Keeping Up With Clayton Klein -- The Walking Man

Happy 175th Birthday to Michigan! And a salute to our Walking Man, Clayton Klein!

2012-01-26T11:48:00.000-08:00

From Left: Clayton Klein, Marya Parcheta Lipiec, Andy Parcheta

Michigan celebrates 175 years today. I've lived in this beautiful state all my life. I grew up in the Middle of the Mitten in Gratiot County...and I've grown to love Southeastern Michigan in the years after college. But all the rest of this wonderful Great Lakes State, I love to explore with my family...and there are miles to go

I gained a huge appreciation for this amazing state during the years I wrote about Clayton Klein, Michigan's own Walking Man, soon to be 93 years old, who continues to walk daily. For five Septembers, 2005 to 2009, he walked the entire length of our state (425 miles) on behalf of Hospice of Michigan. My favorite portion is always the Bridge Walk on Labor Day weekend -- Upper and Lower.

Yes,"if you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you." Our state motto is a great affirmation of this magificent place on the planet. Walking the highways and byways, exploring the natural wonders found here, will keep you strong and young at heart. I guarantee it!

And today, here is what our Senator Debbie Stabenow writes about this time for Michigan in 2012:

Today, we celebrate the 175th birthday of the Great State of Michigan! On January 26, 1837, President Andrew Jackson signed the law giving Michigan statehood. And what an incredible 175 years it has been!

As I was watching the State of the Union on Tuesday, I couldn’t get over how many times President Obama mentioned Michigan. At one point, Vice President Biden pointed at me and smiled – the President just couldn’t stop talking about all the good things we’re doing!

Our auto companies are making a remarkable comeback. We’re investing in the future with clean energy manufacturing, advanced battery technology, and new opportunities like bio-based manufacturing. In fact, Michigan now leads the country in new clean energy patents, and last month, we were first in the nation for economic growth.

As Chair of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee, I traveled all across Michigan earlier this month to talk about the success of our agriculture sector. One in four jobs already comes from agriculture, and we expect to keep growing those jobs in the next few years.

We’re not out of the woods by any means, but the momentum is certainly with us. So today, as Michigan turns 175 years old, let’s celebrate some of the things that make the Great Lakes State so great!

Walking a Mile in Your Shoes: Genesis House hosts 10th Annual Walkathon for Mental Health

2011-08-13T17:16:00.000-07:00

Posted by Susan G. Parcheta

Can we really walk a mile in someone else’s shoes? Often, it’s challenging enough to find time to walk a mile in our own shoes.

At Genesis House in Fowlerville, MI — under the auspices of Livingston County Community Mental Health Services — club members walk daily as part of the overall focus on wellness. Then, once a year in May (National Mental Health Month) they invite the public to walk with them, in combination with their annual fundraiser for the clubhouse.

This year Genesis House (founded in Fowlerville in February 1999) passed a milestone — their 10^th Annual Walkathon to raise awareness in the community regarding mental illness. Walking is a mainstay in recovery programs which emphasize the management of the symptoms of mental illness, as well as promoting a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

David Prain and Mike Leahy of Genesis House enjoy the springtime beauty of downtown Fowlerville on a daily fitness walk. Club members walk daily all year long, as part of the program emphasis on living a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

Said clubhouse director Lee Kellogg, “I like the idea of mental health awareness and walking. There is a big annual event at the capital in Lansing (in which Genesis House participates) called ‘Walk a Mile in my Shoes.’ We have consumers of mental health services from all over the state read a statement regarding mental health which ends with the phrase ‘walk a mile in my shoes.’”

While visiting the clubhouse on May 19 with my sister, Mary Reed, and my friend Clayton Klein, I was struck once again by the hospitality and welcoming atmosphere at the clubhouse.

Michelle Kozak greets visitors with Genesis House tour

Michelle Kozak treated us to a quick tour of the premises. She explained the history behind Genesis House and talked about current activities. Kozak says she likes to call it the “Five Star” tour because of the clubhouse high standing in certification and recognition.

My sister remarked about being impressed with the club house staff and clients. “I really enjoyed meeting them all,” she said, adding, “I learned a lot of very interesting facts.”

Klein is Fowlerville’s “Walking Man,” known for his former annual walks down the State of Michigan from Paradise in the Upper Peninsula to Hell in Livingston County and on to the Ohio border. Averaging 20 miles a day, he’d walk the 420-mile trek throughout three weeks in September. Still walking daily, the 94-year-old “Walking Man” walks for exercise and health; and he enjoys sharing stories of his walking adventures over the years. He is a regular guest each May to help kick off the Genesis House Walkathon.

Guest walkers May 19 at Genesis House from left: Susan Parcheta, Jody Buckholz, Mary Reed, Clayton Klein, Darlene Kimmel

The clubhouse also provides support to members for transitioning into employment opportunities. That day Jody Bucholz and Darlene Kimmel from Michigan Works in Howell joined in the Walkathon. Bucholz is on the Genesis House advisory board. “She is on our Employment Committee,” said Kellogg, “and is really helpful in our efforts to get members jobs.”

