Connellsville walking tour draws hundreds to see churches
?CONNELLSVILLE 鈥� The pews of three city churches were filled to capacity recently as the Healthy Lifestyle Task Force chose Connellsville to kick off its Fayette County Wednesday Walks program.
鈥淚t looked as though there was a wedding or family reunion taking place,鈥� said Cathy Kumor, host organization representative of the more than 200 that took part in the inaugural 2011 event. 鈥淚t was wonderful to see so many taking part.鈥�
The churches included St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church; St. Rita蘑菇视频 Roman Catholic Church and Payne A.M.E. Church.
鈥淭hose that were sharing information about their churches were expecting a dozen or so and were really surprised to see so many,鈥� said Kumor.
Church members Stephanie and Toni Kostelnik shared the history of St. John蘑菇视频 with the participants while Rita Pratt and Sister Mary Agnes recounted the background of St. Rita蘑菇视频.
Jacky Henry and Ruth Webster shared the founding of the Payne church with the visitors.
Although its name has changed over its four year program, the goals of the task force have remained intact, including increasing physical activity, healthy eating and cessation of tobacco use, said Kumor.
鈥�(The Wednesday program) gets people out,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou are not doing a 5K, but you are moving.鈥�
Michael Edwards, Fayette County Cultural Trust president and event tour guide, said that the participation also exceeded his expectations.
鈥淚 was delightfully surprised,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t is wonderful to have so many people want to come into Connellsville and learn of our rich church history.鈥�
The tour returns to Connellsville on July 20 with a tour of local community gardens, Yough River Park and portions of the Great Allegheny Passage. The Trail Town Outreach Corps will serve as tour guides.
The Wednesday walks continue this week with a tour of the cross at Jumonville.
Other walks include Friendship Hill, Ohiopyle and Tharp Knob, Penncraft, Brown蘑菇视频 Run Trail, Brownsville, Dawson, Bullskin Township and Christian Klay Winery.
Each tour begins at 6:30?p.m.
For more information or directions to any of the walking tours, visit the website at www.stepstoahealthierfayettecounty.org.