• Homer Nye gave the invocation.
• Cindy Ruzak led us in singing Christmas Day in the Morning, and I’m Dreaming of a Blue Christmas, Click here to view the video that was mentioned by Cindy.
• John Racine introduced our guests.
• President Mike introduced our newest Rotarian, Brad Mackler. Welcome to the club Brad!
• See Dan Ricard or Steve Wade to jump in and help with Christmas Baskets.
• Congratulations to Marsha Smith on becoming a new grandmother!
• Mark Eckhoff gave us Rotary 101: Please set aside formal titles at Rotary gatherings! (When in doubt, just say “Tom.”)
• Congratulations to Herb Lemcool on being awarded the Chamber’s Distinguished Leadership Award.
• Congratulations to all the Rotary Charities grant recipients! Check out the website to see the list of award winners.
• Becky Ewing introduced our speakers.

Shape Up North is not just your ordinary network of groups working together. It’s a region-wide collaboration of businesses, nonprofits, and health care agencies working together to help people live healthier lifestyles.
 
It’s an important network, too, since about two-thirds of the five-county Grand Traverse area are considered obese or overweight and a 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment showed that obesity and weight management was number one priority in the region, according to Munson’s Christi Nowak.
 
After working with Northsky consultant, Woody Smith, Shape Up North realized a few things: the network needed to expand its reach and broaden the type of organizations around the table.
 
Shape Up North’s Alyson Kass told us about a new Fruit and Vegetable Prescription pilot program, where 200 participants who have a chronic disease are offered cooking classes and farmer’s market coupons. The Shape Up North partners looked to Washtenaw County as an example and the program is administered through Munson Family Practice. Through the program, not only did fruit and vegetable consumption go up, but confidence and motivation among participants increased, too.
 
Shape Up North has partnered with groups in Benzie County like Grow Benzie and Paul Oliver Hospital to explore ways to really have an impact in Benzie County. They’re looking at ways to make it easier for people in the area to eat healthier, locally-grown fruits and veggies. The speakers said Grow Benzie’s Josh Stoltz is leading innovative efforts in Benzie.
 
Over the next year, Shape Up North will be looking for ways to collaborate with more organizations, including businesses who would like to create employee wellness programs.
 
Rotarians can get involved with Shape Up North by visiting their website (www.shapeupnorth.com) and sharing information with their team about local events that are related to living a healthy and active lifestyle.