Kimmell and Bucholz said they enjoyed the walk experience with the clubhouse members. Kimmel liked the idea of including the walking program as part of the Genesis House day. “We do that here,” she said [at Michigan Works], adding that it helps creates a lifestyle habit of walking. “It’s a wonderful habit.”

Kellogg said now that the totals are in for the 10^th Walkathon, the club members have set a new personal best in the distance at 285 collective miles during the lunch break.

“The annual event has dual purposes,” said Kellogg. “The most important is to impact the health of all Genesis House colleagues. By participating in the daily efforts of the Walkathon, many colleagues develop a daily walking routine that goes beyond the month of May.

The Clubhouse tracks the ‘frequent fliers’ (colleagues that walked more than five times during the month); and they set a personal best in this area too, with 24 colleagues logging multiple one mile walks during May.”

“The second part of the event is fund raising,” Kellogg added. And, yes, you may donate anytime during the year to help the clubhouse. “The books are still open,” he said, “and we are optimistic that we will reach the stated goal of $1500 by the time the books are closed at the end of June.”

“These funds,” said Kellogg, “are used to assist colleagues in improving the quality of the program by attending Clubhouse training and conferences and also to help members attend social activities.” Kellogg said that donations may be given to the clubhouse at any time.

He deemed the 2011 Walkathon a success for personal best for distance (despite the wet weather). “I think one of the big differences this year is the amount of repeat walkers (we had fewer total walkers than last year but will end up going further.) Next year we will set a goal of number of members who walked 5 times or more per month, because the best outcome we could have is for walking to become a daily habit for even more of our members.”

“We’ve averaged about 13 walkers each day,” Kellogg noted. He also issued an invitation to anyone in the community to walk with them. “Yes,” said Kellogg, “we encourage guest walkers year round –anytime!”

I, too, like the emphasis on walking and mental health that Genesis House espouses. I like the Mirriam-Webster meaning of Genesis: “The origin, or coming into being of something.” When it comes to our health, we can have a “genesis” any time. We can always start over. We can begin again.

While the annual May Walkathon provides a community focus on the clubhouse to raise awareness for mental health, every day for club members revolves around walking and a personal wellness focus. Walking, with its many benefits, puts this activity at the top of any healthful living list. It’s a tool we always have with us.

One way to begin again, for a positive lifestyle choice, is to walk – putting one step in front of the other. As the Genesis House club members discover, pure movement helps us to begin again.

Links about walking and about Genesis House

Walking In Your Shoes

Genesis Journal May/June 2009 Lee Kellogg explains the clubhouse emphasis on walking and overall health

http://www.genesisliv.org/ Find out the back story of Genesis House and current events.

Genesis House Journal The May –June issue 2011 includes a form on the last page for donations to the 2011 Walkathon.

Walking: It’s a Good Thing at Genesis House September 2010 Livingston Talk blog by Susan Parcheta

Walking: It's a good thing at Genesis House

2010-09-06T22:15:00.000-07:00

By Susan Parcheta

“All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

Take time to smell the flowers…walk.

For the folks at Genesis House, the clubhouse in Fowlerville affiliated with Livingston County Mental Health organization, the daily mantra might well be: “All Things Walking.”

To clubhouse member Bea Eldridge, it definitely includes taking time to smell the flowers. Eldridge helps keep the flowers around the clubhouse blooming all summer long; and during the daily noontime walks about town, she slows to appreciate the colorful beauty of blooms flowering along village sidewalks.

This May clubhouse members experienced their 9^th walkathon, an annual fund-raising effort held during that month, which is also national Mental Health Month. For the past several years they’ve been inspired by a walk, talk and visit with Clayton Klein, Fowlerville’s own walking hero – who walked each year from 2005 to 2009 (to benefit Michigan Hospice & Palliative Care Organization) from Paradise in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to Hell in his home county of Livingston and on to Ohio – a journey of about 420 miles.

Klein (while saying that last year was his last Paradise to Hell walk) at 91 is still actively walking and promoting the benefits of walking to everyone he meets. He’s the first person who’ll tell you that walking is one of the best ways to improve and maintain physical health,

Klein and Lee Kellogg, director of Genesis House, agree wholeheartedly about the power of a good walk for our health. “The walkathon,” explains Kellogg, “helps focus on our collective wellness and the many tools we can use to help all of us create more balance in our daily lives.”

Although it took awhile to get clubhouse members used to the idea of walking on a daily basis, he says,
“now they walk year round.” Beyond the walkathon, you’ll find clubhouse members walking uptown and back as part of the daily routine. “We walk for our physical and mental health,” Kellogg says,” and for a chance to socialize and get fresh air.”

Clayton Klein is a favorite guest at Genesis House

Michelle Kozak, her mother Nancy, Bea Eldridge and Lynn Wertman posed for a photo with Klein as the Genesis club members rounded out the 2010 Walkathon month. Klein and I enjoyed lunch at the clubhouse, and then the walk that day to help raise money for clubhouse projects.

