Are you part of the last generation of kids who were outside from about daybreak to near dark? If that was you working a paper route on bike or foot, and/or playing ball, hopscotch, jacks, and jump rope, school sports, climbing trees, sledding, helping in the garden, and walking to and from school, or if you are the offspring of the outdoor-all day set, and spent some of most every day doing some of those things, when you were not watching the then-new HBO and MTV, you know its value – outdoor time’s, that is.

All the outdoor time Wiscasset middle schoolers put in for a Teens for Trails event earned third place and $1,000. It perhaps more importantly set a nice example of a team effort, organization and the variety of activities that count, even if only because you are doing them outdoors, like the homework example Phil DiVece mentions in his story on last week’s award presentation.

Aside from wind chill, precipitation and this summer’s smoke from Canada, outside in Maine is a beautiful backdrop for families’ play, homework, or chores. Wear layers and orange, be aware of your surroundings, follow road rules, check for ticks after and, while you are out there, take in the remaining foliage and the air and sky.

Week’s positive parting thought: Need to do some good thinking? Take a walk.