Big Shoes For Little Feet

Bessemer – February 15, 2010

Health officials may be concerned about the lack of physical exercise by our nation’s youth, but we wouldn’t be too concerned at about Bessemer’s Washington School students.
We recently had the opportunity to go with Susan Beal’s third graders on their annual snowshoe event. This would be a first time experience for many of the students, as well as would be for me.  The youngsters had a great time shuffling off to the ball field behind the Washington School Building. A couple of short climbs and the rest would be a piece of cake. HMMMM!

Once at the ball field, the kids would really show me up, even the first timers. A small game of football ensued. It should be noted that Mrs. Beal and the parents were pros at this stuff. One Mom told me that it was her first time on snowshoes, I later learned from her daughter that mom did go cross country skiing. HMMM!  The daughter, Danielle was a beginner. I periodically check with Danielle as to how she thought this was event was going. She reassured me that everything was o.k. At the end of our journey a great big smile accompanied her words of reassurance. Although she hadn’t participated in the races organized by Mrs. Beal, Danielle was doing great. Hey neither of us had fallen nor embarrassed ourselves, so I guess everything was going well.  Yes we were all having a great time.

The students splintered off and went on to different things, more racing, hill climbing and even a Kodak Moment.  Of course I did not do this story alone. Veteran Yupper skier and IronwoodInfo reporter Arvo Toolanen was on hand. I must admit it was he that actually ran behind the students crossing the enormous football field,  I sort of laid back and adjusted my 500mm telephoto lens.