At Genesis House, he is a legend, and an inspiration. Each May he has been a luncheon guest during the walkathon. As he tells his always-encouraging-story of curing a back injury 40 years ago by simply walking, he’s able to share the wonderful ways that walking has helped him live a happier and healthier lifestyle ever since.

That day, another luncheon guest heard Klein’s walking tales. Francesca Pernice Duca, professor at Wayne State University, was in town for conference planning with Kellogg: the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association Conference in Idaho. Their workshop was called “The Social Discourse of Recovery: The Role of Clubhouse Staff in Recovery Promotion.”

Speaking of staff, each year at the May Walkathon, I’ve enjoyed walking with staff members, and during Klein’s September walks in previous years, Kellogg and staff have walked with Klein when he arrived in Fowlerville. I often think how the example of Clayton Klein has been influential in helping to create the enthusiasm for walking and health at Genesis.

As Kellogg puts it, “We are thrilled to have exceeded every goal of our walkathon. We exceeded our goals for both the number of walkers and our total mileage. Our goals were 60 walkers and 270 miles and the actual was 63 and 278.”

“We have also implemented a wellness campaign,” he adds, “where every member and staff of the Club is identifying wellness goals that are visible, measurable and trackable.”

“Clayton is inspiring,” says Kellogg. “He is a wonderful role model for all of us at Genesis House, as we work towards improving our collective health.”

Over the last couple of years, joining the Genesis group walking – both during Clayton’s long distance walk events and during the clubhouse walkathon – I’ve admired the daily diligence of the clubhouse members and staff to their walking schedule.

They’ve inspired me to keep up my own walking program. Sometimes it goes in fits and starts, although I always have Clayton Klein to call if I need to put on some steam, and not just stroll leisurely, as I often do…always with my camera in hand.

Good strong walking is a good thing, and one of the best things we can do for keeping our body going. I’m convinced that all the walking Klein does has contributed to his positive mental attitude. If walking makes you think younger, I figure, I’m all for it.

There are so many benefits to walking that countless books are written about it. This one caught my eye most recently: Walking Your Blues Away: How to Heal the Mind and Create Emotional Well-Being by Thom Hartmann. It’s a great book to help you understand the way the bilateral movement of walking affects our body and our emotions…helping us to “get over” the stuff that muddles our lives. In fact, it’s one of the best therapies around, and it’s with us all the time.

Hartmann explores the benefits and explains why walking works as a tool for emotional well-being. My favorite excuse for walking, as he points out, is that this kind of bilateral activity “gives access to the whole brain, making walking and other forms of bilateral work/play useful for enhancing creativity and problem solving.”

“The legs are the wheels of creativity,” he quotes Albert Einstein as saying. Now, then, as Clayton Klein likes to put it: “Stand and walk.” OK…sounds good to me. Like the Genesis folks, let’s devote some time daily. Let’s get motivated; let’s get moving!

For more information on Genesis House and their walking program visit www.genesisliv.org.

You can follow updates on Clayton Klein at www.claytonklein-thewalkingman.blogspot.com

(Published as part of my blog series: Yesterday's Coffee, Tomorrow's Muse Sept. 7, 2010)

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2010-02-24T13:21:00.000-08:00

Happy 91st Birthday, Clayton!

Feb. 24, 2010

State of Michigan gives tribute to Clayton Klein

2010-01-23T21:21:00.000-08:00

Hometown hero Clayton Klein inspires Michiganders of all ages | livingstontalk.com

2010-01-23T21:18:00.000-08:00

Hometown hero Clayton Klein inspires Michiganders of all ages | livingstontalk.com

'The Walking Man' completes 5th long distance trek for Michigan Hospice | livingstontalk.com

2009-11-28T17:29:00.000-08:00

'The Walking Man' completes 5th long distance trek for Michigan Hospice | livingstontalk.com

Facebook | Clayton Klein, The Walking Man!

2009-11-01T12:35:00.000-08:00

Facebook | Clayton Klein, The Walking Man!

Walking Michigan Miles with the Walking Man

2009-10-15T16:30:00.000-07:00

The walk is complete.

Clayton Klein's fifth annual walk from Paradise to Hell & Beyond to Ohio to benefit the Michigan Hospice Organization ended on Sept. 28 at the Ohio line. After walking 420 miles from the shores of Lake Superior down the Middle of the Mitten to Ohio, Klein says it's good to be finished.

Compiling a log of miles traveled by those accompanying him, he has figured that the following folks walked the most.

Of all the people who walked with me, these are the ones who walked the most miles:

Todd Brooks of Perry -------------------- 46.0 miles

Peggy Noyce of Houghton Lake ------ 37.0 miles

George Winegar of Howell -------------- 34.7 miles

William Kenyon of Adrian --------------- 21.0 Miles

And the Group of 5 from Waters to Grayling ----- 20.00 miles

Klein does not expect to do such extensive walks again, but possibly smaller, more varied events might be planned.

