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Exercise / Fitness 32 results
Within a two-hour drive from Bloomington, you can take road trips to such diverse places as quintessential Hoosier small towns and atypical Hoosier landscapes (pictured above, the DePauw Nature Park). As writer Diane Walker says, these fun, unusual, and affordable destinations will nourish our mental and physical health with hiking, exploring, and exercising our curiosity — and help us to emerge from our ‘unprecedented isolation.’ | Limestone Post

Road Trips to Waterfalls, Small Towns, and Unusual Hoosier Locales
Diane Walker
All of us need a fun break, especially after 14 months of unprecedented isolation, and what’s a better getaway than a good road trip? Writer Diane Walker takes us to waterfalls, small towns, and several fun, affordable, and unusual sites on these “road trips of distinction” — all within a two-hour drive of Bloomington. Click here to join the ride!
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Hoosiers living in southern Indiana counties face significant health threats, including chronic disease, substance abuse, and mental health issues. Access to rural healthcare is another threat, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Writer Rebecca Hill looks at the problem of rural healthcare access and what various individuals and organizations are doing to help. | Illustration by Christian Bowden

Healthcare and the Impact of COVID-19 in So. Indiana Counties
Rebecca Hill, Christian Bowden
The most significant health threats faced by Hoosiers living in southern Indiana's rural counties are chronic disease, substance abuse, and mental health issues. Another threat is access to healthcare, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Writer Rebecca Hill looks at the problem of rural healthcare access and what various individuals and organizations are doing to help. Click here to read the article.
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‘Amphibious’ Park in Clarksville Anticipates Climate Change Impact
Beth Edwards
Water volume in the Ohio River is expected to increase by 30 percent over the next 50 years. But a 600-acre park being developed in southern Indiana will turn the inevitable flooding into an attraction, making it “the first climate-resilient park in the Midwest.” Click here to read the story by Beth Edwards of the Indiana Environmental Reporter.
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New People’s Open Pantry Offers Access to Healthy Food
Ellen Wu
Building equity and supporting community access to healthy food are at the heart of the People’s Open Pantry, a new initiative under the aegis of the People’s Market, writes Ellen Wu. But starting a pantry during a pandemic takes dedication and planning. Wu talked to several of the people involved in the effort. Click here to read the story.
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Late last year, a group called Women in Nature Gaining Skills (WINGS) was formed to encourage women to participate in outdoor activities such as archery, hiking, kayaking, fishing, and birdwatching. All openings were filled before the first event in January. A kayaking trip is schedule for July. This photo is from an event hosted by Monroe Lake. | Photo by Jill Vance

WINGS Offers Outdoor Adventures for Women by Women
Laurie D. Borman
Late last year, a group called Women in Nature Gaining Skills (WINGS) was formed to encourage women to participate in outdoor activities such as archery, hiking, kayaking, fishing, and birdwatching. All openings were filled before the first event in January. Writer Laurie D. Borman interviewed the organizers to find out why WINGS has exceeded expectations. Click below to read the article.
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Parenting through the pandemic can be challenging. But, as Jared Posey writes, self-care is important not only for a parent's well-being but also for teaching children how to respond to crises they will face in the future. Pictured above, the author mows the lawn while his son plays. | Photo by Katie Posey

Parenting Through a Pandemic: Role Modeling and Self-Care
Jared Posey
Biohazard suits, protective masks, sheltering at home, and other grim realities of COVID-19 have raised fears and questions among children. Providing answers can be difficult for parents. But, as Jared Posey writes, self-care is important not only for a parent's well-being but also for teaching children how to respond to future crises. Click here for a guide to parenting through a pandemic.
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Thinking about planting a garden? Beth Edwards, a writer and producer for the Indiana Environmental Reporter, has written about the physical, mental health, economic, and environmental benefits of home gardening. People with no space for a garden can rent a plot through the community garden program run by in the City of Bloomington’s Department of Parks and Recreation (see the end of the article for more info). Pictured above, the Willie Streeter Community Gardens on South Highland Avenue. | Limestone Post

