President Mark Foster rang the opening bell at 12:30. Tom Strode warmed us up with The Star Spangled Banner. Ed Johnson told us many interesting things about the history of the eclipse getting us ready for the April 8 event. Right on theme, Ingrid Sheldon led us in singing On the Sunny Side of the Street. President Mark extended thanks to the people who make the meetings run smoothly, and introduced guests. First up was Scott Nelson who invited us to participate in the 15 Day Plant Rich Diet in conjunction with Earth Day, April 22, 2024. President Mark greeted the many other guests, then celebrated our one birthday, and several anniversaries.

Steve Schram reported the Rotary News. Leo Shedden and Ed Johnson told us that we have received a certificate of appreciation/recognition from the state highway department for our Adopt-a-Highway cleanup efforts. This Spring’s cleanup is scheduled for 9:00am Saturday, April 20. Sign up to join the fun at adoptahighway@a2rotary.org.

Paul Webb reminded us of the opportunity to participate in the county tree planting and giveaway on the weekend of April 27 and 28. Saplings will be given away to help a2Zero plant 10,000 trees on private property. Volunteers are needed. Read more about it and sign up  on our website by clicking on the orange bar, Click Here to See More of Our Club’s News.

Shelley MacMillan announced the 22 Annual Wine, Women and Song Rehearsal Party on April 24 at Kerrytown Concert House. You will hear great music in ‘Tell Me Something Good.” This is an RCAA-only event, which includes a wine reception at 7:00pm before the 7:30 performance. Purchase your $40.00 tickets at bit.ly/wws-rotary-2024.

John White invited us all to gather in the stairwell at the close of the meeting to recreate the iconic “This Close” photo that celebrated our Polio Plus efforts in 2012. There were only two cases of polio reported this year,  so we are really, really close!

President Mark encouraged us all to sign up for the District Conference, which will take place May 17 – 19. Ann Arbor is hosting the conference this year and our Collyer Smith, who is District Governor, has planned some special surprises for attendees. Sign up for the learning, networking and fun: https://rotary6380.org/

Notes from the Speaker

Jeff Tritten, President of Washtenaw Optimal Wellness, introduced us to Blue Zones Projects. A consortium of health, governance, and business professionals gathered to find cases of verifiable longevity, not just that is self reported, but that can be substantiated by other contemporaneous records. There are several clusters that met their criteria, and all but one were indigenous,  monocultural and largely isolated populations. These communities had little chronic disease and longevity was the norm. The group identified nine characteristics of these communities: 1) people were not sedentary or ‘exercised’ like we do in the West, but moved naturally with their life events; 2) the individuals had a strong sense of purpose; 3) every person has a destressor that they turn to when needed; 4) they eat small meals with very little meat; 5) their food is largely plant based; 6) they drink wine in moderation, and almost always as a social occasion; 7) family is first; 8) they have a strong sense of belonging, to family, friends, and community; 9) they have longstanding friendships.

There are around 50 Blue Zone Projects around the world. Where the projects have grown enough to create verifiable results, health care costs have dropped, childhood obesity has plummeted and people are happier. Communities are made more walkable and people are encouraged to get outside, move, and meet their neighbors. There is an emphasis on education about food choices and nutrition – some retailers are moving candy and other sweets away from the checkout stands. Community groups involve their volunteers in encouraging others to move more. There is a proliferation of personal purpose and enrichment workshops.

Washtenaw Optimal Wellness.org is building a coalition of local groups to start Blue Zone projects here, especially in the Ypsilanti area. They hope this will address the great economic disparity so evident in our county.

After Jeff answered questions, President Mark closed the meeting by leading us in reciting the Four Way Test. The speaker next week will be Etta Heisler, Executive Director of Apple Play Schools.