As part of my volunteer activities for our community home owners association, I help write the newsletter that keeps residents informed.

For me, the interviews are fun and meeting new people enlarges my world.

My interview this week was with Donna, a dynamo volunteer who has started many of our social activities.

The story of what led her to start our popular Meet and Greet events is an interesting one.

She said it all started when she and her husband were enjoying some wine in their backyard. When their next door neighbor saw them, she asked if she could come over and have some wine, too.

Although they didn’t know their neighbors, Donna and her husband welcomed them and shared their wine.

“That’s when it dawned on me that unless you’re a golfer there is no way for newcomers to get to know others in the community,” Donna said.

As one who likes to solve problems, Donna came up with the idea of having a Meet and Greet event in our community park where everyone could bring a dish to share with others. The purpose is just to meet people.

She set a date and posted it on social media. Obviously there was a great need for a way to meet others. About 100 people showed up.

While I was impressed with what Donna did, I kept thinking about the next door neighbor that asked to come over and share their wine.

Bear in mind they were total strangers at that point.

Would you have had the nerve to ask strangers if you could come share their wine?

I’m an outgoing person but I can’t see myself doing that.

My next door neighbor is a professional chef and every time he is in the yard grilling it smells so good that I wish I could have some of what he was cooking.

But no way would I ever say, “Hey, Bob, can I have some?”

On the other hand, one guy on our block shows up uninvited at every cookout, even if he doesn’t know them. He just announces, “Make one for me, too” as he plops himself down. I thought he was a bit crazy to do that.

Surprisingly, one neighbor was delighted at his appearance and they became close friends.

I do believe in reaching out to connect with neighbors. We never get to know them if we don’t put ourselves out to make an effort.

When COVID-19 was shutting things down three years ago many of us changed our socializing. We stopped gathering in crowds and stopped group socializing.

What that did was create social isolation that still persists. That’s why I’m making a major effort to meet new people and do new things.

But I still would not ask a neighbor if I could have some of her wine or food.

I told you about Donna’s Meet and Greet dinners. According to her they are not drawing as many people as before COVID hit.

I think once we get out of the habit of doing something, it’s hard to reestablish that same commitment.

My friend Jeanne and I loved going to Boogie Chair dance sessions. It seems strange to say we can get exercise by sitting in a chair but it works.

When the hurricane closed the gyms we lost our place to go to classes. It took a year for the county to repair all the facilities.

In the meantime, we got out of the habit of seeking ways to exercise. I keep promising myself “I’ll do it next week” but I have to push myself to get back in the groove.

In keeping with my goal to start reaching out to more people to expand my social activities, I did ask one couple if they wanted to go to breakfast. They invited me to breakfast a few weeks ago but I got sick and couldn’t do it.

When I got back to them, they said they were delighted to hear from me. But then they had to cancel because the wife got sick.

I will keep trying to connect with them because they are an enjoyable, lively couple.

I also tell myself I’m going to go to the next Meet and Greet event.

Maybe. I have to go alone and that’s harder than when you have someone to go with you.

Donna and I talked about how hard it is to attend those events if you’re not a couple.

I have been thinking about something our local American Legion does for their Friday night dances.

They set aside one long table for singles. Anyone without a partner is welcome to pop in. It seems to work well.

I told Donna I would like to do that for our Meet and Greet dinners.

Will I?

Even for this extravert it’s hard to go sit at a table alone hoping someone will come to join you. It’s easy once others come but it takes someone to organize it.

I’m thinking about it.

Do you find it’s hard to make new friends?

When you’re younger or part of an established group making new friends is easier. When you’re older it’s no longer easy. But it’s even more necessary.

One guy told me the secret is to join more groups. If you’re alone would you have enough nerve to do that?

Contact Pattie Mihalik at newsgirl@comcast.net.