The May 21st Rotary Club began their meeting with Song Leader Gerrit Juffer leading the members in a rousing rendition of The Battle Hymn of the Republic in honor of the upcoming Memorial Weekend.

Membership Minute Chair Patty Frei gave an interesting talk about an ar-ticle she had read about a way to improve our physical and mental health and have a lower risk of mortality. This amazing drug is simple, just look at the Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self.

The article explained that research that has been done shows that people who volunteer regularly have been shown to have better physical health as they age. When we make acts of kindness a habit, it’s also good for our health. When we help others, it can boost our own happiness and psychological well-being. Research has shown that people who engage in volunteering and make charitable contributions have lower levels of physical pain. It is not completely understood how volunteering improves our health. A thought is that our stress response can improve when we do good for others. It may distract us from our own problems and give some perspective on our own lives. We really can’t go wrong when we engage in behaviors that aim to help others. At the very least, it will make the world a little better place for many others!

Bill Frei had a chance at the Queen of Hearts drawing but drew the Ace of Spades. He lost $350.00! The attendance race remains tied at nine misses each for the Henke attendance teams.

The rest of the meeting included a nice Thank You note from Hunter Lho-tak for his receiving a Rotary Scholarship at Graduation and a round table discussion on Rotary Membership.

The meeting adjourned with our recitation of the Rotary Four-Way Test: Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL & BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?