Since I turned the big 4-0 in 2023, it’s been a bit of a running gag in my house that I’ve officially reached middle age. My kids like to remind me of that every chance they get, but after hearing what Mindy Giambrone at our YMCA had to say about blue zones this week, I’m starting to hold out hope I’m not there just yet.

Mindy was one of the first people I interviewed for a story after coming on board with The Post back in December and she mentioned the idea of blue zones during that discussion. You see, blue zones are areas of the world where people tend to have a longer-than-average lifespan. Back when she first mentioned it, Mindy was talking about it in relation to her role as the adult director of the Active Y program. She mentioned it again to our features reporter Terri Cowart Frazier this week when she was covering the 100th birthday party of Mr. Bob Cunny, which was held at the Y.

If you haven’t read that story, you should. Mr. Cunny is impressive, to say the least. How in shape he is at a century of age will probably make you feel a little bad about yourself, but if you’re like me, it may also motivate you to become more active.

Mr. Cunny’s birthday comes just a week before a planned celebration Saturday at the Southern Heritage Air Foundation for Tallulah resident Rufus Puckett, who will turn 101. For those who don’t know, I spent five years as the publisher of the Madison Journal there in Tallulah. Those years had a gap between my two stints there, so I estimate I first met Mr. Puckett in around 2014. He looks the same today as he did then. It’s pretty amazing and both men’s stories make me think there might be something to this blue zone idea.

Reading Mr. Cunny’s story certainly makes you realize the importance of exercise, diet and staying active. Mr. Puckett will tell you a lot the same, but I’m looking forward to seeing him Saturday and asking some more in-depth questions. I think I need to further explore what these gentlemen are doing, because it’s clearly working for them.

And, if more of us can apply their secrets to our own lives, Warren County could be an official blue zone before we know it. And I may be able to tell my kids they need to wait another decade or so for those middle-aged jokes.

Blake Bell is the general manager and executive editor of The Vicksburg Post. He can be reached at blake.bell@vicksburgpost.com.