Vinnie Walk has one of the most appropriate last names for someone who doesn't just talk the talk. And in the process of walking the walk, the Mattoon High School economics teacher not only is applying classroom theory in the real business world, he's also perserving a little bit of his hometown's heritage.
   Along with his parents, Steve and Janis Walk, Vinnie Walk spent more than a year transforming the old Lakeland Lanes bowling alley into what he said is a much-needed banquet and reception hall.
   The aptly named Walk Way facility opened in mid-October, and is already being put to use for weddings, receptions and parties.
   Walk decided Mattoon needed a site for these kinds of events because of his interaction with current and former students.
   "I was involved in setting up a lot of the proms and dances (for the high school), and it was always hard to find places to host events," he said, noting that former students regular asking him to recommend venues for weddings.
   "We were just shipping everything out of town." Now, however, "It will be nice to keep these weddings in Mattoon, and it's also nice to bring people from outside (the area) to Mattoon," Walk said.
   And in keeping with the building's past, the Walks resurfaced much of the original flooring and filled in the gutters, while some of the materials for the renovation were salvaged from bowling lanes.
   Countertops were made from portions of the old floor, while sections of the gutters became decorative tile shingles for the bar area. The walks also preserved the original trophy case and are seeking memorabilia from bowlers.
   "We'd like to keep some of the history," Walk said. "It was one of the few buildings on the south side of Mattoon for many years.
   "With the help of relatives, friends and a full-time carpenter, the Walk family dedicated much of their spare time to the remodeling effort. "Our lives were put on hold for one year," said Janis Walk.
   She and her husband still own and operate Walk Heating and Air Conditioning, while Walk Way marks the younger Walk's second business venture in the community: For the last five years, he has been the "Vinnie" of Vinnie and Al's Miniature Golf course at Peterson Park.
   Both enterprises require Walk to utilize the theories he imparts to his students at MHS, he said.
   "That's what's neat — I teach economics, and i'm able to use a lot of what i teach in business," said Walk. "My students can better relate to (their lessons). That's kind of neat — I'm able to tie those things in.
   "The 10,000-square-foot Walk Way can seat up to 400 people and has one of the largest dance floors in the state, according to Walk.
   Possible future uses for Walk Way include dinner theater, he added.
   "Now we're pretty glad we didn't tear it down," he said.