Disclaimer: The members of the Flat Earth Society at Monarch Landing senior living community in Naperville, Illinois, do, in fact, believe the Earth is round. Very round. They also believe in coffee, conversation, trivia and having a good laugh. The name is purely for fun.
A Society in Name Only
At 8:30 every weekday, a group of Monarch Landing residents gathers around a round table for the very unscientific purpose of discussing just about everything.
Welcome to the Flat Earth Society.
With about 16 regulars and usually eight to 10 attendees, the group is less about geography and more about gathering. Everyone is welcome, whenever they’d like to attend. There are no dues, bylaws, attendance requirements or minutes. There is, however, a premium on arriving early. The table has eight chairs, and according to member Joe Peluso, “The front row is a better show.”
Susan Murray, who has lived at Monarch Landing for three years, describes the meetings simply: “We talk about everything and nothing.”
More Than a Little Variety
The Flat Earth Society is just one small piece of a much bigger programming picture at Monarch Landing. The community offers a wide range of clubs, committees, educational programs and activities, including a sustainability committee, current events discussions, a book club, a travel club, a volunteer steering committee and a veterans group, among many others.
Some programs are designed to inform and educate. Others encourage service, civic engagement and exploration. Many give residents opportunities to pursue their interests and share their knowledge and experience.
Then there is the Flat Earth Society, which tips the balance just a little toward humor, camaraderie and the occasional discussion about armadillos.
Everything and Nothing
A typical morning might begin with someone having trouble with a television. “We problem-solve,” said Susan.
The conversation might move to what is on the calendar for the rest of the day, something someone read in the news, or whatever happens to be on someone’s mind. They often launch into trivia.
Politics and religion are off the table, but almost everything else is fair game.
The group’s diverse backgrounds make the conversations particularly interesting. Monarch Landing residents include engineers, lawyers, retail professionals and scientists. “We have a few physicists,” Susan said. “They keep us honest about the no flat Earth thing.”
The physicists have also shared their expertise on the physics of toilet flushing, proving that no subject is too mundane for a Flat Earth Society discussion.
The Armadillo in the Room
Trivia can take the conversation in unexpected directions. One question asked which mammal has identical quadruplets in every pregnancy. The answer was armadillos. Suddenly the group had a new fascination.
For weeks, armadillos kept coming up in the conversation. “It had us laughing so much,” Joe said. “Someone said, ‘you can eat them.’” (they reportedly taste like chicken)
That only gave the group more mammal-related topics to talk about.
Meet Findlay
Susan decided the group needed its own armadillo. She bought a stuffed armadillo toy and named him Findlay, after a beloved Society attendee’s Ohio hometown. Findlay the armadillo now makes regular appearances at Flat Earth Society meetings, where he has become part mascot, part conversation starter and a source of amusement.
Then there was the kale incident.
Kale, Meet Armadillo
While discussing healthy eating, someone complained about kale. Another member mentioned that massaging kale can reduce its bitterness. Susan immediately and inexplicably envisioned an armadillo massaging kale. The image was too ridiculous not to share, and Findlay apparently gained yet another role in Flat Earth Society lore. A kale masseuse.
A resident of Monarch Landing who is a graphic artist even designed official Flat Earth Society T-shirts boasting kale and an armadillo, providing an official look for the group.
No Bylaws Required. Or, in Fact, Allowed
Despite its official sounding name, the Flat Earth Society is about as unofficial as a club can get. “We keep asking if maybe we should have bylaws since all groups have bylaws but it would be silly,” Joe said. “They don’t exist.”
There are no formalities, no expectations. Just a standing invitation to pull up a chair, grab some coffee, and join the conversation.
Finding Their People
Joe moved to Monarch Landing about a year ago after returning to the area from Florida to be closer to family. He made a point of getting involved right away, joining Bible study, a men’s church group, Wii bowling and even karaoke. He has performed three times so far.
“I want to meet more people, and that’s a good way to do it,” he said.
Susan had a similar experience after moving to Monarch Landing.
“When moving in, I didn’t expect to be so busy,” she said. “There’s so much stuff to do, so many great people. It’s a lot of fun here. It’s like being in college without the paperwork and exams.”
As for the Flat Earth Society, Susan sums it up best.
“It’s just coffee, laughs and conversation,” she said.
Joe agrees, although he adds wistfully, “I wish people would wear their T-shirts more often.”
And every Monday morning, he looks forward to finding out what the group will talk about next.
“We never know what it’s going to be,” he said. “That’s what makes it fun.”
Monarch Landing
Monarch Landing is a Life Plan Community located on a scenic campus in Naperville, Illinois-named “one of America’s best places to live and retire” by Modern Maturity, and “the best city for early retirement” by Kiplinger. Monarch Landing offers independent living, promoting a vibrant lifestyle for active seniors. The Springs at Monarch Landing offers memory supported assisted living, respite care, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing services, thus providing complete continuing care for seniors. Monarch Landing is owned by Senior Care Development and managed by Life Care Services®. For additional information visit www.WelcomeToMonarchLanding.com or www.TheSpringsatMonarchLanding.com.
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Media Contact: Wendy Foster | [email protected]