Ah, spring! It’s nice to finally be able to say that after what felt like the longest winter ever. It means I can get back outside and do some planting (and some mowing, a necessary evil) and I can start wearing shorts and flip-flops again, probably earlier than I should.

It also means that a very particular kind of person awakens from his or her hibernation: the golfer. Golf courses around the city are coming to life just like everything else does this time of year, and I get it – there really is something to be said about a golf course on a sunny day.

Sycamore Hills Golf Course

Golfers (and golf enthusiasts) should also look forward to the other side of summer – which is not as far off as it seems – when Sycamore Hills Golf Course in Fort Wayne, Indiana, will host the inaugural Hotel Fitness Championship, August 26 through September 1, 2013. This is the first of four Web.com Tour Finals events that will determine which 50 golfers will earn cards to join the PGA TOUR for the 2013-2014 season. It’s a big deal, it’s right here in our backyard, and you can participate. Here’s how.

Putting together an event as big as this – around 150 golfers will be participating – requires a heck of a lot of manpower. That’s where you come in. The Hotel Fitness Championship is looking for about 800 volunteers to fill a variety of roles, like volunteer hospitality, admissions, marshaling, scoring, and more. Volunteers will be required to work a minimum of three (3) shifts, or about 15-20 hours, over the course of the week. And while volunteers will have to purchase a $50 Volunteer Package, it’s a real deal. Each volunteer will receive:

• Two (2) Championship golf shirts
• A Championship ball cap or visor
• Tournament credential valid all week that allow you to watch when you aren’t working
• One (1) Weekly Grounds guest ticket
• Catered food and drink
• Free parking

And if you’re wondering where the money goes, the proceeds will be donated to the Evans Scholarship Fund, which provides college tuition and housing scholarships for caddies with financial need, and to various local charities.

If this sounds like fun – and really, who wouldn’t think this was fun? – please visit http://www.visitfortwayne.com/meeting-professionals/hotel-fitness-championship, http://www.hotelfitnesschampionship.com, or contact Sally White, tournament manager, at (224) 260-3786 or white@wgaesf.org, for more information.

• 

Two years ago I set out to complete the Komen 3 Day.  That’s Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s 60 mile breast cancer walk.  Training for the 3 Day is as big of an undertaking as participating in the race itself.  For many who do the walk, it’s hard to find walking trails that are great for training 10-20 mile training walks.

Luckily, I live in Fort Wayne where the Fort Wayne Trails allow exceptional walk, bike, and running paths.  With over 40 miles of trails, I never ran out of places to walk.  Meeting up with friends on the trail and walking mile after mile became the best part of training.  The smooth trails, the scenery, and the easy access made training easier.  The trails are easily marked and are a great way to enjoy Fort Wayne.

Miles of training on Fort Wayne Trails lead to some very big smiles at the end of the Komen 3 Day

For Andy Welfle of Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne Trails is more about connectivity than recreational use.  “Once you learn their layout and how to get on and off easily, you can get to many, many places in Fort Wayne without having taking streets or sidewalks,” he tells me.  Andy, who worked for the Trails in 2010, also appreciates the change of scenery the Trails provide. “They take you through some of Fort Wayne’s most beautiful places — the riverfronts — that’s hidden away to most of the town. It feels a bit like The Secret Garden; when you’re on them, it’s hard to imagine anyone else in Fort Wayne knows about them.”

Fort Wayne’s Andy Welfle heading out on the Fort Wayne Trails

Whether you choose to enjoy the trails for their recreation or because they’ll help you get to your destination while avoiding traffic, you’ll find them to be one of Fort Wayne’s most impressive features.  For a complete map of the trails, visit their website at www.fwtrails.org

• 

Are you planning a visit to Fort Wayne and trying to keep up with your current exercise routine? Here are a list of our top gyms here in Fort Wayne, and their guest policies.

American Health

American Health is an IPFA affiliated gym and allows members of other IPFA affiliate gyms to workout for free. Guest fee for non-members is $10 with a member and $15 without. They also offer a weekly guest rate of $25 for unlimited gym use. There is a $5 drop in fee for any of their classes for non-members (class schedule available online). Currently, on their website they are offering a one week membership for free. Just print it off and stop in.

Hours: Monday-Thursday: 5am-10pm
Friday: 5am-9pm
Saturday: 7am-6pm
Sunday: 8am-5pm
***hours may vary due to location

Locations:
Southwest- 4150 Illinois Road
North-4819 North Clinton

Anytime Fitness

Anytime Fitness has a casual drop in fee of $5 during staffed hours. Members of anytime fitness are allowed to workout at any of their locations after they have been a member of the gym for 30+ days.

Staffed Hours: Monday-Thursday: 10am-6pm
Friday: 10am-4pm
Saturday: 9am-noon
Sunday: no staffed hours
***staffed hours may vary

Locations:
Southwest(Times Corner)- 6374 Jefferson Blvd
Downtown- 203 E Berry
North (East DuPont)- 2886 DuPont
North (West DuPont)- 1505 DuPont
North- 10536 Maysville
North- 6520 East State Street

Max Fitness

Max Fitness offers a $10 day pass and $25 for a week pass. Student and military passes are $5 a day and $15 a week.