You may still contribute to the Michigan Hospice Organization on behalf of Clayton's 2009 Walk. Contact Lisa Buttigieg at www.mihospice.org.

And, you missed getting a Walking Man tee to commemorate this historic walk, please visit Craig Backus' EmbroidMe website listed at the right on the sidebar of the blog. The shirt will be available on line, and you don't have to get safety green...even though it shows up a mile away (seems to me anyway!).

There are other beautiful colors, as well, and it's a great quality tee to wear in honor of Clayton's walk or to give as a gift.

It also serves as a reminder to those who see it, about Michigan Hospice & Palliative Care Organization.

Thanks, everyone, for making this fifth walk from Paradise to Hell & Beyond to Ohio, a great success.
Stay tuned for updates, photos, and other good news about our extraordinary Walking Man, Clayton Klein.

Walking with Clayton Klein...step by step...along Michigan highways for Hospice

2009-10-02T18:55:00.000-07:00

"At its heart, the journey of each life is a pilgrimage,
through unforeseen sacred places
that enlarge and enrich the soul."
--John O'Donohue

You've heard the phrase....inch by inch, anything's a cinch. For Clayton Klein that would be step by step. Step by step, mile by mile, from Paradise, Michigan on over the bridge and straight down to Hell and beyond to Ohio. 420 miles. Think about it. That's 84 times across the Mackinac Bridge. And he walks every step of the way.

And when something like the fall in St. Johns happens, he goes back and makes up the miles. Twenty to be exact. He will set forth to make up that leg of the trip at 8:30 a.m on Tuesday, Oct. 7 and walk to the Flap Jack Shack in Lansing at Frandor. Valerie Wheeler of Michigan Hospice & Palliative Care Organization in Lansing will be meeting him at M-21 and US-27 to accompany him on the journey.

If you'd like to walk on that makeup day for the Paradise to Hell to Ohio walk, just be those four corners at 8:30 a.m. Other stops: Price Road, Round Lake Road, Clark Road, Grand River Road in Lansing, and Flap Jack Shack in Lansing. For more information call him before Tuesday at 517-223-8135.

Clayton said he'd just started out that Saturday morning Sept. 17 when he tripped on a sidewalk in St. Johns, fell and broke his glasses and sustained lots of cuts, requiring 12 stitches. Nothing was broken. And certainly not his spirit.

Which is pretty good for a nonagenarian. That's a big word. It simply means you've turned 90, which Clayton did in February this year. So falling and not breaking anything except your glasses at age 90 is indeed inspiring to me. My goal is to be that active and engaged in the world when I'm 90.

So, that's why I hang around Clayton Klein. I aspire to have such an indomitable spirit at that age. .Of course, I said that three years ago in a column I wrote after the 2006 walk. I think I've made a little bit of progress, but I've got a long way to go. Step by step, inch by inch...row by row.

Ha...he was asking me if perhaps I walked totally more than anyone else, but I'll have to pass on that. I've enjoyed walking parts of several segments of the Paradise to Hell journey for the past couple of years. Last year I set out with him in Paradise for about five miles and again on the Williamston day about six and short distances on the Fowlerville and Hell.days. This year I repeated those middle days, adding a very short walk in Indian River, six-mile walk to Ithaca and a three mile into Manchester. Still the total is probably under 20. So I admire those who can walk an entire day with him.

Next week Clayton will have the figures for which man and woman walked the longest, as he rounds up all the data and pictures and anecdotes from his walk this year. So stay tuned.

While I love to walk (started about four years ago at a physician's advice), I walk with Clayton for more than the health benefits. Through our walking, we've become good friends...and I've met other new friends because of his walking.

Walking has become intrinsic for me, largely because of knowing him and the discoveries I've made about myself by incorporating walking into my life.

Clayton said something amazing, recently. “Time flies when you're walking.” Maybe so. Maybe walking...step by step...one foot in front of the other...actually slows down time. Especially on a beautiful day outdoors when you become lost in thought and on that day the whole adventure of walking transports you beyond the time constraints (seemingly) of everyday life.

* * *

If you'd like to contribute to Michigan Hospice Organization on behalf of Clayton's 2009 walk, please go to www.michiganhospice.org to download a donation form. You can contribute to the Sondra Seeley Scholarship Fund for continuing education programs for hospice employees, or to your own regional hospice. Michigan Hospice Organization is the state organization for all the hospices in Michigan.

For more information, contact Lisa Buttigieg, communications coordinator at 517-668-6396. The address is: Michigan Hospice & Palliative Care Organization, 12800 Escanaba Drive, Suite E, DeWitt, Michigan 48820.