Hoosiers Take On Home Gardening
Beth Edwards
Home gardens not only create access to healthy food, they also offer physical, mental health, economic, and environmental benefits, writes Beth Edwards of the Indiana Environmental Reporter. No wonder home gardening has gained in popularity every year since the 2008 financial crisis. Sheltering at home has even more Hoosiers digging in. Click here to learn more.
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A lone bike rider on the nearly empty streets of Bloomington, Indiana, March 25, 2020. Local officials, organizations, and individuals have developed programs and resources to help people trying to cope during the COVID-19 crisis. | Limestone Post

List of COVID-19 Resources for Bloomington and Monroe County
Limestone Post
Bloomington and Monroe County officials, organizations, and individuals have responded to the COVID-19 crisis by developing programs and resources to help people trying to cope in the pandemic. Limestone Post has compiled this list for people who need help, who want to help, or who just want more information. Click here for the list.
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“Bloomington is at a crossroads — culturally, civically, and economically,” says writer Sean Starowitz, assistant director of the arts for the City of Bloomington. Touching on all of these is our bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. While many people say they want a friendlier biking and walking town, “the car dominates its urban fabric and infrastructure,” which can be seen in this shared lane on North Walnut at the downtown Square. | Limestone Post

City Needs ‘Push’ From Public To Improve Bike Infrastructure
Sean Starowitz
“Bloomington is at a crossroads — culturally, civically, and economically,” says writer Sean Starowitz, assistant director of the arts for the City of Bloomington. Touching on all of these is our bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. While many people say they want a friendlier biking and walking town, “the car dominates its urban fabric and infrastructure.” Click here to read the full story.
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While the city’s biking infrastructure leaves much to be desired, Bloomington has plenty more to back its claim as the Biking Capital of the Midwest, argues writer and avid biker Sean Starowitz. Pictured here, biker Jesse Smith rides on Hobbs Hollow Flow Trail in Brown County State Park. | Photo by Devin O’Leary

Can Bloomington Be Called the ‘Biking Capital of the Midwest’?
Sean Starowitz
While the city’s biking infrastructure leaves much to be desired, Bloomington has plenty to back its claim as the Biking Capital of the Midwest, argues writer and avid biker Sean Starowitz. Whether it’s gravel, road, trail, or mountain biking, Bloomington is the hub of some of the best riding around. Click here for more, including Starowitz's suggestions for routes, clubs, and more.
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Writer Jennifer Pacenza, pictured far right at a Bollywood dance class, spoke with experts who say a body-positive fitness model is more important for achieving physical and mental well-being than exercise regimens promoted by fitness and weight-loss industries. Pacenza says it's important to find a way that you love to move your body. | Limestone Post

Honoring the Body with Body-Positive Fitness
Jennifer Pacenza
While many people use exercise regimens hoping to achieve impossibly thin, sculpted bodies promoted by “diet culture,” few people are physically or even genetically capable of achieving such results, says writer Jennifer Pacenza. Experts she talks to say a body-positive fitness model is more important for achieving physical and mental well-being. Click here to read the full story.
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Hikers wander along the trails at Sycamore Land Trust’s Porter West. Writer Jonah Chester describes the preserve as a “diamond in the rough,” with sinkholes, a former composting site, and a cemetery. | Limestone Post

Porter West: Sycamore Land Trust’s ‘Diamond in the Rough’
Jonah Chester
A lot goes into preserving the natural beauty of an area — but sometimes that means just letting it be. Sycamore Land Trust’s Porter West Preserve, for example, includes a former composting site, sinkholes, and a cemetery. Writer Jonah Chester explores how SLT manages problems like invasive species in such “diamonds in the rough.” Click here to read the full story and to see many photos of Porter West.
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