Renewed call to 'Walk the Villages'

With three weeks left to go, residents are reminded that it's not too late to become a part of the successful Walk the Villages program.

The Walk the Villages program stepped off on June 1 and runs through Oct. 1. Region One, now in its third year, includes Akron, Batavia, Clarence, Kenmore, Leroy and Williamsville, but new this year is Region Two, which adds Alden, East Aurora, Ellicottville, Lancaster and Orchard Park to the program..

In each community walkers are encouraged to visit participating businesses to have their prize coupons stamped. In addition to village prizes, all entries will be automatically entered into a drawing for one of several grand prizes. All prizes have been donated by local business owners.

Created three years ago by Senator Mary Lou Rath, R-Amherst, along with volunteers and leaders from several local communities, Walk the Villages is free and open to all ages. Booklets are available at dozens of local merchants.

Inside the booklets are suggested walking trails and a list of prizes that can be won. For further information, visit www.walkthevillages. com.

In addition to being a healthy activity, the program helps businesses as a high percentage of the walkers are visitors to the area.