Nordic Walking Classes in Two M-States

A slew of intros in the Land of Lakes -- and at least one class series
in Massachusetts

Minnesota
I think of Minnesota as a Nordic Walking hotbed. Two women -- Linda Lemke and Rhea Kontos -- each offer an impressive schedule of classes, and Nordic Walking is available in other contexts too.

Linda Lemke, who calls herself the "Nordic Walking Queen," has scheduled the following classes (click on the links or call the numbers she provided to check on times and costs):

Wednesdays, April 15, 22, 29 - Wayzata Community Education class #nordwk-400-00-001-09, 763-745-5200
Thursdays, April 16, 23 - Edina Community Education, Nordic Walking for Better Health 952-848-3950
Saturdays, May 2, 9, 16 - Nordic Walking Classes at Hoigaards, all 3 sessions for $25, Email Lemke for details
Wednesdays, May 13, 20, 27 - Minnetonka Community Ed, Nordic Walking for Better Health, 952-401-6800
Thursdays, May 7, 14, 21 and Saturdays, May 30, June 6, 13 - Plymouth Parks and Recreation Classes #30919 and 30920, 763-509-5200

Rhea Kontos of Nordic Walk This Way has not, as far as I know, given herself a title, but here's her schedule of upcoming one-session intro classes at $19 each, including use of demo poles. For times or to register, call the phone numbers that Kontos provided or register online when the community is shown below in blue -- and for the sharp-eyed among you, I have been trying to bullet and single-space Kontos's classes too, but this occasionally frustrating program

won't let me:

Thursday, April 16 or Tuesday, May 19 - at Jefferson High School, Bloomington, 952-681-6132

Tuesday, April 21; Thursday; May 14, Tuesday, June 2 - at Grainwood Middle School, Prior Lake, 952-226-0800

Thursday, April 30, or Tuesday, June 16, at Nicollet Junior High, Burnsville, 952-707-4110

Tuesday, April 28 - at North High School Lakeville, 952-232-2150; register online with Park & Rec or call 952-985-4600

Tuesday, May 5 or Thursday, June 4 - at Falcon Ridge Middle School Eagan/A.V., 651-423-7920

Wednesday, May 6; Thursday, June 11, or Tuesday, August 18 - Shakopee, Community Center, (if registering online, at "Activity Type" drop-down box, select "Programs-Adult"), 952-233-9500

Thursday, May 7 - at Bridgewater Elementary, Northfield, 507-664-3648

Tuesday, May 12 - at Jonathan Elementary, Chaska, 952-556-6200

Wednesday, May 13 - River Bend Nature Center, Faribault, 507-384-0516 (or get mail-in form)

The Marsh,

a wellness center in Minnetonka is offering a low-cost Nordic walking class on this Saturday, April 18, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., including use or poles. Call 952-935-2202. Midwest Mountaineering has classes May 4 and 16. And Midwest Mountaineering's next Nordic Walking demo is on Monday, May 4, at 6:30 p.m. The store is at 309 Cedar Avenue, Minneapolis; 612-339-3433.