Mayor Joan Hawkins is finishing up the Mayor’s Walking Challenge, which is an annual event that gives the state’s mayors a chance to earn money for their cities while promoting the value of exercise and physical activity to their residents.  Given the auspicious timing, pairing with SICOG (Southeast Idaho Council of Governments) was a great way to bring the concept of staying active home to Malad’s kids.  As an additional benefit, the SICOG program also promotes safe practices for riding bikes around town, especially during the time of the year when the streets are darker earlier and driving conditions can be less reliably clear.  

The city recently finished the signage and markings for its school area crossings, and according to principal Sarah McIntyre the students have done a excellent job this year with their safety habits in and around school.

Haley Reed and Laurie Bauer from Sicog would like to build on that success, and fuether encourage Malad’s youth to be mindful of the kinds of things that will keep them safer on the road—such as helmets, reflective clothing or other elements, riding with someone else along, obeying traffic rules, etc.  They also want them to make sure to play hard and have a good time.

On Friday, the east parking lot of Malad Elementary School was turned into an obstacle training course, and three age groups throughout the day took their turns learning, playing, and having fun outside while their parents watched on.  

All of the participants won prizes of different sorts, but the top prize winners were Elsee Langstron and Oliver Fisher, who won the top prize bikes, and Evelin Hess, who won a gift card to Just For Fun Toys.

Kids practices a number of different skills with their bikes.

Halloween reminders

The practice is especially helpful on the cusp of Halloween, as the dusk hours of October 31 are a particularly dangerous time for both pedestrians and bike readers.  While adults are well aware of the likelihood of children being out in roadways—sometimes quickly and unexpectedly—on the holiday, drivers are advised to be extra cautious, and stay mindful or the need to keep their attention on the road and ready for quick action.

Trick or Treaters and those with them are encouraged to make sure that they stay on marked streets and in lighted areas of the town.  Costumes (as well as bikes) should also involve the use of some sort of reflective material to aid visibility and safety.  Costumes that obscure vision or movement in a very restrictive way should be used cautiously.  

For Malad, this year’s Trunk or Treat at Broulim’s (formerly Thomas Market) will take place on Halloween from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  As always, cars will be decked out in the parking lot for the armies of candy-hungry monsters to visit.