I had the pleasure of visiting Albert Lea last week for the first time. I came with the goal of meeting your community’s leaders and checking on the progress of the AARP/Blue Zones Vitality Project sponsored by the United Health Foundation.

I left with an incredible sense of pride in your community and confidence in your ability to pull this project off. With six months of progress under our belt, I can confidently report that the AARP/Blue Zones Vitality Project is poised for success.

Albert Lea is an incredible gem of a community – a beautiful city of lakes, with dedicated leaders, and people of all ages who seem willing to try as a community to live, longer, better. Thank you for showing me your commitment to this project.

During my short stay, I was able to participate in one of the “Purpose Workshops” led by Barbara Hoese of the Inventure Group. Thanks to the generosity of the United Health Foundation, this seminar (which is normally offered to the general public for $140) was able to reach at least 600 Albert Leans.

I was also able to experience your lakes, meet many community leaders, talk with several participants of the Vitality Project, and witness the launch of the “Walking Moai” project. More than 400 people attended this launch – to make a commitment to walking with their neighbors, and to learn how keeping your friends close can help improve health.

Since AARP and Blue Zones launched the Vitality Project in January, we have diligently watched your progress.

Your city’s infrastructure is improving to add bike lanes and walking opportunities. Discussions continue with state and federal leaders about additional improvements.

Your schools, parent groups and students have demonstrated a big commitment to improving the environment for your children. Dr. Leslie Lytle’s work with Albert Lea schools will help stave off the national childhood obesity epidemic facing our country.

Your walking school bus pilot, to be launched fully in the fall, will catch the attention of communities around the country.

Your businesses and restaurants are coming on board to help improve your eating environment, make workplaces healthier and give people healthy choices..

More than 150 Vitality Project Ambassadors are helping to spread the word and urge people to sign the pledge and take the Vitality Compass at www.aarp.org/bluezonesproject.

Your community gardens are green and growing — and your farmers market has become a regional attraction.

Healthy cooking classes are starting soon! Visit www.aarp.org/bluezonesproject or call Community Education at 379-4834 to find out more

And, most importantly, your enthusiasm for the project remains golden.

Keep up the good work. Your front page Life section appearance on USA Today has caught the attention of millions around the country. You have the opportunity to show the rest of the world how one community can band together to increase health and vitality of individuals — while strengthening connections and having fun.

Please urge your neighbors, friends and colleagues to take the Vitality Compass at www.aarp.org/bluezones project. Watch the Web site’s events calendar for upcoming events. Spread the word to others about the project.

AARP The Magazine, AARP’s Web site and other national media outlets will continue to follow your progress. Please let us know about your progress so we can share good personal stories about the people of Albert Lea. Are you taking the pledge? Have you made a commitment to change your life? Communicate with us by sending an e-mail to vitalityproject@aarp.org. Let us know what’s working, and what’s not working.

I’ll see you at our final celebration on Oct. 13 — that is, if I don’t see you on national TV first!

Cathy Ventura-Merkel is the head of the publishing division for AARP.