Albert Lea featured in USA Today
Story relates AARP/Blue Zones Vitality Project
By Sarah Stultz | Albert Lea Tribune
Published Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The AARP/Blue Zones Vitality Project in Albert Lea entered the national spotlight Monday with a feature in USA Today.
The feature included a teaser and photo on the front page of the newspaper, with the complete article on the front of the Life section.
Along with the story — which explained the history and goals of the Vitality Project — were two photos of parents, grandparents and Lakeview Elementary School students walking home from school as part of the “walking school bus” initiative of the project. On the second page of the section was a photo of Blue Zones founder and National Geographic explorer Dan Buettner talking with Albert Lea residents, along with a sidebar describing some of the healthy menu changes taking place at Trail’s Family Restaurant.
The online version of the story came with a narrated video showing some community changes as a result of the Vitality Project.
The article comes several weeks after local leaders first announced the article was coming. The community is in the middle of learning initiatives aimed at increasing longevity.
The story began by telling readers about Buettner. It said Buettner has spent recent years discovering the places around the world where people people live the longest, healthiest lives. Now, he and his colleagues are taking what they’ve learned to Albert Lea to help the city’s residents “live longer, better,” as the project’s tagline states.
They announced Albert Lea was selected for the project in January.
The article stated Albert Lea is typical, with rates of heart disease, obesity and diabetes that are similar to average American towns. The city was selected because its residents were most motivated to change.
“The project’s strategies are simple: Eat more fruits and vegetables, walk instead of drive, stay productive and social well into old age, and seek inner fulfillment — things we all know will improve our quality of life, but we don’t always do,” Buettner said in the article.
The project focuses on revitalizing four areas of Albert Leans’ lives: Community environment, social groups, home and work habitats, and building the inner self.
The story also talked of changes being made to menus at restaurants and at local schools and businesses.
“It’s wonderful to see the great work done by people in Albert Lea recognized,” said Joel Spoonheim, health initiatives director for Blue Zones. “We hope this inspires more people to get involved.”
So far, 20 percent of residents have signed on, which is double Buettner’s aim of 10 percent participation, the article stated. And to help the project’s principles continue on even after the project comes to a close in October, AARP and Blue Zones leaders are asking residents to become team leaders.
Locally, the USA Today reporter interviewed City Manager Victoria Simonsen, Lakeview Elementary School Principal Jean Jordan, resident Colleen Zeman, walking group coordinator Jeshua Erickson, and resident Cathy Purdie, who is also the director of marketing and strategic development at Trail’s Travel Center.
“It’s exciting to see our local efforts in the national media,” Albert Lea City Manager Victoria Simonsen said. “This is a great opportunity to make healthy lifestyle changes. The community has all sorts of tools being offered to help individuals be successful. I only hope that people will utilize them while the increased support is available.”
Some of the tools being offered include cooking classes, walking groups, purpose workshops, among others.
Purdie, who was interviewed about the changes taking place to the menu at Trail’s Family Restaurant, said she hopes the article will help get more Albert Leans interested in signing up to be a part of the Vitality Project.
“I am super excited,” she said. “I think this is so wonderful for our town, our community. It’s very positive.”
Albert Lea Mayor Mike Murtaugh said he’s proud that Albert Leans have responded the way they have to the Vitality Project.
“To have Albert Lea featured in a national publication, that, along with its Web version generates over 20 million impressions is incredibly valuable,” Murtaugh said. “That’s not just to Albert Lea, but to the overall Blue Zones project as well since what’s learned from implementing these practices here will be made available to people everywhere.”
To view the complete USA Today article online, click here.