Want to walk with Clayton? St. Johns to Lansing Tuesday, Oct. 7

2009-09-30T21:47:00.000-07:00

Clayton will be making up his walk from St Johns to Lansing on Tuesday, Oct. 7 if you would like to join him on that day at the corner of of M-21 and US-27 at 8:30 a.m. departure. Call him at 517-223-8135 or email clayton@firstep.net

Ya Gotta Love the Gotta Scrap Inn

2009-09-27T21:52:00.000-07:00

Manchester's Gotta Scrap Inn has played host to Clayton on his walks to Ohio. Saturday, I ventured down to that beautiful, quiet community to walk a little and to see what's up with this Gotta Scrap Inn. What a fantastic place. Scrapbook aficionados can crop 'n cut 'n paste to their heart's content. A whole bed and breakfast devoted to scrapbookers and quilters and such creative spirits. I'm on the left, wearing the cool safety green commemorative tee for Clayton Klein, the Walking Man. Hard to believe it's all over today, Sept. 28 when Clayton crosses the border into Ohio this afternoon. Clayton was joined by Karen Jackson from the Howell Hospice on the walk to Manchester. The photo was taken by her husband, Larry, who so graciously manned her follow-up car and delivered me back to my car, as well. Below is a photo of Clayton with one of the inn owners, Wendy Gieger in front of her beautiful fireplace. The three story brick home has oodles of room for scrapbookers and all their stuff. It makes you want to become one, even if you're not quite into it, just to enjoy the hospitality. Clayton raves over the home-cooked meals...and also the fact that he's surrounded by (he said) 20 beautiful women. Wendy walked with Clayton today on the Adrian leg of the journey. Bill Kenyon of the Adrian Hospice also walked along today and introduced Clayton to a beautiful rails 'n trails pathway to walk through the city.

a Hot Day in Hell

2009-09-26T17:33:00.000-07:00

A hot day in Hell for these walkers coming down picturesque Kelly Road Sept. 23. L-R Christopher Young, Gail Warren, George Winegar (behind Denise Walters), Clayton, Gail and Ed Wistie, Todd Brooks. Loved watching you all traipsing down the hill...it was a beautiful day in the tiny little Livingston County hamlet. More photos to share at a later date. Thanks for slowing the pace a bit so I could capture you all on camera. By the way, these walkers covered 13 miles on behalf of Michigan Hospice Organization that day. And it was a warm day in Hell:)

A Tradition Continues for Fowlerville Walk

2009-09-25T21:43:00.000-07:00

A favorite tradition for the past three years has been enjoying the Genesis House club members in Fowlerville enjoying Clayton Klein and being inspired by his walking program. On Wednesday, Genesis House folks piled into the club van to catch up with Clayton outside of town. We found the walkers, coming from Webberville along Grand River here and continued the walk into town to Olden Days restaurant. Note the bright safety green Clayton tee that Lynne McLean is wearing on the far right. Commemorative tees are available from Craig Backus at EmbroidMe of Birmingham at the web link listed on the right of the blog.
Wednesday Clayton wore his blue Walk the Walk tee, a gift from his United Methodist Church friends, for previous walks. An apt expression, too, as Clayton does walk the walk.

Clayton Klein - What a Guy

2009-09-25T20:59:00.000-07:00

Thanks all of you who've joined our Clayton Klein, the Walking Man group on Facebook.
He's gotten quite a following of fans over the past five years of walking Michigan from top to bottom for Michigan Hospice Org.
Did you know that he walked across the state from Lake Michigan to Huron the two years before that?
There are so many aspects to this Fowlerville native. It would take a book to write about 90 years of living outside the box! That's what he told me once, to think outside the box, and find the place where you fit with your gifts and talents.
So, to me, he's been a wonderful teacher, as well. After the walk is over, I hope I'll be able to expand on more about Clayton...his walking, his writing, and what he plans for his next adventures!
Please be patient, as I'm learning about photos and things...and know you'd like more photo galleries. So stay tuned to Facebook and also to my website and blog as they develop. Clayton will always be there:)
Remember...All Things Beautiful Walking!
Tomorrow is Chelsea to Manchester; Sunday Manchester to M52 South to M-223; Monday to Ohio state line....
Well, I really should slip on down to the Gotta Scrap Inn and check out all those beautiful women scrapbookers he keeps talking about on the radio. Stay tuned at WHMI Howell 93.5 for recaps...
And thanks to the radio Merino and Morning Crew for being the great public forum for this remarkable Livingston County resident!

Walking Williamston to Webberville With Clayton

2009-09-22T20:53:00.000-07:00

Walking was fine today with Clayton Klein. Jeanne and Frank McKowen of Williamston and friends Betty and Harold Carney of Orchard Lake and I caught up with Clayton and Todd Brooks of Shaftsburg at the Williamston McDonald's. Todd walked with Clayton from Flapjack Shack in Lansing. On to Webberville...where Clayton sets out again Wednesday morning at the main four corners...8:30 a.m. and walk to Fowlerville and on to Howell.

Always we are deeply grateful to the volunteers who elect to man the follow-up cars so that others may walk. For the past four years, Frank McKowen has made possible our traditional walk with Clayton from Williamston to Webberville, patiently waiting for us ahead down the road, sometimes circling back to check on us, and carrying (on this occasion) sparkling green tea and giant oatmeal cookies for a snack break. And then, to celebrate a successful walk, driving us to get a cool-down ice cream sundae!

