Mercer Island Rotary Club launches Music Mends Minds

The first meeting was on Oct. 24, and the next one is Nov. 27.

Music Mends Minds, which recently launched on Mercer Island, creates musical support for patients with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia and Parkinson’s as well as traumatic brain injury, stroke and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The focus of a monthly Music Mends Minds gathering organized by Mercer Island Rotary Club is on musical “sing alongs,” as it has been demonstrated that singing improves the quality and clarity of both speech and singing, with music simultaneously activating multiple parts of the brain.

The first monthly Mercer Island gathering was on Oct. 24 at the Congregational Church on Island Crest Way. Nearly 40 people joined the hour-long event, singing along to more than 13 “Golden Oldies,” including “Zip-A-Dee-Do-Dah,” “When You’re Smiling” and “You Are My Sunshine,” all accompanied by a pianist.

Community leaders attending to help launch the event included Rotary District Governor Alan Merry and KIRO news talkshow host Dave Ross, an Island resident.

Music Mends Minds will meet the fourth Tuesday each month, from 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m., at the Congregational Church, with the next event on Nov. 27. Caregivers should accompany participants.

Alan Merry and Amy Huggins enjoy Mercer Island Rotary’s first Music Mends Minds program on Oct. 24. Photo courtesy of Nancy Lee

Alan Merry and Amy Huggins enjoy Mercer Island Rotary’s first Music Mends Minds program on Oct. 24. Photo courtesy of Nancy Lee

Music Mends Minds will meet the fourth Tuesday each month, from 2:30-3:30 p.m., at the Congregational Church, with the next event on Nov. 27. Photo courtesy of Nancy Lee

Music Mends Minds will meet the fourth Tuesday each month, from 2:30-3:30 p.m., at the Congregational Church, with the next event on Nov. 27. Photo courtesy of Nancy Lee