Hours: Monday-Friday: 8am-8pm
Saturday and Sunday: 7am-7pm
***hours may vary due to location

Locations:
Southwest- 9914 Illinois Road
North- 7245 Maplecrest
North- 1415 DuPont

Planet Fitness

Planet Fitness has a $20 day pass. Black card members are able to bring guest, 18 or older with a valid ID, for free at any time.

Hours: Open and staffed 24/7

Locations:
Southwest- 6360 Jefferson Blvd
North- 4530 Maplecrest

Spiece Fitness

Guests who are not with a member will pay $15/visit.  All guests must be at least eighteen years of age to use the fitness area.  An in-town guest may use Spiece Fitness two (2) times in any one (1) calendar year (paid, or unpaid).  The guest must produce a picture ID, and they must sign the guest registration each time they use the facility.

Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 5am to 10pm
Friday: 5am to 9pm
Saturday: 7am to 7pm
Sunday:  8am to 6pm

Location:
5310 Merchandise Drive

YMCA

A YMCA member is able to visit any YMCA branch in any state. Each member is given 2 free guest passes, after both passes have been used there is a $5 fee for each guest there after.

Hours: Monday-Thursday: 5am-10pm
Friday: 5am-9pm
Saturday: 7am-6pm
Sunday: 10am-6pm
***hours may vary branch to branch

Locations:
Southwest- 10313 Aboite Center Road
North (Dupont)- 10001 Dawson’s Creek Blvd
Central (downtown)- 1020 Barr Street
South- 2323 Bowser Ave

Also, many of our hotels have their own workout facilities for their guests. So check with the concierge at your hotel for details.

Don’t let your visit here get in the way of your fitness routine. All these gyms are guest friendly and would love for you to stop in!

• 

Growing up in northern Minnesota, it was only natural to skate or play hockey on a pond or an outdoor rink. When I found out ten years ago that Fort Wayne was opening an outdoor rink at Headwaters Park, I couldn’t wait to try it out!

On a Sunday in January I wanted to give my 2 year old nephew Liam his first chance on ice skates. We headed for the park, just north of downtown Fort Wayne. We walked into a nice little warming room greeted by a very cheerful attendant to pay and rent some skates. If you are without skates they have many sizes to rent. While lacing up our skates we decided to use the benches provided in the warming area but there are plenty outside to use. Our shoes were safely put away in the many cubby boxes provided.

With our skates on, and plenty of warm clothes, we headed to the rink with a fresh sheet of ice and a canopy protecting us from the elements. Not to worry if this is your first time skating, you’ll notice you are not the only wobbly one on skates. The boards also offer you great support. My nephew and other young skaters are able to use support frames provided at the rink, that help them keep their balance and cruise around. I was a little bit hesitant that Liam might be scared to try. To my surprise he took to it with a huge smile and loved it even when he wiped out a few times.

After circling the ice for awhile we went into the warming room to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows and some big, soft chocolate chip cookies from Mr. G’s. If you’re not a chocolate lover there is a variety of beverages and treats to enjoy. It can get a little crowded inside so we headed out to one of the many benches and picnic tables near the rink.

While outside, I noticed a group of about twelve 10 year-olds celebrating a birthday, enjoying cake and watching the birthday girl open her presents.  I thought to myself “what a really nice way to celebrate a winter birthday.”  They also picked a good time to enjoy cake, because it was intermission allowing the Zamboni to resurface the ice.

It is suggested to call ahead of time if there is questionable weather at 422-7625 or you could check out their Facebook page. The day we went, the ice was smooth and perfect with no slush. There were just a few little bumpy spots near the end boards.

At the end of the day (with a very happy but tired little two year old) we left with many new memories and perhaps the next Mike Modano. Whether your looking for something to do has a family or celebrating something, I suggest you give the outdoor rink a try. It’s a wonderful way to get fresh air and exercise during the long winter months.  Or make it a date nigh,t and enjoy the view of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Bridge and the downtown skyline all lit up.

Admission:

13 and younger $3.00

14 and over $5.00

Skate rental $2.00

Hours:

Monday thru Thursday 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Friday 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Skate sharpening is also available.

They will be open through March 3, 2013.

• 

Experience winter and daily life with the French of the Fort Miamis. Here civilians, local native Americans, French military members and others will recreate an unique experience life at the Historic Old Fort on the frontier. The fort and the frontier are right here in Fort Wayne, Indiana at the Nouvelle Annee: A French Garrison 1753.

This fun, annual event takes place Saturday, January 26 this year and is free and open to the public. It may be January and many people are in their own hibernation, but at the Old Fort frontier families and tradesmen are hard at work. View cooking and sewing demonstrations among the live events at this year’s event. Experience mail call, drilling and folks scouting the area as well. Learn about life and culture in a time very different than today. This event is perfect for children and families too. Just bundle up!

Nouvelle Annee: A French Garrison 1753 is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is free but a donation is encouraged to help support the Old Fort and future events on site. For additional information call 260.437.2836 or visit the Old Fort online.

The Old Fort is part of a not-for-profit organization and run completely by volunteers. The fort is open for tours and special events and is a replica of an American fort built in Fort Wayne circa 1815 to 1816.

•