Harold Carney and Frank McKowen set to go!

There's still time to walk with him this week each day until the walk concludes in Ohio on Sept. 28. See the walk schedule: Daily Walk Times Sept 4-28

Photo op: Cecil Sanders of Webberville found us on Grand River just outside of town. Cecil knew both Jeanne (Showerman) McKowen and Clayton Klein. The Walking Man tees look great and show up well for oncoming traffic when walking. So, cheers for "safety green"! The hot, humid day found us glad to make it to the Main Four in Webberville, where Clayton, Jeanne, Todd chat before heading home. Mike McLean of Fowlerville was waiting there for Clayton to give him a ride back home.

Man Walks from Paradise to Hell

2009-09-22T18:52:00.001-07:00

Man Walks from Paradise to Hell

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Clayton Klein Walk Interview to Air Tonight at 11pm on Channel 10 Lansing

2009-09-22T16:57:00.000-07:00

I'd like to share a note from Lisa Buttigieg, Communications Coordinator for Michigan Hospice & Palliative Care Organization. Hospice Organization. Clayton walked from Flapjack Shack in Lansing to Webberville today. I will post more later, but wanted to put this up in case anyone could catch the interview on Channel 10 tonight at 11pm. Lisa is right. Clayton is truly amazing.

Hello Everyone,
Early this morning Natalie, Val and myself, along with Michelle Wiseman and John Thelen from Sparrow Hospice welcomed Clayton Klein as he began the second leg of his 420 mile journey for hospice. Channel 10 News interviewed the upbeat & simply amazing 90 year old Clayton along with our own Education Coordinator, Natalie Brocieus. The segment will air tonight on channel 10 at 11pm . We hope you will be able to see it.

All Systems Go for Clayton Klein's Michigan Hospice Walk to Resume Tuesday

2009-09-21T12:36:00.001-07:00

Official word from Clayton Klein is that the walk for Michigan Hospice Org. will resume 8:30 Tuesday, Sept. 22 at Flapjack Shack in Lansing. Clayton is feeling fine, the swelling is down from his fall on Saturday in St. Johns, he's got some glasses to wear...and all systems are go! The walk continues Sept. 22-28 on the walk through Ingham, Livingston, Washtenaw, Lenawee counties as he travels to Hell & Beyond to Ohio from his home in Fowlerville. So put your walking shoes on! Join him on the journey! See walk schedule at

Clayton Daily Walk Times Paradise to Hell & Beyond

Here's a great article that will help you picture what Clayton is walking for in regard to Michigan's Hospice programs. Most everyone has been touched by the work of Hospice. The article is in the news of Vital Care of Northern Michigan when staff member Jennifer Besteman caught up with Klein when traveling through Trout Lake area. This is the final week of the walk. Jennifer's article highlights the wonderful work of this organization for families across Michigan.
Hospice_Walk

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Mackinac Bridge Walk Renews Tradition || WXYZ.com | WXYZ-TV / Detroit | Detroit News, Weather, Sports and More

2009-09-21T02:00:00.000-07:00

Enjoy this article, which mentions Clayton Klein, the day he walked the Mackinac Bridge. Granholm greeted Clayton and exchanged hugs for the press. Keep your fingers crossed that the walk may continue this week, as Clayton recovers from his mishap in St. Johns on Saturday....
Mackinac Bridge Walk Renews Tradition || WXYZ.com | WXYZ-TV / Detroit | Detroit News, Weather, Sports and More

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Clayton Klein is on the mend...hoping to resume walk Tuesday

2009-09-20T16:51:00.000-07:00

Clayton Klein status update: He's home resting, waiting to see if the swelling will go down enough by tomorrow afternoon so he can see to resume the walk as scheduled on Tuesday. Apparently it was on the news. He feels fine otherwise.

Hopefully he will be at the Flapjack Shack in Lansing Tuesday morning to start walking at 8:30a.m along Grand River Ave. to Williamston to Webberville. This is certainly turning out to be one big adventure!

I'll post what I know tomorrow afternoon sometime. Keep your fingers crossed....

Clayton's fine...and walk to Hell & Beyond resumes Tuesday Sept 22

2009-09-19T11:27:00.000-07:00

Clayton's home:) Safe and sound, except for 12 stitches on the eye area. The doctor says he should be fine to resume the walk on Tuesday as scheduled. Thanks to all who are keeping tuned in!

Walking mishap: St. Johns to Lansing walk rescheduled

2009-09-19T11:22:00.000-07:00

My Facebook note this morning...

Keep your fingers crossed for Clayton Klein and in in your prayers...I've just learned that he's resting in Clinton Memorial Hospital after falling in the early part of the walk from St. Johns to Lansing this morning. St. Johns Hospice folks are with him and also Todd Brooks who has walked with him the past couple of years. They don't want him walking today, so he says he will redo that portion of the walk later on and by Tuesday resume the walk schedule. Please hold him in your hearts and prayers...thank you Facebook friends for all the support you've given him on this adventure.

