthy and active. She is a great skijorer, gardener, runner, yoga enthusiast and more!
. Adrian Hess
By Nina Woerheide
There’s no turning back for Adrian. Once he starts something, it’s all about finishing. Even a complete stranger would trust him to find the way back to civilization from the middle of nowhere. He’s always willing to go the extra mile to get things done the right way and every obstacle that he meets, is carefully gone around. He is always moving around and getting exercise outside. His determination is incredible and wouldn’t settle for anything but the best. Adrian’s passion for mountain biking has inspired me to get outside and MOVE IT! He has gone many miles on his bike—more than most Americans have. He has done this with his excellent leadership skills and extra grit. With grit, and inspiration from Adrian, I feel like I could go thousands of miles on my bike too.
. Valita Bockovich and Carrie Newman
By Amber Pfeil
Valita and Carrie use their breaks from work to walk/ talk around Grand Portage. It’s fun to see these gals out and about, enjoying themselves when the weather allows. It’s a reminder that walking is a simple, beneficial way to exercise. Keep it up, ladies!
. Sally Summer Mellang
By Maggie Anderson
She walks, runs, jumps into the big lake before work, skis, bikes and just completed a senior competition getting four medals in swimming. That would be amazing enough by itself. But the best thing about her commitment to exercise is the joy on her face when she talks about it and the positive energy that she carries with her. She makes me want to get moving.
. Toby Anderson
By Amanda Anderson
Toby is my inspiration to get moving because he has always been one of the most determined little hikers I have ever known. Beginning at 4 years old, he could go hiking for hours and not complain about sore feet or weak legs. Now at 8 years old, he is determined to get me out on his favorite hike to Magnetic Rock, and because I know he can do it, I will do it. He isn’t a runner but doesn’t let that get him down, he found something that he loves and as always he reminds me how healthy it is. I will move to inspire my children but they move and it inspires me.
Funding for the Move It! Awards is provided in part by the Center for Prevention at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, Cook County News-Herald, and the Cook County Senior Center.
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