Hello, Plant Based Nutrition Support Group!

Those same words were the first spoken at “Our Night to Remember” event with Dr. Neal Barnard on September 19th, 2024. The day of the event, our giving volunteers arrived first, all with smiles and such kind words. Our lead volunteer, Leslie DeRemer, was there to greet the others and let them know where they were needed. The volunteers all knew exactly what to do, just like they did when PBNSG had in-person events prior to Covid. We all gathered for a team picture that turned out PERFECT! At 6:00 p.m. our featured speaker, Dr. Neal Barnard, arrived and was welcomed with open arms. Our friends started to arrive shortly after when the venue doors opened. Everyone I saw walk in had smiles and gave big hugs, and tears of joy were seen everywhere. The cheerful hallway chatter got louder as more people arrived. It was like a symphony intensifying its volume, with an atmosphere that was magical.

Behind the scenes, Bryan Dennstedt and Brett Nyquist assisted the Birmingham Seaholm audio staff with set up. Never missing a beat, we were ready to start the evening. I was watching it all play out and thinking about just how much I missed our live events. It felt so good. I even did something I had never done before, when I walked on stage about fifteen minutes before the speakers began, took the microphone, and just talked to everyone who was seated. It was really nice, and I hope it made everyone feel a bit more comfortable. I took the stage again at 7:00 p.m., welcomed everyone back, made a few jokes, and shared a bit about the future of PBNSG. I then introduced our first speakers, Dr. Joel Kahn, Meryl Fury, Bryan Dennstedt, Brett Nyquist, and Dr. Robert Breakey. Each one was amazing! People reconnected with both Dr. Kahn and Dr. Breakey, met the inspiring Meryl Fury, and got a glimpse of PBNSG’s future, from Bryan and Brett. At 7:45 p.m. Dr. Neal Barnard took center stage and stole the show with his presentation of his newest book, The Power Foods Diet. He then took questions from the audience until 9:00 p.m.

Afterward, the 400+ attendees went back out to the lobby, gave more hugs, and said their goodbyes - until next time. It was truly Our Night to Remember.

Here are some of my final thoughts of the event, to share with you:

1. Everyone looked wonderful!

2. I remembered many names, but not all of them.

3. We will try and do this again next year, hopefully twice.

4. If anyone wants to help organize the next in-person event, please let me know by sending an email to paul@pbnsg.org.

5. If anyone knows someone who lives in Michigan, who might wish to speak for us, please let me know.

6. In a few weeks, a recording of the event will be available on our pbnsg.org website. For a small donation you will be able to view it, or you may send it to anyone you wish.

7. I loved the event and hope you did too! IT WAS OUR NIGHT TO REMEMBER!