Facebook | My Links

2009-09-19T08:33:00.001-07:00

Facebook | My Links

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Happy Trails: Walking to my Hometown

2009-09-18T21:43:00.000-07:00

Do all trails lead to home? For me they did Sept. 17 walking with Clayton Klein into my hometown of Ithaca, Michigan....in the middle of the mitten (St. Louis actually has the official title)...but close enough. Joined by my sister, Mary Reed, and my husband, Jerry, we found Clayton just as he was set to embark on Old 27 south to Ithaca. It truly is a small world, as one of Clayton's dear friends is Ithaca native Doris Allen. She and her daughter Marian Allen Fisher met us there. Marian and her cousin, Linda Allen Weburg were helping coordinate Clayton's motel transportation on that leg of the trip. Linda was waiting with Doris at JJ Ruby's restaurant halfway to our destination. Now, this would seem an ordinary log of events, except that Marian and Linda and I are all Ithaca High School classmates. I hadn't seen either of them since I attended a class reunion (Class of '61) eight years ago...and so there in JJ Ruby's we had a mini reunion...thinking it's time to plan for our 50th in 2011.

You could add a few exclamation points after that! Isn't life amazing when it leads you to become best friends with someone who is best friends with someone whose daughter and niece were my friends? I forget when we first discovered the Ithaca connection...sometime when I was writing for the Fowlerville News & Views about Clayton's books and things...before the now famous Paradise to Hell walks. Yes, people connections are fascinating. And now that Clayton is halfway downstate...he has many tales to tell.

I'm looking forward to reading about Clayton's sojourn in Ithaca when my hometown paper, the Gratiot County Herald, arrives next week. I heard there was a wonderful breakfast at a great little restaurant downtown.

Saturday, Sept. 19 he will wind up the day at the Flapjack Shack in Lansing and welcome a couple of days of rest before stepping off again to complete the journey to Ohio.

2009-09-17T20:42:00.000-07:00

Layer upon layer, step by step,
I grow in spirit as I walk this earth,
between the sand and the sky.

The Daily Mandala: September 17, 2009

2009-09-17T20:34:00.001-07:00

The Daily Mandala: September 17, 2009

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Walking the Palm of the Mitten

2009-09-16T22:29:00.003-07:00

Hello Clayton fans,

The 5th Annual Walk from Paradise to Hell & Beyond to Ohio is on and the walking's fine with Clayton Klein September 4-28, 2009! If you can keep up, that is!

Come Walk With Me! That's the slogan, always, for The Walking Man....who celebrated his 90th birthday this February.

Winding his way down the middle of the Mitten, Clayton's having some wonderful adventures, and looks forward to having a great turnout of folks as he travels downstate to Lansing, home to Fowlerville, on to Hell and this year following M52 into Ohio.

Michigan Hospice Organization features him on the front page of their website:

www.mihospice.org Schedules are there and contribution forms also.

You can look him up on my website (needs much work, but the schedules are there.)

www.susanparcheta.com

You can buy a commemorative tee, if you'd like, from Craig and Gail Backus who own EmbroidMe in Birmingham and have graciously helped me figure out a design using Laurie McDowell's drawing of The Walking Man (Shes from Chelsea and her sister Lynne McLean is Clayton's neighbor and right-hand assistant for publicity... besides looking after his garden while he's gone).

The tees I got a few of are safety green (I know, blindingly bright) which we picked as advocates for safe walking. There are other colors available. If you order right away, you could have them by next week. The back is the Walking Man drawing, and the front is an outline of Michigan and his route. You can see them on Facebook at Clayton Klein, the Walking Man, or go to the site:

http://thewalkingman.promoshop.com/

I'll be writing about Clayton for one of my articles for the new online news site launching Oct. 1, called www.livingstontalk.com. Here's a promo video that's fun. http://www.youtube.com/watchv=zZlvwBOAISA

If that link doesn't work go to YouTube and put in Livingstontalk.com

I've started a blog for him at www.claytonklein-thewalkingman.blogspot.com

It would be delightful if you had a moment to go look and make comments!

If you have any suggestions, please email me. sgparcheta@gmail.com

It's not too late to walk! Come out and enjoy beautiful Michigan with Clayton Klein!

There's an article about him in the Detroit News, in which I'm interviewed about Clayton. Embarrassing....but there I am. My age all over the state, and my wimpy walking...but I'll share:

90-year-old walking man

Clayton will be walking to Ithaca Thursday, St. Johns Friday, Lansing Saturday...all down Old US 27. Rest Sunday and Monday and then starting out Tuesday at Flapjack Shack in Lansing to Webberville, Wednesday through Fowlerville and to Mason Road south of Howell, and Thursday on to Hell, Friday to Chelsea, Saturday to Manchester, on to Ohio Monday 28th

I look forward to walking in Ithaca, Williamston to Webberville, Fowlerville, Hell, maybe Manchester.

