The Weekly Walk: Stories to Inspire You

Born to Ride: Evelyn Murcia

This week, we want to introduce you to Evelyn Murcia. Evelyn is the events and outreach coordinator for BikeArlington. Evelyn loves bikes. She grew up in Arlington and has been interested in bikes for as long as she can remember. Through the Earn a Bike program with Phoenix Bikes, a local nonprofit bike shop, she learned to become a top-notch bike mechanic while still in high school. Evelyn seems to intuitively know what needs fixing on a bike—sometimes just by looking at it. She also teaches adults to ride. In her spare time, she does cyclocross racing. She enjoys sharing her love of bikes with her partner and young daughter

The Secret of a Long Life: Vera Punke

This week, meet Vera Punke. At 106, Vera is one of Arlington’s oldest residents. We were fortunate to be able to interview Vera about her long and full life. She’s operated her own business, raised children, and moved from Florida to Arlington, where she now lives at The Jefferson residence for older adults, not far from her daughter. Vera has outlived all four of her husbands and endured her share of hardships. The driving principle of her life? Always look forward, never look back.

A Walking Love Story: Tim and Celia Miner

This week, we want to introduce you to Tim and Celia Miner. Walking factors prominently into their life together. The couple participate in volksmarching, a type on noncompetitive social walking that originated in Europe in the 1960s. Together, they founded the U.S. FreedomWalk Festival: a three-day annual walking weekend that takes place in mid-October. In our recent conversation with them, Tim and Celia recalled their first meeting 25 years ago.

Nutrition and a Healthy Lifestyle: Charmaine Jones

This week, we want to introduce you to Charmaine Jones, a registered dietitian and owner of Food Jonezi, a consulting practice specializing in nutrition counseling and education, wellness and prevention, menu planning, and nutrition analysis. Charmaine spoke with us about her career path and her mission to help women make healthier choices.

Anything’s Possible: Pam's Story

This week, we want to introduce you to Pam Van Hine, a resident of Arlington County’s Aurora Highlands neighborhood, a retired medical librarian, and a tireless advocate for pedestrian safety in the County. She’s also passionate about marathons. Now 73, Pam ran her first marathon at the age of 54.