Next Thursday, Nov. 24, the Ramstein Roadrunners will hold their annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot. We are going to feature the walk this week so that next Thursday morning you can be out on the trail bright and early.

This is the 27th year for this walk in Ramstein. The walk will start at the Mehrzweckhalle in Miesenbach; street address Am Kiefernkopf 20. The 5- and 10- kilometer trails start between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.; the finish time is 3 p.m. Please finish by that time so the club members and other volunteers can quickly clean up the hall and get home to their Thanksgiving meals. This year’s prize is a beer mug, but the quantity is limited. The club will offer a B-medal Edelweiss scarf in assorted colors. Don’t forget to bring some baked goods to donate to the club.

Many of you have the day off, so here is the chance to do a volksmarch in the Ramstein area. This is especially true for single service members who are away from home for the holiday. Don’t be sad because you are away from family and friends; go to this event and meet some walking friends. You won’t be at home, but a touch of German culture would make this holiday unique. A brisk walk through the forests and fields to build up the metabolism and then having a bratwurst and a cold beverage to hold you over until turkey time is a great way to put a new spin on the holiday. Take the opportunity to log a few extra kilometers and spend some quality time on the trail with family or friends — old or new.

If you can’t make it to the walk next week but want to know more about the Roadrunners, see its website, ava.org/clubs/ramsteinroadrunners.

• If you want to go to the Metz, France, walk and Christmas market with the Roadrunners on Dec. 10, sign up and pay before the Turkey-trot to get a “speedy bird” discount. Contact Gene Behrends at parrotdad@hotmail.com to sign up.

• This weekend is the Spangdahlem Holiday Bazaar. we plan to walk Sunday in Gillsdorf, Luxembourg. This event is very convenient for the folks in the Bitburg and Spangdahlem areas. While Lorraine shops on Saturday, Bob will be hanging out with friends Ed Lapotsky and Peter Dupré of Aviation Arts and Collectibles at Peter’s booth. As the name states, Peter’s specialty is aviation artwork, but he also carries a variety of other military prints and collectables. If you see us, stop and say hi! We will also be looking for the latest artwork from our friend Michel Hothum, whose prints of angels are truly heavenly. Of course, pottery from Soufflenheim, France, is high on our shopping list as well. If you see us there, come up and say “Hi!”Not only is the countryside beautiful, it is close to Bob’s favorite Battle of the Bulge museum in Diekirch, Luxembourg.

• According to Rob Floyd of the Heidelberg International Wandering Club, we will see the price of volksmarching prizes increase in 2012. The cost of the walk with IVV credit only will remain 1.50 euros, but clubs will be able to set their own price for prizes. This price has been capped at 3.80 euros for the past few years, but this will no longer be the case. Maybe clubs will offer nicer prizes now, even if it does mean an increase in cost? • Christmas markets will be opening soon across Europe. If you know of a volksmarch near a Christmas market, let us know so we can spread the word.• A hearty merci to some of our fellow walkers who took time out to mail us volksmarch brochures. This week they are: William Castro and Maureen McHugh-Castro, Michael and Michelle Connor, Cath and Rob Floyd, Bob Gambert, Richard and Donna Glenn, Wayne Henry, Ramona and Horst Kechelen, Tim and Luchi Lynch, “Pat” and Cheryl Patterson, Richie and Young Sook Reeder, Rick and Wanda Sciascia and Nancy Shawley.

Because the number of walks have grown fewer due to the chillier weather, I am listing them here rather than on a separate document.

E-mail volksmarch information to two.walkers@yahoo.com. Mail brochures to Bob and Lorraine Huffaker, CMR 460, Box 278, APO, AE, 09752.

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