And somehow I have to break my six mile limit I happened to mention in the News! We'll see...the main thing is to get out and enjoy this beautiful state with a remarkable nonagenarian! Inspiration for us all.

All things walking!

Sue

Traveling down the middle of The Mitten

2009-09-13T19:51:00.000-07:00

A week into the Paradise to Hell & Beyond to Ohio walk for Michigan Hospice Organization, Clayton Klein is walking downstate now, having reached Houghton Lake today from Grayling. Hospice folks met him in Gaylord on Thursday morning to walk a ways...and he was joined on the Friday walk to Waters/Grayling by three women and a man...and he was escorted by the Sheriff patrol going into town, he said. A great day, including a wonderful dinner at the local country club. Saturday was a rest day in Grayling...Houghton today, and on to Harrison tomorrow.

My husband, his dad and I caught up with Clayton and his daughter, Debbie, as he arrived in Indian River last Tuesday. We enjoyed a camp fire meal with them, a change of pace for Clayton's restaurant meals on the rest of the walk. Seems fitting, as Clayton, the longtime adventurer, once compiled a book of campfire poems.

Facebook | Clayton Klein, The Walking Man!

2009-09-06T14:25:00.001-07:00

Facebook | Clayton Klein, The Walking Man!

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At 90, still the walking man | detnews.com | The Detroit News

2009-09-05T16:53:00.000-07:00

At 90, still the walking man | detnews.com | The Detroit News

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Stepping off in Paradise

2009-09-05T08:42:00.000-07:00

Clayton stepped off in Paradise, MI on Lake Superior Friday, Sept. 4, as scheduled. Three days to the Mackinac Bridge. Sharing here a wonderful letter from Michigan Hospice Organization cheering Clayton on his journey and inviting everyone to come out and participate in his latest adventure. This is Clayton's fifth walk from one end of the state to the other for a great cause. He's a nonagenarian now (90), which means he was 85 for Paradise to Hell Walk Number One in 2005.

Lisa Buttigieg, communications coordinator for Michigan Hospice & Palliative Care Organization, sent this letter out today in celebration of Clayton Klein’s first day of the 420-mile journey, walking from Paradise at Whitefish Bay on Lake Superior (where the Edmund Fitzgerald went down) over the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day and on down into the Lower Peninsula to the little town of Hell in Livingston County and beyond to Ohio. Enjoy!

Hello Everyone,
Today is the big day for Clayton and for Michigan Hospice Organization! What a beautiful day to begin a walk. I am very excited to let you all know that we have contacted all of the Chamber of Commerce’s in the towns where Clayton will be walking (I sent the press release and walk schedule) and they were all receptive and excited about this story.

We have also contacted news stations all around the state, including national news stations along with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, all of whom were very receptive of this story. And one last contact was Governor Granholm’s office, I spoke to her communications person about Clayton being there on Labor Day to walk across with everyone and since she will be walking across this year with her elderly relatives, I am hoping that she will recognize Clayton because we know he certainly deserves it!

I spoke to the director of the Mackinaw Chamber of Commerce (Dawn) and she told me to let Clayton know that there will be live news coverage on the St. Ignace side (reporter Gary Ingalls) and reporter Bill Bauman on the Mackinaw side of the bridge. She did say that Clayton should be assertive and get to the front for an interview to tell his story, and my boss said it is perfectly fine to address us as Michigan Hospice Organization. She also said that she would have a lanyard for Clayton at the sound booth on the Mackinaw side.

I hope this in not too late of a notice and we are all rooting for you Clayton!! Thank you Clayton, you are an amazing person and we appreciate you for who you are.
All our best for a safe journey!
The MHPCO Staff.

The Walk is On

2009-09-02T20:52:00.000-07:00

Clayton Klein walking Paradise to Hell & Beyond for Michigan Hospice & Palliative Care

It's official. The walk is on...for Clayton Klein, embarking Friday, Sept. 4, 2009 on his 5th Annual Walk for Michigan Hospice & Palliative Care.

That morning, the 90-year-old Fowlerville, MI resident will begin his 420-mile trek south through theheart of Michigan, from Paradise in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, downstate to Hell and on to the Ohio border Sept. 28.

Averaging 20 miles a day, the former businessman, author and adventurer is once again walking to benefit Michigan Hospice & Palliative Care Organization's educational scholarship program for Hospice employees.

Klein is timing his walk to coincide with the annual Labor Day Bridge Walk, Sept. 7, to walk across Big Mac into the Lower Peninsula. He invites the public to walk along with him on his journey -- for a short jaunt, for a day, or the entire distance -- to enjoy the early autumn beauty of Michigan, while walking for Hospice at the same time.

For more information about walking with Klein, to help in any way, or to find out about MHPCO contributions, please contact him at 517-223-8135 or clayton@firststep.net. Updates on Clayton Klein and his 2009 Paradise to Hell & Beyond schedule are posted at www.susanparcheta.com. After the walk begins, you may contact Lisa Buttigieg, communications coodinator at the MHPCO website: www.mihospice.org.